I love reading memoirs. They’re readable, relatable and accessible. If I were to write a book of my own, it would probably be some kind of memoir that tells a personal story.

On that note, I want to share three of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. These books made me fall in love with the genre and helped me feel deeply connected to people who’ve reached the top of their fields. That said, memoirs like these can give the impression that only “remarkable” people get to write about their lives. I’d love to explore memoirs by (relatively) ordinary people in another post—but let’s start here.

Here are the three best memoirs I have ever read:

1. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft – Stephen King

This inspiring memoir by one of America’s most prolific authors is divided into two parts: 1️⃣ King’s life story, and 2️⃣ Practical advice for aspiring writers.
I wasn’t seriously considering a writing career when I read this, but one of King’s insights stayed with me:  You can only be good at writing dialogue if you’re a real-life conversationalist. That explained a lot about why I never dared to become a screenwriter.
I thoroughly enjoyed King’s powerful yet authentic writing that digs deep into his personal core. As he was born in the 1940s, I envied his freedom to immerse himself in reading and writing from a young age without digital distractions. (not even a TV!) One of my favorite moments was when a former Sci-Fi magazine editor came to one of his signings, holding an old manuscript King had sent in as a teenager. I could feel how he was mesmerized by that encounter. God, I wish I could have such a surreal moment while I live.

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

This is by far the best business and sports memoir I’ve ever read, thanks to Knight’s humility that permeates every paragraph. From start to finish, he never comes across as the founder of the world’s largest sportswear brand. I could relate to him at every step, from when he started his shoe company in the basement of his parents’ home to when he became the head of a multi-billion-dollar corporation after going public.
His ultimate human costs—the fallout with one of his closest allies and the death of his child—made this memoir so memorable for so many readers, myself included.

3. Confessions – St. Augustine of Hippo

As one of the earliest memoirs ever written, St. Augustine’s Confessions left a lasting impression on me for its honest portrayal of human imperfection, even in a great saint. I wasn’t sophisticated enough to understand all the theological discussions in the book, but it was remarkable to connect with someone who lived almost two thousand years ago—now revered as a saint—who struggled immensely to give up worldly pleasures and become a Christian.
I love saints who revealed their “human sides,” like St. Peter who denied Jesus three times and St. Thomas who doubted the resurrection. That’s why I love St. Augustine too. 

I’d love to dedicate an entire blog post to each of these books, but for now, these short ramblings will have to do. Until next time.