Blog Posts by Subject: Memoirs and Diaries

Recently published biographies and memoirs that tell the stories of some of the legendary figures, iconic personalities, and influential activists who have shaped hip-hop music and culture from its early years through the present day.

A chef, an activist, an actress, a psychologist, a scrap metal collector, and more—here are nine new memoirs, all published in the past few months, ready for you to get lost in.

Art Spiegelman’s Maus brought attention to the validity of graphic novels as a storytelling format. In the decades since, others have come forward with their own stories of survival or their own understanding of events told through graphic novels that allow them to not only write their own stories but also to control the visuals so that we can quite literally see events through their point of view.

Explore noteworthy adult novels, graphic novels, short stories, memoirs, and nonfiction written by Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans.

When I Was Puerto Rican: A Memoir by Esmeralda Santiago

The author's story begins in rural Puerto Rico, where her warring parents and seven siblings led a life of uproar, but one full of love and tenderness as well. Growing up, Esmeralda learned the proper way to eat a guava, the sound of the tree frogs in the mango groves at night, the taste of the delectable sausage called morcilla, and 

Here are an outstanding half-dozen graphic novels for teens and tweens, written by Asian American authors and featuring Asian American protagonists. Think less about superhero powers and more about down-to-earth transformative tales.

This episode of the perNYC Podcast—recorded at Tompkins Square Library—features writer Alan Kaufman discussing his memoir, Jew Boy.

What books have you read to help you through a difficult time in your life? Memoir, fiction, poetry, psychology? Find recommendations here.

Here are some vivid representations of the New York immigrant experience in fiction, as well as a few memoirs and biographies of New Yorkers past and present, who arrived here from all over the world and made their mark on our city.

In honor of National Poetry Month, and what would have been her 89th birthday, we celebrate the life and work of, Dr. Maya Angelou, with this Research Guide. Here, you will find an overview of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture’s holdings related to the work and life of this notable poet, writer, journalist, actress, and dancer.

Live from the Reading Room: Correspondence is a podcast series that aims to share interesting and engaging letters written by or to key historical figures from the African Diaspora.

An executive producer, actress, and model, Lakshmi added "memoirist" to her resume this year with the publication of Love, Loss and What We Ate.

At our March Open Book Night readers recommended a wide variety of books by favorite women authors, from contemporary fiction to older favorites, even questioning the authorship of a great classic of Western literature.

Several great female memoirs have been published since Patti Smith's phenomenally successful Just Kids. Here's to the rise of the female rock memoir.

The story of a a sensational murder in early-nineteenth-century New York, told through a young woman's diary.

Recently digitized collections of early American manuscripts.

Today’s episode features a love letter from Trinidadian social theorist, historian and political activist C.L.R. James (1901-1989) to his wife and confidant the actress, model, writer and activist Constance Webb (1918-2005).

A love letter from musician and composer Nathan Woodard to his wife and creative collaborator Alice Childress.

Today’s episode features a memorable love note from leading Harlem Renaissance painter, illustrator, and graphic artist Aaron Douglas to his wife and life partner Alta Sawyer Douglas, an esteemed educator and Harlemite.