What do you look for in a good memoir?

[Harvee Lau]

Some people read only memoirs by famous people - movie stars, politicians, entertainers, or someone who has made it big in the news. What do you look for when you read a memoir - famous or otherwise?

[Angie]

I don't pay as much attention to who the person is. In fact, I've often said that I would read the mailman's memoir if he wrote one. The only thing I really look for is honesty. I find it really irritating to read someone's memoir who is clearly sugar-coating their life, or desperately trying to justify things they've done. I prefer the people who just lay it all out on the table. So, if I'm going to read a famous person's memoir I tend to gravitate towards those celebrities that seem to be more open and honest. If it's a non-celebrity then I read the first couple of pages to see if the book feels honest. I usually stop reading mid-book if I feel like the author seems dishonest/fake/defensive.

[Dusty]

I would rather read the memoir of a "nobody" than a "somebody". Non famous people are FAR more interesting and far LESS guarded.

[john]

Your absolutely right on Dusty. Years ago I read the memoirs' of a colonial blacksmith. A great look at life during that period and completely open, definitely not guarded at all.

[Dusty]

That actually sounds fascinating...Do you remember the title?

[john]

No but if it does come to me I will certainly let you know.

[Dusty]

Sounds good. Thanks!

[Dave Rosenthal]

I look for honesty and with so many faked and embellished memoirs, I've become much more leery. I prefer biographies for that reason.

[Sharazad Moore]

I tend to read memoirs only when they are recommended- although I didn't start that habit intentionally. I have found that the memoirs that strike a chord with ordinary people usually have something extraordinary to say. So most memoirs that I read are by people I've never heard of or long-dead historical figures.

I would never pick up a celebrity's memoir- except maybe Oprah, because I think her memoir would be similar to Maya Angelou's autobiographical series- which I am constantly re-reading.

[BarbaraZ]

I wish I could say I read memoirs. I have enjoyed historical novels written in manner of a memoir, so I most likely would enjoy reading them. I know I would prefer the ones by a 'nobody' as I agree with the post by Dusty, that the average person is a lot more interesting then the 'star'. When I talk to my elderly neighbor, I am amazed by what he has done in his lifetime. His memoir would be a great one, but to him, it was just life!

[Marjorie Price]

Harvee, it doesn’t matter to me if the person writing the memoir is famous or not. What matters is whether or not I find myself drawn into the world described by the author, and whether or not the people come to life for me. One of my favorite memoirs is “Growing Up” by Russell Baker. I’ll never forget it because his mother became so real to me.

[Harvee Lau]

Hello everyone: Your comments are really fascinating, especially to me, since I'll be reviewing memoirs and writing one too! Many thanks for your input and insights.

[Sara]

I rarely read famous memoirs. I typically look for a writer who has had similar experiences to my own. I'm currently reading a memoir by Terri Irwin, wife of "The Crocodile Hunter," but I was drawn to it because she grew up in my hometown rather than because her husband was a TV actor.