Books about strong women for kids

The article encourages readers to explore the world of the best female biographies and memoirs of all time, which can offer insight into the lives of others and inspiring female biographies.

Biographies and memoirs are important because they can teach us about history, inspire us, increase empathy and understanding, and demonstrate the power of human resilience.

Biography and memoir are fields that cannot be completely excluded from history, and at the same time, they inevitably have a high degree of literature. 

The protagonist of a book is a person. Although he has really existed, it is inevitable to use a literary writing style to let readers understand this person's life, choices, and thoughts.

Regarding memoirs with relatively high literary value, I think of the memoirs of some writers or poets. Their works are very scholarly, and the memoirs are full of personal emotions. 

Therefore, these memoirs look at the period of history they lived in from the perspective of writers, and are very worth reading.

16 Best Female Biographies and Memoirs of All Time

1. Becoming by Michelle Obama

• The book tells Michelle Obama's life story, from her childhood to becoming the First Lady.
• It shows how her family, education, and environment shaped her success.
• The first part of the book is about her funny and interesting experiences growing up and studying at Princeton and Harvard.
• The second part explains how she balanced life and politics in the White House and kept her privacy.
• Despite facing many challenges, Michelle's hard work and education helped her succeed and inspire millions of people.

2. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

• The author uses simple words to create powerful and emotional stories, which makes the book touching and meaningful.
• The writing style is mature and direct, without using fancy language, making the feelings conveyed very strong.
• The book feels like a personal diary, full of detailed memories and self-analysis by the author.
• It covers the universal topic of death but focuses a lot on specific, detailed memories that might feel unfamiliar to readers.
• Even though some parts might be hard to relate to, the book still makes you think about relationships and loss in your own life.

3. Orange is the new black by Piper Kerman

• Piper Kierman gives a detailed and accurate description of her life in prison.
• She explains how her life as a middle-class white woman gave her advantages over other prisoners who were minorities or from lower-income backgrounds.
• Piper shows empathy for other women in prison and interacts with people outside her social circle.
• The book shares interesting stories about how prisoners used prison food to make meals that reminded them of life outside.
• The story was made into a TV show, highlighting important issues in prisons and the need for reforms.

4. Just Kids by Patti Smith

• This book tells the story of Patti and Robert, who meet in Brooklyn and share a special bond.
• Their journey starts with happiness but gets complicated as they become deeply engrossed in their art.
• Robert's gesture of waiting for Patti at the museum, unable to afford two tickets, is a memorable moment.
• Despite facing poverty as artists, they hold onto their dreams and each other.
• The book explores the purity of their relationship, showing how friendship lasts even when love changes.

5. The Liars Club by Mary Karr

• Mary Karr shares her tough childhood with a sick mom and a quiet dad in a small Texas town.
• She describes life in the American South during the 1950s and 1960s, showing its special culture and problems.
• Her story talks about mental illness, feeling left out, family problems, and how kids can still find happiness.
• Karr's writing is funny and real, making her story special and easy to connect with.
• Her way of showing the strange and loving parts of her life makes her book unique.

6. Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

• Learn about Susana, a girl with a mental disorder, and her life story.
• Discover Susana's challenges and experiences through the book.
• Experience suspense and excitement in the narrative.
• Explore Susana's journey through her ups and downs.
• Enjoy humorous moments like the ice cream shop joke.

7. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

• It's a book that changes its ideas a lot, making it interesting.
• Talks about the relationship between a father and daughter, which feels warm at first but then turns serious.
• Shows how parents can sometimes do wrong things, not just things kids do because they don't want to grow up.
• The book talks about a family that's not normal, with lots of problems like being selfish and not taking responsibility.
• The author tells about how some people, even if they seem successful, don't understand the struggles of others, like those who have to sleep on the streets.

8. The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston

• Explore the book "The Woman Warrior" because it talks about life in old China, where customs and traditions shaped people's actions.
• Discover the journey of a girl born in the United States, like many of us, who faces the challenge of balancing two cultures: American and Chinese.
• Dive into the rich Chinese culture, filled with mystical elements and magical realism, which adds a fascinating layer to the story.
• Learn about the influence of Chinese beliefs such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, which are woven into the characters' lives, just like how we experience different religions.
• Experience the blend of reality and fantasy, as the book explores themes of family, identity, and the supernatural in a captivating narrative.

9. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

• The author is well-known, and many people say this book is amazing.
• Liz's humor made the book enjoyable for me, especially when she talked about her first meditation experience.
• The book has lots of new words and phrases that helped me learn.
• The author's TED speech is highly regarded, and many people love it. Her wisdom shines through both in her writing and her speeches.

10. Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala

• You should read this book because it tells the true story of a woman who survived a big disaster called the South Asian tsunami.
• The book tells the story of a woman who lost her husband, two sons, and parents in a big tsunami.
• It shows how she survived the disaster and how she felt afterward, trying to put her life back together.
• The book talks a lot about her feelings and thoughts as she tries to accept what happened and move forward.
• It's a touching story that shows how she goes from denying reality to finding some peace in her life.
• This book is real and emotional, and it teaches us about resilience and finding hope even in difficult times.

11. Wild by Cheryl Strayed

• Cheryl Strayed's life fell apart after her mother died, her family scattered, and her marriage ended.
• Feeling like she had nothing left to lose, she made a daring decision to hike over a thousand miles alone on the Pacific Crest Trail.
• The book tells her gripping story filled with suspense, warmth, and humor.
• It's a tale of facing challenges head-on, finding strength, and ultimately healing.
• With elements like tragedy, adventure, humor, and human emotions, this book promises to captivate readers and leave a lasting impact.

12. Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward

• "Men We Reaped" tells the real-life stories of five young men from a small town who faced tragic deaths.
• It gives a glimpse into life in rural America, showing the struggles of poverty and racism faced by the people there.
• The author, Jasmine Ward, shares her own experiences alongside these stories, giving us a deeper understanding of her personal journey.
• Ward's writing is powerful and honest, sometimes making it a tough read, but her compelling voice and vivid descriptions keep you engaged.
• By reading this book, you can learn about the broader issues of poverty and racism in America, helping to understand the country's history and legacy.

13. Blackout by Sarah Hepola

• Blackout by Sarah Hepola is about a woman's 25 years of drinking, often until she can't remember things anymore.
• The author, Sarah Hepola, writes in a touching, smart, and honest way.
• You don't have to be a heavy drinker to understand the story; anyone who has ever used something to hide their feelings can relate.
• Hepola talks about her own fears, anxieties, and struggles with perfectionism and not feeling like enough.
• Even if you're not a drinker, you can still find something to connect with in this book, especially if you're interested in stories about overcoming struggles and finding self-compassion.

14. I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

• Nora Ephron's book, "I Feel Bad About My Neck," is written in a fun and conversational way that makes it easy to get into.
• The book talks about things that almost everyone experiences as they get older, like feeling awkward about their body changing.
• Ephron shares her own experiences and thoughts, which makes you feel like you're chatting with a friend.
• While it's funny and light-hearted, the book also touches on deeper stuff like losing people you care about and figuring out who you are as you age.
• Overall, it's a nice book that gives you a lot to think about while still being entertaining to read.

15. Small Fry by Lisa Brennan-Jobs

• Discover the real story of Lisa Brennan-Jobs, daughter of the famous Apple founder Steve Jobs.
• Explore Lisa's journey growing up in Silicon Valley, experiencing both the charm and challenges of her unique childhood.
• Follow Lisa's relationship with her father, Steve Jobs, from his distant presence to their eventual bond and her hopes for a closer connection.
• Witness Lisa's decision to move in with her father as she navigates the complexities of family dynamics and her desires for parental love.
• Experience the warmth, humor, and wisdom of Lisa's storytelling as she shares her unforgettable adventures and insights into her extraordinary life.

16. She Changed the World by Karen Hallion

Conclusion

Finally, I shared some specific books with you and looked for things that can guide us in books. You can also see from the book list I recommend that as long as you start reading, books will come to you one by one.

Based on the social and cultural identities of the memoir authors, we can divide them into categories such as politicians, scholars, journalists, celebrities, and ordinary people.  

It often focuses on people who have overcome challenges and adversity, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

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