biographies to read for inspiration

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12 Inspiring Biographies That’ll Change Your Perspective

Updated 09/26/2023

Published 06/17/2020

Kate Wight, BA in English

Contributing writer

Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure .

Biographies and autobiographies are some of the most life-changing books that exist. They allow us to learn more about individuals, both famous and relatively unknown.

Jump ahead to these sections:

Best inspiring biographies, most inspiring autobiographies, inspiring autobiographies for children and young adults.

We may find we form a deep connection to a stranger when we read about them based on shared life experiences. Or we may just learn more about someone who has a totally different background. Most of all, we can find ourselves inspired by witnessing the way a person has lived their life. 

Here, we’ll explore some of the best memoirs and biographies published in recent years that will make you see the world in a new light. 

People often want to be moved by the world around them. We look to other people to inspire us so that we can learn and grow. The right sources of inspiration can help us believe in ourselves.

They can even transform the way we live our lives. These biographies are sure to inspire you and challenge you. 

1. Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder

Over the past several years, infectious diseases have dominated the national consciousness.

Global pandemics, the anti-vaccination movement, and preventative HIV medication are all part of this conversation. This biography focuses on the work of Dr. Paul Farmer. Farmer, a physician and anthropologist, fought tuberculosis in Haiti, Peru, and Russia. His story gives us hope that dedicated individuals are fighting to protect our health.  

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2. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

In 1936, distance runner Louis Zamperini competed in the Berlin Olympics as a teenager, an astonishing feat. But while that would be a notable enough accomplishment to warrant a biography, it’s only the beginning of his story. 

In 1941 he was commissioned into the United States Air Force, where he served as a bombardier. When he was just 26 years old, his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean on a search and rescue mission. Miraculously, he lived through the crash and went on to survive 47 days adrift at sea. Unfortunately, he was then captured in the Japanese-occupied Marshall Islands. He was taken to a prison camp and tortured as a POW for two and a half years until the end of World War II. 

Despite all of the ups and downs he encountered in his life, he discovered faith and the power of forgiveness. His story is proof that even after unimaginable hardship, the human spirit perseveres.  

3. Young Mandela by David James Smith

Many people know the name and the legacy of Nelson Mandela. He was a political leader, activist, and philanthropist who spent 27 years in prison, much of it in solitary confinement. His crime? Fighting to dismantle the oppressive South African apartheid regime. 

Upon his release, he became the first black president of South Africa and the first elected in a truly democratic election. Many people remember the benevolent, gray-haired Mandela from the latter part of his life.

This book focuses on his drive and leadership and his willingness to put himself on the line to invoke change. He is proof that one person can have enough of an impact to change the course of an entire nation.

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4. Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times by Thomas Hauser

Some people think celebrities and sports figures should keep their mouths shut about their personal beliefs and just do what they’re paid to do. One recent example of this is Colin Kaepernick. But sports figures have a lengthy history of fighting for their beliefs. Famed fighter Muhammad Ali was one of the earliest and most vocal. 

Like Kaepernick, his morals cost him years of his career. When he refused to be drafted to the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector, he was found guilty of draft evasion and stripped of his titles. But he appealed his decision all the way up to the Supreme Court, proving he was a tireless fighter in more ways than one.     

Biographies often focus on famous people, political figures, or other high-profile individuals. While celebrities also write memoirs, some of the most moving autobiographies come from people who are less well-known. Here are our picks for especially inspiring autobiographies.

5. Sully: My Search for What Really Matters by Chesley B. Sullenberger with Jeffrey Zaslow

On January 15, 2009, Americans were riveted by news reports of a near tragedy. A US Airways flight was forced into making an emergency landing after both of its engines were taken out by a flock of Canada geese.

Miraculously, pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his co-pilot were able to land the plane on the Hudson River without a single life lost. This story shows that on an average workday, a regular person can become a hero.      

6. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

Bird by Bird is ostensibly a guide to help aspiring writers hone their craft. But it is so much more than that.

Lamott meditates on her awkward childhood, her history of addiction, and her journey toward faith. She also delves into deeply painful topics like the death of her beloved father.

This book shows how you can mine all your life’s experiences in aid of helping you tell compelling stories. It also demonstrates that you can overcome an incredible array of challenges and become a teacher and leader.  

7. Educated by Tara Westover

We trust our parents to prepare us for the world around us. Tara Westover’s parents raised her as a survivalist in the mountains of Idaho. She stewed herbs and canned fruits to sustain her family through the winter. What her parents didn’t do was allow her to seek an education or medical care.

At the age of 17, Westover stepped foot in a classroom for the first time in her life. She taught herself math and grammar and made it into college, and has traveled the world in pursuit of knowledge. Her story shows we can overcome the most hardscrabble and deprived upbringing.  

8. When I Fell From the Sky by Juliane Koepcke

When she was just 17, Koepcke miraculously survived a plane crash. Lightning struck her plane midflight and tore it apart. She plummeted two miles to the earth, still strapped to her seat.

She was flung far enough away from the wreckage that she had to spend 11 days navigating her way through the wilderness, even with grievous wounds. This tale of perseverance is unparalleled. 

Kids and young people often gravitate towards fictional stories. But autobiographies can be a great way to get them more interested in nonfiction books.

All children need people to look up to. These autobiographies can inspire the next generation to follow their dreams.  

9. I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

For a lot of kids, school is tedious and boring. For Malala Yousafzai, the chance to go to school was worth risking her life. Malala grew up in the Swat Valley of Pakistan, which was seized by the Taliban. This extremist group is opposed to girls receiving any form of education. Malala refused to be intimidated and continued seeking an education. 

She nearly paid the ultimate price. When she was just fifteen years old, she was shot point-blank in the head on her bus ride home from school. Miraculously she survived and inspired the world with her courage and perseverance.   

10. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

The atrocities perpetrated against Jewish people during World War II can feel far removed from modern times. This memoir brings the harsh reality of living in Nazi-occupied Holland to life.

Anne Frank and her family spent two years living in hiding in cramped quarters. But the war is really just the backdrop. This memoir provides a human face to the sweeping historical injustices of the 1940s. It’s impossible to read the inner thoughts of a thirteen-year-old girl and not feel personally connected to her struggles.    

11. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson is a Newbery Honor award-winning author who is known for her poetic and evocative writing style. In her memoir-in-verse, Brown Girl Dreaming , Woodson talks about what it was like growing up as a young African-American girl in the 1960s.

In particular, she talks about the juxtaposition of living in New York vs. the segregated town of Greenville, South Carolina. This book will be especially inspiring for young African-American girls who don’t always get to see characters that look like them. 

12. Firebird by Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland is a ballet dancer for the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). The ABT is one of just a few leading classical ballet companies in the United States. In 2015, Copeland became the first African-American principal dancer in the company’s 75 years of existence.

This children’s book depicts a young ballerina who, much like Copeland herself, gets to dance the lead role in Firebird . It’s a great inspiration for children to show that they can achieve their dreams through hard work and dedication. 

Read These Inspirational Biographies for a Brand-New Perspective

There are so many books to read before you die . In truth, there’s no way to read all of the books you want to. But if you’re looking for inspiration, there’s nothing like a good memoir or biography to really move you.

Every one of us, young and old, can find something in someone else’s story to challenge us to become better. Someone’s life story told well can change your own life. 

If you're looking for more recommendations, read our guides on the best inspiring fiction and non-fiction books .

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10 Super Inspiring Biographies Worth Reading Right Now

Sometimes, we feel alone and hopeless . Well, maybe more than just sometimes.

The world is a big place, and there are billions of people, but somehow we still end up believing that no one understands what we’re going through.

It’s in these moments that connecting with other people on a deeper level allows us to regain hope and optimism for the future. And reading is one of the best ways to accomplish this.

Immersing ourselves in inspiring stories and personal accounts of adversity-turned-into-greatness reminds us that what we’re going through is universal and that there’s a way for us to overcome challenges and maybe, just maybe, to realize greatness ourselves as well.

I read everything, but generally more fact than fiction -- especially autobiographies and biographies. – Richard Branson

Stories of such greatness can be found about every type of person in every field. Whatever it is that you hope to achieve, there’s a real-life story out there to inspire you.

RELATED:  16 Inspirational Movies on Netflix Worth Watching Right Now

Here are 10 of the most inspiring biographies worth reading right now:

1. A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston

Before Bryan Cranston rose to superstardom as Walter White in Breaking Bad , he played countless offhand roles including Malcolm’s father Hal in Malcolm in the Middle .

A Life in Parts details Cranston’s unlikely rise to stardom and the long journey he had to take to get there, making for an inspiring story with a surprise twist.

Get A Life in Parts here

2. Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time by Howard Schultz

Pour Your Heart Into It is the story of a small Seattle coffee shop, a man with a vision for something more, and the rise of an international mega-chain.

Like several of the books on this list, Pour Your Heart Into It is more than just a biography. In it, Starbucks founder and executive chairman Howard Schultz  shares the critical principles that helped build Starbucks into what it is today.

Get Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time here

3. Eleanor Roosevelt (Volume One and Two) by Blanche Wiesen Cook

Eleanor Roosevelt changed what it meant to be First Lady. She accomplished more within her 12 (yes, 12) years as First Lady than most people accomplish in their entire life.

Eleanor Roosevelt , which is split into two parts, breaks down the incredible life story of the woman who set a standard for all First Ladies after her.

Get Eleanor Roosevelt here

4. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Easily one of my favorite biographies on the list, On Writing is just as much a guide to becoming a master storyteller as it is a memoir of legendary author Stephen King ’s life.

Within the pages of On Writing , King spills some of the most valuable lessons on doing work that matters.

Get On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King here

5. Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way by Richard Branson

Richard Branson is a brand in himself, having carved a path doing business his way, as the title of his autobiography suggests. This is more than just a story of business success, it's a tale about daring to be yourself.

Losing My Virginity (never thought I’d write those words in succession) is the story of how Branson turned Virgin from a record label into one of the biggest brands in the world, making it an ideal read for entrepreneurs looking to up their game.

Get Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way here

6. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Long Walk to Freedom tells the important story of anti-apartheid activist and political leader Nelson Mandela and the now-famous events that unfolded during his prison sentence, the apartheid revolution and his eventual rise to victory as the first black president of South Africa.

The book recounts Mandela’s struggles and the wisdom he uncovered along the way, and serves as one of the most inspirational personal stories of victory in the face of injustice ever told.

Get Long Walk to Freedom here

7. Shark Tales: How I Turned $1000 into a Billion Dollar Business by Barbara Corcoran

Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran is known for her business acumen, and this is the incredible story of how she became one of the most well-known women in American business.

At the age of 23, Corcoran had 22 jobs on her resume. As the story goes, she borrowed $1,000 from her then-boyfriend to start a real estate company in New York City. The book details how she took that $1,000 and turned it into a $6 billion-dollar business.

You also learn how that same persistence helped her nab her seat on ABC’s Shark Tank years later.

Get Shark Tales: How I Turned $1000 into a Billion Dollar Business here

8. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Steve Jobs is the inspiring story of the Apple cofounder who would go on to become the idol of many Silicon Valley founders, designers, and entrepreneurs alike.

It’s based on a collection of interviews over a three-year period in which Isaacson followed Jobs and interviewed virtually everyone in his inner circle to piece together the most complete insight into Jobs’ life ever seen.

Jobs’ unlikely rise to becoming Apple's CEO and the journey that led him to get fired from the very company he co-founded makes this one of the most inspirational comeback stories around.

Get Steve Jobs here

9. Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin

Born Standing Up follows legendary comedian Steve Martin’s life from his childhood in Texas and later California to being a Disneyland employee and, finally, a Hollywood star. It’s a story about sacrifice, persistence, and the virtue of hard work.

If you’re a comedian or performer of any kind, you will find this to be a powerful read.

Get Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin here

10. The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley by Malcolm X

The Autobiography of Malcolm X : As Told to Alex Haley was named one of the 10 most important nonfiction books of the 20th century by TIME magazine.

The story of one of the most important and well-known activists in American history is one of a fighter who championed racial equality and stood up for what is right against all odds.

Get The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley here

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Kate Winslet has not always been sure of herself. "I was always comparing myself to others. You see I've been bullied at school, they call me blubber, they teased me for wanting to act."

While it's nearly impossible to think of the gorgeous and talented Winslet as anything other than a force to be reckoned with, years of being teased and the media's love for taking shots at her weight did their damage.

"I was sort of made to feel ashamed of myself, my appearance."

But when co-star and friend, Leonardo DiCaprio stepped in, he had only a few words of encouragement that helped to shape a new outlook for the Titanic actress. An outlook that she was able to share with other women, including her young daughter , Mia.

"You know, happiness it isn't a search for, you know ,facial physical perfection. You know, it comes from inside."

Poor Boy Couldn’t Afford to Bury His Mom - So He Takes Matters Into His Own Hands

Poor Boy Begs For Money to "Bury My Mama" With Heartbreaking Sign

A week ago, 11-year-old Kayden Ely experienced the devastating loss of his mother, Shannon Mount. Her unexpected passing didn't just leave Kayden and his four siblings without their mom, it also left the family in dire financial straits.

Desperate to raise funds for his mom's funeral, Kayden took to the streets of his small town in Georgia begging for help. For two days the heartbroken little boy stood next to the railroad tracks, holding a sign that read, "Please help me bury my mama!"

Grieving Boy's Desperate Plea for Help

Kayden Ely says goodbye to his mom, Shannon Mount; Kayden Ely and his older brother raise funds for their mom's funeral.

Facebook.com/Jennifer Fife

Shannon Mount, 45, went into cardiac arrest on July 8. Her boyfriend, Billy Upton, tried to save her, performing CPR on her until paramedics arrived and were able to revive her. After spending several days on life support, she passed away.

Without life insurance and unable to afford the astronomical bill of her 8 days in emergency care (never mind burial expenses) Kayden didn't have the luxury of taking time to grieve his mom.

Instead, he made it his mission to give her a proper goodbye.

Armed with his homemade sign, Kayden spent hours standing on the side of the road, praying passing motorists would notice and want to help.

Not only did community members step up and come to his aid with donations, hugs, and prayers, but they also shared the young boy's plight on social media and contacted local news stations to spread the word. They even joined him on the ground, helping him set up a hotdog stand to make more money.

But the small town giving didn't stop there. An anonymous donor contacted the family, offering to pay for the cost of a burial plot, and several local businesses put out jars to collect spare change. The funeral home, Good Shepherd, also gave the family a significant discount.

GoFundMe Campaign Raises More Than 10x the Original Goal

www.gofundme.com

Inspired by Kayden's strength and determination to provide a resting place for his mom, Jennifer Grissom, his cousin and guardian, also launched a GoFundMe .

"Shannon did not have life insurance, she has an 11-year-old that is left without the only thing he ever knew," Jennifer wrote on the page.

"He has been standing on [the] side of the road for 2 days with a sign to help bury his mama."

She initially set a goal of $7,100, just enough to cover the costs of the funeral which can run upwards of $12,000 in some states.

But then the donations started pouring in. And that $7,100 quickly became $70,000. More than 1700 people have come forward to donate, all of them motivated by one singular thought: "No child should ever have to worry about paying for a funeral."

Jennifer says she plans on using the extra funds to "make sure Kayden gets to do things children his age get to do; sports, camps, etc." She's also using it to buy him clothes, school supplies, and necessities, and start a college fund.

In an update on the page, she wrote, "Today we took him to Walmart so he could get a bed set and he got a few things he needed."

Adding, "When we were leaving his aunt asked him, 'Why are you so happy' and he replied...'Me and mama didn’t have much money we were poor, and I didn’t get to go buy stuff like this' and all this baby got was a bed set, toothbrush, pillows and pillow cases. He is so thankful. Thank y'all for making him smile."

But most importantly, a grieving little boy is getting his wish. Shannon, who is described as a "straight shooter...who loved her kids fiercely" in her obituary, will be properly laid to rest at the end of the month.

Paying it Forward

Kayden Ely gives away free hot dogs and drinks.

To thank his community for their incredible support, Kayden decided to pay it forward.

He set up another hotdog stand, only this time instead of charging for the dogs and drinks, he gave them away for free; a fitting gesture of gratitude for an 11-year-old boy.

He also appeared in a brief Facebook video with Jennifer, thanking everyone for their donations and helping to get the word out to the community. But even more meaningful than the monetary support was the outpouring of emotional support.

"We want to thank everybody that stopped," Jennifer said. "You know, there were some people who just wanted to give him a hug or some people that wanted to pray with him and tell him they're sorry for his loss."

"Some people stopped and just wanted to help us cook hot dogs. A man stopped and he helped us hold a sign. That means so much to us, it really does."

Grief can be incredibly isolating and when you lose the most important person in your life, it's even more so.

Kayden is only 11 years old, he shouldn't have to know the devastating pain of loss. But having a supportive community will go a long way in making him feel a little less alone.

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40-Year-Old Mother of 3 Goes From Inmate to Princeton Intern

Life can take us down unexpected and scary roads. Sometimes, we don’t know how to get off those roads and begin the climb to a better future. As this mom proved, however, anything is possible with a second chance and a little determination .

A Former Inmate

Woman goes from inmate to Princeton intern.

Mary McCrary is a 40-year-old mother of three who spent three years in prison. According to Good Morning America , she served time at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center in Nashville for a parole violation following a conviction for aggravated burglary.

McCrary dropped out of high school in Grade 10 and has since successfully pursued her GED, but it wasn’t until prison that she began thinking about further education . She hit a breaking point behind bars and decided it was time to turn her life around.

“When you get to a point where you're tired and don’t even want to live and you're hopeless and you feel useless and worthless, you have a decision to make,” she told the publication.

“I made the decision to use this time to do something different, to change my life, because I didn’t want to keep doing the same things and getting in trouble and ... doing whatever I had to to survive because it gets you in the exact same place.”

So, McCrary enrolled in a coding class as part of the center’s Persevere program, an initiative aimed at helping inmates earn certifications as front-end or full-stack web developers.

“The class alone made you feel like you’re a human being, that I was working towards something, that there is a goal in sight, I am going to accomplish something, and I did,” she added. “That does give you confidence and hope.”

A Life-Changing Opportunity

For the next six months, McCrary earned her certificate in front-end coding. She decided to develop her skills even more by enrolling at Nashville State Community College, which offers a program for inmates.

This past May, McCrary was granted parole, completed her supervision, and earned extra credits toward an associate’s degree. But not even she could anticipate what would happen next: an internship at Princeton.

The nine-week program is meant for formerly incarcerated undergrad students to gain experience and new opportunities, and so far, McCrary is excelling.

“Her dedication to building her future is evident in how she does not shy away from challenges and the unknown,” Bridgett vonHoldt, an associate professor at Princeton and the head of the internship program said. “She is a role model, demonstrating for anyone who thinks such change is impossible that nothing is impossible.”

As for McCrary, she knows this is an incredible opportunity and hopes the internship is the next step toward earning her AA degree back in Nashville.

“This has been life-changing in more ways than one. This is an unbelievable, sometimes overwhelming experience,” she said. “If you look at my past, it's a crazy shamble mess, but look now, look what can happen. Nothing is ever impossible.”

Second Chances

McCrary hopes to be a role model for those who are having a hard time accepting the idea of a brighter future and so far, she certainly is. She’s a great example of how things can get better and you can change your future when you’re willing to take advantage of the opportunities you have — even if they don’t seem like opportunities at the time.

This story is also a needed reminder that everyone deserves a second chance in life and that sometimes, by allowing someone who has messed up the chance to try again, they may surprise you.

No one is perfect, and everyone stumbles. It’s not how hard we fall that truly matters in life; it's how we pick ourselves back up. But it’s also up to us whether we want to be the person who lends someone on the ground a helping hand or if we want to be the guy who just keeps on walking.

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31 Best Biographies of All Time to Inspire Your Life

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The best biographies make for compelling reads. They bring their subjects to life. Moreover, when we’re reading about successful people (living or dead), we may recognize that their struggles have parallels to ours. Their stories can embolden us to finally pursue our dreams.

