Women’s History Month: Must-Read Memoirs

Colorful banner with the text "WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH" in bold white letters.

The remarkable women on this list of must-read memoirs have shared the most personal and painful parts of their lives through their writing. From poets and podcasters to stand-up comedians and indie pop stars, these ladies changed the world for the better. We hope that by reading about these women’s journeys, you’ll be inspired and see yourself in their perseverance and strength.

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The cover of "Smile: The Story of a Face" by Sarah Ruhl features a minimalist face outline and abstract foliage.

Smile by Sarah Ruhl

A MacArthur genius and two-time Pulitzer finalist shares, through a series of piercing, witty and lucid meditations, her journey as a patient, wife, mother and artist as she searches for a cure for Bell’s palsy while simultaneously grappling with the reality of her new face.

Book cover for "Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes" by Phoebe Robinson with author's photo.

Please Don’t Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes by Phoebe Robinson

Laced with spot-on pop culture references and takes on a wide range of topics, this collection of essays from a stand-up comedian, writer, producer and actress is about human connection, race, hair, travel, dating, Black excellence and more.

Cover of "Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir" by Ashley C. Ford, with abstract colorful shapes on a blue background.

Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford

One of the prominent voices of her generation, the author presents this coming-of-age recollection of a childhood defined by the ever looming absence of her incarcerated father and a traumatic event, revealing the threads between who you are and what you are born into.

Book cover of "Broken (in the best possible way)" by Jenny Lawson featuring the author holding a whimsical creature.

Broken (In the Best Possible Way) by Jenny Lawson

The award-winning humorist and author of Let’s Pretend This Never Happened shares candid reflections on such topics as her experimental treatment for depression, her escape from three bears and her business ideas for Shark Tank.

Poet Warrior: A Memoir" book cover with a circular indigenous artwork and Joy Harjo's name.

Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo

Weaving together the voices that shaped her, Harjo listens to stories of ancestors and family, the poetry and music that she first encountered as a child, the teachings of a changing earth, and the poets who paved her way. She explores her grief at the loss of her mother and sheds light on the rituals that nourish her as an artist, mother, wife, and community member.

Book cover of "Crying in H Mart" by Michelle Zauner, featuring noodles shaped into the letter "H" on a red background.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

The Japanese Breakfast indie pop star presents a full-length account of her viral New Yorker essay to share poignant reflections on her experiences of growing up Korean-American, becoming a professional musician and caring for her terminally ill mother.

Book cover of "My Broken Language: A Memoir" by Quiara Alegría Hudes, featuring a collage of colorful images and text.

My Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes

A Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright shares her lyrical coming-of-age story against a backdrop of her devastated barrio home and the idiosyncratic, troubled and fiercely loving Puerto Rican family that inspired her literary voice.

Book cover of "Beautiful Country" by Qian Julie Wang, featuring people walking against a brick wall backdrop with Chinese text.

Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang

This memoir from a Chinese woman who arrived in New York City at age 7 examines how her family lived in poverty out of fear of being discovered as undocumented immigrants and how she was able to find success.

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