Best Books of the Year: Memorable Lives
At the end of the year, Toronto Public Library staff members select their favourite reading experiences of the past 12 months. There are so many great responses that we end up with a series of blog posts.
Memoir isn’t the summary of a life; it’s a window into a life, very much like a photograph in its selective composition. It may look like a casual and even random calling up of bygone events. It’s not; it’s a deliberate construction. -William Zinsser
This post contains the most memorable biographies we read this year.
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Al Franken, Giant of the Senate by Al Franken Although Franken is now an ex-giant of the Senate, our staff member Jamie loved this book describing it as "really insightful and funny." In the book, Franken describes his decision to run for office, the election campaign, eventual victory and experiences in government. Regular Print |
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Born a Crime by Trevor Noah Comedian Trevor Noah was born in South Africa in 1984 to a mixed race couple, a relationship that was illegal under apartheid laws. This memoir documents his journey from poverty to success as host of The Daily Show. Brenda says, "It is both horrific and hilarious." |
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Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen A recommendation from Joe who says, "While I read many books this year, both fiction and non-fiction, my favourite was Born To Run, the autobiography of Bruce Springsteen, but in the Overdrive audiobook format, because it was read by the author and he delivered it masterfully, conveying the emotions and energy of his life, the disappointments and frustrations, the exhilaration and thrills that marked his playing career. I imagine reading it would have been satisfying, but listening to it was like sitting across from him in the backyard mesmerized and entranced as he told his story." Regular Print |
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Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace and Second Chances by Leland Melvin Sheilah writes, "He was a poor black kid who was (briefly) a wide receiver in the NFL until an injury put an end to that career. He turned to science and eventually became an astronaut. There is both a kids' version and an adult version. A fascinating read for anyone interested in space." |
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Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson Blogger Jenny Lawson's second memoir describes her strategies for coping with depression, anxiety and a host of other disorders. Her goal is to live her healthy days with maximum joy and use those memories to cope with the dark times. Lynn says, "I was laughing so hard cause I was listening to it on the subway, I am sure people were confused, but I just didn't care." Regular Print |
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How to Fall in Love with Anyone: A Memoir in Essays by Mandy Len Catron The end of her parents' marriage and her own relationship prompts Mandy Len Catron to get a greater understanding of her own notions of love by investigating her family history and learning more about the relationships of her grandparents, parents and even her own. Recommended by Elaine. Regular Print |
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The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel Maureen describes this book as a "fascinating look at a guy named Christopher Knight, who, as a very young man, walked into the woods in Maine and stayed there for 27 years. He survived by burglary. One of the most successful burglars in modern history, apparently. And he lived through Maine winters without ever having a fire!" Regular Print |
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They Left us Everything: a Memoir by Plum Johnson After the deaths of her parents, Plum Johnson moves back into her childhood home to organize and dispose of its contents. Eunice calls this book "[a] richly woven story of a home, history, family, love and loss". |
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When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi Sarah, Eunice, Christina, and Maureen were all moved by this memoir of a young neurosurgical resident who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. While preparing for his death, Kalanithi wrote about his life and the future that was suddenly reduced to weeks and months instead of years and decades. The book is heartbreaking but unexpectedly inspirational. Regular Print |
Interested in more staff suggestions?
- Best Books of the Year: Into the Past--our favourite historical fiction
- Best Books of the Year: Voices from Home--books from First Nations and Canadian writers
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