In addition, biographical books give us a glimpse of how life was during certain periods in history. Finally, well-written biographies allow us to have a deeper understanding of the human condition.

Today, we’re sharing our curated list of the best biographies of all time. Enjoy reading them!

Table of Contents

1. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight

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Phil Knight’s memoir stands apart from other biographies about entrepreneurs. Rather than provide misleading how-to’s for success, the memoir is an honest recounting of the struggles of an entrepreneur.

Knight and his team were on a quest to provide the world with a product they believed could change people’s lives.

This refreshing take on the entrepreneurial biography tells us of the humble beginnings of Nike. It reveals the passion and vision that fueled Knight’s team to build the company whose logo is one of the most recognized in the world today.

2. Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand

Although most biographies are about people, Seabiscuit is about a legendary racehorse and the three men who made significant contributions to its fame.

Hillenbrand’s writing brings the characters and historic events to life in a way that no other writer could. Her meticulous research gives this biographical account more credibility.

3. A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar

In this book, Sylvia Nasar provides a dramatic and moving retelling of the life of mathematical genius John Forbes Nash.

During his 20s, Nash established his reputation as a math wizard. He made significant contributions to the fields of international trade, computer architecture, and cosmology. However, schizophrenia overtook him and drove him to madness.

However, that’s not the end of the story. Nash emerged triumphant from an illness that experts believed was incurable. In fact, he went on to receive a Nobel Prize for his contributions to game theory.

Nasar’s book is about more than one man’s struggle to overcome his personal challenges . It is also a message of hope and redemption.

4. Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera

Frida Kahlo was one of the most prominent Mexican painters of the 20 th century.

In Hayden Herrera’s take on the artist’s life, we witness how the numerous painful, ecstatic, and sensual experiences Frida had were responsible for unleashing her creative power. ( Check out this post to learn about creative hobbies you can do to make something great. )

This biography is both a hauntingly captivating and eye-opening journey into the human side of this legendary woman.

5. The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers who Brought the American Ideal West by David McCullough

This well-researched book tells the story of how the American northwest was settled.

In this uplifting biography, David McCullough introduces readers to a group of people who endured the hardships of a new frontier to establish a community based on equality, freedom, and justice.

McCullough’s well-researched book is an ideal read for people of all ages who would like to know about an important part of American history.

6. Eisenhower in War and Peace by Jean Edward Smith

Considered a “leader without presumption,” Dwight D. Eisenhower led Americans through both the chaos of a world at war and peaceful times at home.

This biography offers a refreshing insight into the life of America’s 34 th president. The well-researched account shows us Eisenhower’s life as a young boy from Abilene, Kansas, covers his time at West Point, explores the war years, and discusses his term of office at the White House.

The lessons from Eisenhower’s leadership style are still relevant in today’s turbulent times. ( Check out the best leadership books to advance your career .)

7. Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser

Millions have read the Little House on the Prairie series, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s autobiography of her growing up years in the American Midwest during the late 19 th century.

However, Ingalls’ life story had never been fully told until Caroline Fraser wrote Prairie Fires . Her book is based on numerous unpublished resources and fills in the gaps of Laura’s story.

Fraser was able to show the life that Laura and her family endured as pioneers. The biography reveals the indomitable pioneering spirit of Laura Ingalls Wilder through all that she endured.

8. Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson

Some famous people’s biographies shine a light on secrets hidden away from view of “regular folks.” This biography about Joseph and Rose Kennedy’s daughter Rosemary is a great example.

Rosemary was the elder sister of former US president John F. Kennedy, Jr. and senators Ted and Robert Kennedy.

After a botched lobotomy when Rosemary was 23, her parents had her institutionalized. The rest of the family were not to know about her condition until several decades later.

This heartbreaking story was the catalyst for the US government to direct its attention to the mentally and developmentally challenged in the nation and address their needs.

9. The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel

On April 4, 2013, a game warden captured a man named Christopher Knight burgling a summer cottage in Rome, Maine. For nearly three decades, the area around North Pond had been gripped with fear because of the numerous burglaries in the area.

In his arrest, Knight confessed to over 1,000 incidents of burglary. However, the story does not end there. The world soon found out that Knight lived in a very dense part of the forest and had not spoken to another human being for 27 years.

This thought-provoking biography is the result of journalist Michael Finkel’s interview with Knight during his incarceration. It attempts to paint readers a portrait of a man who turned his back on civilization when he was 20 years old to live according to his own terms.

10. Leornardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson makes artist, inventor, and scientist Leonardo da Vinci come alive in this carefully researched and well-written biography.

Isaacson’s premise is that the creative side of da Vinci was fueled by his scientific explorations and experiments. He had, as his foremost reference, over 7,000 journal pages left by the inventor.

In this book, Isaacson inspires us to tap into our own creativity. More importantly, he emboldens us to think outside of the box. 

11. The Woman who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America's Enemies by Jason Fagone

Jason Fagone invites readers to join him on a thrilling ride as he chronicles the life of Elizabeth Smith, a brilliant code-breaker.

Smith played an integral role in America’s history. In the years after WWI, she contributed her talent to help capture lawbreakers during Prohibition.

Then, in WWII, Elizabeth cracked several versions of Enigma , a communication device that was favored by the Nazis.

Fagone gives readers a glimpse into the art and science of codebreaking. He brings focus to some of the individuals who were key to making intelligence gathering what it is today.

12. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

If you’re a writer, you’ll find Stephen King’s memoir a treasure trove of advice on how to improve your craft.

Even if you aren’t interested in writing, you’ll still appreciate this book that leaves readers inspired to find their lives’ passion.

King’s memoir is divided into the following sections:

• C.V. – Highlights of the author’s early years and the experiences during this time that shaped the writer in him.
• What Writing Is  – King urges his readers (writers) to take their craft seriously.
• Toolbox – King dispenses advice on how not to suck as a writer.
• On Writing – He gives specific advice on the writing process.
• On Living: A Postscript – King details his near-fatal accident in 1999 and its aftermath.

King’s memoir is empowering, inspiring, and entertaining for fans and non-fans alike.

13. Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss

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This biography tells the love story of Marie and Pierre Curie. It chronicles how they met and fell in love, and tells about their shared discovery of two novel elements that brought science to the threshold of a new era.

Lauren Redniss succeeds in presenting a chronicle of the love and life of two of history’s most intriguing personalities. Redniss’s research spanned the globe and included an interview with the Curies’ own granddaughter.

14. Maus (Boxed Set) by Art Spiegelman

In Maus , Art Spiegelman presents a haunting retelling of his father’s experience during the Holocaust.

Spiegelman, a cartoonist, also illustrated this graphic novel that was serialized from 1980 to 1991. Jews are depicted as mice, while Nazis are cats.

The moving account is not an easy read, as it deals with trauma and how it impacts survivors. Nevertheless, it is worth checking out for the very same reason.

15. Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

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Totto-Chan chronicles the experiences of little girl Tetsuko when she studied at a school founded by Sosaku Kobayashi.

Sometimes, a word or a gesture can encourage us to be better versions of ourselves. In this heartwarming biography, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi—a well-known TV personality in Japan—recognizes how the experiences she had at kindly Kobayashi’s school contributed to her success .

The book also gives us a glimpse of how alternative education in Japan works.

16. West with the Night by Beryl Markham

West with the Night follows the adventures of aviatrix Beryl Markham while she was growing up in Kenya. Readers will be captivated by her writing about experiences such as hunting, training horses, and flying across the Atlantic.

This inspiring classic will enthrall you with its vivid descriptions of Markham’s exploits, the beauty of its writing, and the depictions of the places she has been.

17. The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger

This biography compels us to ponder what to do with the life that has been given to us.

Edith Eger was 16 years old when she and her family were transported in cattle cars to Auschwitz. Her parents were immediately killed upon arrival, while Edith and her sister Magda endured the horrors of the concentration camps until the end of the war.

Dr. Eger spent many years struggling with the trauma of her experience. She also struggled with survivor’s guilt.

The path to her healing lay in confronting the past once and for all. In the end, her choice determined how she could move forward into the future.

This is a book full of hope and insights into the choices we make that keep us locked in the past or open doors to our future.

18. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela spent his life fighting against racial oppression. His dedication earned him a Nobel Peace Prize and helped him win the presidency of South Africa.

While Mandela was in prison for his fight against the apartheid regime, he secretly wrote a memoir. This memoir became the basis for Long Walk to Freedom .

The autobiography chronicles the life of a person who fought for human rights. It shares the convictions, experiences, and struggles of Mandela, as well as his eventual triumph that inspired the whole world.

19. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

First published in 1946, Viktor Frankl’s autobiography is considered one of the most influential books of all time. To date, it has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 15 million copies.

In this book, Frankl chronicled his experience inside the Nazi concentration camps. Everything that Frankl and fellow captives suffered in the camps became the basis for his theory of logotherapy , which states that human beings are compelled to “find meaning in life” even in the direst of circumstances.

The book remains relevant decades after it was first published. It continues to be a source of inspiration to look for the significance in our lives even when we are faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.

20. Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin

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This is a remarkable account of a white man who darkened his skin and lived as a black man in America’s Deep South during the 1950s.

John Howard Griffin chronicled his experience with segregation and racism and revealed a side of America that still haunts the nation today.

21. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou offers her life story in this beautifully written book that captures the bittersweet time of childhood and shows how words can help make the world a better place.

In this book, Maya shares her experience of longing for a parent, of powerlessness at the hands of an abuser, and of willing herself to live despite the consequences of abuse.

Her story shows readers that, in order to transcend painful experiences, they need to look within and discover their own strengths. They need to be receptive to other people’s kindness. More importantly, they must learn to love and accept themselves as they are. Only then will they truly be free.

22. Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston

Most of the information we have about the slave trade come from those who participated and even benefitted from this terrible time in history, or from those who worked to abolish the practice.

It is very rare to find information that comes directly from those who were enslaved. But this eye-opening book provides first-hand information about what it took to survive the harrowing ordeal of being captured from one’s home and sold as a slave in the 19 th century.

 Zora Neal Hurston’s meticulously crafted narrative offers valuable information about our culture and history.

23. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Skloot tells the story of the late Henrietta Lacks, whose cells became the center of a multi-billion-dollar industry that provided many breakthroughs in medical research.

However, Henrietta’s cells were harvested, tested, and distributed without her knowledge. It was only two decades after Henrietta’s death that her family learned of the medical breakthroughs made possible because of Henrietta’s cells.

This is a thought-provoking and eye-opening book. Skloot is successful in making it both a tribute to a previously unknown woman of color who made life-changing contributions to the world and a discussion about ethics in medical research.

24. Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik

This book is a celebration of an unshakable supporter and defender of the truth.

Carmon and Knizhnik deliver a stirring and empowering account of the life and work of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The book tracks the progression of RBG’s career, beginning in her 20s and working her way to the highest court in the US by the time she was 60 years old.

This book is a fitting tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to making the world a better place.

25. The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, an American Legend by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin

Red Cloud has the distinction of being the only known American Indian to be victorious over the United States in a war. However, the story of the Sioux leader has been overlooked for years.

Military historians Bob Drury and Tom Clavin bring us this astonishing account. The book reads like a captivating Western novel, but enshrines Red Cloud in his rightful place in US history.

26. The Splendid and the Vile: Churchill, Family and Defiance During the Bombing of London by Erik Larson

Numerous biographies have been written about Winston Churchill , one of history’s most iconic personalities. In this latest biography, readers are given a backstage pass to Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Larson’s account of this moment in history not only shows us Churchill’s leadership skills and courage, which were immediately put to the test with Germany’s bombing of London—it also introduces us to several individuals in Churchill’s inner circle.

Through Larson’s engaging storytelling, readers can’t help but become engaged with the characters who endured England’s darkest hour.

27. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

In February 2022, a century-old mystery was solved after the wreck of Shackleton's vessel, Endurance, was finally found 9,800 feet below the surface of the Weddell Sea .

This book, published in 2015, is a fitting tribute to the crew who made the ill-fated voyage and survived.

It is a gripping narrative of heroism and miracles that demonstrates humanity’s indomitable will to survive.

28. A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell

British author Sonia Purnell’s years of extensive research into the life of an American woman named Virginia Hall resulted in this riveting biography about an unlikely character who excelled in the world of war espionage.

This book won the Plutarch Award for Best Biography and has been chosen as book of the year by numerous prestigious media outlets, including NPR, the Seattle Times , the Times of London , and the Minneapolis Star Tribune .

29. The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World by A. J. Baime

Harry S. Truman was sworn in as the United States’ 33 rd president after the death of Franklin Roosevelt. At that time, many people doubted his capacity to lead the country through the last stages of the Second World War.

Nevertheless, Truman faced the challenges of his office head on. This book is a thoughtful and well-written account of how the unlikely successor to the Oval Office led the US through one of its greatest challenges to secure his place in world politics.

30. Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah is the host of The Daily Show . He was born in South Africa, during the time of Apartheid, a period when marriage between “whites” and “non-whites” was prohibited.

In this moving and heartwarming memoir, Noah shares his quest to find his place in the world. One thing that stands out in his narrative is the unconditional love of his mother, which sustained him through all of his bittersweet experiences.

31. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

This outstanding biography of one of the United States’ Founding Fathers tells the story of an orphan boy from the Caribbean who, by overcoming numerous challenges, rose to become the country’s first Secretary of the Treasury.

The magic of Chernow’s writing is so infectious that this book is acknowledged as the main source of inspiration for the popular musical Hamilton.

The Final Word on the Best Biographies of All Time

There you have it—a curated list of the best biographies of all time. Reading these books encourages us to go and live meaningful lives and follow our dreams.

We hope you’ve found a title or two to add to your reading list.

If you’re looking for further inspiration, you might want to read an article about famous people who were once considered failures . In addition, you can check out this post on famous people who kept journals .

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

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• 53 Best Free Kindle Unlimited Books for 2023
• 7 Best Books on Willpower and Building Self-Discipline
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Best Biographies

Discover the lives of remarkable individuals through the best biographies, chosen from a wide array of reputable literary sources and biography enthusiasts. these compelling reads offer intimate portraits and have earned accolades across numerous literary discussions..

10 Biographies That Inspire | TheReviewGeek Recommends

Life is a journey filled with numerous experiences, both good and bad. These experiences can teach us valuable life lessons, shape our character, and inspire us to be better. However, it’s not just our own experiences that can enlighten and motivate us; the lives of others can also offer profound insights and inspiration. This is where biographies come in.

In this article, we’ll explore ten such inspirational biographies that promise to captivate your imagination, stir your emotions, and inspire you in ways you’d never thought possible. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the fascinating world of others.

“The Diary of a Young Girl”

Anne Frank’s diary is an extraordinary testament to the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. The diary narrates Anne’s life while hiding from the Nazis during World War II.

Despite her circumstances, Anne’s poignant reflections, unwavering optimism, and belief in humanity make this biography a profound and compelling read. Her resilience and courage continue to inspire millions around the world.

“A Beautiful Mind” by Sylvia Nasar

This biography tells the moving story of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who battled schizophrenia. Despite his debilitating mental illness, Nash made groundbreaking contributions to the fields of mathematics and economics, eventually winning the Nobel Prize.

His life story serves as a powerful reminder of the incredible strength of the human spirit and the potential within all of us to overcome our challenges.

“Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela’s autobiography is a stirring tale of perseverance, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice. It chronicles Mandela’s life from his childhood in rural South Africa to his time as a freedom fighter, his 27 years in prison, and his eventual rise to the presidency.

Mandela’s life embodies the power of resilience and the transformational impact one person can have on the world.

“The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller

Helen Keller’s autobiography is a beacon of hope and an embodiment of the indomitable human spirit. Despite being born deaf and blind, Keller overcame these challenges to become a renowned author, political activist, and lecturer. Her life story serves as a powerful testament to the strength of determination and the limitless potential of the human spirit.

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot

This compelling biography reveals the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells—taken without her knowledge—became instrumental in many medical breakthroughs.

Skloot beautifully intertwines the narrative of scientific discovery with the painful history of Henrietta’s family, resulting in a captivating and thought-provoking biography that challenges our understanding of ethics, race, and medicine.

“Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson

Based on more than forty interviews conducted over two years, Isaacson’s biography paints an honest and insightful portrait of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc.

It recounts his roller-coaster life, marked by groundbreaking innovation, intense passion, personal demons, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. This biography inspires readers to embrace their creativity and follow their dreams, no matter the obstacles.

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou

In this memoir, Maya Angelou recounts her early life, marked by racism, trauma, and adversity. Yet, her story is ultimately one of resilience and redemption, as she finds her voice and learns to soar above her circumstances. Angelou’s compelling narrative and poetic prose make this autobiography a powerful and inspiring read. What Angelou puts in the book says a lot about humanity and its ways. 

“Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer

Krakauer’s biography follows the adventurous and tragic story of Chris McCandless, a young man who abandoned his comfortable life to journey into the Alaskan wilderness.

While his story ends in tragedy, McCandless’s pursuit of truth, freedom, and a life lived fully continues to inspire many to question societal norms and seek their own path. Paging through Into the Wild, you will likely get an understanding of the temporariness of the materialistic life most of us are after. 

“Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly

This illuminating biography brings to light the untold story of four African-American women mathematicians who played crucial roles in NASA’s space program.

Against the backdrop of segregation and sexism, these women broke barriers and changed the course of history. Their story serves as a powerful testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of diversity in innovation.

“Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future” by Ashlee Vance

Elon Musk, the man behind Tesla and SpaceX, is known not just for his genius but also for his audacious visions of the future. Vance’s biography offers a fascinating glimpse into Musk’s life and his relentless pursuit of ambitious goals. This biography will inspire you to dream big and challenge the status quo. You might start understanding why Elon does what he does.

There we have it, our list of 10 best biographies that inspire. What do you think about our picks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below: 

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13 inspiring autobiographies everyone should read

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There are few things as inspiring as a firsthand account of greatness. While fiction can give us a glimpse into a world that may feel too perfect for our reality, stories that actually happened can be just as, if not more, amazing.

The people we now regard as masters of their craft were once just another kid with a dream — to make music, to write, to make people laugh, to change the world. And through the autobiography, we can get a glimpse into the life and struggle that took place before the world learned who they were.

These stories can be found in most every field — memoirs of businessmen, musicians, comedians, writers, and politicians — whatever you aspire to be, you can probably find an account of someone’s path toward a similar goal.

Below is a collection of autobiographies that I’ve read or had recommended to me by friends, family, and the internet. If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration to help you further your craft, or if you simply need a new book to read and are a big fan of Johnny Cash or Bryan Cranston, there’s probably something here for you.

“Kitchen Confidential: Adventures In The Culinary Underbelly” by Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain has something of a dream life today, traveling the world to explore tastes and cultures in a way very few will ever get the chance to do. But before he was a jet setter, he was a chef. In "Kitchen Confidential," readers get a window into the wild world of his restaurant days, including sex, drugs, and culinary expertise.

Buy it here >>

“Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life” by Steve Martin

One of the first funnymen I was introduced to as a child, Steve Martin is a legendary performer of stage, screen, magic, and banjo. His memoir recounts stories of his childhood, including starting his career at Disneyland and the discipline and sacrifice it took to perform as much as he did. This one is a personal favorite, and a must-read for any aspiring performer.

“A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway

One of the greatest writers to have ever lived, Hemingway’s "A Moveable Feast" gives readers a glimpse of his life as a young, poor writer in Paris in the 1920s, and the thoughts and activities that filled his days. The book captures intimates scenes from cafes, bars, and apartments, and features cameos and conversations with James Joyce, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, and more.

“The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Haley” by Malcolm X

Named one of the ten most important nonfiction books of the twentieth century by TIME magazine, "Malcolm X" tells readers firsthand the story of one of the most important activists, speakers, and fighters in the struggle for change in America.

“A Life in Parts” by Bryan Cranston

Before he was Heisenberg, Bryan Cranston was a lot of things, playing roles including paperboy, farmhand, security guard, dating consultant, murder suspect, dock loader, lover, husband, and father over the course of his prolific acting career. In his memoir, he provides readers with stories of his youth, his journey as an actor, and landing the role that would change his career forever, Walter White.

“Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time” by Howard Schultz

Before it was the International Coffee Making Machine that it is today, Starbucks was a single store on the Seattle waterfront that just made good coffee. In "Pour Your Heart Into It," CEO Howard Schultz goes through the guiding philosophies and principles that have helped shape his business, and the wisdom he’s gained over the years while growing that single store into over 1,600 when the book was published back in 1999. Today, there are 21,000 Starbucks stores worldwide.

“On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King

Stephen King is one of the most gifted and prolific writers in American history, creating so many works of such high-quality that it can be tough to imagine how he does it. Here, he details the habits and convictions that have helped him create the horrifying works he’s crafted for the world — essential reading for any aspiring writer.

“Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way,” by Richard Branson

Richard Branson is one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his generation, with ventures in music, airlines, retail, and even soda. It happened thanks in part to his stated philosophy of "Oh, screw it, let’s do it" and a few of his other personal rules for success. For anyone out there who wants to start their own business, Branson’s book could serve you well.

“Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen

Released this past September, "Born to Run" has already been praised by critics all over. Starting with the story of when he and the E Street Band played the Super Bowl Halftime show in 2009 and weaving back in and out of his personal and musical history, this book is a great resource for any die hard fans of The Boss.

“Cash: The Autobiography” by Johnny Cash

The story of The Man in Black as he chooses to tell it. From childhood to stardom, the path for Johnny Case was never smooth, and that journey helped make his music as iconic as it is today. With stories of addiction, Elvis, and a love of his wife, this book allows readers a more detailed look at the history that inspired his work.

“Life” by Keith Richards

It’s hard to imagine a person on the planet who has lived a more interesting life than Keith Richards. A founding member of the Rolling Stones, Richards defined for many what it meant to be a rock star, and here he tells his audience about his life of drugs, music, love, and more drugs.

“Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela

The book that inspired the recent film about the man who inspired so many. Nelson Mandela was one of the most influential moral and political leaders the world has seen. In "Long Walk to Freedom," Mandela recounts the struggles that made up his life, and his journey from prison to triumph. 

“My Booky Wook” by Russell Brand

You’ll probably recognize Russell Brand as the musical sexpot Aldous Snow from "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," but before breaking big, Brand was living quite a life. In his book, the comic is strikingly candid about his relationship with heroin, and his ability to freely form words into captivating sentences translates extremely well from the microphone to the page. 

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•   50 best autobiographies & biographies of all time

50 best autobiographies & biographies of all time

Enlightening and inspiring: these are the best autobiographies and biographies of 2024, and all time. .

Reading an autobiography can offer a unique insight into a world and experience very different from your own – and these real-life stories are even more entertaining, and stranger, than fiction . Take a glimpse into the lives of some of the world's most inspiring and successful celebrities , politicians and sports people and more in our edit of the best autobiographies and biographies to read right now.

• New autobiographies & biographies
• Inspiring autobiographies & biographies
• Sports autobiographies & biographies
• Celebrity autobiographies & biographies
• Political & historical autobiographies
• Literary autobiographies & biographies

The best new autobiographies and biographies

Sociopath: a memoir, by patric gagne.

Sociopath is a gripping autobiography that offers a rare and unflinching look into the life of a diagnosed sociopath. Patric Gagne shares her tumultuous journey from childhood struggles and fractured relationships to encounters with the criminal justice system. With remarkable candour, she explores the complexities of living with a personality disorder, revealing the inner workings of her mind and the challenges she faces. Sociopath is a thought-provoking book that encourages readers to rethink the nuanced and often misunderstood world of sociopathy, as we join Patric's journey to find a place for herself in the world.

How Was It For You?

By eve smith.

From the poolsides of private Caribbean villas where the nation’s wealthiest spend their downtime to strip clubs, brothels, and online platforms, wherever sex is being sold, ‘Eve’ has been there. Now, she’s ready to tell her story of what selling sex is really like – the good, the bad, and the boring bits – and examine why this booming industry continues to live in the shadows and be condemned by the country’s lawmakers and moral police. A compelling and candid anonymous memoir about the reality of working in the sex industry in Britain, How Was It for You? is a book everyone will be talking about this year.

by Rick Astley

"Never Gonna Give You Up" catapulted Rick Astley to fame and transformed his life forever. Now, he tells his story in his own words. At nineteen, he signed with Pete Waterman of Stock Aitken Waterman, leading him to global fame, platinum albums, and world tours. But at 27, Rick left the industry at the peak of his success to deal with the fame and pressure, as well as his complex family dynamics. A break from music allowed for reflection, therapy, and eventually, a comeback. Never is an intimate exploration of Rick Astley's journey, combining nostalgia, humor, and the astounding power of contentment.

Just About Coping

By natalie cawley.

"I absolutely loved this. Like an Adam Kay for psychotherapy, Dr Natalie Cawley opens up the closed world of therapy so well, with humour, honesty and fascinating insights." Frankie Boyle

At the psychologist's clinic of an NHS hospital, Noah needs help with procrastination, Bill compulsively lies, Steph is coping with rejection and their therapist, Dr Natalie Cawley, is dealing with her own emotional crisis, breathing into a paper bag between patient sessions. This is an honest, often poignant and frequently funny memoir about training to be a psychotherapist.

Naked Portrait: A Memoir of Lucian Freud

By rose boyt.

When Rose Boyt finds her old diary in a cardboard box in the summer of 2016, she is transported back to 1989 and her teenage years, a time she never remembered as especially remarkable. However, as Rose reads her accounts of sitting for her father, the painter Lucian Feud, she begins to realise how extraordinary and shocking her experiences truly were. In Naked Portrait: A Memoir of Lucian Freud , Rose Boyt explores her relationship with her father with fresh eyes, painting a vivid portrait of the brilliant, complex man he was. 

The Endless Country

By sami kent.

Travelling through Turkey, the country his father left decades ago, journalist Sami Kent sets out to learn more about the people, ideas, and culture that have defined Turkey’s history, and how Turkish people live today. From the cult of the country’s weightlifters to regional delicacies shaped by Turkey’s flora, The Endless Country is a journey through the extraordinary diversity of the nation’s past and how that history shapes its present.

by Jen Hadfield

Shrouded in myth and mist, surrounded by unforgiving seas and awe-striking beauty, the Scottish archipelago of Shetland feels like, for all intents and purposes, the edge of the world. So, when celebrated poet Jen Hadfield decided to up sticks and move there in her early twenties, she had more than a few naysayers. Now, almost two decades later, she is sharing her Shetland, a place teeming with wildlife, at the mercy of the weather, and with community at its heart. A rich, magical memoir, Storm Pegs will transport you to a place unlike anywhere else in the world.

Air and Love

By or rosenboim.

When Or Rosenboim was growing up, she knew little of her family’s complex history, with her memories of family instead rooted in the traditional dishes her grandmothers prepared with love. After they had both passed away, she began to explore their recipe books, full of handwritten notes for how to make kneidlach balls in hot chicken broth, cinnamon-scented noodle kugel and stuffed vine leaves. There, Or learned of their shared past, one fraught with displacement and change. Interspersing her family’s story with their cherished recipes, Or Rosenboim’s Air and Love is a memoir about food, migration and family.

A Life Reimagined

By jill halfpenny.

Jill Halfpenny is one of the nation’s best-loved homegrown TV stars. But, unbeknown to most, her life away from the small screen has been shaped by profound loss, first with the death of her father, who died suddenly while playing five-a-side football when she was four, and then, in cruelly similar circumstances, her partner Matt in 2017. Forced to confront the impact that loss has had on her life and to find a way to process and live with her grief, she went on a journey of discovery. In A Life Reimagined , Jill shares what she has learned and tells her story with unflinching honesty and warmth.

Lisa Marie Presley's memoir

By lisa marie presley.

Lisa Marie Presley was never truly understood . . . until now. Before her death in 2023, she’d been working on a raw, riveting, one-of-a-kind memoir for years, recording countless hours of breathtakingly vulnerable tape, which has finally been put on the page by her daughter, Riley Keough.

Literature for the People

By sarah harkness.

When Daniel and Alexander Macmillan moved to London from the Scottish Highlands in 1830, little did they know that the city was on the brink of huge social change, and that they would change publishing forever. This is the story of the Macmillan brothers who, after an impoverished, working-class childhood, went on to bring Alice in Wonderland and numerous other literary classics and ideas to the world. Through meticulous research and highly entertaining storytelling, Sarah Harkness brings to life the two men who founded a publishing house which has stood the test of time for almost two centuries. 

Hildasay to Home

By christian lewis.

The follow-up to his bestselling memoir Finding Hildasay , in Hildasay to Home Christian Lewis tells the next chapter of his extraordinary journey, step by step. From the unexpected way he found love, to his and Kate's journey on foot back down the coastline and into their new lives as parents to baby Marcus, Christian shares his highs and lows as he and his dog Jet leave Hildasay behind. Join the family as they adjust to life away from the island, and set off on a new journey together. 

Will You Care If I Die?

By nicolas lunabba.

In a world where children murder children, and where gun violence is the worst in Europe, Nicolas Lunabba's job as a social organizer with Malmö's underclass requires firm boundaries and emotional detachment. But all that changes when he meets Elijah – an unruly teenage boy of mixed heritage whose perilous future reminds Nicolas of his own troubled past amongst the marginalized people who live on the fringes of every society. Written as a letter to Elijah,  Will You Care If I Die?  is a disarmingly direct memoir about social class, race, friendship and unexpected love.

The best inspiring autobiographies and biographies

By yusra mardini.

After fleeing her native Syria to the Turkish coast in 2015, Yusra Mardini boarded a small dinghy full of refugees headed for Greece. On the journey, the boat's engine cut out and it started to sink. Yusra, her sister, and two others took to the water to push the overcrowded boat for three and a half hours in open water, saving the lives of those on board. Butterfly is Yusra Mardini's journey from war-torn Damascus to Berlin and from there to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Game. A UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and one of People magazine's 25 Women Changing the World, discover Yusra and her incredible story of resilience and unstoppable spirit.

Finding Hildasay

After hitting rock bottom having suffered with depression, Christian Lewis embarked on an ambitious mission to walk the coastline of the UK. Along the way, he encountered breathtaking landscapes, challenges his physical and mental limits, and forms profound connections with people and nature. This inspiring memoir is a testament to resilience, the healing power of nature, and the transformative journey of finding oneself. Finding Hildasay is a captivating and uplifting read that will resonate with anyone searching for meaning and hope.

The Happiest Man on Earth

By eddie jaku.

Eddie Jaku's autobiography is a profoundly moving account of his extraordinary life. As a Holocaust survivor, Eddie shares his harrowing experiences during World War II, including his time in Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps. Despite enduring unimaginable suffering and loss, he emerges with a deep appreciation for life and a commitment to spreading joy and kindness. This memoir highlights the resilience of the human spirit, the power of hope, and the enduring strength of love and friendship. It's a heartwarming and uplifting read that will leave you deeply touched and inspired.

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I know why the caged bird sings, by maya angelou.

A favourite book of former president Obama and countless others, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings , recounts Angelou’s childhood in the American south in the 1930s. A beautifully written classic, this is the first of Maya Angelou's seven bestselling autobiographies. 

I Am Malala

By malala yousafzai.

After speaking out about her right to education almost cost her her life, Malala Yousafzi refused to be silenced. Instead, her amazing story has taken her all over the world. This is the story of Malala and her inspirational family, and of how one person's voice can inspire change across the globe. 

The best memoirs

This is going to hurt, by adam kay.

Offering a unique insight into life as an NHS junior doctor through his diary entries, Adam Kay's bestselling autobiography is equal parts heartwarming and humorous, and oftentimes horrifying too. With 97-hour weeks, life and death decisions and a tsunami of bodily fluids, Kay provides a no-holds-barred account of working on the NHS frontline. Now a major BBC comedy-drama, don't miss this special edition of This Is Going To Hurt including a bonus diary entries and an afterword from the author. 

Is This Ok?

By harriet gibsone.

Harriet Gibsone, a music journalist and self-professed internet addict, chronicles her quest for connection in a digital age. From bad MSN boyfriends to the pressures of Instagram mumfluencers, Harriet's life has been shaped by parasocial relationships. Her compulsive googling of exes and prospective partners took a darker turn when, in her late twenties, she was diagnosed with early menopause. This diagnosis forced her to confront the stark realities of illness and motherhood, highlighting the impact of her online addictions. Is This Ok? is an outrageously funny and painfully honest memoir that captures the struggle to find genuine connection in an increasingly virtual world.

The Colour of Madness

By samara linton.

The Colour of Madness  brings together memoirs, essays, poetry, short fiction and artworks by people of colour who have experienced difficulties with mental health. From experiencing micro-aggressions to bias, and stigma to religious and cultural issues, people of colour have to fight harder than others to be heard and helped. Statistics show that people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds in the UK experience poor mental health treatment in comparison to their white counterparts, and are more likely to be held under the Mental Health Act. 

Nothing But The Truth

By the secret barrister.

How do you become a barrister? Why do only 1 per cent of those who study law succeed in joining this mysterious profession? And why might a practising barrister come to feel the need to reveal the lies, secrets, failures and crises at the heart of this world of wigs and gowns? Full of hilarious, shocking and surprising stories,  Nothing But The Truth  tracks the Secret Barrister’s transformation from hang ‘em and flog ‘em, austerity-supporting twenty-something to a campaigning, bestselling, reforming author whose writing in defence of the law is celebrated around the globe.

Went to London, Took the Dog: A Diary

By nina stibbe.

Ten years after the publication of the prize-winning  Love, Nina  comes the author’s diary of her return to London in her sixty-first year. After twenty years, Nina Stibbe, accompanied by her dog Peggy, stays with writer Debby Moggach in London for a year. With few obligations, Nina explores the city, reflecting on her past and embracing new experiences. From indulging in banana splits to navigating her son's dating life, this diary captures the essence of a sixty-year-old runaway finding her place as a "proper adult" once and for all.

A Letter to My Transgender Daughter

By carolyn hays.

This moving memoir is an ode to Hays' transgender daughter – a love letter to a child who has always known herself. After a caseworker from the Department of Children and Families knocked on the door to investigate an anonymous complaint about the upbringing of their transgender child, the Hays family moved away from their Republican state. In A Girlhood, Hays tells of the brutal truths of being trans, of the sacrificial nature of motherhood and of the lengths a family will go to shield their youngest from the cruel realities of the world. Hays asks us all to love better, for children everywhere enduring injustice and prejudice.

by Michelle Obama

This bestselling autobiography lifts the lid on the life of one of the most inspiring women of a generation, former first lady Michelle Obama. From her childhood as a gifted young woman in south Chicago to becoming the first black First Lady of the USA, Obama tells the story of her extraordinary life with humour, warmth and honesty. 

Kitchen Confidential

By anthony bourdain.

Regarded as one of the greatest books about food ever written, Kitchen Confidential lays bare the wild tales of the culinary industry. From his lowly position as a dishwasher in Provincetown to cooking at some of the finest restaurants across the world, the much-loved Bourdain translates his sultry, sarcastic and quick-witted personality to paper in this uncensored 'sex, drugs, bad behaviour and haute cuisine' account of life as a professional chef. Bourdain's tales of the kitchen are as passionate as they are unpredictable, as shocking as they are funny.

Everything I Know About Love

By dolly alderton.

Dolly Alderton, perhaps more than any other author, represents the rise of the messy millennial woman – in the very best way possible. Her internationally bestselling memoir gives an unflinching account of the bad dates and squalid flat-shares, the heartaches and humiliations, and most importantly, the unbreakable female friendships that defined her twenties. She weaves together personal stories, satirical observations, a series of lists, recipes, and other vignettes that will strike a chord of recognition with women of every age. This is a memoir that you'll discuss with loved ones long after the final page. 

The best sports autobiographies and biographies

By chris kamara.

Presenter, commentator, (sometimes masked) singer, footballer, manager and campaigner, Kammy's action-packed career has made him a bona fide British hero. Kammy had a tough upbringing, faced racism on the terraces during his playing career and has, in recent years, dealt with a rare brain condition – apraxia – that has affected his speech and seen him say goodbye to Sky Sports. With entertaining stories of his playing career from Pompey to Leeds and beyond; his management at Bradford City and Stoke; his crazy travels around the world; of  Soccer Saturday  banter; presenting  Ninja   Warrior ; and the incredible friendships he's made along the way,  Kammy  is an unforgettable ride from one of Britain's best-loved broadcasters.

Alone on the Wall

By alex honnold.

In the last forty years, only a handful of climbers have pushed themselves as far, ‘free soloing’ to the absolute limit of human capabilities. Half of them are dead. Although Alex Honnold’s exploits are probably a bit  too  extreme for most of us, the stories behind his incredible climbs are exciting, uplifting and truly awe-inspiring. Alone on the Wall  is a book about the essential truth of being free to pursue your passions and the ability to maintain a singular focus, even in the face of mortal danger. This updated edition contains the account of Alex's El Capitan climb, which is the subject of the Oscar and BAFTA winning documentary,  Free Solo .

Too Many Reasons to Live

By rob burrow.

As a child, Rob Burrow was told he was too small to be a rugby player. Some 500 games for Leeds later, Rob had proved his doubters wrong: he won eight Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, three World Club Challenges and played for his country in two World Cups. In 2019 though, Rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and given just two years to live. He went public with the news, determined to fight it all the way. Full of love, bravery and kindness, this is the story of a man who has awed his fans with his positive attitude to life.

Discover Try: the picture book from inspiring duo, Rob Burrows & Kevin Sinfield

At home with muhammad ali, by hana yasmeen ali.

Written by his daughter Ali using material from her father's audio journals, love letters and her treasured family memories, this sports biography offers an intimate portrait of one of boxing's most legendary figures, and one of the most iconic sports personalities of all time. 

They Don't Teach This

By eniola aluko.

In her autobiography, footballer Eni Aluko addresses themes of dual nationality, race and institutional prejudice, success, gender and faith through her own experiences growing up in Britain. Part memoir, part manifesto for change, They Don't Teach This is a must-read book for 2020. 

The best celebrity autobiographies and biographies

Life's work, by david milch.

Best known for creating smash-hit shows including NYPD Blue and Deadwood, you’d be forgiven for thinking that David Milch had lived a charmed life of luxury and stardom. In this, his new memoir, Milch dispels that myth, shedding light on his extraordinary life in the spotlight. Born in Buffalo New York to a father gripped by drug-addiction, Milch enrolled at Yale Law befire being expelled and finding his true passion for writing. Written following his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s in 2015, in Life’s Work Milch records his joys, sadnesses and struggles with startling clarity and grace. 

by Adrian Edmondson

Berserker! offers an unfiltered glimpse into the life of one of Britain's most beloved comedians. From his tumultuous childhood to his rise to fame with "The Young Ones" and "Bottom," Edmondson candidly shares the highs and lows of his career. With his trademark wit and humor, he delves into personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and the challenges of balancing fame with family life. Honest, poignant, and laugh-out-loud funny, Berserker! is a must-read for fans of Ade and anyone interested in the journey of a comedy icon.

Beyond the Story

In honor of BTS's 10th anniversary, this remarkable book serves as the band's inaugural official release, offering a treasure trove of unseen photographs and exclusive content. With Myeongseok Kang's extensive interviews and years of coverage, the vibrant world of K-pop springs to life. As digital pioneers, BTS's online presence has bridged continents, and this volume grants readers instant access to trailers, music videos, and more, providing a comprehensive journey through BTS's defining moments. Complete with a milestone timeline, Beyond the Story stands as a comprehensive archive, encapsulating everything about BTS within its pages.

Being Henry

By henry winkler.

Brilliant, funny, and widely-regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood, Henry Winkler shares the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia and the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own. Since the glorious era of  Happy Days  fame, Henry has endeared himself to a new generation with roles in such adored shows as  Arrested Development and  Barry , where he’s revealed himself as an actor with immense depth and pathos. But Being Henry  is about so much more than a life in Hollywood and the curse of stardom. It is a meaningful testament to the power of sharing truth and of finding fulfillment within yourself.

