Spare by Prince Harry
I am an anti-monarchist, but I am also not squarely Team Harry and Meghan. I have a ton of sympathy for Meghan Markle, though, who does not deserve any of the racist abuse that has been hurled her way since she began dating Prince Harry. But I think that Harry and Meghan should ditch their Duke and Duchess titles if they are serious about the damage the Royal Family has caused them (It actually would make a difference, Harry). Still, I knew since the day it was announced that Harry would be publishing a memoir that I was going to read it because I am curious about what it was like for Harry to grow up in the Royal Family and because I wanted to know what happened behind the scenes to make him and Meghan relocate their lives to North America. Spare, it turns out, is a fascinating memoir about a toxic family.
…A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom by Brittany K. Barnett
A Knock at Midnight is definitely making it onto the short list of the best books I have read this year. It is the remarkable true story of a young lawyer, Brittany K. Barnett, who takes on a racist criminal justice system and fights against the incarceration of Black people on drug charges in the US.
…I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Apparently, some people are taking offense to the title of Jennette McCurdy’s memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. I think we need to end the idea that we owe our mothers our undying love and respect just because they gave birth to us, especially in the case of mothers like Debra McCurdy. Jennette McCurdy’s memoir is an unflinchingly honest look at the relationship between an abusive mother and her daughter and the toxicity of the entertainment industry. Jennette tells her story very matter-of-factly and with humour; she is not looking for your pity. I had been looking forward to reading this book since I first heard about it, and I think it is great. I highly recommend it.
…Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
If you like memoirs, then I think you will appreciate Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, who is a Korean American musician that performs under the name Japanese Breakfast. Crying in H Mart is about her grief over the loss of her mother and trying to keep her mother’s memory alive, and holding on to her Korean identity, by learning to cook Korean food. I found Crying in H Mart comforting to read as I still struggle with my own losses.
…Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad
Every time I read a memoir, you are going to hear me say how inspiring it is. But it is true! I enjoy reading true-life stories about overcoming adversity. They restore what little faith I have in humanity, and they encourage me to live my own best life. I cannot say that I heard of Suleika Jaouad before reading Between Two Kingdoms. She wrote a column for the New York Times called “Life, Interrupted” and is a motivational speaker. I decided to read her memoir because it is currently number one on Indigo’s Best Books of 2021 list. It is an engrossing read that I absolutely recommend.
…From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way by Jesse Thistle
I highly recommend Jesse Thistle’s memoir, From the Ashes, but I warn you that it can be difficult to read as he spent decades living as a homeless drug addict. A couple of times I had to put this book aside because it was too much to stomach. However, Jesse’s story is incredibly inspiring as he would not have written this memoir if he did not eventually have the willpower to give up drugs and get his life back on track and go to university. He now works as an Assistant Professor in Métis Studies at York University.
…Becoming by Michelle Obama
I do not read a lot of non-fiction, but I was interested in reading about Michelle Obama’s life and how she handled being a Black First Lady in a country that is still too full of racists. Her story is very inspiring and examines on a macro level the racism that still persists in America and on the sexism that still persists in our society’s views towards women. If you have any interest at all in Michelle Obama, then it is definitely worth your time to read Becoming.
…