Memoir / Autobiography
Plot/Idea: Mountain Dream is the story of Wei San Tang's journey to Everest. She smartly lays out her personal mission with the text and then proceeds to tell a well-crafted tale of important teachers, initial adventures, setbacks, and triumphs.
Prose: Author Wei San Tang's writing is conversational, casual, and friendly. She makes great use of direct address to forge intimacy with the audience and offers practical advice in a straightforward, informative manner.
Originality: Mountain Dream is absolutely original, in the way that the narrator doesn't resemble the expected author. Instead, Wei San Tang humbly brings up her fear and aims to inspire others to have an adventurous attitude.
Character Development/Execution: The author empathetically establishes her authorial voice by introducing herself in a relatable fashion, honestly discussing her past struggles, and being transparent about her self-doubt.
Blurb: Mountain Dream is an inspirational, quick-read travel memoir about the author's unlikely trip to Everest, written in the hopes that the story will motivate others to take their own adventures and forge their own paths.
Plot: Laytner's compelling, well-plotted memoir is always engaging and conscientiously structured. By interspersing historical content and journalism with personal accounts and reconstructed memories, Laytner keeps the narrative moving and provokes readers’ curiosity.
Prose/Style: Laytner's prose is precisely detailed and candidly confidential—a careful blend of reportage and opinion that strengthens the project. Alternating between the present and the past tense, Laytner expertly grounds the reader in both the historical sections and the contemporary narrative arc of the work.
Originality: Although Laytner's memoir shares similarities with other stories of Holocaust survival, his extraordinary discovery of primary sources and his stark revelations about his father's hidden character set this book apart.
Character Development/Execution: While What They Didn't Burn focuses primarily on the harrowing and inspirational survival story of Josef Lajtner, author Mel Laytner is also a dynamic part of the work—a well-developed and sympathetic character who struggles and changes while uncovering his father's secrets. Additionally, Laytner smartly uses his father's narrative as a jumping off point to discuss relevant secondary characters, including family members, close friends, and historical figures.
Blurb: A thought-provoking, impressive union of historical information and personal narrative that lays bare the Holocaust's continuous impact on the present.
Plot: Biehl presents the reader with a fun romp through various gourmet (and not-so-gourmet) experiences, with an appreciation not just for the food but for the overall event and joy of eating out in general. The homey pictures accompanying each chapter, along with her personal anecdotes strewn about, make this book a pleasure to read, with tea in hand and a nice snack.
Prose/Style: Biehl is clearly a seasoned writer; the book is easy to consume, clear, and beautiful. She is able to evoke many senses at once, meeting her goal of providing the pandemic-worn reader a chance to escape into a nice dinner.
Originality: Biehl's book takes the traditional foodie romp through various restaurants, dining establishments, and other eateries and gives it a pleasant, personal twang. Her writing is comfortably informal, making the reader feel very at home, like a fellow diner at her table. The pictures also add to the uniqueness, lending a delightful departure from the usual purely text novel.
Character Development/Execution: The book is pleasantly concocted, and the stories wind throughout the book well. Overall, this is a charming read, and will go down as smooth as a nice glass of chardonnay.
Plot: Running a Bed & Breakfast is a romanticized dream for many, so hearing the challenges that soured that dream for the author is an intriguing hook.
Prose/Style: The writing style is casual, likened to an approachable gossip session with a friend. Even if the gossip grows a little mean at times, the reader is invited along to obtain all the dirt.
Originality: So many writers are encouraging and try to guide their readers on how to enjoy similar experiences to their own. Marko is definitely not doing that here! Readers will laugh and cringe along with the author as she makes it plain that running a B&B comes with a lot of unexpected downsides.
Character Development/Execution: There is quite the cast of characters in this story. The author herself is in the leading role, and the reader gets to know her well. The other characters are a series of first impressions. While it is left certain that Marko dealt with some very difficult people, most readers will also be thankful to not have been put in her crosshairs.
Safe, Wanted, and Loved: A Family Memoir of Mental Illness, Heartbreak, and Hope
by Patrick DylanRating: 7.75
Idea: Dylan builds the narrative of his wife's struggle with mental health to encompass family, friends, and strangers as well as the society that continues to place a stigma around mental health.
Prose/Style: Palpable in Dylan's writing are the feelings of confusion, despair, love, and hope as he goes back and forth in time to show life before and after he notices a change in Mia.
Originality: In the vast world of literature that deals with mental health struggles, Dylan carves out a space for himself, his wife, and his family to reflect upon their journey in a meaningful way.
Character Development/Execution: Dylan includes a broad array of medical professionals, family members, and friends in the narrative. While these characters aren't always given the space they may deserve, Dylan's attempts to share their perspectives is a noble effort.
Blurb: With a tremendous amount of care, Dylan shares his experience as a husband and father in a family that must navigate the complex world of mental health. A moving and informative memoir, Safe, Wanted, and Loved reminds readers of the challenges faced by those struggling with their mental health and the stigma placed on that struggle.
Blurb: With a tremendous amount of care, Dylan shares his experience as a husband and father in a family that must navigate the complex world of mental health. A moving and informative memoir, Safe, Wanted, and Loved reminds readers of the challenges faced by those struggling with their mental health and the stigma placed on that struggle.
Plot/Idea: Australian Women Can Walk is a smart memoir about one woman's formative college gap year travels in 1979. Traveling with art school friends, author Aldous crosses Asia, hanging out on houseboats, backpacking, and learning about life along the way.
Prose: Aldous's prose is simple and straightforward, yet self-assured. While her lines are sometimes awkwardly written and the text has a few tense issues, overall the writing is strong and appealing.
Originality: While there are similar memoirs about traveling in other countries, Aldous's discussion of politics, like the impact of partition and the way she connects her reading with her experience, sets this book apart. The diary format also enhances the original quality of the work.
Character Development/Execution: Author Veronica Caven Aldous has a wonderful eye for sense and place descriptions across the execution of the text. The memoir's short sections lend themselves well to the slice-of-life style of Aldous's journey, and the photographs also enhance the story well.
Blurb: A wonderfully executed memoir about a young woman's travels and adventures in Asia as a 22-year-old art student, Australian Women Can Walk nails the experience of youthful discovery on the page.
Plot/Idea: Austin has provided the reader with a deep look into her tumultuous life, filled with love affairs, difficulties at work, and prejudice, along with lots of self-growth and triumph. She also takes the time to humbly reflect upon her choices, analyzing them at the end of each chapter, along with providing relevant scripture and a prayer for those in similar situations. The book reads a bit like a romance novel, with a large focus on relationships and sex, which may fit a niche market combined with the scriptural focus.
Prose: Austin is a born storyteller, as her stories are full of drama and intrigue. Though sometimes sentences can lack variety, the story flows well, and the timelines make sense.
Originality: From the provocative title and metaphors that continue throughout the book relating to vomit, to the wild stories of Austin's life, this book is definitely unique. For those who want to read a fascinating story about a woman who never gives up, despite facing all kinds of challenges, this is the book for them.
Character Development/Execution: Austin's character is well-developed, and the reader can easily sympathize with her. The rest of the cast is more supportive in nature and serve to move the storyline forward.
Civil Rights Baby: My Story of Race, Sports, and Breaking Barriers in American Journalism
by Nita WigginsRating: 7.50
Plot/Idea: Wiggins is explicit in her text, with a distinct idea that carries through the entirety of her work. She delineates evidence to support her main concepts and readers will quickly grasp the weight of her themes.
Prose: Wiggins writes in an articulate and professional style, although she balances this with areas where she connects directly with her readers in a more lighthearted manner. Her prose elevates the text, adding significance and gravity in all the right places.
Originality: Civil Rights Baby offers fresh perspectives on a common, but weighty, memoir theme – which intensifies the individuality of this work and will be striking for readers.
Character Development/Execution: Wiggins develops her text in a linear fashion that will satisfy her audience while provoking reflection at the same time. She offers an intriguing start that sets the stage for a challenging and often painful personal journey.
Idea: Holding Fast is a memoir of an unconventional life spent sailing. Readers who aspire to similarly upend their circumstances in favor of a more nomadic lifestyle will welcome Cole's honest reflections.
Prose: The writing here is smooth and capably holds the reader's interest throughout.
Originality: Although memoirs of risk-taking adventures are familiar, Cole's story is deeply personal, detailed, and frequently inspiring.
Character/Execution: Both Cole and her husband, John, emerge as fully formed individuals on the page. The strength of their relationship is a particularly endearing element of the story.
Plot/Idea: A gonzo romp through the London outsider music scene, this book blends personal narrative with an exploration of a lesser-known artistic subculture.
Prose: The book is a sprawling ramble through a music community, written with a frenetic energy to match its subject matter.
