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Best Biographies of 2023

MAY 16, 2023

by Jonathan Eig

An extraordinary achievement and an essential life of the iconic warrior for social justice. Full review >

SEPT. 12, 2023

by Tracy Daugherty

A definitive life of the novelist/bookseller/scriptwriter/curmudgeon of interest to any McMurtry fan. Full review >

APRIL 11, 2023

by Robert Greenfield

A masterful look at the wild life of an enigmatic artist that shows how captivating the truth can be. Full review >

AUG. 15, 2023

by Patti Hartigan

An authoritative portrait of a defiant champion of Black theater. Full review >

OCT. 3, 2023

by Will Hermes

An engrossing, fully dimensional portrait of an influential yet elusive performer. Full review >

by Walter Isaacson

Alternately admiring and critical, unvarnished, and a closely detailed account of a troubled innovator. Full review >

by Sally H. Jacobs

An essential book about an incomparably authentic American pioneer and the times in which she lived. Full review >

APRIL 4, 2023

by Robert "Mack" McCormick ; edited by John W. Troutman

A worthwhile investigation into a true legend of the blues. Full review >

MAY 2, 2023

by Jonny Steinberg

A magnificent portrait of two people joined in the throes of making South African history. Full review >

DEC. 5, 2023

by Judith Tick

As masterful and wonderful as its subject. Full review >

OCT. 31, 2023

by Ronald C. White

A revealing portrait of an American hero who deserves even wider recognition. Full review >

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10 Best Biographies/Memoirs of 2023

10 best biographies of 2023.

It’s been a big year for biographies, with everything from Prince Harry to Britney Spear delivering their own books. There have been a lot of excellent books in this category this year .

In this curated list, we delve into the best biographies that captivated us this year. As usual, the books below are listed in no particular order but of course, do let us know your favourites in the comments below!

So join us as we celebrate the narratives that have defined 2023, each a unique testament to the enduring power of storytelling.

The Woman in Me – Britney Spears

The Woman in Me is an intimate and courageous memoir that chronicles the remarkable journey for one of pop music’s most iconic figures, Britney Spears. This deeply personal narrative unfolds against the backdrop of her historic June 2021 court testimony, a moment that not only altered Britney’s trajectory in life, but also resonated with people around the globe. Spears’s story is one of resilience and transformation, capturing the essence of freedom, motherhood, and survival.

Spears opens up about her life in this book with honesty and humor that is both refreshing and profound. She shares her experiences in the limelight, detailing the struggles and triumphs that have defined her career and personal life. Her account goes beyond the sensational headlines, offering readers a glimpse into the heart and soul of an artist who has captivated millions.

Spears’s narrative is more than a memoir; it’s a powerful testament to the strength and resilience inherent in her character. “The Woman in Me” is a celebration of the healing power of music and love, and the vital importance of autonomy in storytelling. Britney’s voice—clear, unfiltered, and unapologetic—echoes throughout the pages, emphasizing the significance of a woman taking control of her narrative and speaking her truth.

This book is not only a milestone in Spears’s life but also an inspiring tale of hope and empowerment, making it a must-read for her fans and supporters of women’s rights alike.

A Memoir of My Former Self – Hilary Mantel

A Memoir of My Former Self is a rich collection of Hilary Mantel’s finest journalistic and personal writings, spanning four decades. Known for her distinguished career as a novelist, Mantel brings her keen insight and eloquent prose to a variety of subjects, offering readers a glimpse into both her life and the broader world as she sees it. Embracing her belief that “ink is a generative fluid,” she crafts essays that resonate with intention and depth.

Mantel’s work traverses a wide array of themes. She reflects on nationalism and her own sense of identity, delves into the interplay between our dreams and waking life, and revisits the enduring mythos of Princess Diana.

From her unique childhood to her obsession with Thomas Cromwell, which culminated in the acclaimed Wolf Hall trilogy, this memoir presents the evolution of Hilary Mantel’s life and thoughts. A Memoir of My Former Self is a wonderful book and certainly one of the best released this year.

The Forgotten Girls – Monica Potts

In this poignant and revealing book, an accomplished journalist revisits her roots in a small Arkansas town to unravel the stark contrast between her life and that of her childhood best friend, Darci.

