|
|
Biography and Memoir October 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
I'll Tell You When I'm Homeby Hala AlyanA Palestinian American writer's journey through surrogacy, personal turmoil and family exile. Intertwined with ancestral stories of displacement, she grapples with love, identity and inheritance while awaiting the birth of her child and confronting the ghosts of her past. "A poignant exploration of suffering and wonder and a portrait of a woman on the cusp of bringing a new life to her world" (Booklist).
|
|
|
|
Storyteller : The Life of Robert Louis Stevenson by Leopold DamroschIn Storyteller, Leo Damrosch brings to life an unforgettable personality, illuminated by many who knew Stevenson well and drawing from thousands of the writer's letters in his many voices and moods--playful, imaginative, and at times tragic. Further reading: A Wilder Shore : The Romantic Odyssey of Fanny and Robert Louis Stevenson by Camille Peri.
|
|
| The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things by Nikki GiovanniThis posthumous book of essays and poems from author and poet Nikki Giovanni serves as a vital reminder of her lasting impact on racial justice and civil rights while providing an intimate glimpse into Giovanni’s life and passions. While this collection covers a lot of topical ground, it is mainly a moving and inspiring look back on “a life lived with passion, purpose, and fierce pride” (Library Journal). |
|
|
|
John Williams : A Composer's Life by Tim GreivingThe first full biography of legendary film composer John Williams, offering a deeply researched and emotionally rich portrait of the man behind iconic scores for Star Wars, Jaws, E.T., Harry Potter, and more. Drawing from 175 exclusive interviews, the book explores Williams' private life, decades-long career, and profound influence on film music, orchestral performance, and American culture. Greiving focuses on Williams' gift for musical storytelling and his legacy as a transformative figure in both cinema and classical music. "Fans of Williams’ music will devour this all-encompassing work" (Kirkus Reviews).
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
Gwyneth : The Biography by Amy OdellBased on exclusive conversations with more than 220 sources, including close current and former friends and colleagues, this deeply researched biography provides insight and behind-the-scenes details of her relationships, family, friendships, iconic films, and tenure as the CEO of Goop. Gwyneth offers the fascinating, definitive look at how Paltrow rose to prominence, stayed in the limelight, and shaped culture, for better or worse, for so long. For more celebrity biographies, try Oprah by Kitty Kelley and Anna: The Biography by Amy O'Dell.
|
|
| 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: More Myself by Alicia Keyes. |
|
| 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. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|