November invites us to gather, reflect, and reconnect, and what better way to celebrate than through stories that span generations? November is both Family Stories Month and National Memoir Writing Month, two observances that remind us of the power of sharing our lives and listening to the experiences of others.
Memoirs and biographies offer windows into personal histories, whether they capture a single life or trace the threads that connect a family across time. These stories help us make sense of our past, understand those who came before us, and preserve experiences for those who come after. Whether you’re reading the story of someone else’s family or inspired to write your own, the Germantown Community Library has a rich collection to help you explore.
Family Memoirs: Life Stories Rooted in Relationship
Memoirs that focus on family relationships can be moving, funny, and deeply insightful. They capture what is means to belong to a family, faults and all, and how those connections shape who we are.
Suggested Reading:
- Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, by Alison Bechdel
- Between Two Kingdoms, by Suleika Jaouad
- Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love, by Dani Shapiro
- The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls
- Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner
Legacy and Lineage: Biographies That Trace Family Impact
Some biographies go beyond an individual and explore the broader impact of family, culture, or ancestry. These books tell us how one person’s life influence generations or how family legacies shape public figures and history.
Suggested Reading:
- The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family, by Annette Gordon-Reed
- Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life, and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt, by David McCullough
- Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson
- The Wright Brothers, by David McCullough
Telling Your Own Story: Memoir Writing and Reflection
Interested in capturing your own family story? Whether you’re writing for publication or just for your children and grandchildren, there are books to help you get started, offering guidance on memory, voice, structure, and meaning.
Suggested Reading:
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King
- Your Life is a Book: How to Craft and Publish Your Memoir, by Brenda Peterson
- Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction and Get It Published, by Susan Rabiner
- Follow the Story: How to Write Successful Nonfiction, by James B. Stewart
Preserve and Share Your Family’s Story
Whether you’re reading a moving memoir, learning about a family’s legacy, or reflecting on your own life, November is the perfect time to explore personal histories. Visit the Germantown Community Library to browse our nonfiction collection and find the inspiration to preserve your family’s story, one memory at a time.
Erin L., Staff Writer