Growing up in the economically declining Ozarks, both Monica and Darci were bright, working-class girls with dreams that stretched far beyond the confines of their troubled community. United by their love for reading and learning, they faced the harsh realities of their town: broken homes, alcoholism, and the gradual decay of local businesses and factories.

While Monica managed to break free, attending college and pursuing her dreams, Darci’s story took a tragically different turn. Years later, as Monica covers poverty and its impacts, she learns of the alarming decrease in life expectancy among women in rural areas like her hometown. 

Darci represents a harrowing statistic: a single mother battling meth and prescription drug addiction, struggling with unemployment and near homelessness. Through her narrative, she sheds light on the critical issues affecting poor, rural white women in America, offering an intimate and eye-opening look at the realities often overlooked in national discourse.

Abroad in Japan – Chris Broad

In Abroad in Japan, Chris Broad shares his adventurous journey into Japan in his often humorous journey of adapting to life in rural northern Japan. Arriving with no experience in teaching and little command of the Japanese language, Chris wonders if his stint as an English teacher might be short-lived. Instead, what unfolds is a decade of rich experiences in one of the world’s most intriguing and complex cultures.

This is a captivating narrative that spans all forty-seven prefectures of Japan, from tranquil rice fields to the vibrant streets of Tokyo. Chris recounts a variety of extraordinary experiences, including a nerve-wracking North Korean missile scare, an embarrassing encounter in a love hotel, and an unforgettable week with Japan’s biggest movie star. His stories are not just entertaining; they offer a deep dive into the heart of Japanese culture.

Chris’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of travel and the value of embracing the unknown with an open mind and heart.

Strong Female Character – Fern Brady

Strong Female Character is a ground-breaking memoir by Fern Brady that confronts the intersection of sexism and neurodiversity. Brady, a neurodivergent, working-class woman from Scotland, offers an eye-opening exploration of how societal expectations clash with the realities of being an autistic woman. The book challenges the preconceived notions of both autism and femininity, highlighting the unique struggles and triumphs that come with navigating these identities.

Brady’s narrative is unflinchingly honest, delving into deeply personal experiences such as sex work, abusive relationships, and her time in teenage mental health units. She critically examines the Manic Pixie Dream Girl stereotype, a trope often misleadingly associated with neurodiverse women, and dismantles it with the force of her lived experience.

This memoir is not just a personal account; it’s a powerful statement on the complexities of being a neurodivergent woman in a world that often misunderstands and overlooks such experiences.

Friendaholic – Elizabeth Day

In Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict, Elizabeth Day delves into the oft-overlooked yet vital world of friendships, challenging the societal emphasis on romantic love.

Growing up with few friends, Elizabeth equated the number of friendships with being loved and secure. As an adult, she prides herself on being a Good Friend, only to realize that this pursuit sometimes comes at the cost of her own boundaries and mental health.

The onset of the global pandemic in 2020 sees Elizabeth re-evaluate her understanding of friendship. Confronted with the reality that her closest friends weren’t necessarily those she spent the most time with, she begins to question the nature of these relationships. This introspection leads to broader inquiries: Is there such a thing as having too many friends? How well does one truly understand the role they play as a friend?

The Strength of Love – Kate Garraway

Kate Garraway’s The Strength of Love offers a profound and moving account of resilience and hope amidst life’s most challenging circumstances. This deeply personal narrative unfolds in the wake of her husband Derek’s battle with the severe impacts of Covid, a struggle that has dramatically altered their family life, requiring 24-hour care and frequent hospitalizations.

Kate’s journey is one of constant uncertainty and daily challenges, testing her strength and that of her family at every turn.

Garraway’s book delves into universal themes that resonate with many: the nature of trauma, the critical role of resilience and adaptability, and the power of staying curious and positive in the face of adversity. She candidly discusses the concepts of identity and purpose, offering insights into how to embrace uncertainty and regain control in times of turmoil. Her experiences and reflections provide solace and wisdom to those grappling with loneliness, loss, or fear of the unknown.

Spare – Prince Harry

Much has been made of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, with opinion swinging like a pendulum between outright hatred to incredulous disbelief. Following their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey and the subsequent fall-out with the Royal Family, Harry and Meghan have attempted to lift the curtain and explain exactly what’s happened and what’s led them to where we are today.