What Are You Doing Here?

By floella benjamin.

Actress, television presenter, member of the House of Lords – Baroness Floella Benjamin is an inspiration to many. But it hasn't always been easy: in What Are You Doing Here?   she describes her journey to London as part of the Windrush generation, and the daily racism that caused her so much pain as a child. She has gone on to remain true to her values, from breaking down barriers as a Play School presenter to calling for diversity at the BBC and BAFTA to resisting the pressures of typecasting. Sharing the lessons she has learned, imbued with her joy and positivity, this autobiography is the moving testimony of a remarkable woman.

by Elton John

Elton John is one of the most successful singer/songwriters of all time, but success didn't come easily to him. In his bestselling autobiography, he charts his extraordinary life, from the early rejection of his work to the heady heights of international stardom and the challenges that came along with it. With candour and humour, he tells the stories of celebrity friendships with John Lennon, George Michael and Freddie Mercury, and of how he turned his life around and found love with David Furnish. Me is the real story of the man behind the music. 

And Away...

By bob mortimer.

National treasure and beloved entertainer, Bob Mortimer, takes us from his childhood in Middlesborough to working as a solicitor in London in his highly acclaimed autobiography. Mortimer’s life was trundling along happily until suddenly in 2015 he was diagnosed with a heart condition that required immediate surgery and forced him to cancel an upcoming tour. The book covers his numerous misadventures along his path to fame but also reflects on more serious themes, making this both one of the most humorous and poignant celebrity memoirs of recent years. 

by Walter Isaacson

Based on interviews conducted with Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson's biography of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is filled with lessons about innovation, leadership, and values and has inspired a movie starring Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen. Isaacson tells the story of the rollercoaster life and searingly intense personality of creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized the tech industry. Although Jobs cooperated with this book, he asked for no control over what was written and put nothing off limits, making this an unflinchingly candid account of one of the key figures of modern history.

Maybe I Don't Belong Here

By david harewood.

When David Harewood was twenty-three, his acting career began to take flight and he had what he now understands to be a psychotic breakdown. He was physically restrained by six police officers, sedated, then hospitalized and transferred to a locked ward. Only now, thirty years later, has he been able to process what he went through. In this powerful and provocative account of a life lived after psychosis, critically acclaimed actor, David Harewood, uncovers a devastating family history and investigates the very real impact of racism on Black mental health.

Scenes from My Life

By michael k. williams.

When Michael K. Williams died on 6 September 2021, he left behind a career as one of the most electrifying actors of his generation. At the time of his death, Williams had nearly finished his memoir, which traces his life in whole, from his childhood and his early years as a dancer to his battles with addiction. Alongside his achievements on screen he was a committed activist who dedicated his life to helping at-risk young people find their voice and carve out their future. Imbued with poignance and raw honesty,  Scenes from My Life  is the story of a performer who gave his all to everything he did – in his own voice, in his own words.

The best political and historical autobiographies

The fall of boris johnson, by sebastian payne.

Sebastian Payne, Whitehall Editor for the Financial Times, tells the behind-the-scenes story of the fall of former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. After being touted saviour of the Conservative Party, it took Johnson just three years to resign after a series of scandals. From the blocked suspension of Owen Patterson to Partygate and the Chris Pincher allegations, Payne gives us unparalleled access to those who were in the room when key decisions were made, ultimately culminating in Boris's downfall. This is a gripping and timely look at how power is gained, wielded and lost in Britain today.

Charles III

By robert hardman.

Meet the man behind the monarch in this new biography of King Charles III by royal expert and journalist Robert Hardman. Charting Charles III’s extraordinary first year on the throne, a year plighted by sadness and family scandal, Hardman shares insider details on the true nature of the Windsor family feud, and Queen Camilla’s role within the Royal Family. Detailing the highs and lows of royal life in dazzling detail, this new biography of the man who waited his whole life to be King is one of 2024’s must-reads. 

by Sung-Yoon Lee

The Sister , written by Sung-Yoon Lee, a scholar and specialist on North Korea, uncovers the truth about Kim Yo Jong and her close bond with Kim Jong Un. In 2022, Kim Yo Jong threatened to nuke South Korea, reminding the world of the dangers posed by her state. But how did the youngest daughter of Dear Leader Kim Jong Il, his ‘sweet princess’, become the ruthless chief propagandist, internal administrator and foreign policymaker for her brother’s totalitarian regime? Readable and insightful, this book is an invaluable portrait of a woman who might yet hold the survival of her despotic dynasty in her hands.

Long Walk To Freedom

By nelson mandela.

Deemed 'essential reading for anyone who wants to understand history' by former US President, Barack Obama, this is the autobiography of one of the world's greatest moral and political leaders, Nelson Mandela. Imprisoned for more than 25 years, president of the African National Congress and head of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, the Nobel Peace Prize winner's life was nothing short of extraordinary. Long Walk to Freedom vividly tells this story; one of hardship, resilience and ultimate triumph, written with the clarity and eloquence of a born leader. 

The Diary of a Young Girl

By anne frank.

No list of inspiring autobiographies would be complete without Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl . Charting the thirteen-year-old's time hiding in a 'Secret Annex' with her family to escape Gestapo detection, this book (which was discovered after Anne Frank's death), is a must-read, and a testament to the courage shown by the millions persecuted during the Second World War. 

The best literary autobiographies

Winner of Pulitzer Prize in Memoir, Stay True  is a deeply moving and intimate memoir about growing up and moving through the world in search of meaning and belonging. When Hua Hsu first meets Ken in a Berkeley dorm room, he hates him. A frat boy with terrible taste in music, Ken seems exactly like everyone else. For Hua, Ken represents all that he defines himself in opposition to – the mainstream. The only thing Hua, the son of Taiwanese immigrants, and Ken, whose Japanese American family has been in the US for generations, have in common is that, however they engage with it, American culture doesn’t seem to have a place for either of them. 

A Fortunate Woman

By polly morland.

Funny, emotional and imbued with great depth, A Fortunate Woman is an exploration of the life of a country doctor in a remote and wild wooded valley in the Forest of Dean. The story was sparked when writer and documentary maker Polly Morland found a photograph of the valley she lives in tucked inside a tattered copy of John Berger’s  A Fortunate Man . Itself an account of the life of a country doctor, the book inspired a woman doctor to follow her vocation in the same remote place. And it is the story of this woman that Polly Morland tells, in this compelling portrait of landscape and community.

Father and Son

By jonathan raban.

On 11 June 2011, three days short of his sixty-ninth birthday, Jonathan Raban suffered a stroke which left him unable to use the right side of his body. Learning to use a wheelchair in a rehab facility outside Seattle and resisting the ministrations of the nurses overseeing his recovery, Raban began to reflect upon the measure of his own life in the face of his own mortality. Together with the chronicle of his recovery is the extraordinary story of his parents’ marriage, the early years of which were conducted by letter while his father fought in the Second World War.

Crying in H Mart

By michelle zauner.

This radiant read by singer, songwriter and guitarist Michelle Zauner delves into the experience of being the only Asian-American child at her school in Eugene, Oregon, combined with family struggles and blissful escapes to her grandmother's tiny Seoul apartment. The family bond is the shared love of Korean food, which helped Michelle reclaim her Asian identity in her twenties. A lively, honest, riveting read.

The Reluctant Carer

By the reluctant carer.

The phone rings. Your elderly father has been taken to hospital, and your even older mother is home with nobody to look after her. What do you do? Drop everything and go and help of course. But it's not that straightforward, and your own life starts to fall apart as quickly as their health. Irresistibly funny, unflinching and deeply moving, this is a love letter to family and friends, to carers and to anyone who has ever packed a small bag intent on staying for just a few days. This is a true story of what it really means to be a carer, and of the ties that bind even tighter when you least expect it. 

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Jonathan Eig's "King: A Life," a biography of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., was ... [+] recognized as one of the best books of 2023.

Biographies offer a chance to explore the decision-making and circumstances around some of history’s most fascinating events. The best biography books offer fresh insights into familiar situations that you may have learned about in history class but never explored in-depth. You can learn the unexpected reasoning behind why a president went with option A instead of option B, or how a scientist’s early failures led to a groundbreaking discovery. Biographies often chronicle the lives of famous people, but sometimes they focus on people who never attained celebrity status despite doing extraordinary things. This list of the top biographies includes people of all backgrounds who can teach us things about life, passion, perseverance and more.

Top Biography Books

Biographies are different from autobiographies. A biography is an account of someone’s life written by someone else. An autobiography is an account of someone’s life that they write themselves. For instance, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was written by the Founding Father. But more than two centuries later, Walter Isaacson wrote a biography of Benjamin Franklin.

Some of the most popular and well-known biographies include Isaacson’s recent book about Elon Musk, Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton , which inspired the musical about the former Secretary of the Treasury, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, about a woman who changed the course of modern medicine. The biographies on this list were selected based on critical acclaim, sales and impact on popular culture.

Cincinnati Reds great Pete Rose is the subject of one of the best biographies, a new one called ... [+] "Charlie Hustle."

30. Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball by Keith O'Brien (2024)

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The newest book on the list, this New York Times bestseller chronicles the highs and lows of baseball’s all-time hits leader, who was banned from the Hall of Fame for betting on baseball. Keith O’Brien looks at FBI records and press coverage to build a comprehensive portrait of the former Cincinnati Reds star.

This book is best for sports fans who want to go beyond Xs and Os. Keith O’Brien’s Charlie Hustle is available from Penguin Random House .

29. The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore (2021)

Kate Moore ( Radium Girls ) uncovers the story of Elizabeth Packard, a woman confined to a mental asylum in the 19 th century for daring to have opinions and push back against social norms by giving a voice to other women like herself. It earned a GoodReads Choice nomination for Best History & Biography.

This book is best for history buffs looking for lesser-known stories. Kate Moore’s The Woman They Could Not Silence is available from Sourcebooks .

28. The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine by Janice P. Nimura (2021)

Elizabeth Blackwell became the first female physician in the United States in 1849—and perhaps more remarkably, her sister, Emily, soon became the second. This New York Times bestseller traces their journeys and the founding of the famed New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, the first U.S. hospital run by women.

This book is best for anyone interested in medical history, science pioneers or sibling rivarly. Janice P. Nimura ’s The Doctors Blackwell is available from W.W. Norton .

27. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin (2005)

There have been many biographies of the 16 th president, but this stands out for presenting his story based around his cabinet, which (as the title suggests) he stacked with his political enemies. Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin presents the story, which inspired Steven Spielberg ’s Oscar-winning movie Lincoln , like a fast-paced novel.

This book is best for those who enjoy the psychology of rivalries. Doris Kearns Goodwin ’s Team of Rivals is available from Simon & Schuster .

Author Doris Kearns Goodwin's Abraham Lincoln biography is one of the best reads about the 16th ... [+] president.

26. Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera (2002)

Arguably the most famous Mexican woman of her (or any) generation, Frida Kahlo has inspired many with her art. This biography in turn explores her own inspirations and influences, adding greater depth to her well-known romance with Diego Rivera and other stories. The San Francisco Chronicle said the book made Kahlo “fully human.”

This book is best for those who appreciate art or want to learn more about Mexican history. Hayden Herrera ’s Frida is available from HarperCollins .

25. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (2001)

Young mother Henrietta Lacks died of cancer in 1951, but her “immortal cells” live on today, fueling countless medical advances. Yet her family didn’t learn of her contributions until two decades later and didn’t profit from them. Journalist Rebecca Skloot uncovers the racism and disturbing history of discrimination within medicine while telling a human story.

This book is best for anyone who watched the Oprah Winfrey film about Lacks on HBO and wants to learn more. Rebecca Skloot ’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is available from Penguin Random House .

A painting of Henrietta Lacks hangs in the entryway of the Henrietta Lacks Community Center at Lyon ... [+] Homes in the Turner Station neighborhood of Baltimore. She is the subject of "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," one of the best biographies.

24. Becoming Dr. Seuss by Brian Jay Jones (2019)

Rhyming isn’t easy, but Dr. Seuss made it look breezy. In this comprehensive look at the former advertising man’s life, Brian Jay Jones traces Theodor Geisel’s career trajectory to political cartoonist and author, as well as discussing some of the views that have received criticism in recent years.

This book is best for anyone who ever read a Dr. Seuss book, which is everyone. Brian Jay Jones ’ Becoming Dr. Seuss is available from Penguin Random House .

23. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson (2011)

From his extreme diets to his trademark black turtlenecks, Steve Jobs was a man like none other, for better or worse. Esteemed biographer Walter Isaacson captures the nuance of his personality and the genius that drove him to create companies that made things people feel passionately about. The bestselling book became a 2015 movie.

This book is best for anyone who loves or hates Apple products. Walter Isaacson ’s Steve Jobs is available from Simon & Schuster .

Late Apple CEO Steve Jobs is the subject of an acclaimed biography by Walter Isaacson.

22. All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days by Rebecca Donner (2021)

This National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography made the best books of the year list for Time , The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times . It pulls back the curtain on the women who led the largest resistance groups against the Nazis in Germany, including the author’s great-great aunt.

This book is best for those looking for a new perspective on World War II. Rebecca Donner ’s All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days is available from Little, Brown & Co .

21. Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band by Christian Staebler and Sonia Paoloni, illustrated by Thibault Balahy (2020)

At what price does commercial success come? That question haunted musicians Pat and Lolly Vegas, Native American brothers who influenced stars like Jimi Hendrix and the Doors, as they rose to fame with the Redbone hit “Come and Get Your Love.” But they later shifted their focus to the American Indian Movement.

This book is best for fans of the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack and those looking for a different take on Native American history. Christian Staebler and Sonia Paoloni ’s Redbone is available from Penguin Random House .

20. The Vice President's Black Wife: The Untold Life of Julia Chinn by Amrita Chakrabarti Myers (2023)

Richard Mentor Johnson, vice president under Martin Van Buren, married enslaved Black woman Julia Ann Chinn. Though he refused to give her freedom, he did give her power on his estate. The relationship, which was likely not consensual, ultimately cost him his political career, and this book details how.

This book is best for fans of presidential history looking for untold stories. Amrita Chakrabarti Myers ’ The Vice President’s Black Wife is available from University of North Carolina Press .

19. Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff (2011)

Cleopatra may be the most famous woman in history, but her notoriety has overshadowed her incredible life and accomplishments. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff adds depth to her story through a thoroughly researched history that also dispels misogynistic myths about the queen of Egypt.

This book is best for anyone curious about Egyptian history or who loves the classics . Stacy Schiff’s Cleopatra is available from Little, Brown & Co .

Stacy Schiff wrote an outstanding biography of Egyptian queen Cleopatra.

18. All That She Carried by Tiya Miles (2021)

This National Book Award winner and New York Times bestseller chronicles a bag passed down from an enslaved woman to future generations, which becomes the starting point for this poignant and well-researched book about the generational impact of slavery.

This book is best for everyone and should be required reading to humanize topics too often glossed over in political debates. Tiya Miles ’ All That She Carried is available from Simon & Schuster .

17. Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S. C. Gwynne (2011)

Quanah Parker, the biracial son of a pioneer woman who became the last Comanche chief, battled white settlers over land in the American West for decades. The book traces both his personal story (he was undefeated in battle) and the greater implications of the stealing of tribal lands.

This book is best for those looking for new stories about the Old West. S.C. Gwynne ’s Empire of the Summer Moon is available from Simon & Schuster .

16. Becoming Nicole: The inspiring story of transgender actor-activist Nicole Maines and her extraordinary family by Amy Ellis Nutt (2016)

Nicole Maines rose to fame when she became the first transgender woman to play a superhero on TV. Chronicling her journey from adoption to getting the job on Supergirl , this Amazon Editors Pick and New York Times bestseller also shows how her family changed their views on gender identity and the impact on their community.

This book is best for fans of comic books. Amy Ellis Nutt ’s Becoming Nicole is available from Penguin Random House .

Actress Nicole Maines speaks at a "Supergirl" presentation at Comic-Con International. She's the ... [+] subject of a heralded biography.

15. Victoria: The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire by Julia Baird (2016)

The Victoria depicted in history books is way too dry. An Esquire and New York Times pick for best book of 2016, Victoria illuminates how the future monarch went from fifth in line for the crown to a teenage queen to a mother of nine who somehow survived eight attempts on her life.

This book is best for anyone who’s ever struggled with work-life balance. Julia Baird’s Victoria is available from Penguin Random House .

14. The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbs (2021)

This remarkable book draws a line between the mothers of three of the most important Black men in American history, celebrating Black motherhood and shining a light on how they resisted Jim Crow while bringing up their sons. It was named one of Amazon's Best Biographies and Memoirs of 2021.

This book is best for parents and anyone interested in civil rights. Anna Malaika Tubbs ’ The Three Mothers is available from Macmillan .

13. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (2004)

Lin-Manuel Miranda was so inspired by this Founding Father biography that he famously wrote some of the music for Hamilton on his honeymoon. Pulitzer Prize winner Ron Chernow follows Alexandar Hamilton from immigration to member of George Washington’s cabinet to death in a duel with his nemesis, Aaron Burr.

This book is best for fans of the Broadway show and presidential history. Ron Chernow ’s Alexander Hamilton is available from Penguin Random House .

"Hamilton" author Ron Chernow and the cast appear onstage at the opening night curtain call for ... [+] "Hamilton" at the Pantages Theatre on August 16, 2017 in Los Angeles.

12. The Crusades of Cesar Chavez: A Biography by Miriam Pawel (2014)

Pulitzer Prize winner Miriam Pawel tells the story of one of the most influential and revered U.S. labor leaders in this National Book Critics Circle Award finalist. She doesn't cover up his flaws, but she does illustrate why he was so successful while saluting his enduring humanity.

This book is best for those looking for deep dives on labor or Latine history. Miriam Pawel ’s The Crusades of Cesar Chavez is available from Macmillan .

11. Warhol by Blake Gopnik (2020)

Andy Warhol is so famous, you only need to mention his last name for instant recognition. Art critic Blake Gopnik blends understanding of Warhol’s medium with excellent research and conclusions to paint the most complete picture yet of one of the defining artists of the 20 th century.

This book is best for pop culture devotees and fans of art history. Blake Gopnik ’s Warhol is available from HarperCollins .

10. Billion Dollar Whale: The Man Who Fooled Wall Street, Hollywood, and the World by Bradley Hope and Tom Wright (2018)

The Financial Times and Fortune tabbed this one of the best books of 2018 for telling the unlikeliest of stories: How a Malaysian MBA used Goldman Sachs and other financial institutions to steal billions of dollars he used to pay for real estate, parties—and even the making of The Wolf of Wall Street .

This book is best for Hollywood and movie lovers. Bradley Hope and Tom Wright’s Billion Dollar Whale is available from Hachette Books .

9. The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis (2013)

There’s so much more to Rosa Parks’ story than one day on a bus in Montgomery. Jeanne Theoharis takes a comprehensive look at her six decades of activism and why she wasn’t the “accidental catalyst” the history books have made her sound like, regaining Parks her agency.

This book is best for those who know how the Montgomery Bus Boycott began but don’t know about Parks’ earlier involvement in organizing. Jeanne Theoharis’ The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks is available from Penguin Random House .

8. American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin (2005)

The inspiration behind Christopher Nolan ’s summer’s blockbuster film Oppenheimer won the Pulitzer Prize and hit No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It tells J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life story, with a particular focus on the bomb and how it played into the Cold War.

This book is best for anyone who saw the movie and wants to know more. Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s American Prometheus is available from Penguin Random House .

"Oppenheimer" cast members Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh. The movie is ... [+] based on the prize-winning biography.

7. Self Made: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker by A'Lelia Bundles (2002)

Madam C.J. Walker, her enslaved parents’ first freeborn child, became one of the wealthiest women of her time. Entirely self-made, she used wealth gained from her cosmetics empire caring for Black hair to help uplift other women and connect with civil rights leaders. The author is Walker’s great-great granddaughter.

