Autobiographies hold a unique and captivating allure. They provide readers with an intimate window into the real-life, thoughts, and experiences of extraordinary individuals, as seen through their own eyes at critical moments of history and culture. The best memoirs can be a blend of so many genres: they can feel like a page-turning thriller, an inspirational story that serves as a mental health-boosting self-help guide or be a witty and hilarious read.
In a time when most of us are looking for a compelling distraction from the endless social media doom scrolling, an autobiography written by a beloved figure has the ability to capture your imagination and transport you to a wild world. Some of the best autobiographies of all time are the first-hand life stories from pop stars, fashion designers, and political activists. So, we’ve rounded up an edit of the best autobiographies that range from classics to pop culture celebrity reads – and as varied as they are, they all deserve a thorough read, at least once in your lifetime.
Compiling this list was tricky, but there were some that just had to be included without question. Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl and Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom are both high up on our must-read list, for their honest and often heart wrenching descriptions of living through extreme discrimination and will stay with you long after you’ve finished.
Elsewhere, we’ve included some of the best autobiographies that have been written over the course of the past few years – and which have gone on to smash records and be reported on worldwide. Case in point: Price Harry’s Spare and I’m Glad My Mom Died – two titles which continue to be discussed heatedly across the globe.
Classic autobiographies such as A Moveable Feast and the more recent My Year of Magical Thinking are ones you will want to savour every page of – and don’t read Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime without being prepared to laugh out loud wherever you are.