Tag: memoir

  • This Cursed Beautiful Land by Evan Gershkovich

    Turns out, Russian prison isn’t so bad. That is, if you are an American journalist jailed on trumped-up charges so you can be used for a prisoner swap. Sure, it still sucks, and you will end up with PTSD. However, your experience may vary greatly if you are not in the very specific position author…

  • Keeper of My Kin by Ada Ferrer

    At the heart of Keeper of My Kin by Ada Ferrer is an impossible choice. Do you leave a child behind to save the other? In this case, the author’s mother took her out of Cuba to live in America, but had to leave behind her son, Poly, whose father would not let the boy…

  • Defiance by Loubna Mrie

    Allow me to be ridiculously pedantic for a second. (If you just said, “Again?” then we are in a fight.) Memoirs worry me when I start them. I am always concerned that the author will make themselves either the eternal victim, or worse, the unsullied hero of their own story. If you call yourself the…

  • In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man by Tom Junod

    Listen, none of us want to think about our parents and their intimacy issues. However, Tom Junod decided to write a whole book about it called In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man. It is almost every adjective you would expect. Parts are uncomfortable, enraging, awkward,…

  • Arsenio by Arsenio Hall

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Arsenio: For God’s sake, do not take his pocket money. Quick synopsis: It’s Arsenio Hall’s memoir. Duh. Fact for Non-History People: The iconic “woof, woof” is actually based off the Cleveland Browns. Fact for History Nerds: Jay Leno and Arsenio are actually great friends. My Take on Arsenio: I love memoirs…

  • Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Nobody’s Girl: More brutal than you expect. And I expected a lot. Quick synopsis: The memoir of Virginia Giuffre, who was one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most known victims. Fact for Non-History People: Epstein’s net worth at this death was $600 million. Barf. Fact for History Nerds: Giuffre’s abuse at the hands…

  • Vagabond by Tim Curry

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Vagabond: He’ll always be Nigel St. Nigel to me. Quick synopsis: The life of Tim Curry in his own words. Fact for Non-History People: Curry grew up a military BRAT (which stands for British Regiment Attached Traveler, apparently). Fact for History Nerds: Curry actually knew Clue director Jonathan Lynn from his…

  • Second Life by Amanda Hess

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Second Life: As if parenting weren’t anxiety inducing already. Quick synopsis: A memoir of parenting in the digital age. Fact for Non-History People: In 1900, only 5% of childbirths took place in hospitals.   Fact for History Nerds: By 2020, 98.3% of childbirths took place in hospitals.   My Take on…

  • Good Game, No Rematch by Mike Drucker

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Good Game, No Rematch: Literal trigger warning for Duck Hunt survivors. Quick synopsis: A memoir by comedian and comedy writer (Tonight Show/Full Frontal) Mike Drucker seen through his life in video games. Fact for Non-History People: The Nintendo company is 135 years old. Fact for History Nerds: In Street Fighter 1,…