This book is best for people obsessed with the Forbes billionaire lists. A’Lelia Bundles ’ Self Made (originally titled On Her Own Ground) is available from Simon & Schuster .

6. Three Ordinary Girls: The Remarkable Story of Three Dutch Teenagers Who Became Spies, Saboteurs, Nazi Assassins—and WWII Heroes by Tim Brady (2021)

World War II is a hugely popular literary period, and here’s another worthy biography from that era, following the Nazi resistance efforts of Dutch teens Hannie Schaft and sisters Truus and Freddie Oversteegen. They saved countless children and Jews from concentration camps and even assassinated German soldiers.

This book is best for World War II aficionados and fans of hidden history. Tim Brady’s Three Ordinary Girls is available from Kensington Books .

5. Bruce Lee: A Life by Matthew Polly (2018)

This highly rated (4.8/5 stars on Amazon) book incorporates information gleaned from more than 100 interviews, which helped Polly piece together scenes from Lee’s childhood in Hong Kong and the challenges he faced from racism in Hollywood. It also investigates his shocking and still mysterious death.

This book is best for fans of martial arts or who want to know what it was like to be Asian in Hollywood decades ago. Matthew Polly ’s Bruce Lee is available from Simon & Schuster .

Bruce Lee from the 1972 film "The Way of the Dragon." He is the subject of Matthew Polly's ... [+] biography.

4. Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit (2021)

This finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award explores author George Orwell’s career from a unique angle: looking at his passion for gardening. Rebecca Solnit ties his devotion to his plants to his work as a writer and an antifascist. It presents him in a different light than past biographies.

This book is best for gardeners and those who’ve read 1984 . Rebecca Solnit ’s Orwell’s Roses is available from Penguin Random House .

3. Billie Holiday: The Musician and the Myth by John Szwed (2015)

Billie Holiday’s story is too often simplified to a rags-to-riches tale focusing on her struggles pre- and post-fame. But her influence, accomplishments and enduring power are far too grand to tokenize. This biography focuses on her music, allowing jazz scholar John Szwed to illustrate what made her so spectacular.

This book is best for jazz and music fans. John Szwed ’s Billie Holiday is available from Penguin Random House .

2. Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe (2023)

The Sacklers were once revered for their philanthropy, but the opioid epidemic unmasked how they sold and marketed a painkiller that catalyzed the crisis. This New York Times bestseller traces three generations of the family and their insistence on downplaying the addictiveness of opioids. It asks and answers how they avoided accountability.

This book is best for fans of Hulu’s Dopesick and anyone looking for more information about the opioid crisis. Patrick Radden Keefe ’s Empire of Pain is available from Penguin Random House .

Tufts employee Gabe Ryan removes letters from signage featuring the Sackler family name at the Tufts ... [+] building. The biography "Empire of Pain" details what led to the Sacklers' fall from grace.

1. King: A Life by Jonathan Eig (2023)

Hailed by the New Yorker , Washington Post , Time and Chicago Tribune as one of the best books of 2023, King is a definitive biography of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. It’s also the first to rely on recently declassified FBI files, giving greater depth to the narrative and this unique American story.

This book is best for those who want to go beyond the “I Have a Dream” speech. Jonathan Eig ’s King is available from Macmillan .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the most entertaining biographies.

The most entertaining biographies will teach lessons and impart wisdom while also keeping you on the edge of your seat, anticipating the next development in a storied life. Famed pop culture figures and entertainers make great subjects. 

For an in-depth and fast-paced look at one of our most celebrated jurists, check out 2018’s  Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life by Jane Sherron de Hart. If you want laughs and a behind-the-scenes peek at a seminal variety show, try David Bianculli’s 2010 book The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour . And to lose yourself in a dishy, reads-like-a-novel bio of the ultimate girlboss, try Marisa Meltzer’s 2023 Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Emily Weiss's Glossier .

What Are The Best Professional Biographies?

The best professional biographies make connections between the habits and hopes of dreamers and their eventual success. They often provide a blueprint for success that readers can adopt for their own lives. 

To learn how to build a truly impressive empire, read Neal Gabler’s 2006  Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination . Another American legend is the subject of T.J. Stiles’ 2010 National Book Award winner The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt , which is as much about capitalism as Vanderbilt. And in 2016’s Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race , Margot Lee Shetterly shows how Black women professionals were discriminated against at NASA—but still helped land a man on the moon. 

What Are The Best Presidential Biographies?

The best presidential biographies reveal never-before-known details about famous leaders’ lives. It can be challenging to dig up something new but so rewarding because it helps our understanding of how these men governed and led. 

Arguably the best presidential biography is Robert Caro’s portrait of Lyndon B. Johnson, starting with 1990’s  The Path to Power , which traces LBJ’s journey from early childhood to the start of his political career. An enduring book is Edmund Morris’ acclaimed 1979 The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt , which paints a full picture of a complicated man. And 2017’s  The Unexpected President: The Life and Times of Chester A. Arthur by Scott S. Greenberger shows that even a long-forgotten president still has influence and value. 

Bottom Line

Biographies offer an escape into someone else’s story, giving you the chance to see why they made their decisions and second-guess them if you like. Whether you prefer biographies focused on history, pop culture or science, you can find a book you’ll love on this list.

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Success Mindset

10 inspirational biographies that can steer you towards the right path.

Everyone out there has had days when they lose all self confidence and feel like they are going nowhere. All your ideas start sounding stupid and you don’t know why you’re still trying in the first place. This is where these inspirational biographies come into play. People who have held on to their ideas and passions and executed them regardless of how difficult it was to keep going and hopefully by reading some of these, you will know exactly where your passions lie and figure out just what you need to keep doing to make them happen.

1. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

The extraordinary and inspiring account of both the professional and personal life of Steve Jobs. Based on three years of exclusive interviews conducted by Isaacson with both Jobs and his family, colleagues and competitors. A great insight into Jobs’s life and thoughts making it a very motivational and inspirational read, one of the best inspirational biographies out there.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

2. Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way by Richard Branson

Richard Branson followed a very interesting ideology that gained him, in slightly more than twenty-five years, successful ventures all around the place from Virgin Atlantic Airways to Virgin Megastores and nearly a hundred other myriad ventures. Reading this tale of someone doing business his way will surely encourage all you closet-entrepreneurs to just “screw it, let’s do it” in the words of Branson himself.

“I can honestly say that I have never gone into any business purely to make money. If that is the sole motive then I believe you are better off not doing it. A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.”

3. Shark Tales: How I Turned $1000 into a Billion Dollar Business by Barbara Corcoran

Many of these books happen to be about business successes but that is the key to pushing ourselves to implementing all the ideas we have in mind. This book is Corcoran’s best advice for anybody starting a business but it’s also beyond that because despite failing at 22 jobs by the time she was 23, she borrowed a 1000 bucks form her boyfriend and started a tiny real estate office in NYC. This developed into a $6 billion dollar business. Now  that  is enough to keep me persistent!

“Taking chances almost always makes for happy endings.”

4. Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-Founder of Microsoft by Paul Allen

Paul Allen was a world-famous billionaire by his early 30s and  Time  has named him one of the hundred most influential people in the world as the cofounder of Microsoft. Rushed into sharing his story by a diagnosis of lymphoma, this memoir was created filled with his passion, rigor, thoughts and most importantly his endeavors; both the triumphs and the failures. This will emphasize the importance of ideas in all of our minds and we could all use a little of that.

“For the most part, the best opportunities now lie where your competitors have yet to establish themselves, not where they’re already entrenched.”

5. One Click: Jeff Bezos and the Rise of Amazon.com y Richard L. Brandt

Richard Brandt has brought us the intel behind the creator of the world’s most popular online shopping site, Amazon.com. With its super easy and convenient layout, Amazon has helped Bezos rise from computer whiz to a world-changing entrepreneur. Through interviews with employees, competitors and observers, we get an insight into how Bezos thinks enabling us to sharpen up our decision making skills and maybe, finding something that gives us a higher meaning to our lives.

“… working at Amazon was not just a job – it was part of a visionary quest, something to give higher meaning to their lives.”

6. Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer

This one is now sitting on my “Want To Read” shelf on Goodreads because it is a slightly different kind of biography than the ones prior. This literary adventure teaches you to live deliberately without fear or compromise because only when you know what you want and stand for it will you be able to succeed. The book proposes many other conflicts and thought processes but Chris’s desire to live on his own terms and his pursuing of that is the inspirational essence.

“Make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservation, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future.”

7. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

This one is a classic, discovered in the attic in which Anne Frank spent the last years of her life during the war and the holocaust. Anne has a remarkable voice that in itself makes you feel guilty for letting some of your hardships – that now might now seem as hard – get in the way of what it is you want to do. Perhaps this might not be lighthearted but it is most definitely positive because that is what Frank intended it to be. She broke the Maslow’s hierarchy theory because she didn’t need a sense of security to write and express herself and reach self-actualization, she just did, and in her strength we can all find ours.

“Although I’m only fourteen, I know quite well what I want, I know who is right and who is wrong. I have my opinions, my own ideas and principles, and although it may sound pretty mad from an adolescent, I feel more of a person than a child, I feel quite indepedant of anyone.”

8. Front Row: Anna Wintour – What Lies Beneath the Chic Exterior of Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief by Jerry Oppenheimer

The list would be incomplete without the chic and that is embodied in Vogue’s Queen Bee: Anna Wintour. Behind her trademark sunglasses and bob she essentially controls the fashion world, what’s in and what’s out, and every month millions of women and men are influenced by the pages of the wish-book that she has earned fighting her way to the most prestigious position in fashion journalism. Wintour’s belief in her opinions and voice makes you want to wear whatever you want and even carry through that attitude, ambition and drive into the rest of your endeavours.

9. Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie

The title in itself is the lesson. Mycoskie tells the story of TOMS, one of the fastest-growing shoe companies in the world, and includes the innovative lessons he has learned from other organisations such as charity: water, TerraCycle and FEED Projects. Blake makes it easier for us by presenting six simple keys for creating or transforming your own life and business so the first step, is to pick it up and give it a read if you’re ready to make a difference in your world and most importantly, your personal life.

“Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.… If it’s important to you and you want to do it ‘eventually,’ just do it and correct course along the way.”

10. By Invitation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop by Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis-Wilson

Alexis and Alexandra went to Harvard Business School and while they were learning all they could at the top training ground for future Wall Street titans, they had no idea that 5 years on the line, they’d be famous at the intersection of fashion and technology. Gilt began with one bold idea: to bring sample sales online and change the way millions shop. The quintessential lesson is that anything is possible if you have the confidence to embrace your creativity, spontaneity and ability to recognise an opportunity and just go for it.

“The reason we wrote our book, By Invitation Only: How We Built Gilt And Changed The Way Millions Shop, is to inspire entrepreneurship – especially among women. We want to help increase the chances of success with more startups.”

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• Non-Fiction

10 Most Inspiring Biographies You Have To Read

“It’s not always necessary to be strong, but to feel strong.”

Books that inspire can come in different forms. And whilst it’s certainly possible for fictional stories to inspire their readers, there’s something about the visceral realness of a memoir or biography that takes things to another level. Reading about overcoming a seemingly impossible obstacle or overcoming grief and finding a new purpose feels all the more powerful when a person knows these things have happened. It makes these stories all the more inspiring for readers because if the author can overcome adversity, why can’t they? With all of that in mind, whether your motivation is at a low or you’re currently facing your challenges, join us at What We Reading as we delve into some of the most inspiring biographies you have to read!

Into The Wild – Jon Krakauer

Kicking off our list of the most inspiring biographies is Jon Krakauer’s classic 1996 biography, Into the Wild . This page-turning bestseller documents a famed missing person mystery whilst simultaneously exploring the allure of the wilderness for tugging at our imaginations and encouraging a life without fear or compromise.

The book chronicles the escapades of Christopher Johnson McCandless. In April 1992, this young man hitchhiked into the Alaskan wilderness. Four months later, his body was discovered by a moose hunter. With obsessive attention to detail, Krakauer reconstructs the facts of McCandless’ life, his motivations for his adventure and the innocent mistakes that would lead to his death . Mesmerising, heart-breaking and utterly captivating, Into the Wild is a celebration of the desire to live life on one’s terms, with McCandless’ pursuit of that proving to be more than inspirational.

Check Out The Best Books Like Into The Wild

My Name Is Why – Lemn Sissay

At the age of seventeen, Norman Greenwood was given his birth certificate. It was an event that followed a childhood in an adopted family and then six years in care homes. He learned that he was British and Ethiopian and that his real name was Lemn Sissay.

In an inspiring biography of neglect and determination, Sissay recounts his life story for readers. Reflecting on the years of adoption, self-expression and Britishness and produced with stunning lyricism and power, My Name Is Why explores race, family, the institutional care system and the meaning of home. Infused with a poetic beauty that sheds light on a devastating series of heartbreaks, this 2019 biography is the result of a life spent asking questions and a celebration of the power of resilience and creativity.

Start Something That Matters – Blake Mycoskie

‘What matters most to you?’ is the question posed by Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes in his 2011 biography, Start Something That Matters . Through chronicling the inception and launch of his company as well as other inspiring and innovative organizations, Mycoskie presents six key lessons for readers to transform their lives.

From overcoming fears, and discovering core strengths to incorporating giving into every aspect of their lives, whatever changes readers are looking for, Start Something That Matters comes full of stories, ideas and practical tips designed to help them get started. One of the most inspiring biographies from an entrepreneur who has done it without losing touch with what has been important to them, Mycoskie’s lessons are as timeless today as they have ever been.

A Line Above The Sky – Helen Mort

Helen Mort documents her life-long obsession with climbing in her inspirational biography, A Line Above the Sky . She outlines the power of a climber’s connection to the elemental world and highlights the thrilling risk of holding on and being one step ahead of death when faced with a daunting rock face. However, after becoming a mother for the first time, she is forced to reconsider both herself and her place in the natural world.

A Line Above the Sky is a blend of an intimate memoir and beautiful nature writing that asks why humans are drawn to danger, and how we can find liberation in pushing our boundaries. Whether it’s climbing a mountain or bringing life into the world, this celebration of womanhood speaks to all readers of the joys of losing yourself in physicality.

Check Out These Feel-Good Books For Women In Their 20s  

Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing – Matthew Perry

Hilarious, heartfelt and delivered with the warmly familiar tone that only he can produce, Matthew Perry takes readers through an intimate and inspiring journey across his life in his 2022 memoir.

Perry lays bare the troubled, fractured family that raised him, the desire for recognition that fueled his career, and the void within that even his greatest dreams becoming a reality couldn’t fill. From ambition, fame and fortune, addiction and recovery, this unforgettable memoir vividly depicts the lifelong battles the Friends star endured, and the peace he found through his castmates, friends, family and other stars he met along the way. Sharp and self-aware, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing is the hand-up any reader struggling with their battles needs when they’re low on inspiration.

This Is Not A Pity Memoir – Abi Morgan

When the partner of Emmy Award-winning screenwriter Abi Morgan suddenly collapsed from an unknown illness, doctors were concerned he would not survive. Six months on, Jacob woke from his coma. Only this wasn’t the Hollywood ending everyone had been hoping for. To Jacob, Abi was no longer his partner of over twenty years. Or his children’s mother. Or the woman he loved.

Suddenly finding herself in a new nightmare, Abi chronicles her efforts to find a way of holding onto the past and forging a future in her inspiring biography, This Is Not A Pity Memoir . Written with candid and unflinching capable of making readers both laugh and cry, Morgan’s book is a new type of love story that demonstrates how love, hope and resilience never evaporate from a person.

The Happiest Man On Earth – Eddie Jaku

Eddie Jaku always considered himself to be a German first and a Jew second. However, his pride in his country was transformed in 1938 when he was beaten, arrested and taken to a concentration camp. From Buchenwald to Auschwitz and then across a Nazi death march, the following seven years would see Eddie faced with unimaginable horrors and losses beyond belief.

Having survived, Eddie made the vow to smile every day. In his incredible memoir, The Happiest Man on Earth , he pays homage to those who were lost by sharing his wisdom, telling his story and living the best life possible. Believing that he is the ‘ happiest man on Earth ’, this inspiring biography is a hopeful memoir and a powerful reminder that happiness can be found even in the darkest of circumstances.

The Salt Path – Raynor Winn

Mere days after being told that her husband of over thirty years, Moth, is terminally ill, Raynor Winn learns that her home and livelihood are being taken away. With time short and nothing left, the pair decide to walk the 630-mile long sea-swept South West Coast Path , a trek from Somerset to Dorset via Devon and Cornwall.

Carrying only the essentials on their backs, they have almost no money and no food. Living wild with only weathered cliffs, the spray of the sea and each other for company, their walk soon becomes a life-affirming journey of discovery. Raynor Winn’s inspiring memoir is a portrayal of grief, the healing power of the natural world and the assertion that home can be lost, rebuilt and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.

The Little Big Things: A Young Man’s Belief That Every Day Can Be A Good Day – Henry Fraser

One of the most inspiring memoirs from the past decade, The Little Big Things is a 2017 biography by Henry Fraser.

When he was 17 years old, a tragic accident crushed Henry’s spinal cord. Paralysed from the shoulders down, he has since overcome this adversity and embraced life and a new way of living. The Little Big Things is a collection of wisdom and insights Henry has amassed over the years on how to find the gifts in the challenges life brings. Perfect for readers facing obstacles in their own lives, Henry’s inspiring philosophy teaches us how to look at the right things, find progress in whatever we do and accept darkness when it does appear.

Strong Female Character – Fern Brady

Strong Female Character is a 2023 memoir by Fern Brady. Born with autism and having no ‘presets for being a ‘good’ woman’, Brady aims at the stereotypes surrounding neurodiversity in this groundbreaking biography, exploring everything from class, societal pressures, individual goals, sexism and its relation to mental health .

Brady dismantles how being a woman gets in the way of people’s expectations for what autism should look like and, equally, how being autistic gets in the way of people’s expectations of what a woman should look like. Strong Female Character will entertain as well as educate readers on their preconceived notions, whilst also standing as one of the most inspiring biographies that tackles how social expectations should never hold them back.

Check Out The Best Biographies About Strong Women From 2023  

Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).

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The Best 10 Biographies by Women to Add to Your Reading List

From former first ladies to famous actors and standup comedians.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

The books on this list include incredible true stories about remarkable women who overcame great adversity, from Hollywood heavyweights sharing their personal stories for the first time to women journeying through grief, love, heartbreak, and hardship. While some of these books explore what it means to move forward after a violent crime, others explain the influence a person's upbringing had on their identity. Here, we round up 10 of the best biographies of women to add to your reading list in 2024.

'I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban' by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

When Malala Yousafzai was just 15 years old, she was shot in the head after standing up to the Taliban regarding her right to an education. Seemingly against all odds, Yousafzai survived the attack, and was subsequently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her advocacy on behalf of children and young people. Since then, she has continued her activism by supporting young women to receive an education, while opposing extremism. I Am Malala is Yousafzai's incredible story , told in her own words.

'Becoming' by Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama needs no introduction following her eight-year tenure as first lady in the White House, but that doesn't make her story any less remarkable. Becoming covers everything from Michelle's youth in Chicago to her relationship with husband and former president Barack Obama and the way she's learned to juggle working on a world stage alongside raising her family. Rather than shying away from her mistakes, Michelle reflects on her life to date, offering every ounce of wisdom she's gathered, making her memoir an essential read.

'Inside Out: A Memoir' by Demi Moore

As an award-winning actor and the ex-wife of Bruce Willis , Demi Moore is no stranger to the spotlight. In Inside Out: A Memoir, Moore uses her wit and candor to discuss her unlikely rise to fame, the difficulties she encountered as a Hollywood star, and aspects of her personal life even the most dedicated fan wouldn't know. From her very real battles with sexism to the disintegration of multiple relationships, Moore doesn't hold anything back in her emotional autobiography.

