7 Captivating Memoirs You Simply Must Read

1. Bossypants by Tina Fey

Pretty much everyone knows who Tina Fey is, but there is a lot about her that you probably do not know. In this inspiring celebrity biography, she talks about her life growing up, getting into the business, and how life is juggling motherhood and her career. "Bossypants" is funny, teaches a lot about being a woman in the entertainment industry, and shows just how brilliant Tina Fey is. You can find more about her work on the official Tina Fey Wikipedia page. This is definitely one of the essential memoirs you need to read.

2. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

You might not want to read this in public because the adventures of the magnificently eccentric Jenny Lawson will have you laughing out loud, very loud. This memoir has received more rave reviews than you can count. The wit and humor that has made The Bloggess such an online hit transfer seamlessly and effortlessly to make one of the most entertaining memoirs you can pick up.

3. Augusten Burroughs's Books

This might seem like cheating, but picking just one of his memoirs is incredibly difficult. He has written books such as "Running with Scissors," "A Wolf at the Table," and "Magical Thinking." There are a few others, and I would highly suggest reading all of them. Augusten has had an interesting and pretty rough life, but he finds a way to make it entertaining and humorous. You can explore his full collection on Augusten Burroughs' official website. His books have a tendency to make the reader cringe and laugh, sometimes even in the same sentence.

4. Don't Worry It Gets Worse by Alida Nugent

I never knew how much I needed this book until I read it. Alida is a young woman writing about how life really is in your twenties. She does not pull any punches, try to make herself look better, or sugarcoat her experiences. Alida is funny when she talks about her money troubles, tiny apartment, and all of the other twenty-something adventures she has. If you want a book that will make you laugh and feel comforted that you are not alone, this is absolutely the right choice for you.

5. Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man by Bill Clegg

At first this book might seem like more of a downer than the others, but it is uplifting and a genuinely great read. Bill also wrote another book on the topic that is equally highly regarded. This is a very honest book. When reading it, you get a clear sense of what his life was like during his darkest days. Bill shows that your life can take wild turns when you least expect it, making it a compelling narrative.

6. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

This is part memoir and part self-help book, but completely spectacular. One day Gretchen realized that although she was a generally happy person, she could benefit from being happier. This discovery led her to start a year-long project that helped her identify what brings her joy and focus on that. This path led to quitting her job to start a new career, making new friends, connecting with old ones, and a lot of other wonderful changes. On the journey, she learned a lot about herself, and she shares invaluable advice on how to improve your own life. You can follow her ongoing insights at Gretchen Rubin's site.

7. Is Everyone Hanging out without Me? (and Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

If you want a laugh, you definitely need to read this book. Mindy Kaling wrote and starred in "The Office" and has since created numerous hit shows. Not only is she hilarious, but she is also refreshingly relatable. She talks about how frustrating it can be to not fit the traditional Hollywood mold, and she shares a lot of other honest experiences that come along with being a celebrity. It is a fantastic book for a laugh and even a little cultural insight.

There are so many good memoirs out there, and I simply cannot get enough of them. To help you choose your next read, here is a quick recap of the memoirs mentioned:

Which are your absolute favorites? What would you add to this list?