Bookworm Cottage Style

I recently finished Zarna Garg’s hilarious memoir and was reminded of just how delightful and life-affirming a great memoir can be. Here are a few other favorites that I highly recommend, whether you’re looking for something funny, tragic, inspiring, or all of the above.

This American Woman: A One-In-A-Billion Memoir by Zarna Garg (2025; 320 pages) // I adore reading about women who find their calling later in life or who reinvent themselves in their second act, so I completely enjoyed this hilarious memoir from comedian Zarna Garg. In this book, Zarna shares funny and heartfelt stories about her life, from running away from home in Mumbai to escape an arranged marriage at 15, moving to America for college, meeting her husband online in the 90s, raising children in NYC, and eventually becoming a standup comedian in her 40s. Zarna is an absolute force of nature and you can’t help but be inspired by her tenacity. (And her big heart… her acknowledgments page is 15 pages long!) A great book!!

Educated by Tara Westover (2018; 352 pages) // Tara grew up in an isolated, survivalist, sometimes violent family in the Idaho mountains, never going to school or the doctor. Tara teaches herself enough to get admitted to BYU for college, a path that will change the trajectory of her life. After leaving home for the first time, Tara realizes just how much she didn’t know about the history and the world, and dedicates herself to pursuing an education (eventually landing at Harvard!) which painfully damages her relationship with her family in the process. Tara’s story and tenacity are absolutely remarkable!

The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found, by Frank Bruni (2022; 320 pages) // In this fantastic memoir, NYT columnist Frank Bruni recounts the aftermath of an unexpected medical diagnosis (a stroke rendering him blind in one eye) with striking resilience and gratitude. This charming book is a masterclass in taking a glass half-full approach to life’s challenges, and an imperative reminder that everyone is carrying their own (often invisible) burdens. 

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, by Bill Bryson (1998, 397 pages) //  First published in 1998, this memoir chronicles Bill Bryson’s experience hiking the Appalachian Trail, the famous hiking route that spans from Georgia to Maine. I see why so many people consider this book an instant classic. It was fantastic! This book is an everyman’s account filled with hilarious mishaps, out-of-shape characters, and relatable observations. I actually laughed out loud multiple times. If you are looking for an entertaining read that will inspire you to appreciate the great outdoors, look no further!

From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home, by Tembi Locke (2019; 339 pages)  // In this memoir, Tembi Locke, a Black American woman, writes about falling in love with a Sicilian chef while abroad in Italy and the obstacles they faced building a life together as an interracial, cross-cultural couple in Los Angeles. After her husband’s terminal battle with cancer, Tembi and her young daughter travel back to Sicily to reconnect with her late husband’s family and introduce her daughter to his Italian roots. This book was so moving, and Tembi’s beautiful story completely stuck with me.

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele (2018; 256 pages)  // This book gives voice to just some of the atrocities perpetrated against Black families in America. The experiences that Patrisse recounts are truly horrific, and are sadly not unique in this country. This book should be required reading for all, especially those with privilege or who have not experienced racial violence and discrimination firsthand. Please read this book! 

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn (2019; 288 pages) // Days after Raynor’s husband, Moth, was diagnosed with a terminal illness, Raynor and Moth lost their home and all of their money in a business deal gone wrong. Facing homelessness, Raynor and Moth decide to put one foot in front of the other and walk 630 miles from Somerset to Dorset along the sea-swept South West Coast Path in England. This incredible memoir details their journey and resilience. If you liked Wild, you’ll love this book.

My Life in France by Julia Child (2006; 336 pages) // This book is an absolute classic! In this memoir, Julia Child recounts arriving in France in the 1940s, settling into life in a new country, learning how to cook (!), and finding her passion and purpose as an American educator of French cuisine. Julia is a character and it was such a joy to spend time inside of her mind.