A Child Called “it” is a memoir by Dave Pelzer. Dave’s mother was an alcoholic and brutally abused her son. Dave often had to fight for food and was tortured by his mother’s abuse. At first, it didn’t seem too bad, but as his mother’s games got worse, Dave realized that he would have to find a way to take care of himself and find help. I really liked reading this book, and I would definitely recommend it.
Night is a memoir by Elie Wiesel. The book is about his experiences as a Jewish teenager during the Holocaust. It follows his journey from a small town in Transylvania to various concentration camps, including Auschwitz and Buchenwald. In the camps, he witnesses and suffers from a lot of cruelty. His father is all he has left, but his father eventually dies, too. Elie was very faithful at the beginning of the book, but over time he begins to question what his faith has really gotten him.
I highly recommend the autobiography, Born a Crime, written by Trevor Noah, which shares his experiences growing up in South Africa during the Apartheid era. Despite the serious issues he faced, Trevor’s comedic approach draws the reader in and keeps them engaged. The title of the book is derived from the fact that Trevor was “Born a crime” due to his mixed-race background, which was illegal during Apartheid.
Maya Angelou’s stunning memoir details her life as she grows up in the small town of Stamps, Arkansas, with her brother and grandmother, who she calls Momma as her true mother wasn’t able to take care of her and lives in sunny California with her boyfriend. Momma runs the only Store in the African American community of Stamps, providing Maya with warm memories with her town and family.
They Called Us Enemy, by the incredible George Takei, tells the story of the Japanese internment camps during World War two from the perspective of young George himself, who experienced it. This book shows the truth about the horrors many Japanese- Americans faced in America during World War II. From being forced to leave their homes and belongings behind, to living in stable cars that reek of manure, George tells the horrifying story of his childhood, and the war that overshadowed it all.
Born a Crime, written by Trever Noah is quite wry, but it is hard-hitting. tribute to Noah’s mother, a deeply religious woman of unfathomable bravery. Trever Noah is one my favorite comedians. The book is a tribute to Noah’s mother, a deeply religious woman of unfathomable bravery.
In Without You, There Is No Us, Suki Kim shows us a world most would consider psychological warfare. Inside one of the most elite schools in Pyongyang, Suki Kim teaches English in a world of censorship from not only her Supervisors but also her peers. Suki finds herself bonding with her students which only makes being under the umbrella of the DPRKs watchful eye even more painful. This book gives you the suspense of a mystery and the fear of a horror book…except it’s not fiction.
Born a Crime is the story of comedian Trevor Noah who portrays his upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa, where his existence was illegal due to the government ban on interracial relationships. The book consists of a collection of stories from Noah's childhood and early adulthood. It explores his family's experiences under apartheid, his mother's determination to provide a better life, and his own journey of self-discovery.
Heartland; a book about a life of poverty in a country of opportunity. Heartland is a nonfiction memoir written by the author Sarah Smarsh. This book resonates with many, as it is set in western Kansas and is told from the perspective of a girl named Sarah Smarsh who is raised by generations of teen mothers. All Sarah wants is to escape the cycle of poverty and teen pregnancy through her education and determination.
Know My Name is an amazing memoir, perfect for those who enjoy true stories. It discusses the Stanford sexual assault case and is not an easy book to read, but Chanel Miller’s powerful words define her as a survivor rather than a victim. Miller describes her experience after the assault to her readers, writing about confronting the truth, her loved ones, and her new reality. Readers are also introduced to the case that was filed and gain knowledge about the legal aspect of the situation.
