Brian Longo

Joan Didion’s Blue Nights is a masterpiece of memoir, a work that pierces the heart with its unflinching honesty and poetic precision. Published in 2011, this slim yet profoundly moving book serves as a companion to Didion’s earlier triumph, The Year of Magical Thinking, and chronicles her reflections on the life and death of her adopted daughter, Quintana Roo, who passed away at the age of 39 in 2005. Interwoven with these memories are Didion’s meditations on her own aging, the fragility of parenthood, and the relentless passage of time. The result is a book that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, a testament to Didion’s unparalleled ability to transform raw grief into art. The title Blue Nights refers to the long, luminous twilights that follow the summer solstice, a time when the world is bathed in a deepening blue light that Didion describes as “the opposite of the dying of the brightness, but also its warning.” This metaphor sets the tone for the memoir, which is ...

Patricia Williams, known to her fans as Ms. Pat, delivers a memoir that is as raw as it is redemptive in Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat. This unflinching account of her life growing up in Atlanta during the height of the crack epidemic is a masterclass in storytelling, blending gut-wrenching hardship with sharp, unexpected humor. Co-written with Jeannine Amber, Rabbit is not just a memoir—it’s a testament to the power of resilience, love, and the human spirit’s ability to find light in the darkest of places. From the first page to the last, Williams invites readers into her world with a voice so authentic and engaging that it feels like sitting across from her, listening to a friend recount a life both heartbreaking and inspiring. A Vivid Portrait of Survival Williams’ story begins in the gritty neighborhoods of 1980s Atlanta, where poverty, systemic neglect, and the crack epidemic shaped her early years. Nicknamed “Rabbit” as a child, she grew up as one of five siblings rais...

Chanel Miller’s Know My Name is a breathtaking, transformative memoir that transcends the boundaries of personal narrative to become a powerful testament to resilience, identity, and the pursuit of justice. Published in 2019, this book marks Miller’s courageous decision to reclaim her narrative after being known to the world as “Emily Doe,” the survivor of a highly publicized sexual assault case at Stanford University. Through her exquisite prose, unflinching honesty, and profound empathy, Miller not only shares her story but also redefines the conversation around sexual assault, systemic injustice, and healing. This memoir is a triumph—a literary and emotional tour de force that is both heart-wrenching and deeply inspiring. A Voice Reclaimed At its core, Know My Name is an act of reclamation. Miller, who was initially anonymized as “Emily Doe” during the trial of her assailant, Brock Turner, uses this memoir to restore her identity as Chanel Miller—a writer, artist, sister, daught...

Minka Kelly’s memoir, Tell Me Everything, is a breathtaking and profoundly moving account of resilience, love, and self-discovery. Published in 2023 by Henry Holt and Company, this New York Times bestseller transcends the boundaries of a typical celebrity memoir, offering readers an unflinchingly honest and deeply human story of triumph over adversity. Known for her roles as Lyla Garrity in Friday Night Lights and Samantha in Euphoria, Kelly reveals a life shaped by hardship, yet illuminated by compassion, courage, and an unwavering spirit. This memoir is not just a recounting of events but a testament to the power of healing and the enduring bond between a mother and daughter. A Raw and Courageous Narrative From the opening pages, Kelly lays bare the complexities of her childhood, raised by her single mother, Maureen, a charismatic yet troubled woman who worked as a stripper and battled addiction. The vivid imagery of waking up in unfamiliar apartments, living in storage units, or...

Ione Skye’s Say Everything: A Memoir is a dazzling, unfiltered dive into the life of a Gen X icon whose name is synonymous with the dreamy, rebellious spirit of late-20th-century Hollywood. Best known for her iconic role as Diane Court in Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything (1989), Skye delivers a memoir that is as vulnerable as it is vibrant, weaving together tales of fame, love, loss, and self-discovery against the kaleidoscopic backdrop of rock royalty, supermodel cliques, and indie film sets. Published in March 2025, this New York Times bestseller is a must-read for anyone who cherishes the gritty glamour of the ’80s and ’90s, or simply loves a well-crafted story of a woman finding her voice. From the opening pages, Skye’s candor sets the tone for an extraordinary journey. Born to folk legend Donovan and model Enid Karl, Skye’s childhood was marked by the absence of her father, a wound that reverberates throughout the memoir. Yet, rather than dwell in bitterness, she transforms this pai...

