Story Tags

The United States has often been called the land of opportunity. For many, those words have rung hollow. Still, hard working people from disadvantaged backgrounds often obtain high levels of achievement. These memoirs offer examples of determined young people who have overcome tough obstacles to realize a portion of the American dream through academic success.

Hidden Gay History

Gay History can be gleaned in history books, biographies of gay people, books about how religion treats homosexuality, and countless other materials. This list is intended to help you find some fascinating sources you might not have seen.

Independence Day Books to Celebrate America's Founding

Can’t remember much of what you learned about the early years of America back in high school? Always wanted to know more about our Founders? Check out these accessible but well researched books on the early years of America.

Smashed Story of a Drunken Girlhood by Koren Zailckas

Young Women, Real Lives

The experience of being a young woman is its own, whatever other challenges or interests go along with it. Whether examining nature, negotiating the context of promiscuity or alcoholism, creating meaningful relationships with other women, or simply existing, these eight titles explore that experience with a sharp eye, some leading the reader to laughter and others to tears.

Wrestlemania XXXIV

Don't Try This at Home...

Confession time: I may appear to be a typical demure, silently sophisticated librarian on the surface, but deep down inside, I am a hardcore WWE wrestling fan. I came to the game later than most. While my friends were obsessed with wrestling in middle school and high school, I was too busy being emo and reading Harry Potter to get what it was all about. Sure, I watched matches with them once in a while, but I never "smelled what the Rock was cooking." I was never invested.

Mortality

Most of us avoid thinking about dying and death, and we avoid talking about it even more so. However, if one chooses to read about dying and death instead, there is no shortage of excellent, insightful and even reassuring books on the subject. These memoirs are remarkable for their candor.

I Don't Know What You Know Me from by Judy Greer

ICYMI

Celebrity Memoirs You May Have Missed

When the tabloids aren’t enough, we can always turn to celebrity memoirs. Whether you’re a fan of actors, musicians or producers, there is something for everyone. With hundreds out there, it can be easy to miss the good ones. Here are seven fun and interesting accounts from names and faces you know and love.

Solitude

A Life Apart From The World

Everyone, at some point or another, seeks out some alone time—to get away from the noise, to escape the pressures and stress of everyday life. Solitude has a healing quality that renews, strengthens and fortifies. There are some people that choose a life of solitude for any number of reasons and others that find themselves alone through no choice of their own. The following are some recent and classic accounts of the solitary life.

True Comics Starring Women

In Celebration of Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month, and to celebrate, I thought I'd make a list of some of my favorite graphic novels featuring women. These all happen to be biographies. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi