This week, there are many interesting prompts for the Writer’s Workshop. I am still thinking I might write on a different prompt tomorrow, but usually I don’t get to it. Today, I’m choosing the prompt about memoirs, biographies or reference books. They are, after all, my favorite genre to read.
I was not an avid reader as a child. Still am not a voracious reader, but I did discover the love of reading through memoirs and autobiographies. When I was in my late teens, I briefly was a member of the UK’s national library for the blind. They sent me Braille books. Yes, the clunky hardcover volumes (often eight or more per book).
I usually chose memoirs. Among my favorites were Planet of the Blind by Stephen Kuusisto and Emma and I by Sheila Hocken.
The first is an autobiography by a person blind from the same eye condition I have. If I’m correct, Kuusisto had some vision as a child but lost it later on, like I did too.
The second, which is the first in several books, talks mostly about the author’s experience of getting a guide dog.
I eventually got kicked off the library service for losing two volumes of a book, I’m not sure which one, in the mail back to them. However, this experience is probably what got me to love memoirs and autobiographies.
I currently often read foster care memoirs. My favorite authors are Casey Watson and Maggie Hartley. Cathy Glass is good too, but she stopped writing.
I recently discovered a new-to-me foster care memoirist, Louise Allen. That’s not entirely correct: I had heard of her a while ago, but because her books have horribly nondescript titles like Jacob’s Story, I didn’t fancy reading them. Now I am currently reading Jacob’s Story and think it’s fascinating. I must say though that the book is really a crossover between fiction and memoir, since the author writes from perspectives other than her own too. That makes it all the more intriguing, but I’m not entirely sure the books would count as memoirs.
A Multitude of Musings 
I have read a few biographies over the years and have liked them but not a go to book for me
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Oh yes, we all have different tastes in books. Thanks for commenting.
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These are my favorite kinds of books, too. I have read the Emma and I book, and some from each of the foster carer authors. Have you read any from Torey Hayden? She wrote a lot of books about her time as a teacher of children who are disabled and also with different problems.
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Yay for another memoir lover! No, I haven’t read anything by Torey Hayden, but I do really want to.
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I mostly read fiction, though I did enjoy Spare, Prince Harry’s autobiography. Thanks for visiting me at blogspot!
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Thanks for commenting. I haven’t read Prince Harry’s autobiography.
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I used to read a lot and that included memoirs and biographies. I still have a few I would like to read, time and energy are factors now…I get so fatigued that reading no matter how interesting often makes me fall asleep. When I used to work I would listen to audiobooks in the car. People’s own stories can be so interesting.
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Thanks for commenting. I’m so sorry you are so easily fatigued now and this affects your ability to read.
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You’re welcome. Thanks.
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I’ve read a few memoirs/ biographies but I don’t gravitate towards them. I prefer fiction
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Ah yes, I see. I do like some fiction but not a lot.
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