'Know My Name' by Chanel Miller

With Know My Name, Chanel Miller gave up her anonymity as Emily Doe to tell her story. In 2016, Brock Turner was found guilty of three counts of felony sexual assault, for which he was sentenced to six months in county jail, although he would only serve three. Following the trial, Miller's victim impact statement went viral online, in which she revealed the devastating impact the crime had on every aspect of her life. Know My Name is an intimate portrayal of what it's like to survive a life-changing event and find a new forward.

'Finding Me' by Viola Davis

Viola Davis' biography , Finding Me, elevated the actor to EGOT status when she took home a Grammy for her performance of the audiobook, and it's easy to see why. Discussing her humble upbringing on Rhode Island and her quest to forge a career as an actor, Davis encourages honesty and self-reflection when readers look back on their own stories. While Davis' talent is undeniable, her journey to stardom has been anything but simple, making Finding Me an important and timeless read.

'Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology' by Leah Remini: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology

After leaving Scientology in July 2013, Leah Remini was forced to rebuild her life from the ground up. Despite being a famous actor, Remini was seemingly adrift in the world without her former religion and allegedly faced harassment and stalking by the organization for fleeing. Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology tracks Remini's upbringing in the church, the reasons she finally decided to leave, and the ways in which her life changed after she walked away.

'Survival of the Thickest' by Michelle Buteau

Comedian Michelle Buteau has continually proven herself with roles in Netflix movies, such as Someone Great and Always Be My Maybe, and on TV shows like Russian Doll and First Wives Club. In Survival of the Thickest, Buteau provides readers with an insight into her life growing up in New Jersey with Caribbean parents and why she made the move to Miami for college. Both hilarious and intimate, Buteau gets candid about her chaotic life as a standup comedian, starting a family with her Dutch husband, and the difficult decisions she faced when becoming a mother.

'Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail' by Cheryl Strayed

Brought to the big screen in a movie starring Reese Witherspoon , Cheryl Strayed's Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail is a story of resilience, heartbreak, grief, and an 1100-mile solo hike. Leaving behind a difficult romantic relationship and personal demons and still reeling from the death of her mother, Strayed navigates the challenging walk with very little hiking experience. In spite of her shortcomings, the journey changes the course of her life forever.

'Crying in H Mart' by Michelle Zauner in H Mart: A Memoir

Known as the lead singer of Japanese Breakfast , Michelle Zauner's biography is an exploration of family, food, identity, loss, and the journey to discovering oneself. From her childhood in Oregon to her experiences staying in Seoul, South Korea, with her grandmother, Zauner examines the strands that form her identity as a Korean American. In addition to tracking her career as a rock musician, Zauner opens up about the devastating family diagnosis that changed her outlook on life and heritage.

'I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home' by Jami Attenberg

Author Jami Attenberg is known for her novels The Middlesteins and The Melting Season, and for short story collections such as Instant Love . In I Came All This Way to Meet You, Attenberg shares the experiences that shaped her worldview, including following her father's occupation as a traveling salesman. As Attenberg discovered her own creative identity, she also found the less glamorous aspects of writing, such as the cross-country book tours and the lack of stable housing. Despite the challenges, Attenberg's memoir provides the encouragement needed to never quit, whatever the project.

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Biographies have always been controversial. On his deathbed, the novelist Henry James told his nephew that his “sole wish” was to “frustrate as utterly as possible the postmortem exploiter” by destroying his personal letters and journals. And one of our greatest living writers, Hermione Lee, once compared biographies to autopsies that add “a new terror to death”—the potential muddying of someone’s legacy when their life is held up to the scrutiny of investigation.

Why do we read so many books about the lives and deaths of strangers, as told by second-hand and third-hand sources? Is it merely our love for gossip, or are we trying to understand ourselves through the triumphs and failures of others?

To keep this list from blossoming into hundreds of titles, we only included books currently in print and translated into English. We also limited it to one book per author, and one book per subject. In ranked order, here are the best biographies of all time.

Crown The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo, by Tom Reiss

You’re probably familiar with The Count of Monte Cristo , the 1844 revenge novel by Alexandre Dumas. But did you know it was based on the life of Dumas’s father, the mixed-race General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, son of a French nobleman and a Haitian slave? Thanks to Reiss’s masterful pacing and plotting, this rip-roaring biography of Thomas-Alexandre reads more like an adventure novel than a work of nonfiction. The Black Count won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 2013, and it’s only a matter of time before a filmmaker turns it into a big-screen blockbuster.

Farrar, Straus and Giroux Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret, by Craig Brown

Few biographies are as genuinely fun to read as this barnburner from the irreverent English critic Craig Brown. Princess Margaret may have been everyone’s favorite character from Netflix’s The Crown , but Brown’s eye for ostentatious details and revelatory insights will help you see why everyone in the 1950s—from Pablo Picasso and Gore Vidal to Peter Sellers and Andy Warhol—was obsessed with her. When book critic Parul Sehgal says that she “ripped through the book with the avidity of Margaret attacking her morning vodka and orange juice,” you know you’re in for a treat.

Inventor of the Future: The Visionary Life of Buckminster Fuller, by Alec Nevala-Lee

If you want to feel optimistic about the future again, look no further than this brilliant biography of Buckminster Fuller, the “modern Leonardo da Vinci” of the 1960s and 1970s who came up with the idea of a “Spaceship Earth” and inspired Silicon Valley’s belief that technology could be a global force for good (while earning plenty of critics who found his ideas impractical). Alec Nevala-Lee’s writing is as serene and precise as one of Fuller’s geodesic domes, and his research into never-before-seen documents makes this a genuinely groundbreaking book full of surprises.

Free Press Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original, by Robin D.G. Kelley

The late American jazz composer and pianist Thelonious Monk has been so heavily mythologized that it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. But Robin D. G. Kelley’s biography is an essential book for jazz fans looking to understand the man behind the myths. Monk’s family provided Kelley with full access to their archives, resulting in chapter after chapter of fascinating details, from his birth in small-town North Carolina to his death across the Hudson from Manhattan.

University of Chicago Press Frank Lloyd Wright: A Biography, by Meryle Secrest

There are dozens of books about America’s most celebrated architect, but Secrest’s 1998 biography is still the most fun to read. For one, she doesn’t shy away from the fact that Wright could be an absolute monster, even to his own friends and family. Secondly, her research into more than 100,000 letters, as well as interviews with nearly every surviving person who knew Wright, makes this book a one-of-a-kind look at how Wright’s personal life influenced his architecture.

Ralph Ellison: A Biography, by Arnold Rampersad

Ralph Ellison’s landmark novel, Invisible Man , is about a Black man who faced systemic racism in the Deep South during his youth, then migrated to New York, only to find oppression of a slightly different kind. What makes Arnold Rampersand’s honest and insightful biography of Ellison so compelling is how he connects the dots between Invisible Man and Ellison’s own journey from small-town Oklahoma to New York’s literary scene during the Harlem Renaissance.

Oscar Wilde: A Life, by Matthew Sturgis

Now remembered for his 1891 novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde was one of the most fascinating men of the fin-de-siècle thanks to his poems, plays, and some of the earliest reported “celebrity trials.” Sturgis’s scintillating biography is the most encyclopedic chronicle of Wilde’s life to date, thanks to new research into his personal notebooks and a full transcript of his libel trial.

Beacon Press A Surprised Queenhood in the New Black Sun: The Life & Legacy of Gwendolyn Brooks, by Angela Jackson

The poet Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1950, but because she spent most of her life in Chicago instead of New York, she hasn’t been studied or celebrated as often as her peers in the Harlem Renaissance. Luckily, Angela Jackson’s biography is full of new details about Brooks’s personal life, and how it influenced her poetry across five decades.

Atria Books Camera Man: Buster Keaton, the Dawn of Cinema, and the Invention of the Twentieth Century, by Dana Stevens

Was Buster Keaton the most influential filmmaker of the first half of the twentieth century? Dana Stevens makes a compelling case in this dazzling mix of biography, essays, and cultural history. Much like Keaton’s filmography, Stevens playfully jumps from genre to genre in an endlessly entertaining way, while illuminating how Keaton’s influence on film and television continues to this day.

Algonquin Books Empire of Deception: The Incredible Story of a Master Swindler Who Seduced a City and Captivated the Nation, by Dean Jobb

Dean Jobb is a master of narrative nonfiction on par with Erik Larsen, author of The Devil in the White City . Jobb’s biography of Leo Koretz, the Bernie Madoff of the Jazz Age, is among the few great biographies that read like a thriller. Set in Chicago during the 1880s through the 1920s, it’s also filled with sumptuous period details, from lakeside mansions to streets choked with Model Ts.

Vintage Penelope Fitzgerald: A Life, by Hermione Lee

Hermione Lee’s biographies of Virginia Woolf and Edith Wharton could easily have made this list. But her book about a less famous person—Penelope Fitzgerald, the English novelist who wrote The Bookshop, The Blue Flower , and The Beginning of Spring —might be her best yet. At just over 500 pages, it’s considerably shorter than those other biographies, partially because Fitzgerald’s life wasn’t nearly as well documented. But Lee’s conciseness is exactly what makes this book a more enjoyable read, along with the thrilling feeling that she’s uncovering a new story literary historians haven’t already explored.

Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath, by Heather Clark

Many biographers have written about Sylvia Plath, often drawing parallels between her poetry and her death by suicide at the age of thirty. But in this startling book, Plath isn’t wholly defined by her tragedy, and Heather Clark’s craftsmanship as a writer makes it a joy to read. It’s also the most comprehensive account of Plath’s final year yet put to paper, with new information that will change the way you think of her life, poetry, and death.

Pontius Pilate, by Ann Wroe

Compared to most biography subjects, there isn’t much surviving documentation about the life of Pontius Pilate, the Judaean governor who ordered the execution of the historical Jesus in the first century AD. But Ann Wroe leans into all that uncertainty in her groundbreaking book, making for a fascinating mix of research and informed speculation that often feels like reading a really good historical novel.

Brand: History Book Club Bolívar: American Liberator, by Marie Arana

In the early nineteenth century, Simón Bolívar led six modern countries—Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela—to independence from the Spanish Empire. In this rousing work of biography and geopolitical history, Marie Arana deftly chronicles his epic life with propulsive prose, including a killer first sentence: “They heard him before they saw him: the sound of hooves striking the earth, steady as a heartbeat, urgent as a revolution.”

Charlie Chan: The Untold Story of the Honorable Detective and His Rendezvous with American History, by Yunte Huang

Ever read a biography of a fictional character? In the 1930s and 1940s, Charlie Chan came to popularity as a Chinese American police detective in Earl Derr Biggers’s mystery novels and their big-screen adaptations. In writing this book, Yunte Huang became something of a detective himself to track down the real-life inspiration for the character, a Hawaiian cop named Chang Apana born shortly after the Civil War. The result is an astute blend between biography and cultural criticism as Huang analyzes how Chan served as a crucial counterpoint to stereotypical Chinese villains in early Hollywood.

Random House Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay, by Nancy Milford

Edna St. Vincent Millay was one of the most fascinating women of the twentieth century—an openly bisexual poet, playwright, and feminist icon who helped make Greenwich Village a cultural bohemia in the 1920s. With a knack for torrid details and creative insights, Nancy Milford successfully captures what made Millay so irresistible—right down to her voice, “an instrument of seduction” that captivated men and women alike.

Simon & Schuster Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson

Few people have the luxury of choosing their own biographers, but that’s exactly what the late co-founder of Apple did when he tapped Walter Isaacson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Albert Einstein and Benjamin Franklin. Adapted for the big screen by Aaron Sorkin in 2015, Steve Jobs is full of plot twists and suspense thanks to a mind-blowing amount of research on the part of Isaacson, who interviewed Jobs more than forty times and spoke with just about everyone who’d ever come into contact with him.

Brand: Random House Véra (Mrs. Vladimir Nabokov), by Stacy Schiff

The Russian-American novelist Vladimir Nabokov once said, “Without my wife, I wouldn’t have written a single novel.” And while Stacy Schiff’s biography of Cleopatra could also easily make this list, her telling of Véra Nabokova’s life in Russia, Europe, and the United States is revolutionary for finally bringing Véra out of her husband’s shadow. It’s also one of the most romantic biographies you’ll ever read, with some truly unforgettable images, like Vera’s habit of carrying a handgun to protect Vladimir on butterfly-hunting excursions.

Greenblatt, Stephen Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare, by Stephen Greenblatt

We know what you’re thinking. Who needs another book about Shakespeare?! But Greenblatt’s masterful biography is like traveling back in time to see firsthand how a small-town Englishman became the greatest writer of all time. Like Wroe’s biography of Pontius Pilate, there’s plenty of speculation here, as there are very few surviving records of Shakespeare’s daily life, but Greenblatt’s best trick is the way he pulls details from Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets to construct a compelling narrative.

Crown Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own, by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

When Kiese Laymon calls a book a “literary miracle,” you pay attention. James Baldwin’s legacy has enjoyed something of a revival over the last few years thanks to films like I Am Not Your Negro and If Beale Street Could Talk , as well as books like Glaude’s new biography. It’s genuinely a bit of a miracle how he manages to combine the story of Baldwin’s life with interpretations of Baldwin’s work—as well as Glaude’s own story of discovering, resisting, and rediscovering Baldwin’s books throughout his life.

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100 Must-Read Biographies and Memoirs of Remarkable Women

When Erin Burba was ten, she was grounded for trying to read while riding her bike. She is a lifelong bibliophile who embarks upon obsessive reading binges on subjects ranging from polygamous cults to Helen Keller. When not working or reading, she can be found hiking, watching Jeopardy!, and searching for the perfect fruit snack. She lives in Denver, CO with her husband and son. Follow her on Twitter @erinkseals .

View All posts by Erin Burba

I still remember when I discovered Helen Keller. I stumbled across a children’s biography at my elementary school’s library and I was obsessed. I learned everything I could about her, watched each version of  The Miracle Worker  I could get my hands on, and embarked on a life-long love affair with reading biographies and memoirs of remarkable women.

Tales of amazing women have guided me along at each important moment in my life.  I devoured Allie Brosh’s stories while trying to make sense of my anxiety, Caroline Knapp kept me company when I quit drinking, and Joan Didion helped me process the death of someone important to me. Now, I keep Lindy West’s and Phoebe Robinson’s books at hand as I determine how to move forward in the Trump era.

Here’s a list of 100 biographies and memoirs of remarkable women. All descriptions are from Amazon unless otherwise specified.

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Blog – Posted on Wednesday, Apr 29

35 inspirational books to change your life 🌅.

Inspiration comes in many forms, particularly when it comes to books. Fiction can propel us to grow just as the characters did. And non-fiction is not far behind, with its steady guidance on how to and how not to do everything from poetry to professional development.

But inspirational books go a little bit further, especially for those among us in need of extra hygge, a Danish saying that encompasses that feeling of cozy contentment. Hygge is perhaps just another way — a fancy way — of saying: let's curl up by the fire with a book that will calm and ease the soul. Within these 35 inspirational books , you'll encounter a variety of genres, tastes, and perspectives from a diversity of authors. Yet despite their differences, they all seek to guide you to a better future — and a better you . Without further ado, let's check out the books that will motivate you to change your life for the better.

1. The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins ⭐ Indie Spotlight

In its blurb, The 5 Second Rule promises to teach you how to become confident, break the habit of procrastination and self-doubt, beat fear and uncertainty, and be happier. As big of an ask as that might sound, Robbins more than delivers in this wildly popular self-help book , which is built on the titular 5 second rule: the five seconds you should take every time you need to push yourself. Robbins launched the 5 second rule in her incredibly successful Ted Talk, which has been watched by more than 8 million people around the world. You can watch that Ted Talk here — or you can read this motivational book, which delves even deeper into the science of habits and productivity.

2. The Alchemist by Paul Coelho

This slim, enchanting fable of a book is worldwide bestseller — and a favorite of celebrities from Will Smith to Madonna. It’s not hard to understand why: The Alchemist packs a lot of wisdom in only 163 pages, which Coelho wrote in a two-week fit of inspiration. Even better, it packages self-help-style advice with a spell-binding story. Follow along as the Andalusian shepherd boy Santiago, beset with prophetic dreams, sets off for the Egyptian pyramids in search of a glorious treasure. Along the way, he’ll hobnob with kings, encounter betrayal. and even fall and love — teaching us how to reach for our own dreams in the process.

3. The American Spirit by David McCullough

You don’t always think of historians as literary stars, but David McCullough is the exception that proves the rule. When it comes to accolades, he’s won everything that can be won, from the National Book Award to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This deeply inspiring book collects nearly thirty years’ worth of his speeches, delivered before Congress members, college grads, and everyone in between. Erudite but never stodgy, uplifting without being saccharine, The American Spirit ranges widely — treating us to the fascinating stories of doctors, artisans, and performers across the history of the United States. No matter where you hail from, he’ll have you waving the red, white, and blue before you turn the final page.

4. The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler

According to the Dalai Lama, “the very motif of our life is towards happiness.” Still, reaching that final destination can be easier said than done. Fortunately this philosophically rich, compassionately written handbook is here to guide the way. The Art of Happiness spotlights compassion for others as the key to personal fulfillment — appropriate, since it's the work of a Nobel Peace Prize winner. The Dalai Lama tag-teams the capacious topic of happiness with psychiatrist Howard C. Cutler as his coauthor, so you can expect scientific as well as spiritual insights here. In the end, this book's central lesson is at once humbling and deeply motivating: true happiness isn’t a fleeting state, but an art that requires practice.

5. Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living by Krista Tippett

Krista Tippett is the quintessential thought leader when it comes to inspirational speech. Based on her sixteen-year-old radio show On Being , this collection gathers the wisdom of theologians, poets, scientists, and Buddhists alike to address our fractured world with acceptance, grace, and educated hope. Using what she calls “moral imagination,” Tippett pushes us to lean into our inner empath to create a new universe that uses our creativity for social good and justice. The sheer volume of voices in Becoming Wise will give you a lifetime of ideas on smarter living that will feel like a TED talk on steroids — in the very best way.

6. The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker

Steven Pinker’s The Better Angels of Our Nature comes with an endorsement from Bill Gates himself: “If I could give each of you a graduation present, it would be this — the most inspiring book I've ever read.” Pinker’s thesis — that violence in the world has actually declined in both the long and short run — is famously controversial, particularly if you care to point at all the major wars and genocides that the twentieth-century has witnessed. Yet Pinker draws upon a large amount of hard data and statistical analysis to persuasively argue his case, even presenting several political and psychological causes to explain how we might today be living in the most peaceful moment ever in our species’ existence. The next time you’re feeling cynical about the news of the moment, this is the book to pick up to remind yourself of the positive, more hopeful direction we’re heading in the future.

7. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert is no stranger to the art of motivation: she is perhaps most famous for writing Eat, Pray, Love and inspiring a generation to travel. But you don’t need to leave home in order to unlock Big Magic, which is about drawing out your inner creative whenever you need. This is a love letter to the artist inside of you, written in Gilbert’s conversational, no-frills, no-BS style. Whether your goal is to write a book, make a painting, or create music, Big Magic will help you accomplish it. Funny, honest, illuminating, and encouraging, it is a celebration of art on every level.

8. Black Elk Speaks: The Complete Edition by Black Elk, John G. Neihardt, Philip J. Deloria, Vine Deloria Jr.

A modern classic celebrating the voice of one of the world’s most influential members of the Lakota tribe, Black Elk Speaks has been compared to the Book of Revelation and the Kabbalah for its prophetic likeness. Here, nineteenth-century mystic and healer Nicholas Black Elk of the Oglala Lakota tribe takes center stage with a testimony that’s been adapted by poet John Neihardt. While the ethnography’s been criticized for its questionable depictions of the Lakota people and imperialist undertones, Black Elk’s descriptions of his spiritual visions for humanity and desire for unity on earth have long outweighed those recriminations. A close but respectful reading of Black Elk’s journey is hopeful, even in its heartbreak. A must-read voice to keep in your pocket through the next decade, especially as we face climate change.

