The 49 Best Memoirs We've Ever Read

Nelson's genre-bending 2015 memoir binds an account of the author's relationship with her partner and a journey to and through a pregnancy to a rigorous exploration of sexuality, gender and family. This darkly funny and raw memoir is about growing up as Hollywood royalty, landing the role of a lifetime at 19 years old and learning from failed relationships, all while struggling with alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health issues. Bechdel’s critically acclaimed graphic memoir recounts growing up and discovering her sexual identity, while living in a household with a stern, closeted father who ran a funeral home.