Spare is a revealing and deeply personal memoir in that respect, ghost-written by J.R. Moehringer but written in first-person perspective to authenticate the feel of what’s in here. Prince Harry’s book is split across three parts in this 410 page book. After a brief prologue starting at Prince Philip’s death, we cut back to just before Princess Diana’s death, leading through Harry’s years growing up as the “Spare” to Prince William (the “heir”) along with his time in the military and up to the Queen’s death.

The writing itself is mostly reserved to short and snappy sub-chapters, which are split into three parts, the first focusing on the past and growing up, the second on Harry’s time in the military and the third on Harry’s love life and meeting Meghan Markle.

It’s a book that reveals far more about the underbelly of the Royal Family than you’re likely to see anywhere else. Quite how this story will eventually end is anyone’s guess but for anyone remotely interested in the Royal Family, this is an absolute must-read.

Elon Musk – Walter Isaacson

In his latest biography, the acclaimed author of “Steve Jobs” presents an intimate and compelling portrait of Elon Musk, one of the most enigmatic and influential figures of our time. This book delves deep into Musk’s journey from a bullied child in South Africa to a visionary entrepreneur reshaping the future with electric vehicles, private space exploration, and artificial intelligence. It also explores his dramatic takeover of Twitter, a platform that symbolizes both a personal and professional battleground for him.

Author Isaacson provides an unprecedented look into Musk’s world, having shadowed him for two years, witnessing first-hand the workings of his mind and operations. Through extensive interviews with Musk, as well as those who know him best—family, friends, co-workers, and rivals—the biography paints a vivid picture of a man who is as complex as he is visionary. It raises probing questions: Are the very traits that make Musk a relentless innovator also the sources of his deepest struggles? This biography offers a fascinating exploration of Musk’s life, achievements, and the inner demons that drive him, making it a standout addition to the best biographies of 2023.

Seventeen – Joe Gibson

Seventeen is a shocking and eye-opening memoir, written by Joe Gibson. In this revealing book, we’re whisked back to 1992. Like every other seventeen-year-old boy, Joe has one eye on his studies, the other on his social life. He’s looking ahead to a gap year full of travel and adventure before university. Only, there’s a problem. When Joe’s teacher – attractive, mid-thirties – takes an interest in him, it seems like a fantasy come true.  

For his final two years at school, Joe is bound to her, a woman twice his age, in an increasingly tangled web of coercion, sex and lies. Their affair, a product of complex grooming and a shocking abuse of authority, is played out in the corridors of one of Britain’s major private schools, under the noses of people who suspected, even knew, but said nothing. 

With a heady dose of nostalgia for the 90’s, and the perfectly captured mood of those final months at school, Joe charts the legacy of deceit and indelibility of decisions made at seventeen. 

Closing Thoughts

2023 has been a big year for biography fans. There have been some great selections this year and above our just our favourite picks!

What will 2024 have in store for us? Hopefully more of the same!

So, there we have it, our picks for the best biographies of 2023! Let us know what you think of our choices in the comments below and remind us of any others you enjoyed this year above all others!

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The Best New Biographies of 2023

The best new biographies of 2023 explore full lives and historical events in ways that speak meaningfully to the present.

CJ Connor is a cozy mystery and romance writer whose main goal in life is to make their dog proud. They are a Pitch Wars alumnus and an Author Mentor Match R9 mentor. Their debut mystery novel BOARD TO DEATH is forthcoming from Kensington Books. Twitter: @cjconnorwrites | cjconnorwrites.com

View All posts by CJ Connor

Read on to discover nine of the best biographies published within the last year. Included are life stories of singular people, including celebrated artists and significant historical figures, as well as collective biographies.

The books included in this list have all been released as of writing, but biography lovers still have plenty to look forward to before the year is out. A few to keep your eye out for in the coming months:

• The World According to Joan Didion by Evelyn McDonnell (HarperOne, September 26)
• Einstein in Time and Space by Samuel Graydon (Scribner, November 14)
• Overlooked: A Celebration of Remarkable, Underappreciated People Who Broke the Rules and Changed the World by Amisha Padnani (Penguin Random House, November 14).

Without further ado, here are the best biographies of 2023 so far!

Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo

Ellen and William Craft were a Black married couple who freed themselves from slavery in 1848 by disguising themselves as a traveling white man and an enslaved person. Author Ilyon Woo recounts their thousand-mile journey to seek safety in the North and their escape from the United States in the months following the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act.