Originality: This book is unique, depicting through a personal lens a niche artistic community not widely known outside its own enclave.
Character Development/Execution: The book is long, and readers not already familiar with the bands, venues, and lifestyle depicted may have trouble keeping up. Those that do will discover a rewarding experience with interesting, well-defined characters, and charming narration.
Plot/Idea: Weldon's memoir tells a compelling story of not just picking up the pieces of a broken life, but building something new and fresh that will keep readers turning the pages.
Prose: Weldon's prose makes for an easy and enjoyable read, but would benefit from additional polishing to allow the voice to reach its full potential.
Originality: Weldon's journey stands out in the memoir genre by telling the story of a life-changing 30 days rather than a years-long undertaking, which is likely to inspire readers to be able to take on their own manageable challenges.
Character Development/Execution: Weldon's humor and vulnerability make her someone readers want to root for and allow her to feel like a treasured friend.
Plot/Idea: This memoir tackles the heartbreaking traumas of childhood sexual abuse and the process of healing from them, and does so with honesty and awareness. The flaws here are all structural, with a timeline and pacing that would benefit from being strengthened.
Prose: The prose is accessible and compelling, but requires clarity to really let the story and ideas shine through. It should also have a more organized timeline of events so readers can easily follow the events of Sandomir’s life.
Originality: This memoir is original in that the author is so open to discuss difficult moments in her life, and to advocate on behalf of victims of abuse.
Character Development/Execution: Sandomir's book is overall successful in the way it is a deeply personal account of the author’s life, but it is also an inspiring story of overcoming adversity and rising above one’s circumstances.
Plot/Idea: Lam's vulnerability and nuanced emotional states allow readers to truly connect to her profound and intimate story.
Prose: The writing style here is digestible and engaging, with the connection to the tarot deck only occasionally obfuscating the plot.
Originality: Lam's memoir uniquely blends an exploration of love, relationships, mental health, with the more mystical and magical original elements.
Character Development/Execution: The writer successfully explores the complexities of the characters for her readers in this intriguing memoir.
Plot/Idea: Born into a privileged yet dysfunctional family, Caitlin Elizabeth searches the world for a sense of purpose and a meaningful life. Everything In Between is the story both of her travels and of her journey into spiritual evolution.
Prose: The author's style is breezy, confidential and discursive. Many readers will undoubtedly identify with her struggle to live a more authentic life than the one of mere privilege and consumerism too often encouraged by upper middle class American society.
Originality: If Jay McInerney's Alison Poole sprouted a conscience and a sense of social awareness, the sequel to Story of My Life might read like Everything In Between. The author's geographic migrations and her reflections on her experiences make for an interesting read.
Character Development/Execution: Faced with the inequities and injustices that permeate the world, Caitlyn Elizabeth decides to take matters into her own hands and go off in search of self and opportunities to do meaningful service. Her sincerity and her commitment to the quest are embodied in the pages of this memoir.
Plot/Idea: Grotticelli delivers a moving account of a tumultuous childhood spent between a violent family, orphanage, and unloving foster care, and the powerful bonds formed between found siblings.
Prose: The author's language is plainspoken and vivid, with a clear and immediate prose style that will particularly appeal to readers who have similarly struggled to find security and family connection amidst upheaval and uncertainty.
Originality: This story successfully explores the nuances of an atypical story of an unhappy childhood.
Character Development/Execution: The author's often painful memoir is well-told, though the work may benefit from broader variety in terms of tone.
Plot/Idea: Taking a unique approach to memoir, Bullis invites the reader to see the other 99% of the Milky Way at a molecular level. Bullis presents beautifully illuminated photos that contain brilliant colors and shapes. With immersive, science-based text, this work provides a vision of how the Earth began with the Big Bang.
Prose: Astrophysicists will certainly have the advantage of understanding the lingo used by the author; however, the evocative descriptions and warmth of the writing allows the novice astronomer to enjoy the material as well.
Originality: This book provides a unique perspective on the sky that many readers will have never encountered. Adding the captions along the top and integrating them with photos and text keeps readers invested throughout the pages. Each pass through the book allows the reader to discover something new.
Character Development/Execution: Bullis takes a complicated concept and makes it beautiful and pleasing to the eye by combining art and astronomy. Large captions carry the storyline and draw the reader into the depths of the sky. Readers will never look at the sky the same way again. Not only does he describe the scenes in the Milky Way in meticulous but accessible detail, he also includes information about other dynamics of the environment such as sound and temperature.
