12 Memoirs in 12 Months

Reading my way through the enchanting piazzas of Rome to the simmering streets of Seoul

I’ve always been a nonfiction lover à la my years as a journalist. But last fall I took a memoir writing class that took my love to new heights. 

Alas. Reading for long languorous stretches is something I miss sorely since becoming a new mother. Now I find myself reading in tiny sneaky spurts - 10 minutes here or there - while my son Jaad plays or naps.

I have been trying to consciously integrate reading back into my daily routine, though I am not there yet.

To help, I set a goal to read 12 memoirs in 12 months this year. 

I created a list based on my class syllabus, my own research, and recommendations from friends. It’s a mix from past Pulitzer prize winning works to recently published modern day memoirs. 

So far my reading has taken me from the heart-aching impoverished streets of Limerick, Ireland in the 1930’s to the colorful and contemporary Seoul, South Korea. 

I am more than half way through my list and almost managed to stay on track until I returned to Portugal this summer with Jaad. Ha!

While I am reading for pleasure (always), I am also reading with a writer’s eye to discern story-telling techniques and tools. One of my big, hairy, audacious writer goals (see Jim Collins’ BHAG) is to write a memoir, and I am gleaning so much inspiration from these dynamic writers and their stories. 

Here is my full list, in no particular order:

• A Three Dog Life, Abigail Thomas

• Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt 

• Belonging, Michelle Miller

• Between Two Kingdoms, Suleika Jaouad

• Crying in H Mart, Michelle Zauner

• The Ungrateful Refugee, Dina Nayeri

• Four Seasons in Rome, Anthony Doerr

• From Scratch, Tembi Locke 

• Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi

• Tell me Everything, Erika Krouse

• The Liars’ Club, Mary Karr

• WILD, Cheryl Strayed

I have a feeling my memoir reading will spill over into next year. If you have any memoirs that you love, let me know!