13 Apr Biography expert recommends most-anticipated memoirs to look out for their Spring/Summer 2023
Undoubtedly, this year already has proven to be an epic year for the celebrity memoir – filling the shelves and breaking record-sale figures. Now with more juicy and thought-provoking titles expected to hit the stores in the coming months, it seems this trend shows no signs of abating. Having glimpsed the first signs of sunnier days, we can expect to start seeing out local outdoor spaces flooded with readers absorbed in the world of transportive and immersive literature.
Biography-expert, Rutger Bruining, CEO and founder of StoryTerrace, the leading international biography-writing service, has carefully selected the most-anticipated memoirs to get your hands on this Spring and Summer. From LGBTQ+ activists to high-profile figures in Hollywood – Bruining comments on how amidst the chaos of contemporary society, the modern-day memoir holds significance to encourage us to reflect on our own lives and the lessons learned.
Eliot Page – ‘Pageboy: A Memoir’
Released on 6th June, Eliot Page is soon to release his coming-of-age memoir that delves into the height of his fame, whilst navigating the raft of abuse from within the industry about his gender and identity.
“From discussions about gender to sharing intimate details of hardship, Page’s memoir holds so much importance. His story details his journey of becoming Eliot Page in a time that was once a straight and narrow industry – we can expect to see evidence of raw vulnerability in this moving work, informing a newfound strength and cementing of identity that more people can begin to relate to in modern-day society.
“It also takes a level of bravery and willingness to commit to sharing your story in this way – like so many accounts we see at StoryTerrace, from a diverse range of backgrounds, most prominently in the LGBTQ+ community, that divulge details and battles with acceptance and self-confidence eventually leading to a beautiful moment of clarity or resolution that has made them who they are today.”
Jonathan Eig – ‘King: A Life’
King: A Life is set to hit the shelves on May 16th and takes a deep dive into the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his ever-lasting impact on social justice and American history.
“A memoir of this nature is pivotal in history and will become a vital source of information for younger generations. The book sets out to get the most comprehensive and complete portrait ever written of this iconic figure – collated from exhaustive research and archived conversations. In the memoir-writing world, this is often how the beginnings of any epic memoir will start – fragmented, broken records or even letters.
“At StoryTerrace, we have a wide array of accounts from noteworthy moments in history from people that lived them. I think reading about history from a personal account brings historical events to life in a way that a history book fails to do.”
Rachel Louise Snyder – ‘Women We Buried, Women We Burned: A Memoir’
Released on March 7th, this memoir is an account of Snyder’s journey from navigating a tumultuous childhood to becoming a reporter on the epidemic of domestic violence.
“Synder’s story embodies the transformative power of resilience in a patriarchal world. Accounts of this nature have allowed women to relate to one another and feel empowered by their own narratives. Being able to recreate experiences from decades ago is a skill and one that requires you to dig up potentially disturbing and uncomfortable memories that you might have tried to forget. In this memoir, you will be able to relive these moments with Snyder in a way that encourages empathy to the next degree.
“At StoryTerrace we have an amazing collection of stories from both men and women that have documented moments of adversity, providing words of wisdom and comfort, even when you didn’t know you need them.”
Brittney Griner – Untitled memoir
The release date is to be confirmed. Griner the American professional basketball has today announced her upcoming memoir which is set to be published later this year. The memoir will detail her time being wrongfully detained in Russia, offering a space for her to share her truth about what happened during the ‘unfathomable’ period.
“Griner’s story was widely documented in the headlines – where she was held in a high-profile prisoner exchange in Russia last year. In a brave feat, Griner has outlined plans to reveal what life was like living through it. In interviews, she has mentioned that she hopes to raise awareness about Americans who have been wrongfully detained with the help of a co-writer.
“At StoryTerrace we have a suite of professional ghostwriters from all over the world coming from vastly different backgrounds, and in some cases provide crucial guidance to people recounting difficult experiences where finding the words to do some themselves becomes challenging.”
Jada Pinkett Smith – Untitled memoir
Whilst the release date and title are still to be confirmed, Smith has unveiled that her memoir will share details of love, marriage, feelings of suicide and motherhood.
“Having been prevalent in the news headlines for many years, this story is certainly one to grab attention of Smith fans. Already teased with insights into her marriage to actor, Will Smith – who last year released his memoir: ‘Will’ – we are bound to get a different perspective on the same story making this book immediately intriguing to prospective readers.
“Love, mental health and motherhood are topics usually written about at StoryTerrace and typically involve a degree of self-exploration throughout the narrative and one that might only give them clarity towards the end of the book.
“Being a high-profile celebrity for two decades, Smith has lived an unconventional life that women usually would live in private. Her memoir, therefore, sets precedence for other women as she redefines the practice of sharing, exhibiting empowerment over shame.”