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel

Written over a period of 11 years with exclusive journalistic access to the subject, author Michael Finkel explores the motivations, heists, and repercussions faced by the notorious and prolific art thief Stéphane Breitwieser. Of special focus is his relationship with his girlfriend and accomplice, Anne-Catherine Kleinklaus.

King: A Life by Jonathan Eig

While recently published, King: A Life is already considered to be the most well-researched biography of Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. published in decades. New York Times bestselling journalist Jonathan Eig explores the life and legacy of Dr. King through thousands of historical records, including recently declassified FBI documents.

Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters by Lynnée Denise

This biography is part of the Why Music Matters series from the University of Texas. It reflects on the legendary blues singer’s life through an essay collection in which the author (also an accomplished musician) seeks to recreate the feeling of browsing through a box of records.

Young Queens: Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power by Leah Redmond Chang

Historian Leah Redmond Chang’s latest book release focuses on three aristocratic women in Renaissance Europe: Catherine de’ Medici, Elizabeth de Valois, and Mary, Queen of Scots. As a specific focus, she examines the juxtaposition between the immense power they wielded and yet the ways they remained vulnerable to the patriarchal, misogynistic societies in which they existed.

Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong’s Rendezvous with American History by Yunte Huang

Anna May Wong was a 20th-century actress who found great acclaim while still facing discrimination and typecasting as a Chinese woman. University of California professor Yunte Huang explores her life and impact on the American film industry and challenges racist depictions of her in accounts of Hollywood history in this thought-provoking biography.

Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, from the Civil War to the 21st Century by Jasmine Brown

Written by Rhodes Scholar and University of Pennsylvania medical student Jasmine Brown, this collective biography shares the experiences and accomplishments of nine Black women physicians in U.S. history — including Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black American woman to earn a medical degree in the 1860s, and Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders.

Larry McMurtry: A Life by Tracy Daugherty

Two years after the Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s death, this biography presents a comprehensive history of Larry McMurtry’s life and legacy as one of the most acclaimed Western writers of all time.

The Kneeling Man: My Father’s Life as a Black Spy Who Witnessed the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. by Leta McCollough Seletzky

Journalist Leta McCollough Seletzky examines her father, Marrell “Mac” McCollough’s complicated legacy as a Black undercover cop and later a member of the CIA. In particular, she shares his account as a witness of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel.

Are you a history buff looking for more recommendations? Try these.

• Best History Books by Era
• Books for a More Inclusive Look at American History
• Fascinating Food History Books

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The 18 best bios & memoirs of 2023

In turns heartrending and quick-witted, these candid listens are exemplars of the genre.

With the arrival of each new year comes a fresh array of bios and memoirs, each holding a uniquely intimate take on what it means to be human. These 18 listens represent just a few of the very best released in 2023—living, breathing records of all the complexities of identity, culture, family, and coming of age. From lyrical reflections on trauma and healing to examinations of life with chronic illness to introspective studies of art and literature, these vivid accounts lay bare the life of one person while extending a universality to anyone who presses play.

This landmark biography deserves its instant status as essential listening. If the culture has crystallized MLK into monuments and sound bites, Jonathan Eig’s intimate portrait reveals his full humanity, a thrilling feat that only enhances the civil rights leader’s legacy. Meet King, the preacher’s son, natty dresser, and ladies’ man. The FBI target who foresaw his own martyrdom. And the incomparable orator who drew from poetry, sermons, and scholarship to rouse the largest movement of Black Americans the world had ever seen. Decorated narrator Dion Graham channels King to perfection in an unforgettable performance. — Kat J.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sympathizer expands his investigation of the double consciousness of the model minority in this blistering, uncoventional memoir. While it's common to present an inspiring struggle from hardship to success, Viet Thanh Nguyen is skeptical of any narrative that easily romanticizes individual uplift. Beautifully read by the author, whose trademark sardonic wit shines through as he shares stories of refugeehood, colonization, and fatherhood, this meditation on memory and forgetting also details the sacrifices of his parents, born into rural poverty in Vietnam. — Jerry P.