Jaycee Dugard’s A Stolen Life is a profoundly moving and courageous memoir that chronicles her unimaginable eighteen-year ordeal as a captive, abducted at the tender age of eleven and held until she was twenty-nine. Written entirely in her own words, without the aid of a ghostwriter, this New York Times bestseller is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of hope, and the strength it takes to reclaim one’s identity after years of unimaginable trauma. Published in 2011 by Simon & Schuster, this raw and unfiltered narrative not only shares Dugard’s story but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for survivors of trauma everywhere. A Courageous and Authentic Voice One of the most remarkable aspects of A Stolen Life is Dugard’s decision to write the memoir herself. With only a fifth-grade education due to her captivity, her prose is unpolished yet strikingly authentic, carrying an emotional weight that a ghostwriter could not replicate. The simplicity of her ...

Jennifer Grey’s memoir, Out of the Corner, is a radiant, deeply moving, and refreshingly candid exploration of a life lived in the spotlight—and the shadows—of Hollywood. Best known for her iconic role as Baby Houseman in the 1987 classic Dirty Dancing, Grey steps out of the proverbial corner with a narrative that is as graceful as her onscreen dance moves and as raw as the emotions she lays bare. This New York Times bestseller is not just a memoir; it’s a vibrant coming-of-age story that resonates with women of every age, offering a blend of nostalgia, humor, and hard-won wisdom that makes it impossible to put down. From the opening pages, Grey’s voice leaps off the page with a warmth and authenticity that feels like catching up with an old friend. Born to Broadway legend Joel Grey and actress Jo Wilder, she paints a vivid picture of her childhood, steeped in the glitter and grit of show business. Her anecdotes—like watching her father transform into the enigmatic Master of Ceremoni...

Demi Moore’s memoir, Inside Out, published in 2019 by Harper, is a profoundly moving and unflinchingly honest account of a life marked by resilience, vulnerability, and self-discovery. From her tumultuous childhood to her meteoric rise as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, Moore invites readers into the depths of her personal struggles and triumphs, crafting a narrative that is both universally relatable and uniquely iconic. This memoir is not just a celebrity tell-all; it is a testament to the power of owning one’s story, embracing imperfections, and finding strength in the face of adversity. With its raw candor, emotional depth, and inspiring message, Inside Out is a must-read for anyone seeking insight into the complexities of fame, family, and personal growth. A Courageous and Candid Narrative From the very first page, Inside Out grips readers with its raw honesty. Moore begins with a harrowing account of her 2012 hospitalization, a moment that encapsulates the chaos and pain ...

Michele Harper’s The Beauty in Breaking is a luminous and profoundly moving memoir that transcends the boundaries of a traditional medical narrative. As an African American female emergency room physician, Harper brings a rare and vital perspective to the literary landscape, weaving together her personal journey of self-healing with the poignant stories of her patients. This book is not merely a collection of ER anecdotes; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the transformative power of empathy, and the courage required to confront both personal and systemic brokenness. With its eloquent prose, unflinching honesty, and hopeful outlook, The Beauty in Breaking is a must-read that lingers long after the final page. Harper’s narrative begins with her own experiences of brokenness, rooted in a childhood marked by domestic violence in Washington, D.C.’s Black elite. Her father’s abuse left deep scars, yet it also ignited her determination to become a healer, a calling s...

Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart is a luminous, gut-wrenching memoir that transcends the boundaries of personal storytelling to become a profound meditation on grief, cultural identity, and the unspoken language of love. As the lead singer of the indie pop band Japanese Breakfast*, Zauner is no stranger to crafting art that resonates deeply with audiences, but in her literary debut, she unveils a narrative voice that is raw, lyrical, and achingly honest. Published in 2021, this memoir—born from a viral New Yorker piece of the same name—has rightfully earned its place as a New York Times bestseller, captivating readers with its vivid prose, emotional authenticity, and celebration of Korean American heritage. For anyone who has navigated the complexities of family, loss, or identity, this book is a treasure to be cherished and revisited. At its core, Crying in H Mart is a love letter to Zauner’s mother, Chongmi, whose battle with pancreatic cancer and subsequent death in 2014 serves ...

