Favorite Reads | Judy's Jermyn

Memoirs/nonfiction books appear first; scroll down for fiction.

Unforgettable Memoirs

Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt

childhood in poverty, alcoholism, and Irish culture

# # #

When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi

a story laced with deep philosophical thought and literary prose as a physician

comes to terms with his mortality

# # #

Becoming - Michelle O'Bama *

perspectives from the First Lady

# # #

A Wild and Precious Life - Edith Windsor

LGBTQ rights activist whose landmark case led the Supreme Court to grant same-sex

married couples federal recognition and rights to federal benefits

# # #

The Ledge - Jim Davidson *

a heart-stopping adventure, a friendship, and a fight to live at the hands of nature

# # #

Good Boy: my life in seven dogs - Jennifer Finney Boylan

a fun read as the author parallels her life with the dogs she’s owned

# # #

Children of the Land - Marcelo H. Castillo

a look at the life of an undocumented immigrant family

* Audio versions of these books are strongly suggested!

More Suggested Readings that will hook you on Memoirs

Bird by Bird by Ann Lamott. Musings and personal essays about writing
Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. Zany, out-of-control girl’s childhood within a peculiar family
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. A boy’s coming-of-age in a dysfunctional environment
Forward by Amy Wambach. The story of a soccer legend
Untamed by Glennon Doyle (married to Amy Wambach). A memoir about relationships
On Writing by Stephen King. A writer talks about the art of writing
A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimel. Funny and sensitive observations of an ordinary childhood
Name all the Animals by Alison Smith. Childhood grief and sexual self-discovery
Alex and Me by Irene Pepperberg. Life with a bird. Pets, science, intelligence
The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer. A coming-of-age story where the location is also a character
All In by Billie Jean King. The life of a tennis champion
Look me in the Eye by John Robison. Living with Asperger's
One More Time by Carol Burnett. A famous comedian's early life
She's Not There: Life in Two Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan. A story of a transwoman
Calico Lane by Judy Kiehart. A Baby Boomer’s search for a different path

Buy Calico Lane Today

* * * * * * * * * *

Click onto the names to go to websites

Memoirs written by Friends and Indie Authors I admire

Bless the Birds: living with love in a time of dying

Story Circle's Sarton Women's Book Award

(author of eleven books and hundreds of haikus)

* * * * *

Entrenched: a memoir of holding on and letting go

* * * * *

Making the Rounds: defying norms in love and medicine

* * * * *

Leavings

* * * * *

Silence of Shame

* * * * *

Butter Side Up, Thank God

To search 1870+ memoirs click here:

Paws 4 Peace: Enhancing Restorative Practices with Therapy

Provides a framework and specific guidelines on how to incorporate Therapy Dogs into Restorative Justice practices

Patricia E LaTaille

BLOGS Everyone has a blog these days and try as I might, even though I promise, I cannot keep up with all of the postings. I do follow Connie regularly. Her posts inform, challenge, and ofttimes amuse me in the writing craft. She reviews books and also writes fun fantasy.

Connie J Jasperson