Brian Longo

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 ...

Carly Simon’s Boys in the Trees, released in 1978 by Elektra Records, stands as a shimmering jewel in her discography, blending sultry sophistication with raw emotional depth. This album, her seventh studio effort, arrived on the heels of her monumental success with “Nobody Does It Better,” the iconic James Bond theme from The Spy Who Loved Me. Produced by the masterful Arif Mardin, Boys in the Trees showcases Simon at the peak of her creative powers, delivering a collection of songs that are both intimately personal and universally resonant. It’s an album that captures the complexities of love, self-reflection, and the delicate balance of vulnerability and strength, earning its place as one of her most beloved works. A Masterclass in Songwriting and Emotional Nuance From the opening chords of “You Belong to Me,” the album’s lead single, Simon sets the tone with a blend of soulful confidence and understated longing. Co-written with Michael McDonald, the track is a silky, jazz-infle...

Bakari Sellers’ My Vanishing Country: A Memoir is a poignant, powerful, and deeply personal exploration of identity, heritage, and the enduring struggle for racial justice in America’s rural South. Published in 2020, this New York Times bestseller seamlessly weaves together memoir, historical analysis, and cultural commentary, offering readers an intimate look into Sellers’ life as a Black man from Denmark, South Carolina, and a broader reflection on the challenges faced by the rural Black working class. Anchored by Sellers’ lyrical prose and unflinching honesty, the book is both a love letter to his roots and a clarion call for social change, making it a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of race, resilience, and legacy in America. A Personal and Historical Tapestry Sellers, a CNN political analyst and one of the youngest state representatives in South Carolina history, brings a unique perspective to My Vanishing Country. At its core, the memoir is a tribu...

Jesmyn Ward’s Men We Reaped is a memoir that transcends the boundaries of personal narrative to become a profound meditation on grief, race, poverty, and the resilience of community. Published in 2013, this heart-wrenching yet exquisitely crafted work chronicles the lives and tragic deaths of five young Black men in Ward’s life, including her younger brother, Joshua, over a four-year span in rural Mississippi. Through her lyrical prose and unflinching honesty, Ward transforms raw pain into a powerful testament to the humanity of those often reduced to statistics. This book is not just a memoir; it is a clarion call to witness, to feel, and to understand the systemic forces that shape lives and, too often, end them prematurely. Innovative Structure and Emotional Depth Ward’s narrative structure is both innovative and deeply affecting. She alternates between two timelines: one moving forward chronologically through her own coming-of-age story and the history of her family in DeLisle,...

All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson is a powerful, heartfelt, and unflinchingly honest exploration of growing up Black and queer in America. Published in 2020 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, this young adult memoir weaves together personal essays that chronicle Johnson’s childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. Through a lens of vulnerability and resilience, Johnson (who uses they/them pronouns) addresses critical themes such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, family, consent, and Black joy, creating a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. This book is a triumph, a beacon of hope, and a vital contribution to literature, particularly for young queer Black readers and their allies. A Tapestry of Joy and Pain Johnson’s storytelling is raw and candid, inviting readers into their world with an intimacy that feels like a conversation with a trusted friend. The memoir is structured in four parts, each cont...

Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny by Hill Harper is a profoundly inspiring and transformative book that serves as a beacon of hope and guidance for young men, particularly young African-American and Hispanic men navigating the complexities of adolescence and young adulthood. Published in 2006, this collection of motivational letters draws from Harper’s personal experiences, his Ivy League education, and his career as an actor and motivational speaker to deliver practical, heartfelt, and accessible advice. Written in a direct, conversational tone, the book feels like a mentorship session with a wise older brother, making it both relatable and impactful for its target audience. Its enduring relevance, as evidenced by its two NAACP awards and its designation as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association in 2007, underscores its significance as a timeless resource for personal growth. Harper, known for his role in CSI: NY and his academic achievement...

James Prince’s The Art & Science of Respect: A Memoir is a riveting and deeply inspirational work that transcends the boundaries of a typical memoir. As the founder of Rap-A-Lot Records, a trailblazing independent rap label, and a respected figure in the worlds of music, boxing, and philanthropy, Prince delivers a narrative that is equal parts personal storytelling, entrepreneurial blueprint, and philosophical guide to earning and giving respect. This book is a testament to his remarkable journey from the tough streets of Houston’s Fifth Ward to becoming a cultural icon and mentor to global superstars like Drake and Floyd Mayweather. With its raw authenticity, actionable wisdom, and unwavering focus on principles like heart, loyalty, and commitment, this memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking to navigate life’s challenges with integrity and purpose. A Story of Resilience and Triumph From the outset, The Art & Science of Respect grips readers with Prince’s unfiltered accou...

Zack O'Malley Greenburg’s Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office is a captivating, meticulously researched biography that transcends the typical music industry tell-all. Published in 2011 and updated in 2021 with new insights into Jay-Z’s Forbes-certified billionaire status, this book offers an inspiring and insightful exploration of one of the most enigmatic and successful entrepreneurs of our time. Through a blend of sharp journalism, compelling storytelling, and a deep understanding of hip-hop culture, Greenburg delivers a narrative that is both a celebration of Jay-Z’s achievements and a blueprint for aspiring moguls across industries. This is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the intersection of music, business, and the relentless pursuit of the American Dream. A Story of Transformation and Triumph At its core, Empire State of Mind is the story of Shawn Carter, better known as Jay-Z, and his remarkable journey from the Marcy Projects of...