It has been said that we all have a book in us. I think this is true. If nothing else, we have the story of our lives. What more important story is there to tell? Opening up about your life to others is such a personal thing, but if done well with honesty, it is one of the most moving works of art.
I love to read. I read all kinds of different books, but one of my favorite genres is the memoir. What a gift it is to hear someone else’s story. I’m so grateful that others take the plunge and pour their lives out on the page for us to read and learn from.
My favorite way to read a memoir is to listen to the audiobook read by the author. It just seems to add a different level to the story. I really get into these audiobooks. From Mel Brooks to Dave Grohl to people you have never even heard of, I love stepping into someone else’s life.
The perfect example of a good memoir is Henry Winkler. I mean, who doesn’t love the Fonz? He’s a legend. I read Henry’s bio right after my bestie finished it. We both agreed it was totally the book we needed that we didn’t know we needed. It was a perfect memoir. He also did a fantastic job reading the audiobook. This was not an easy feat, as Henry is severely dyslexic.
Currently, I’m in the middle of a new memoir that I’m kind of obsessed with. It is entitled Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad. It is a beautiful memoir. I love the way she reflects as she chronicles battling cancer at 22 years old. There is so much more to her story than her illness. There is so much more to all of our stories than what everyone can see on the surface. We all have a story to tell.
I’m only about halfway through Between Two Kingdoms, but I love the author’s voice. It is gentle, yet strong. She knows such intense pain that most of us will be lucky to never understand. Her experience is so very deep and so emotional. Much of it is hard for me to even wrap my head around. However, I can’t stop listening to her story. It is riveting.
This is what brings me back to memoirs time and time again. I love stepping into someone else’s life for a brief time. You just never know what someone has been through and how it shaped them. It is fascinating.
I would love to write a memoir. I think it would be very rewarding to look back on life and note the moments that really shaped me. Hopefully, there would be some good laughs in there, too. I think it would be a cathartic process. I feel people probably learn a lot about themselves as they write a memoir.
So, here’s to those brave enough to put their life story out there for the whole world to see. A memoir is a personal gift. One I’m forever grateful to pick up and read.
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