Meg Kissinger’s acclaimed reporting on systemic failures to address the mental health crisis sought to shatter the stigma pervading conversations on illness and care. In her memoir, she furthers that dialogue with a tremendous turn inward. With an investigative journalist’s keen eye, Kissinger examines her own family’s history with mental illness, which afflicted both of her parents and several of her seven siblings, two of whom would die by suicide. Shimmering with hope and pulsating with heartache, this exceptional listen is as much an exquisitely personal work as it is a fervent call to action. Kissinger’s narration, like her writing, is as incisive as it is boundlessly compassionate. — Alanna M.

Christian Cooper soars above and beyond his viral encounter in New York City's Central Park in this heartfelt—and strikingly humorous—memoir that offers a healing reminder that no story ever begins or ends in a single moment. Infused with insights on queer sexuality and nerd culture, and featuring a natural abundance of birdcalls, this dynamic listen is made all the more memorable by Cooper’s charming narration. — Haley H.

As soon as I registered that the title of Lamya H.’s memoir was a nod to the iconic novel Stone Butch Blues , I was sold. But it wasn’t until I finished the listen that I felt a deep appreciation for Lamya’s unique journey coming into her own as a queer and devout Muslim immigrant. Both breathtakingly intimate and utterly hopeful, this story refuses to fit neatly into any box. Through the clarity of her deft self-examination, Lamya teaches us that critical thinking is vital and that there is more than one way to be queer—just as there is more than one way to be Muslim. — Madeline A.

As a magazine writer and editor, John Hendrickson is an expert at using and manipulating words, but as a lifelong stutterer, the spoken word often fails him. In his poignant memoir, he details the anguish and embarrassment, and George Newbern narrates with sensitivity, navigating tricky moments without crossing the line into caricature. A lesson for everyone comes in the chapter where Hendrickson details “The Look”—“It’s primal, this reaction: another body literally retreating from you, the problem.” Stuttering, like any challenge, is ultimately not about casting blame or feeling shame. As the author clearly explains, with empathy, it's about being transparent and finding understanding. — J.P.

Millions of Americans, including National Book Award-winning scholar Imani Perry, face each day through the lens of chronic illness. In her absolute stunner of a memoir, Perry details her experience living with systemic lupus and the agonies of navigating a culture often incompatible with invisible disabilities. Her brilliant grasp of language coupled with her gentle, measured performance lay bare the frustrating reality of sickness. “In living with disease,” Perry writes, “we bear witness to something important about the human condition, something that is worth the world’s attention.” Now, it’s up to us to listen. — A.M.

Not even the most pedigreed art historian has cultivated such an awe-inspiring perspective on the Metropolitan Museum of Art as this jewel of a memoir by a former New Yorker staffer-turned-museum guard. After the death of his brother, Patrick Bringley traded the literary job of a lifetime for the Met’s hallowed halls, and the result is this beautifully narrated and profound meditation on art, grief, and solace. So while he’s no longer a New Yorker writer, Bringley is a New York writer of the highest order with this paean to the city’s beloved institution. — K.J.

In this exceptionally brave and honest memoir, author Prachi Gupta digs into the realities of growing up as a first-generation Indian American child of high-achieving immigrant parents. By all outward accounts, Gupta’s family seemed deceptively perfect. In reality, her home was a hotbed of unresolved grief and generational trauma, compounded by a controlling father who never wavered from his belief that the family should act as a model minority. As Gupta says in her powerful self-narrated memoir, “Now I see that my job was to allow those who come next the freedom to be ordinary. They called us exceptional, and it destroyed us.” — M.A.

Slow-rolling scandals have rocked the Duggar family since they first appeared on reality TV. But it's Jill’s account of her childhood and her more recent “deconstruction” (a term for the process of questioning one’s evangelical upbringing) that truly shed new light on the situation. At its heart, this is a story about agency, and the right to reclaim it if it’s been denied. (Editor's note: We chose not to categorize this as Celebrity Memoir because a central concern of Jill's story is how much choice she had in her status as a notable person.) Jill's narration is steeped in honesty and tinged with regret, but there is also so much well-earned hope and pride for the life she has created. — Emily C.

To call Sink “honest” or “vulnerable” feels like an understatement—it is a narrative that never once flinches. And though it may not be the easiest listen, it is one that demonstrates just how truly human a memoir can be. From a third-person perspective, Joseph Earl Thomas bares his adolescent self, detailing both the cruelties of his upbringing and the escapism that geek culture provided. As he unspools his story, in a voice strikingly soft, Thomas crafts a wholly unique tale, a standout as unvarnished as it is profoundly empathetic. — A.M.

