Some stories simply linger with a person. These are the tales that challenge assumptions, shift perspectives and often reveal corners of the human experience most of us will never see …
The following seven memoirs and nonfiction works dive deep into lives shaped by extraordinary choices, unflinching honesty and remarkable resilience.
Intrigued? You can read the first chapters of all of these books for FREE by downloading BookTrib Lit Picks!
Bau: Artist at War by Joseph Bau
Joseph Bau’s memoir is both a historical chronicle and a deeply personal testament to love and survival. Bau, one of the last survivors of the Plaszow concentration camp and Schindler’s factory, recounts his life as an artist and clandestine operative. Scenes of Krakow’s bombings, his brother’s harrowing experiences and the brutal reality of camp life are interspersed with Bau’s humor and artistic perspective. Central to the story is his marriage to Rebecca, a quiet act of defiance and devotion amid unimaginable danger. Bau: Artist at War is a rare account that balances the atrocities of history with the resilience of the human spirit and creativity.
Portrait of a Feminist by Marianna Marlowe
In Portrait of a Feminist, Marianna Marlowe traces the formation of her feminist identity across continents and cultures. Blending essays with vivid memories, she reflects on a childhood split between California, Peru and Ecuador and the influence of growing up in a multicultural family. Marlowe interrogates societal norms, literature, as well as religion, exploring how feminist awareness takes shape and adapts over time. With precision and insight, she weaves the personal with the political, offering readers a deeply thoughtful meditation on justice, equality and the lived experience of navigating a complex, often contradictory world.
Estranged by Susan Shapiro Barash
Friendship is often assumed to be permanent, but Estranged challenges that notion, exploring why close bonds fracture and how individuals navigate these endings. Based on 150 interviews, Barash investigates the emotional and psychological dynamics of estranged female friendships. Her work provides both a guide and a lens, illuminating the subtle forces — betrayal, incompatibility, evolving priorities — that prompt women to walk away or get left behind. The book balances research, narrative and practical advice, empowering readers to prioritize self-worth while acknowledging the complexity of human connection.
Live a Little Better by John Beyer with Glenn Plaskin
From the stairwells of LeFrak City to the boardrooms of one of the East Coast’s top moving companies, John Beyer’s life has been a series of extreme highs and lows. Battling addiction, navigating a chaotic childhood and raising a child with special needs, Beyer transformed his life through sheer determination. Live a Little Better shows how personal struggle can fuel growth, success and profound self-discovery. This book will be the perfect read for readers seeking hope and proof that change is possible.
Design for Your Mind by Annie Guest
Annie Guest demonstrates how the spaces we inhabit shape our mental and emotional well-being. In this memoir and guide, Guest recounts her journey renovating her family home to honor her parents’ legacy while cultivating her own creativity and resilience. Step by step, she shows how thoughtful design can support emotional balance, mental clarity and personal expression, even on a budget. With photographs, explanations of the science linking environment and behavior, along with practical strategies, Design for Your Mind becomes a transformative, actionable guide that readers will refer back to often.
Jesus’ Every Word and Deed by John C. Burkhalter
John Burkhalter presents a meticulous compilation of the life of Jesus, weaving the four Gospels together into a seamless narrative that preserves every word and deed. Fifty-nine Old Testament prophecies are included, providing context for each act. The work is accessible yet comprehensive, ideal for students, scholars and general readers seeking a unified account. A mirrored Scripture Reference Section allows for easy navigation, while a Readers Theater version offers interactive engagement for study groups or performances. This is an extraordinary resource for understanding Jesus’ life with precision and depth.
A Family of the Old Russian Empire by Stanislas M. Yassukovich
Stanislas M. Yassukovich chronicles the fate of a noble Russian family amid revolution and exile. A young noblewoman chooses to remain in Russia after the October 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, enduring exile in Siberia and years in a brutal Gulag. Meanwhile, her family scatters across the globe, with relatives in Poland and the United States believing her dead. The memoir interweaves survival, secrecy and resilience, offering a vivid portrayal of personal courage in the face of traumatic upheaval. It is both a historical record and a deeply human story of endurance, family and the complexities of memory.