Stitches: A Memoir by David Small is a hauntingly beautiful and profoundly moving graphic novel that stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling. Published in 2009, this National Book Award finalist and #1 New York Times bestseller is a searing exploration of a traumatic childhood, rendered with such emotional depth and artistic precision that it lingers long after the final page. Small, an award-winning children’s book illustrator, turns his considerable talents inward to craft a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, weaving a tale of survival, resilience, and redemption through the lens of a child’s perspective. A Visually Stunning Narrative From the opening pages, Stitches immerses readers in Small’s world, set in 1950s Detroit, where the veneer of suburban conformity masks a family fractured by emotional repression and unspoken pain. Small’s black-and-white pen-and-ink illustrations are nothing short of extraordinary, blending a stark, al...

Augusten Burroughs’ Running with Scissors is a memoir that defies convention, weaving a tapestry of chaos, humor, and resilience that is as captivating as it is unsettling. Published in 2002, this New York Times bestseller chronicles Burroughs’ unconventional and often shocking adolescence, offering readers an unflinching look at a childhood marked by dysfunction, absurdity, and unexpected moments of tenderness. Through his razor-sharp wit and vivid storytelling, Burroughs transforms a harrowing coming-of-age tale into a darkly comedic masterpiece that lingers long after the final page. The memoir begins with a young Augusten, born Christopher Robison, navigating a turbulent home life with his poet mother, Deirdre, and his alcoholic father, Norman. Deirdre, who harbors delusions of grandeur akin to Anne Sexton, struggles with severe mental health issues, while Norman’s abusive and distant demeanor exacerbates the family’s volatility. When their marriage dissolves, Deirdre sends Augus...

Running from the Mirror by Howard Shulman is a profoundly moving and inspirational memoir that chronicles the extraordinary life of a man who faced unimaginable adversity from the moment he was born. This beautifully crafted narrative is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, blending raw honesty, emotional depth, and moments of triumph that make it a must-read for anyone who appreciates stories of personal growth and perseverance. From the outset, Shulman’s story grips the reader with its heart-wrenching premise. Just three days after his birth, he contracted a devastating staph infection that ravaged his face, leaving him with severe physical challenges and, tragically, abandoned by his biological parents. Becoming a ward of the state of New Jersey, Shulman’s early years were marked by countless reconstructive surgeries and the emotional weight of growing up without a traditional family. Yet, what makes this memoir so compelling is not merely the recounting of these har...

Antwone Quenton Fisher’s Finding Fish: A Memoir is a remarkable and deeply inspiring autobiography that chronicles the author’s extraordinary journey from a childhood filled with unimaginable hardship to a life of triumph, self-discovery, and success. Published in 2001, this New York Times bestseller is a testament to the power of the human spirit, offering readers a gripping narrative that resonates with themes of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of self-determination. Fisher’s raw, authentic voice, combined with his unflinching honesty, makes this memoir a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration or a deeper understanding of the complexities of overcoming adversity. The memoir opens with Fisher’s harrowing beginnings: born in prison in 1959 to a single mother, Antwone, referred to as “Baby Boy Fisher” in child welfare records, is immediately placed in foster care. His early life was marked by profound loss—his father was killed before his birth, and his mother was una...

Tobias Wolff’s This Boy’s Life, first published in 1989, is a memoir that transcends the boundaries of personal recollection to become a universal exploration of identity, resilience, and the fraught journey from boyhood to manhood. With prose that is both lyrical and unflinchingly honest, Wolff invites readers into the turbulent world of his 1950s childhood, marked by a nomadic existence, an abusive stepfather, and a young boy’s desperate search for selfhood. This extraordinary work, now celebrated in its 30th anniversary edition, remains a cornerstone of the memoir genre, as compelling today as it was upon its release. It is a testament to Wolff’s artistry that This Boy’s Life reads like a novel, weaving together humor, heartbreak, and hope in a narrative that lingers long after the final page. The memoir begins in 1955, with a young Tobias—often called Jack, a name he adopts in homage to Jack London—traveling with his mother, Rosemary, from Florida to Utah in pursuit of a uranium ...