9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The New York Times actually called this book “life-changing” and we agree. Told from the perspective of Death in 1939 Nazi Germany (yikes!), it centers on Liesel Meminger — a young girl who has a curious habit for pick-pocketing books. But these measures end up becoming a saving grace for her own welfare and the welfare of others, most notably a man of Jewish faith hiding out in her father’s house. The Book Thief is an intense but inspiring book, a testament to the transformative power of stories and sentences, even during the very darkest of times. It’s a sobering yet hopeful reminder that no one, no matter how authoritarian, can take away our imagination or capacity to care.

10. Congratulations, By the Way by George Saunders

“Down the rough ages, a traditional form has evolved for this type of speech, which is: Some old fart, his best years behind him, who over the course of his life has made a series of dreadful mistakes (that would be me), gives heartfelt advice to a group of shining, energetic young people with all of their best years ahead of them (that would be you), and I intend to respect that tradition.”

Thus begins George Saunders’ Congratulations, By The Way , a convocation speech to graduates — or more a aptly, little masterpiece that will inspire and humble you by turn. Humorous, warm, wise, modest, and articulate, Saunders is at his brilliant best in this short manual that lays out a few basic principles and tips for a more fulfilling life (one of which is the gentle reminder to always “err in the direction of kindness.”)

11. Educated by Tara Westover

Tara Westover was 17 years old when she stepped into a classroom for the first time. Before then, she lived with her Mormon survivalist family in rural Idaho, working in her father’s junkyard and stockpiling herbs for her midwife mother. Raised with her father’s non-mainstream views, Tara had no conception of the Holocaust, slavery, or World War II — that is, until she found a thirst for knowledge and set out to acquire a formal education.

Educated is the eye-opening, transformative memoir that details this insatiable quest, which spans decades, continents, and universities. Westover is today a Cambridge-educated Ph.D. historian and Gates scholar. How she got to this point is a coming-of-age story of self-invention that delves seriously into the meaning and importance of education without brushing aside the cost at which it can come — in Westover’s case, family.

12. Emma and I by Sheila Hocken

An autobiography written with candor and heart, Emma and I centers on the purest bond of all — the love between a guide dog and her human. Born with a condition that led to progressive vision loss, Sheila Hocken could no longer navigate her own home by sight by the time she turned seventeen. That’s when she met Emma, the chocolate lab who would change her life. With her loyal canine companion at her side, Sheila learned to tackle anything life threw her way, from devastating disappointments to medical miracles to love — the human kind this time. A must-read for all dog lovers, this sweetly touching book will warm your heart (and possibly make you cry).

13. Endings: Poetry and Prose by William Poe ⭐ Indie Spotlight

If the Greeks got by with catharsis, then what makes us any different? While William Poe’s Endings goes headlong into the deep end of despair, the stories and poems here give new language to describe death, loneliness, and the broken parts of our lives. This new “language” can not only help you cope, but name emotions that might otherwise dissipate back into tension, or worse: trauma and guilt. Plus, for those who are ready to face difficult times, Poe’s take on art itself as a tool for healing will be sure to help your spiritual growth this 2020.

14. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

This slim, inspiring book draws on Toltec traditions to help readers attain freedom, happiness, and love. The Four Agreements centers on four promises you’re encouraged to make to yourself, from following through on your word to always doing your best. Ruiz’s advice was compelling enough to snag him an interview with Oprah in 2001 — an appearance that earned his motivational handbook a spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. Full of no-nonsense, actionable tips, The Four Agreements continues to inspire readers two decades after that fateful interview.

15. The Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Anne Morrow Lindbergh took the world by storm with her miniature but massively powerful 1955 memoir, The Gift from The Sea. As she muses on a short break from motherhood and society’s growing technologies while on an ocean-view vacation, readers get an intimate look into Morrow Lindbergh’s thoughts as she tries to slow down to a mindful state. And since she thinks brilliantly in metaphor, you’re in for a treat — from seashells to the flow of the tides, get ready for new connections and ideas that you simply won’t find in modern self-help books. 

What’s particularly relevant are Morrow Lindbergh’s tools for integrating a sense of calm back into a busy life outside of vacation. While she never would have anticipated the blessing and curse that smartphones bring in the 21st century, those who feel burned out from technology will feel especially inspired to take a break after digging into this gift from the sea.

16. Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant

The most common career advice for getting ahead is to put yourself first before others, and keep your good ideas close before someone else steals them and takes the credit. But Wharton professor Adam Grant noticed that study after study showed a different story: helping others actually improves your career’s trajectory dramatically. This mini-bible of charitable case studies will quite simply just blow your mind — and change the way you think about how you behave at work. Even the Scroogiest of Scrooges will find value (and perhaps relief) with Give and Take , now knowing that there’s scientific proof to goodwill. 

17. Hidden Solutions All Around You: Why Some People Can See Them and Some Can't by Daniel Castro ⭐ Indie Spotlight

Why do some people spot the right opportunity and others let it pass by? Author Daniel Castro is one of the first to notice “the why” behind this trash or treasure dynamic. Using neurological and psychological research on the subject, he explains the phenomenon with the intention of helping readers put the knowledge into action. That is, help you see where your blind spots are, why they’re there, and how to supersede them effectively - aka the Hidden Solutions All Around You . So, if you’re amiss at solving problems these days, you might just be missing the obvious: and quite obviously are missing out on Casto’s advice.

18. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Before Maya Angelou became the Nobel laureate and an award-winning writer, she was a poor Black girl growing up in southern America. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is a window into Angelou’s childhood from 1928 to 1944 — one of the most tumultuous eras in American history, fraught with racial tensions and the fight for civil rights. Angelou experienced the lows of Jim Crow and segregation, growing up amidst ignorance and prejudice in almost unendurable circumstances. But she writes about it with her signature grace, humor, and compassion, and the result is a seminal work by a seminal author about the strength that’s required to rise above it all.

19. Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart by James Doty

As the child of an alcoholic father and a depressive mother who had a stroke, Jim Doty grew up in an environment that was all but stable. But when he met a magic shop owner named Ruth, her lessons on thinking your way out of suffering fundamentally changed the way he viewed his life. Her seemingly simple techniques had a lot to do with neuroplasticity, which inspired him to help others by becoming a neurosurgeon. In this honest memoir and self-help manual, Dr. Doty shares his long journey towards Ruth’s final lesson — the meaning and importance of love — and its role in caring for others as a physician and human being. Into the Magic Shop is the ideal motivational book for anyone feeling ‘stuck’ in their lives, or looking to open their hearts and give more to the world.

20. The Journey is the Destination by Dan Eldon

Dan Eldon was one of Reuters' youngest photojournalists when he was stoned to death while on assignment in Somalia. Eldon was only 22 when he died, but he had accomplished more in those years than most people might have done in a lifetime: he traveled to 46 countries, spearheaded a number of humanitarian fundraising campaigns in Africa, and worked in war zones for newspapers and magazines around the world as a war photographer. Haunting and sad, the journals he left behind in The Journey is the Destination are also uplifting to read — giving us a brief, wonderful glimpse at a short life that was well-lived.

21. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

If we could revise this title, we might call it Letters to a Young Artist , since this classic text supersedes poetry lessons (and arguably art, with its contents mirroring life lessons more than anything). A thin but rich volume, Letters to a Young Poet charts the correspondence between Rainer Maria Rilke and a burgeoning cadet struggling to write — and, worse, struggling to accept his circumstances. When the young poet asked Rilke if he thought that he should keep writing, Rilke famously responded: “Go into yourself and test the deeps in which your life takes rise; at its source you will find the answer to the question whether you must create.” 

The lessons shared in this inspiring book are subversive in that sense: instead of seeking approval from others, seek approval from yourself. Rilke goes on to say that if you can’t find inspiration in the life around you at present, then dip into the stories and tragedies of your childhood. For anyone who struggles with a lack of self-confidence, Rilke’s letters is an essential step to help to pull you out of reassurance seeking and into self-acceptance.

Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you'll never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo's clients have lapsed (and she still has a three-month waiting list).

With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house \'spark joy\' (and which don't), this international best seller featuring Tokyo's newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home - and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.

22. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo might be the most famous tidying expert in the world, triggering an international craze with her mega-popular Netflix TV show that resulted in millions around the world decluttering their homes — and lives. Yet it’s easy to overlook the pocket-sized, inspiring book that started it all. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is a wondrously charismatic, straightforward text that tries to help you “spark joy” in your life simply by organizing it. But Kondo goes one step further and argues that tidying doesn’t just mean a cleaner house — it will also transform your mindset and very being for the better. This is one of those rare books that lives up to its title: as evidenced by the millions who swear by it, Kondo’s method is life-changing, and it does seem like magic when you apply her method to your own house and see the results for yourself.

23. Listen by Joseph Kerman and Gregory Tomlinson

This weighty classic might have made its debut in the ‘70s, but it holds up well today. Leaf through its 480 pages, and you’ll be inspired to use your ears in a completely different way. Written by two eminent musicologists, Listen is a crash-course in music appreciation, from the haunting plainsong of the Middles Ages to the jaunty rhythms of modern jazz. This book might be standard fare in college music classes, but don’t be deterred — Kerman and Tomlinson write with clarity and force, and their lucid explanations will shine a light on the most arcane corners of music history. Who knows, it just might make you hear your favorite tune in a completely new way.

24. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life... And Maybe the World by William McRaven

Navy Seal Admiral William McRaven went from commencement speaker to bestselling author with this little manual of hard-won lessons from his experiences on the sea. When 10 million people watched his University of Texas at Austin speech to graduates in 2014, he adapted it into Make Your Bed : an ice-bucket challenge on self-care that not only builds character, but also puts you in the mindset of service in the world. The ten principles described in the inspiring book aren’t just Navy Seal jargon — they’re life lessons direct from the Admiral’s own experiences keeping his head above water while resisting bullies, failure, and the urge to quit when things get tough. McCraven’s humorous yet humble manuscript is for meaning seekers and how-to lovers alike — and will teach you how the simplest shifts of behavior can change your life.

25. The More You Do The Better You Feel by David Parker ⭐ Indie Spotlight

Procrastination, meet David Parker. Parker’s handbook on getting past everyone’s most dreaded hump breaks down how to overcome avoidance issues step-by-step. Recognizing that these symptoms may come from depression, The More You Do The Better You Feel speaks kindly and sensitively to the exhausted and overwhelmed by encouraging them steadfastly to face the fears that hold them back. In return, readers will be able to walk away with mental health-informed tools for mobilization in work and life. Informed expertise, this is one of the most motivational books on the market.

26. My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer by Christian Wiman

No one would have dreamed that Christian Wiman, long-time editor of Poetry Magazine, would end up a professor at Yale Divinity School teaching religious literature. But after a brush with death from a rare cancer diagnosis, his atheist leanings collapsed as he felt an unexpected calling back to his religious roots. My Bright Abyss touches on the pains and gains that a spiritual person must face in a secular world, and is especially helpful for those questioning their faith. This inspiring book touches believers and non-believers equally, addressing the meaning of life and the questions that come out of the search for it.  

27. Networking Karma: How Today's Cutting Edge Networking Trends Can Help You Connect and Conquer by Gail Tolstoi-Miller ⭐ Indie Spotlight

Nowadays, the word networking just sounds plain spooky! With LinkedIn and the like doing it for us while we sleep, who has the time to RSVP or even go to a speed network event at the town hall? Author Gail Tolstoi-Miller does — that’s for sure. She’s an all-star entrepreneur and CEO with expertise in interpersonal branding. Her theory is to help out, corroborating social scientist Adam Grant’s research on how giving is a key ingredient to personal success.

Networking Karma will explain, in great detail, how to actually cut through the networking nonsense and cultivate a cutting-edge persona that gives instead of takes. By doing things like offering a hand with an office move, advising pro-bono for an hour or so, or making a connection for someone, Tolstoi-Miller argues that this spirit of selflessness will help you relax, boost confidence, and make a difference in the world. Seen through such lenses, networking will no longer teeter on the edge of being too boring (business card swapping) or too extreme (sauna events). This motivational book will help you take control of your career destiny.

28. No One Belongs Here More Than You : Stories by Miranda July

An internationally acclaimed artist and filmmaker’s foray into fiction culminated eleven years ago in this awe-inspiring collection of short stories that’s been translated into multiple languages. Whether it be a tale of two high school graduates trying to “make it” in the world or the legend of a swim coach forced to teach a class on dry land, July’s gems all demonstrate humankind’s desperate yet beautiful attempts to make progress in our lives. Her searching and sarcastic style illuminates the poetry of everyday existence — just like Lorrie Moore’s Self Help . And for the sentimental among us, No One Belongs Here More Than You is a cathartic experience that will stick forever.

29. Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

Published just one year before his death, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! was one of Dr. Seuss’ last books. It might also be his wisest, packed with all the insight and wit (and he had plenty of both) he had accumulated in his twilight years. With his lively illustrations, inimitable verse, and boundless optimism, Dr. Seuss reassures us that we’re not alone in the maze of life — and that we’ll reach where we need to be eventually! If you need a quick and wonderfully uplifting pick-me-up, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! still can’t be surpassed. 

30. The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton        

Today, The Seven Storey Mountain is considered one of the most influential works of religious literature. But when it was originally slated for a 7,500-copy run in 1948, demand took its publisher by surprise, and the book quickly sold out. This is emblematic of the Seven Storey Mountain itself: a quiet book that snowballs into a transformative story of peace, meditation, and personal enlightenment. When he was 26 years old, Thomas Merton turned his back on a promising literary career and converted to Roman Catholicism. How did he get to that point? This is the profoundly moving account of what motivated him to take his vows with the Trappist monks and enter monastery life at the Abbey of Gethsemani.

In his New York Times bestseller Steal Like an Artist , Austin Kleon showed readers how to unlock their creativity by “stealing” from the community of other movers and shakers. Now, in an even more forward-thinking and necessary book, he shows how to take that critical next step on a creative journey—getting known. Show Your Work! is about why generosity trumps genius. It’s about getting findable , about using the network instead of wasting time “networking.” It’s not self-promotion, it’s self-discovery—let others into your process, then let them steal from you. Filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples, Show Your Work! offers ten transformative rules for being open, generous, brave, productive. In chapters such as You Don’t Have to Be a Genius ; Share Something Small Every Day ; and Stick Around , Kleon creates a user’s manual for embracing the communal nature of creativity— what he calls the “ecology of talent.” From broader life lessons about work (you can’t find your voice if you don’t use it) to the etiquette of sharing—and the dangers of oversharing—to the practicalities of Internet life (build a good domain name; give credit when credit is due), it’s an inspiring manifesto for succeeding as any kind of artist or entrepreneur in the digital age.

31. Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon

Ever get down as a creative because you feel that no-one actually sees or read your work? Austin Kleon, bestselling author of Steal Like An Artist , is back with another series of important life lessons to help you fix that. In Show Your Work! , Kleon runs through ten universal ways to get known as an artist or entrepreneur (the “You Don’t Have To Be a Genius” and “Stick Around” chapters are particularly useful — and good examples of his simple, to-the-point way of distilling advice.) Short and entirely actionable, this inspiring book will inspire you to unblock your life by helping you reach the audience you deserve.

32. Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey between Genders by Joy Ladin

For forty years, people told Joy Ladin she was a man, but deep-down, she identified as a woman. And while she may have made headlines when she transitioned as the first trans professor at the Orthodox Jewish Yeshiva University, there was more to the story: her own internal wrestling with religiosity and an obligation to keep the peace with her family. Inside Through the Door of Life is an intimate portrait of the kinds of philosophical questions that come with growing into a new self. Anyone who’s questioned their own identity or felt called to starting over would benefit from this brave look at uncovering authenticity against all odds.

33. Trove: A Woman's Search for Truth and Buried Treasure by Sandra Miller ⭐ Indie Spotlight

Underneath it all, Sandra Miller’s life makes sense. She has a lot to be grateful for: she writes for big-name publications, has a family of her own, and even managed a night with the stars: notably, Sting himself. But achieving happiness wasn't always easy, especially coming from a sometimes dysfunctional family and a half-on, half-off mother. This is why treasure hunting was always her go-to — and now, the subject of her debut memoir Trove . Yet, with poetic gusto, Miller sees the meaning behind her search: a physical manifestation of longing for spiritual enlightenment. And for armchair yogis or gurus alike, her story is sure to hit a nerve - and lead you to that mindful state you’ve been after all along.

Check out what Reedsy Discovery reviewer Nicole Dieker has to say about Trove: A Woman's Search for Truth and Buried Treasure !

34. Unf*ck Your Brain: Getting Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers with Science by Faith Harper, PhD ⭐ Indie Spotlight

If you’ve ever been at odds with your own mind, this clear, no-nonsense guide to brain chemistry and the basic workings of the brain is here to help you out. Faith Harper's Unf*ck Your Brain navigates this complicated minefield expertly, writing in non-academic prose in order to articulately and effectively explain what happens to our brains whenever anxiety, anger, addiction, or depression take over. Most motivating of all are the actionable techniques, exercises, and tips that she provides, which lay a clear route forward for the reader, particularly those who have — or are — struggling with trauma.

35. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

For anyone who has experienced loss, you’ll know there’s a period of grieving in which we blindly hope our loved one will return, despite recognizing its impossibility. Joan Didion captures this feeling expertly in her memoir on the death of her husband. Through the ruins of grief, though, she manages to find a silver lining and a sense of recovery, even as she memorializes his faults as well as his strengths. At once tremendously calming but chillingly honest, The Year of Magical Thinking will make life manageable in the face of death. A must-read for anyone going through the inevitable.

Looking for some inspirational poetry? We’ve also got you covered with our definitive list of the best poetry books of all time.

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30 Most Inspirational Books to Read in Your Search for More Meaning

These reads will make you laugh, cry and find a new perspective on life.

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These inspirational books offer a refreshing new way of looking at life to help you feel unstuck. They cross genres including fiction, self-help, poetry and memoir, and they will make you laugh, cry and feel ready to face new challenges. Some of these books have feel-good lessons. Others grapple with terrible tragedies, but remember, it's from overcoming adversity that we build resilience and hope. Whether upbeat or serious, every book on this list has something to teach you about life.

Self-help books like Atomic Habits will help you embrace the power of change and build better habits for life, while spiritual books like Siddhartha offer meditations on happiness and meaning. Some of the best memoirs like Glennon Doyle's Untamed show the importance of embracing yourself, while the best fiction like Life of Pi teaches us the power of storytelling and survival.

No matter the genre, these inspirational reads will help give you new ideas, a change in perspective and a new appreciation for the beauty of life, even with its hardships. What more could you want from a book?

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

This blunt book tells it like it is, encouraging you to care less about most things so you can focus more on what is actually important to you. It will inspire you to stop sweating the small stuff, stop feeling sorry about your problems and start building resilience and satisfaction in your life.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

When a ship sinks in the middle of the ocean, there is only one survivor: Pi, a 16-year-old boy who shelters on a lifeboat with a zebra, an orangutan, a hyena and a Bengal tiger. This incredible story of love and survival shows off the awe-inspiring forces of nature and the power of stories to help make sense of hardship.

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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

In this fable about following your dreams, an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago goes on a quest to discover a hidden treasure in the pyramids. But along the way, he finds a different treasure altogether as he learns more about life, wisdom and the importance of listening to your heart.

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

Everybody knows the story of Malala, the brave Pakistani girl who stood up against the Taliban for her right to an education and was shot in the head at point blank range on her school bus. Now the youngest Nobel Laureate ever, winning the recognition at only 17, she is an education activist and a champion for girls everywhere.

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Atomic Habits by James Clear

This self-help book offers a straightforward framework for starting new habits and ending bad ones to change your life. Drawing on biology, psychology and neuroscience, this book will help catapult your progress forward to accomplish your goals.

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Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Part memoir, part self-help book, Glennon Doyle's Untamed is a manifesto for women to live their best and boldest life . She encourages you to leave people pleasing at the door, listen to your inner voice and practice the bravery to chase what you want, living a life untamed.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo is a name that has become synonymous with decluttering — and for good reason. Her trademark strategies of only keeping items that spark joy and thanking items for their service when you are done with them will inspire you to have a cleaner home and simpler life.

