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Biography and Memoir October 2025 |
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The jailhouse lawyer
by Calvin Duncan
An account of Charles Duncan, who became a self-taught jailhouse lawyer after a wrongful conviction at nineteen, spending decades navigating a broken legal system, advocating for fellow prisoners, fighting for his own freedom, and ultimately exposing systemic failures.
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| Awake by Jen HatmakerPopular Christian living author and podcaster Jen Hatmaker courageously explores the heartbreaking and humiliating end of her marriage of 26 years and the challenges of reclaiming her independence. Hatmaker, suddenly a single mother of five, is relatable as she searchingly poses questions about her purpose and identity that she had taken for granted for so long. For fans of: Untamed by Glennon Doyle. |
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| Backstage: Stories of a Writing Life by Donna LeonCelebrated mystery author and creator of the Guido Brunetti series Donna Leon gives her readers a peek into the workings of a prolific creative mind. In brief but gorgeously crafted essays, Leon relates memorable scenes from her life and talks about some of her inspirations, including Venice, the books of Ruth Rendell, and Baroque music. Readers looking for other authors’ musings about life and art should try A Memoir of My Former Self: A Life in Writing by Hilary Mantel. |
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| Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist by Daniel Pollack-PelznerTheater and culture writer Daniel Pollak-Pelzner’s debut charts the startling rise of Lin-Manuel Miranda -- creator of the Broadway hits Hamilton and In the Heights -- from inner-city kid to worldwide phenomenon. Pollack-Pelzner interviewed Miranda and other intimate sources, and his background and expertise render him an “astute observer of the more human side of creating art” (Kirkus Reviews). Try this next: How to Survive a Killer Musical by Douglas J. Cohen. |
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| Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley with Mary Jane RossMore than 50 years after her divorce from the King of Rock and Roll, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley candidly recalls finding her independence after her relationship with Elvis, which had dominated her life since she was 14. Presley is frank about her triumphs (success as an actor) and tragedies (the deaths of her daughter and grandson), as well as the grief she felt after her ex-husband’s death. Try this next: Splinters: Another Kind of Love Story by Leslie Jamison. |
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| Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati RoyBooker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy shares vivid memories of growing up poor in India and her complicated relationship with her single mother, Mary. It is a raw account of living with a headstrong, volatile, and sometimes abusive parent, but one who also ignited the author’s dedication to Indian women’s rights, and whose death in 2022 left Arundhati overcome with grief. For fans of: I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. |
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Desi Arnaz : the man who invented television
by Todd S. Purdum
This biography of the visionary Cuban American entertainer and entrepreneur shows he overcame exile to revolutionize television, popularize Latin music and co-create I Love Lucy, pioneering the multi-camera sitcom format and leaving a lasting impact on American entertainment. Illustrations.
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On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports
by Christine Brennan
Drawing on interviews and behind-the-scenes reportage, sports journalist Christine Brennan's nuanced and richly detailed biography of record-setting WNBA guard Caitlin Clark discusses the triumphs and travails of her life on the court. Further reading: Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar by Howard Megdal.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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