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Biography and Memoir January 2026 |
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Ain't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton by Martha AckmannAin't Nobody's Fool is a deep dive into the social, historical, and personal forces that made Dolly Parton one of the most beloved and unifying figures in public life and includes interviews with friends, family members, school mates, Nashville neighbors, members of her band, studio musicians, producers, and many others. It also features never before seen photographs and unearthed documents shedding light on her family's hardscrabble life.
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| Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They're Too Much by Cynthia ErivoTheater, music, and film star Cynthia Erivo reflects on how far she has come while encouraging her readers to consider their own unrealized potential. Confident from an early age that she had a lot to offer the world, Erivo nevertheless had her share of detractors and setbacks, and she inspires readers to persist in their dreams, seek balance, and keep moving forward. For another stirring memoir of succeeding through struggle, try Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones. |
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Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear: A. A. Milne and the Creation of Winnie-The-Pooh by Gyles BrandrethFor the 100th anniversary of the publication of Winnie-the-Pooh, Gyles Brandreth chronicles the writing of this beloved classic and the life of its creator. Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear tells the remarkable story of A. A. Milne, a playwright, a bestselling crime writer, poet, polemicist, humorist, and the man who created Winnie-the-Pooh. For another biography about a classic children's book author try, In the Great Green Room: The Brilliant and Bold Life of Margaret Wise Brown by Amy Gary.
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| Grit, Spit, and Never Quit: A Marine's Guide to Comedy and Life by Rob RiggleComedian, actor, and Marine Corps veteran Rob Riggle debuts with a funny and energetic take on comedy, military life, and a career in showbiz. Sure, his path may have been unconventional – Riggle cut his teeth on the New York stand-up stage between deployments to Kosovo and Afghanistan – but he entertains by drawing surprising parallels between the two jobs. This is a great choice for readers who liked You’re on an Airplane: A Self-Mythologizing Memoir by Parker Posey. |
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| Joan Crawford: A Woman's Face by Scott EymanFilm historian Scott Eyman unveils a comprehensive and evenhanded biography of Joan Crawford, an original “femme fatale” of Hollywood’s golden age. Noted for her unfaltering work ethic over a five-decade career, Crawford was closely guarded about her private life. Eyman unearths sources that highlight her impoverished upbringing, multiple marriages, and the allegations of abuse of her adopted children in this “juicy Hollywood saga” (Library Journal). |
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To Rescue the American Spirit: Teddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower by Bret BaierAn iconoclast shaped by fervent ideals, Theodore Roosevelt's early life seems ripped from the pages of an adventure novel: abandoning his place in the New York aristocracy, he was drawn to the thrill of the West, becoming an honorary cowboy who won the respect of the rough men of the plains. As a New York state legislator, he fought corruption and patronage. As New York City police commissioner, he walked the beat at night to hold his men accountable, and as New York governor, he butted heads with the old guard to bring fresh air to a state mired in political corruption. To read more about Roosevelt's life try Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris.
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Hope in Action: A Memoir about the Courage to Lead by Sanna MarinWhen she became Prime Minister of Finland at just thirty-four years old, Marin was the world's youngest serving prime minister at the time, captivating the world's attention with her progressive ideas and her boldness amidst major crises. Marin's story is one of resilience and hope. Hope in Action is much more than a memoir -- it's a call to action. Marin urges the next generation of leaders to bring their full selves to the job. Her story is an empowering testament to the opportunities we have to affect real change in our worlds. Read about another inspiring Prime Minister with Jacinda Arden's biography A Different Kind of Power.
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| The Six Loves of James I by Gareth RussellHistorian Gareth Russell’s well-researched biography of England’s James I is a gossipy exposé of the first Stuart king. By detailing James’ loving relationships with both women (his wife Anna of Denmark) and men (royal favorite Lord George Villiers), Russell’s book normalizes the subject of homosexuality among British royalty while providing a riveting read. For more about the Stuart monarchs, check out Don Jordan and Michael Walsh’s The King’s Bed: Ambition and Intimacy in the Court of Charles II. |
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Heart Life Music by Kenny ChesneyIn college, Country Music Hall of Fame member Kenny Chesney found himself on a barstool with a guitar and an unexpected connection between people, life, and songs. His heart caught fire. With Nashville's vibrant creative scene, characters, legends, and places now long gone from the city he encountered in those early days, Chesney explores the quest to find himself as an artist and a man, as well as a sense of home anywhere there's an ocean. Read about another award-winning country musician reflecting on their creative inspirations and ties to Tennessee with Darius Rucker's Life's Too Short.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Forsyth County Public Library
660 W. Fifth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336-703-2665forsythlibrary.org |
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