One of the most-decorated American distance runners of all time, Lauren Fleshman is arrestingly talented by anyone’s athletic standards. Unfortunately, that’s not always what she was told. Full of fresh insights, this timely listen goes beyond the story of Fleshman’s life as she made it pro against all the odds. Good for a Girl is a well-researched call-to-action that mixes the author's own testimony with hard facts and social commentary—all pointing toward a broken system that's failing young women. As she narrates her own story, Fleshman’s passion is palpable, leaving listeners informed and inspired. — M.A.

Listening to Jane Wong's gentle voice as she jumps between events and memories, rearranging anecdotes of her life growing up along the Jersey Shore as a Chinese American, one soon feels soothed by the poetic descriptions that shape her recollections. While the trauma of having an absentee father stings, it's her stories of her supportive mother that bring the most joy—possibly causing many others to wish, as the author suggests, they could have a Wongmom.com of their own to dispense much-needed assurances and humorous advice. — J.P.

With the sense of isolation so many encounter after a disability diagnosis, narratives on navigating the labyrinthine health care landscape and rebuilding a life after facing the unfathomable are essential. John Cotter’s staggering testament exemplifies such significant storytelling while offering heart and soul all its own. Both a gutting, intimate reflection on the reality of life with a chronic illness (in Cotter’s case, what’s diagnosed as Ménière’s disease) and an exceptional account of the human capacity for resilience, Cotter’s melodious author-narrated memoir is as much about gradually losing one sensorial experience as it is finding a better understanding of the self. — A.M.

Try not to be too envious of astrobiologist Aomawa Shields. Her idiosyncratic journey, which begins with her love of astronomy as a preteen, takes a detour to following her passion and pursuit of acting and the arts, and eventually returns to science (she's currently a tenured professor of astronomy and physics at UC Irvine) is as stunning to behold as peering into the cosmos. But Shields's narration of her inspiring story is immediate and often poetic, whether she's unpacking complicated concepts about stars and planets or her anxieties about not feeling “Black enough” in certain settings. — J.P.

Narrated by the courageous author herself, this memoir of a fierce reporter who was kicked out of her rigidly evangelical and violent home at the age of 16 is a meditation on resilience. Rachel Louise Snyder doesn’t paint an easy-to-digest Cinderella story of rags to riches, nor does she claim that suffering makes a person stronger. What she does is powerfully show how through remaining open to possibilities, she managed to carve out a vibrant life of her own—finding romantic love, giving birth to her daughter, and surrounding herself with a chosen family all while working as an international journalist. — M.A.

Put simply, Safiya Sinclair’s stunning memoir demands to be heard. A celebrated poet, Sinclair wields a delicate, evocative writing style rich with lush detail and fluidity, and her narration mirrors that flow exquisitely. In a nearly musical cadence, Sinclair recounts a turbulent upbringing in a patriarchal Rastafari household that denied her independence and self-expression, instead demanding unquestioned obedience. As she comes of age and courageously comes into her own through the outlets of education and art, Sinclair finds herself on the long road to healing, balancing reflection with redemption. The result is nothing short of superb. — A.M.

When Nicole Avant learned her mom had been shot during the night, she did something her mother taught her—set the tone for the day by doing the right thing. In this moment, the right thing was to care, by feeding the dogs before she went to the hospital where her mother would later die. This touching, inspiring memoir is about growing up in an extraordinary household with her brother and their parents, entertainment mogul Clarence and big-hearted mother Jacqueline. Nicole pays homage to them as their lessons live on in her heart and soul—every single day. — Yvonne D.

Best Biographies and Memoirs of 2023

Congratulations to Jonathan Eig on King: A Life , our pick for the best biography and memoir of the year. See the full list below, or browse all of the best books of 2023

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Your current subscription allows you to be actively logged in on up to three (3) devices simultaneously. click on continue below to log out of other sessions and log in on this device., 20 best-selling biographies & memoirs | the most sought-after titles by public libraries.

Prince Harry, Michelle Obama, and Matthew Perry are just some of the names topping the charts.

Data from Baker & Taylor based on the most popular biographies & memoirs sold to U.S. public libraries in the six months prior to the week ending March 31, 2023.

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Ethan Smith

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.

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Jane Fitgzgerald

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LGBTQ Collection Donated to Vancouver Archives

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