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The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

A classic beloved by children and adults alike, The Little Prince is a French fable about a young prince's travels through space. Exploring themes of love, loss, loneliness and friendship, this book has been touching hearts for generations.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

This former-First Lady's memoir describes her childhood with her working class family on the South Side of Chicago all the way through her years in the White House. Throughout, she handles challenges with poise, becoming a role model for achieving your dreams and maintaining grace under pressure.

The Essential Rumi translated by Coleman Barks

Rumi was a 13th century Persian poet and Islamic Sufi mystic. Touching on love, faith, nature and freedom, his work is full of beautiful images and inspirational lines you are sure to take with you long after you close this volume of poetry.

A Man Called Ove: A Novel by Fredrik Backman

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Siddhartha: A Novel by Herman Hesse

Siddartha is the philosophical story of a young man's search for wisdom during the time of the Buddha. He leaves his family to find his own path, trying meditation, asceticism, worldly indulgences, love and more to find the path to true enlightenment and happiness.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Unhappy in her marriage and her life, Elizabeth Gilbert divorces her husband and travels the world to find herself in this memoir. With humor and compassion, she searches for pleasure in Italy, spirituality in India and love in Bali, ultimately finding what she needs to start her life again.

Devotions: Selected Poems by Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver is a contemporary American poet inspired by the natural world and its links to the sacred. Her beautiful imagery and simple language offer moving meditations on love and nature, painting the world around us in a clearer light. This volume contains her favorite works from across her career.

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

This harrowing memoir of Frankl's time in a Nazi concentration camp is an intense but powerful read. Although it's a difficult subject, Frankl writes both psychologically and philosophically about finding meaning even in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

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The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

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The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz Don Miguel Ruiz

In this classic book of wisdom, Don Miguel Ruiz shares four key insights from his Mexican Toltec ancestors to stop self-limiting behaviors and improve your life.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

How do you gracefully face your own death? And what makes life worth living? These are the questions neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi must ask when he is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer while he has a young son. This is a wrenching but profound look at life and death.

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

The Japanese concept of ikigai means purpose: It's what happens when what you love, what you’re good at, what you can make money doing, and what the world needs overlap. This volume delves into how to find it, and how it's brought long life and happiness to the Japanese village that has the highest percentage of 100-year-olds.

Sarah Vincent (she/her) covers the latest and greatest in books and all things pets for Good Housekeeping . She double majored in Creative Writing and Criminal Justice at Loyola University Chicago, where she sat in the front row for every basketball game. In her spare time, she loves cooking, crafting, studying Japanese, and, of course, reading.

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25 Recommendations For Life Changing Biographies For The Voracious Reader In You

• https://thoughtcatalog.com/?p=289954

Smart people read biographies. Generalizations are usually worthless, but you can pretty much take this one to the bank.

Look at their libraries and you’ll see , one biography and memoir and autobiography after another. Of course, they read other things–it’s called being well rounded–but biographies are usually the core.

There’s a reason—it’s some of the most actionable and educational reading you can do. Think about it, a biography is a sweeping portrait of a life or a career. It covers vast swaths of material that the author must make immediately understood within the context of an individual and their life.

To understand George Washington, you have to understand the American Revolution. To understand Rockefeller, you have to explain the Gilded Age. To understand Amelia Earhart, the author must make real to the reader what it was like to be a woman in the early 1900s. Often times, they do it better than books specifically about those topics–because there is a narrative and a lens through which to access the themes.

Of course, a powerful biography—or autobiography—always has a moral. Whether it’s a rise and fall story, a story of redemption, a story of power corrupting, a story of love—every biography of a man or a woman teaches the reader. It teaches us to be like the subject or often, to be nothing like the subject.

I have not lived many years so my selection of biographies is only just getting started . I imagine I will take and add to these favorites the older I get and the more I read :

1. Plutarch’s Lives Volumes One & Two by Plutarch

There are few books more influential and ubiquitous in Western culture than Plutarch’s histories. Aside from being the basis of much of Shakespeare, he was one of Montaigne’s favorite writers. His biographies and sketches of Pericles, Demosthenes, Themistocles, Cicero, Alexander the Great, Caesar, Fabius, are all excellent–and full of powerful anecdotes.

2. The Power Broker by Robert Caro

Could the biography of the former parks commissioner of New York be the definitive study of power and legacy? Apparently, because this book is it. It’s 1,000+ pages and you’ll read and learn from every single one. It is incredibly long, but as one of the first books someone gave me when I moved to Hollywood, it holds a special sway over me. Like Huey Long and Willie Stark, Robert Moses was a man who got power, loved power and was transformed by power. We can learn from him–mostly what not to be and who not to become.

3. Socrates: A Man For Our Times , Napoleon: A Life , and Churchill by Paul Johnson

These are short, clear, but eye-opening biographies from Paul Johnson as part of a series. I strongly suggest reading all of them. Each is a fascinating figure for their own reasons. Paul Johnson is the kind of author whose sweeping judgements you can trust, so you leave this book with what feels like a very solid understanding of who his subjects are a people.

4. Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

The book has sold something like 5 million copies in Japan, which is insane. Totto-Chan is a special figure in modern Japanese culture—she is a celebrity on par with Oprah or Ellen, with a magazine, news show and exalted position to boot. The book describes a childhood in pre-WWII Japan as a poorly misunderstood girl who obviously suffered from attention disorders and excess energy. It wasn’t until she met a special school principal—unlike any I have ever heard of—who finally GOT her. And I mean understood and cared about and unconditionally supported her in a way that both inspires me and makes me deeply jealous. If only all of us could be so lucky…

5. All the Great Prizes: The Life of John Hay, from Lincoln to Roosevelt by John Taliaferro

I had this recommended to me by a random old lady in an elevator in Austin. I suppose you never know where good book recommendations come from but this one turned out to be fascinating surprise. In his early 20s, John Hay started as a teenage legal assistant in the law office of Abraham Lincoln. He ended his career as the Secretary of State for William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. How nuts is that? You can basically understand the entire period of American history from the Civil War through WWI through one man who saw it all. Great biography of politics, the press, and American society.

6. Eisenhower in War and Peace by Jean Edward Smith

I did not fully appreciate what a strategic and political genius Eisenhower was until this book. He won WWII, ended Korea, kept us (mostly) out of Vietnam, twice prevented the use of nuclear weapons (which sent a world changing precedent), and those are the big ones in the book. He was a master of making it all look easy–which is why I think we forget to study him.

7. Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War by Robert Coram

Boyd was a world class fighter pilot who changed warfare and strategy not just in the air, but on the ground and by sea. His concepts pioneered the modern concept of maneuver warfare (and were used for the First Gulf War). His method of problem solving and problem analysis – known as the OODA Loop – is now used in boardrooms and everywhere else. He also perfected the art of “Getting Things Done” whether that was in war or in the bureaucracy of the Pentagon. You need to know and understand John Boyd.

8. Edison: A Biography by Matthew Josephson

Older biographies are better in my experience. This one is 50+ years old and that’s right in the sweet spot. It didn’t have to be trendy, it didn’t have to psychoanalyze, it didn’t have to be political correct or controversial. It just had to be a sweeping, conclusive picture of the man. Modern enough to be historically accurate, old enough to still have respect for ambition. No question, this is a big book but I learned a lot. For instance, I had no idea that Edison had been mostly deaf (and that that deafness fueled and improved many of his sound inventions). I didn’t know about his friendship with Henry Ford or what a shrewd businessman Edison was. If you like big biographies, read this.

9. Eleanor Roosevelt Volume One and Volume Two by Blanche Weisen Cook

The prospects Eleanor Roosevelt faced when she entered the White House were not good. First Ladies hadn’t done anything in decades besides party planning and a few of her predecessors had had nervous breakdowns. She wanted to do something different. This is a book about her political and social acumen–her ability to turn a meaningless position into a powerful platform for change and influence. I read this book and came away so impressed. We can learn a lot.

10. The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America’s Banana King by Rich Cohen

The book sucked me in completely. The subject, Samuel Zemurray, is fascinating and compelling. The writer has a voice that is utterly unique. Since reading this book, I have explored all of this further: I studied Zemurray (whose house was not far from mine in New Orleans and still stands) and use his story in my latest book The Obstacle Is The Way . I interviewed the author, Rich Cohen . The book has all sorts of things going for it: it’s the American Dream, it’s history via microcosm, it’s drama/violence/intrigue, and it’s a course in business strategy and leadership.

11. Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office by Zack O’Malley Greenburg

Just because I didn’t want this list to be all stuffy old classics, I thought I’d put this interesting (and unofficial) biography of Jay-Z on here. This is a biography that also functions as a business book. It shows how Jay applied hustling techniques to the music business and eventually built his empire. And related to that, I also recommend The 50th Law , which while not technically a biography tells the stories of many such individuals and will stick with you just as long.

12. No Hiding Place: An Autobiography & Asylum: An Alcoholic Takes the Cure by William Seabrook

In 1934, William Seabrook was one of the most famous journalists in the world. He was also an alcoholic. But there was no treatment for his disease. So he checked himself into an insane asylum. There, from the perspective of a travel writer, he described his own journey through this strange and foreign place. Today, you can’t read a page in the book without seeing him bump, unknowingly, into the basic principles of 12-step groups and then thwarted by well-meaning doctors (like the one who decides he’s cured and can start drinking again). On a regular basis, he says things so clear, so self-aware that you’re stunned an addict could have written it–shocked that this book isn’t a classic American text. Yet all his books are out of print and hard to find. Two of my copies are first editions from 1931 and 1942. It breaks your heart to know that just a few years or decades later, his options (and outcome) would have been so very different (he eventually died of an opium overdose). No Hiding Place and Asylum are indescribably good. So good that a dying Fitzgerald wrote of how he related to them in his book The Crack Up .

13. Cyropaedia (a more accessible translation can be found in Xenophon’s Cyrus The Great: The Arts of Leadership and War ) by Xenophon

Xenophon, like Plato, was a student of Socrates. For whatever reason, his work is not nearly as famous, even though it is far more applicable. Unlike Plato, Xenophon studied people. His greatest book is about the latter, it’s the best biography written of Cyrus the Great (aka the father of human rights). There are so many great lessons in here and I wish more people would read it. Machiavelli learned them, as this book inspired The Prince .

14. Sherman: Soldier, Realist, American by B.H. Liddell Hart

There is no better biography of a military genius, period. B.H. Liddell uses Sherman to not only explain the Civil War, but strategy itself. It’s impossible to reduce a book down to just one thought or line, but Hart’s strategic explanation of attacking, always “along the line of least expectation and tactically along the line of least resistance” will change your life. Read about Sherman not because you want to learn about how the Civil War was won (though you will learn that), but to learn how wars are won, period.

15. Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer

The world needs more men like Pat Tillman. Ostensibly the story of a professional football player who gave up a $3M NFL contract to join the Army Rangers after 9/11, only to die under suspicious circumstances in the hills of Afghanistan, Where Men Win Glory is in its own way, a book about everything that is right and wrong with the military. On the one hand, there is the honor and selflessness and bravery. On the other, there is its inability to truly appreciate the individual, and of course, its shameful history of politics, ass-covering, and lack of accountability. Pat Tillman wasn’t perfect, but he was a man we could all learn a thing or two from.

16. The Kid Stays In The Picture: A Notorious Life by Robert Evans

One of the first books I read when I started working in Hollywood was Robert Evans’ classic The Kid Stays In The Picture (It’s also a great documentary). Evans is nuts. I’m not sure how much there is to learn from the biography but it is a fascinating life story–better than fiction. I think it shows you how far hustle and hype and heat contribute to success. And that faith in yourself–deserved or not–goes a long way.

17. My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass

A man is born a slave. Man teaches himself to read. Man decides he will no longer consent to being whipped, realizes that slavery is dependent on this consent and then leaves it. In fact, his self-education was so complete that he went on to become one of America’s foremost intellectuals. That is the life of Frederick Douglass. You need to read it.

18. Ulysses S. Grant: Memoirs and Selected Letters by Ulysses S. Grant

Written by Ulysses S. Grant while at death’s door (and edited by Mark Twain), these are the thoughts of the man who won the Civil War through grit and determination and persistence (shockingly, traits lacked by almost all the generals who proceeded him). He calls the Mexican-American War one of the worst and most pointless wars, and the Civil War one of the most important and justified. There is a moment in the book early in Grant’s career as a soldier where he was sent to hunt down a band of guerrillas, shaking with fear as he arrived at their camp only to find they had run away. It was then that he realized the enemy was often as scared of you as you were of them. It changed his approach to battle forever. I think about that line often.

19. Knight’s Cross: A Life of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel by David Fraser

It’s going to feel weird reading a book about a German general in WWII but for Rommel we must make an exception. Yes, he fought for a terrible cause. But he did so brilliantly — as a soldier, strategist, and leader. His victories in North Africa were the stuff of legend, and had the US and British troops not ultimately had better resources, the whole thing might have turned out very differently. You cannot read about Rommel and not like and admire the man. I’m saying this so you’ll be prepared and ready to remind yourself that that doesn’t excuse his actions. But you can still learn from him .

20. Hurricane: The Life of Rubin Carter, Fighter by James S. Hirsch

Hurricane Carter’s biography is about a man who refused to be anything but himself—even in prison. There are great parallels to his personal struggles to maintain the sovereignty of self amidst awful circumstances and the lessons of Stoicism. My favorite: how he refused to sue the government after his wrongful conviction was overturned because it’d be saying that they’d taken something from him, that he was still dependent on them which even after decades in prison he refused to resign himself to accepting.

21. Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller Sr. by Ron Chernow

A biography has to be really good to make read you all 800 pages. To me, this was one of those books. Since reading it last year, I’ve since found out it is the favorite book of a lot of people I respect. I think it says something about the quality of the writing and the empathic understanding of the writer that the main lessons you would take away from someone like Rockefeller would not be business, but life lessons. In fact, when I went back through and took notes on this book, I filled out more cards for Stoicism than I did for Strategy, Business or Money. I found Rockefeller to be strangely stoic, incredibly resilient and, despite his reputation as a robber baron, humble and compassionate. Most people get WORSE as they get successful, many more get worse as they age. Rockefeller did neither of these things, he grew more open-minded the older he became, more generous, more pious, more dedicated to making a difference. Does that excuse the “awful” things that he did? Well, the things he did really weren’t that awful so yes. (By that I mean I’d certainly choose him over the robber barons of this age like Zuckerberg or Murdoch.)

22. The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley by Malcolm X, Alex Haley

I forget who said it but I heard someone say that Catcher in the Rye was to young white boys what the Autobiography of Malcolm X was to young black boys. Personally, I prefer that latter over the former. I would much rather read about and emulate a man who is born into adversity and pain, struggles with criminality, does prison time, teaches himself to read through the dictionary , finds religion and then becomes an activist for Civil Rights before being gunned down by his former supporters when he tempers the hate and anger that had long defined parts of his message.

23. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt & Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris

When I was younger I would ask any smart or successful person I met to recommend a book for me to read. Dr. Drew recommended that I read The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt . It immediately became a lifetime favorite that I have reread several times (Amazon tells me I bought it Oct 26, 2006). It ends the day he is telegraphed that McKinley has been assassinated–so the book focuses on everything before that from his unusual childhood and struggle with asthma to his love nature to his trip west after the simultaneous death of his wife and mother. I’m not sure why I took so long to read this sequel but it is just as good, if not better. Focusing on Roosevelt from the end of presidency to the end of his life, there is enough material just in that portion of his life to put everyone else to shame. It covers his retirement, his safari in Africa, his exploration of the River of Doubt, his run as a third party candidate and finally his heartbreaking struggles with WWI and his son’s death. Goddamn, TR was a good man.

24. Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow

Washington’s status as an icon shamefully understates his genius as a strategist. The man had an impeccable intuition for timing, for gestures, for politics, for the moment to strike, not just on the battlefield but in relationships, in office and in his private life. We must study Washington not only for his nearly unbelievable military victory over a superior British Army, but also for his strategic vision which quite literally was responsible for many of the most enduring American institutions and practices. I admit this book is long, but it is so good. It is packed with illustrative examples, analysis and stories. Read it.

25. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Bonus: Fictional Biographies Bonus–These are not real biographies/autobiographies, so I won’t go into detail but I think they are great studies of people and life: Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar, What Makes Sammy Run? by Budd Schulberg, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, and All The King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren. Check them out.

Personally, I try to read at least one biography a month (if you’re looking for regular recommendations here ). If you have any favorites or suggestions–pass them my way.

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Tom kim puts south korean military service theory to rest after video of his olympic tears goes viral  .

South Korean golfer Tom Kim denied that his tears on the golf course on Sunday had anything to do with missing out on medaling and not being able to avoid mandatory military service in his home country. 

Kim had finished eighth in the Olympic tournament after sitting in contention for a bronze medal for most of the day, but a double-bogey on the 18th hole dropped him back and left the golfer in tears. 

The belief was that the emotional reaction came in response to just missing out on the medal, which would have allowed him to skip the 18 to 21 months of mandatory military service in South Korea required for all able-bodied men before the age of 35. They must enlist before their 28th birthday.

🚨😢🇰🇷 Tom Kim is emotional in the scoring trailer. A podium finish was needed to avoid the prospect of mandatory military service. pic.twitter.com/4I7X0WGMhP — NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) August 4, 2024

“Not at all,” Kim told reporters, according to The Telegraph . “I wasn’t really thinking about that at all. I was just trying to get a medal for my country and not myself. I’ve never been really this emotional after a round.”

While service is mandatory, it could have been avoided if the 22-year-old won a medal at the Olympics or a gold at the Asian Games.

Kim will get two more opportunities at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

While it would be understandable if that were the reason for the emotional response, Kim insisted it wasn’t the case. 

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Scottie Sheffler , who won gold, came over to comfort Kim after the 18th hole. 

“These emotions are surprising but I think it’s just all the hard work I’ve done this year to put myself in this position — those things are coming out,” Kim said. “And just the things Scottie said to me after the round really kind of came out and I’m just trying to hold it together.

“He’s a really good buddy of mine and understands what I’ve gone through. Just those things and a friend to say something like that after what he did [winning the gold], it means a lot.”

The situation brings up memories of another South Korean golfer, Sangmoon Bae. 

Bae had to do his military service at the height of his golf career in 2015 and after he returned to the game two years later, he was not the same player he once was. 

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Kari Lake wins Arizona GOP primary, will face Ruben Gallego in November

Kari Lake won her Republican primary in Arizona on Tuesday and will now face Democratic challenger Rep. Ruben Gallego in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched and hard-fought U.S. Senate races in the 2024 general election.

Lake, a former television news anchor, has been one of former President Donald Trump's most loyal defenders with a national reputation for election denialism and attacking the media as "fake news." The 54-year old Republican beat out two other primary contenders, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and Elizabeth Jean Reye, in a race in which she was long viewed as the front-runner.

Gallego represents a portion of Phoenix and did not have a Democratic primary challenger in his bid to succeed freshman Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent who opted for retirement this November.

Lake had long been considered the presumptive Republican Senate nominee even before she officially put her hat in the ring. She received endorsements from  most of the Republican establishment in Washington , as well as Trump, during a primary campaign in which she was mentioned as a possible Trump vice presidential pick.

Lamb was also a Trump supporter but shied away from seeking big-name endorsements during the primary election.

“Endorsements don’t mean much in modern-day elections, and we aren’t pursuing them. That’s because voters don’t want to be told how to vote by political power brokers," Lamb's campaign told The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, in March .

He raised many of the same issues as Lake but with a measure of elective success, a lack of money compared with his main primary opponent, and less hostility to the media covering a race that could help determine control of the U.S. Senate next year.

The Arizona Senate race is one of a handful of competitive contests in the November general election that could determine which party controls the upper chamber in the 119th Congress.

Beyond Arizona, Democrats are fighting to hold on to seats in Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The Cook Political Report listed Michigan, Montana, Nevada and Ohio − seats now held by Democrats − as "toss-ups." Arizona, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are listed as "leans Democratic."