The life of a First Lady might seem like a dream, but Michelle Obama's memoir, Becoming, reveals the complexities behind the role. Through this deeply emotional and insightful book, Obama chronicles her journey from a racially segregated childhood to becoming one of the most influential women of our time. As the first African American First Lady, she transformed the White House into a beacon of inclusivity and championed causes for women and girls both in the U.S. and globally.
“She's the most important person in the world [but] her family [lives] in poverty.” This is the truth engraved in every page of the book. In a society full of racial inequality, those of darker skin are secretly used as test subjects in the medical world. They are lured into hospitals, claiming to offer “free” treatment. But the actual price they pay at the end of the day is beyond monetary value. One such victim was a Black mother, Henrietta Lacks.
George Takei’s graphic novel They Called Us Enemy is an interesting story of the racial injustices suffered by Japanese-Americans during World War II. It follows Takei’s family as they suffer the effects of Pearl Harbor, the fear of Japanese spying, and the movement of Japanese-Americans into internment camps. Takei frames the story incredibly well and is an incredible book everybody should read. It shines a deep, reflective light on the dangers of widespread fear and paranoia.
Born a Crime is the autobiography of Trevor Noah, comedian and host of The Daily Show, detailing his experiences growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. Noah was born to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father, a union that was illegal under apartheid laws. The book explores his struggles with identity, his complicated relationship with his mother, and the challenges of navigating life as a biracial child in a society rife with racial tension.
Born a Crime is a humorous memoir by Trevor Noah, describing his experiences as a mixed-race child born during the apartheid era in South Africa. His mother, Patricia Noah, a Black South African, and his father, Robert, a white Swiss German, dared to defy the oppressive laws of the time, which labeled their son’s existence as “a crime”. Trevor’s story navigates through the complexities of identity, race, and belonging in a society that was aimed to segregate and oppress.
Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle is a memoir that recounts the life of the author in her dysfunctional family. Jeannette desires stability—something that was never provided in her childhood because of poverty, neglect, and constantly moving from place to place. Jeannette learns to depend on herself—the most reliable person in her life.
Educated is a memoir written by Tara Westover. Westover grew up in rural Idaho in a survivalist family. Her father was very strict; he did not allow Tara and her siblings to receive formal education and forced them to stay away from the healthcare system because he believed the government was trying to steer them away from God. When Tara was 17, she decided to attend college at BYU, which marked the beginning of her educational journey.
Summary: Into the Wild tells the story of 23-year-old Chris McCandless, who in April of 1992, hiked into the Alaskan wilderness. The biography is written by Jon Krakauer, who found McCandless’ story to be strikingly similar to his own. Krakauer recounts McCandless’ life, from his graduation from Emory to his denouncing of his identity and possessions. Then, of his explorations into the wild and his brief encounters with others.
Persepolis is a unique book that doesn’t adhere to what is expected in literature. It combines the personality and ease of reading a graphic novel with the depth of a non-fiction book, particularly a memoir. Specifically, this book follows Satrapi’s life as she grows through the Islamic Revolution. As a child, she becomes rebellious and seeks better out of the Islamic government. Later in her life, she keeps some elements but is subdued in others.
The Forerunner is an autobiography by Cori Bush who currently serves as the representative in the house for Missouri’s first congressional district. The book details her life before politics and how her experiences throughout her life have shaped her to be the person she is today. The book is really raw and honest and contains some heavy topics that Cori has experienced throughout her life, especially in her childhood.
