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The private lives of presidents and princes, romantic affairs, meditations on grief, awkward coming-of-age stories, or an inside look at Hollywood: the best autobiographies tell someone else’s story but ring true to our own life experiences.
Intimate and compelling, some memoirs introduce us to anonymous but fascinating people - think secret agents or former Mormons - while others reveal personal details about the world’s most famous people, from Prince Harry and former US president Barack Obama to pop idol Cher or Friends star Matthew Perry.
A captivating memoir can catapult its author to stardom – celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain found fame after the publication of Kitchen Confidential, which details his career in New York kitchens, and British journalist Dolly Alderton became a household name after capturing the millennial and Gen Z zeitgeist with her book Everything I Know About Love.
Providing snapshots of moments in time, memoirs can transport you to an era, historical event or setting that might chime with your own life. American singer/songwriter and artist Patti Smith’s cult novel Just Kids is an ode to New York in the Sixties and Seventies; Pippa Latour’s The Last Secret Agent takes us to occupied France; while journalist Deborah Orr’s Motherwell tells the story of the postwar working class in Scotland.
Though they centre on the life of one person, memoirs can be all-encompassing. Most readers can learn something from another’s life, relating to the highs and lows described on the page.
How we tested
A lifelong fan of memoirs, I’ve read plenty of titles over the years, but I’ve whittled down the vast library to my top autobiography titles. To make the cut, the books had to be compelling and personal, relatable and educational, and able to make you laugh or cry (sometimes both). It’s also worth noting that nearly all the titles below can be listened to as audiobooks with the author narrating their own story. From the lives of celebrities to intimate essay collections and stories of hope, rebellion and love, immerse yourself in these memoirs.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
A senior shopping writer at The Independent, I also specialise in reviewing books. Custodian of IndyBest’s round-up of the best new book releases, I have my finger on the pulse when it comes to debut authors and acclaimed writers. I know what makes a gripping, moving or important story, whether it’s a romantic comedy or historical drama. I love books of every genre, but I’m particularly partial to memoirs and autobiographies, having read and listened to more than I can count over the years. Here, I bring you my recommendations for top titles to dive into.
The best autobiographies and memoirs for 2025 are:
- Best overall – I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, published by Virago: £6.83, Amazon.co.uk
- Best coming-of-age autobiography – Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton, published by Penguin: £8.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best about mother-daughter relationships – Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, published by Knopf: £8.72, Amazon.co.uk
- Best music memoir – Just Kids by Patti Smith, published by Bloomsbury: £11.15, Amazon.co.uk
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