As long as one has a unique and compelling life story to share, even a non-celebrity memoirist can have a successful debut book. It’s because contrary to popular belief, memoirs are not exclusive to celebrity authors and influential people penning their life journeys for the public to read about. Below are ten of the best memoirs in the last decade written by lesser-known authors to inspire your debut book.
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2015: “The Light of the World” by Elizabeth Alexander
Processing the sudden loss of her husband, poet Alexander bares how she dealt with grief by retelling their love story.
Awards/Recognition: Pulitzer Prize Finalist and National Book Critics Circle Awards Finalist
2016: “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren
Jahren, a geobiologist and geochemist, tells her life story alongside her admiration for plants and science. This memoir celebrates human curiosity, persistence, and an exceptional relationship with the environment.
Awards/Recognition: Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography
2017: “Priestdaddy” by Patricia Lockwood
This memoir humorously explores Lockwood‘s childhood as the daughter of a Catholic priest, combining wit with reflections on faith, family, and her unique upbringing. This amusing account looks at the author’s childhood as a Catholic priest’s daughter and her musings on faith and family.
Awards/Recognition: Thurber Prize for American Humor Winner and was named one of the Guardian’s 100 best books of the 21st century
2018: “Heavy: An American Memoir” by Kiese Laymon
Laymon’s memoir shares his experience as a black man in Mississippi, particularly on the dispute of race, self image, post traumatic stress disorder and its impact on a person, plus some family related ideas and stories.
Awards/Recognition: Winner of the Carnegie Medal for Nonfiction, the LA Times Isherwood Prize for Autobiographical Prose, the Barnes and Noble Discover Award, and Audible’s Audiobook of the Year
2019: “The Yellow House” by Sarah M. Broom
Broom‘s memoir tells her life in New Orleans East, tackling issues of loss, recovery, exile, and belonging, especially in the context of surviving the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.
Awards/Recognition: National Book Award for Nonfiction Winner
2020: “A Dutiful Boy” by Mohsin Zaidi
A denial-to-acceptance story, Zaidi’s memoir tackles love, belonging, and embracing one’s identity as a gay Muslim.
Awards/Recognition: Winner of the LAMBDA Literary Award for Best Gay Memoir/Biography
2021: “Widowish” by Melissa Gould
It’s a modern perspective on loss and grieving. Gould bares her soul on how it’s like to become a widow at a very young age.
Awards/Recognition: Goodreads Top Book of 2021, Best New Non-Fiction Book of 2022 by the International Book Awards, and BookAuthority’s Best Grief Books of All Time.
2022: “Uncultured” by Daniella Mestyanek Young
This eye-opening memoir explores the life and upbringing of Young, who was born into The Children of God, a religious cult.
Awards/Recognition: Best Memoir & Autobiography Nominee
2023: “Hijab Butch Blues” by Lamya H
Lamya H’s memoir shares her journey coming to terms with her being a queer nonbinary hijabi Muslim.
Awards/Recognition: Stonewall Award for Non-Fiction Winner
2024: “The Wives: A Memoir” by Simone Gorrindo
Gorrindo’s memoir tackles marriage and friendship, and the experience of joining a community of army wives.
Awards/Recognition: American Booksellers Association’s April 2024 Indie Next Lister
Caret Publishing is a small press and imprint of niche non-fiction books. Feel free to send us a manuscript or book proposal if you have an idea for a book. Go to Submit Your Work for more details.