Are audiobooks the best way to read a memoir?

I think so.

I’d honestly not really thought much about memoirs until I started listening to audiobooks back in 2015. I didn’t think they were for me. I figured they’d take me ages to get through. Maybe they’d even be a little boring. Man, I was wrong.

One of my favourite things to listen to on audiobook now is a memoir. And I’ve listened to some corkers.

Memoirs are often read by their author and those are often the best audiobooks period. The inflections, the emotion, the humour, the realness - you just can’t imitate that that as effectively for real life as you can for fiction in my opinion.

These are a few of the best memoirs I’ve listened to on audiobook:

Shrill, Lindy West

This is a very recent favourite - I finished it last week. I adored it and listened to the whole thing in only two or three days. Lindy talks about her career in writing about feminism, politics and women online; being fat; love; loss; and everything else in between. It’s now one of my favourite books of the year - I laughed, I cried, I raged and I cheered. What more can you ask for?

Talking as Fast as I Can, Lauren Graham

I love Gilmore Girls with my whole heart who I wanted to read this as soon as it was announced. I couldn’t even wait for the physical copy to be released, I HAD to read it immediately so I grabbed the audiobook and I’m so glad I did. LIstening to this book is like listening to Lorelai tell you about her alternate life. Brilliant.

Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes is a TV legend. With Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Private Practice, How to Get Away with Murder and more under her belt, she knows her stuff. Shonda is wise, funny, warm and switched-on - I fell even more in love with her as I listened to this audiobook. It’s inspiring, empowering and essential reading for fans on Shonda’s shows.

And a few on my to listen list:

Just Kids, Patti Smith

I’m listening to this as I type this and I’m only a few minutes in, but it’s beautifully written and beautifully read. I’m looking forward to learning more about Patti Smith, her adventures and her New York.

Fingers in the Sparkle Jar, Chris Packham

This wasn’t something that first appealed to me when it came out, but the glowing reviews has got me convinced it’s something I need to try. It sounds sweet and sad and magical as Chris Packham explores his childhood adventures with all of the animals that came along with him.

Where Am I Now?, Mara Wilson

Like most people my age, Mara Wilson’s Matilda is a part of my childhood. I’ve seen it so many times I can recite whole passages along with the movie and Mara will always be that girl to me, but I really want to know who she is as an adult, too. Being a child star must have had a profound effect on her growing up and I’m curious.

Please recommend me your favourite audiobooks!

Sophie