This will be a strong year for life writing, with a number of powerful and poignant life stories chronicled in memoirs and biographies worth checking out. Take it A hymn to lifea vulnerable self-portrait that shows one woman’s bravery in becoming the face of a rape scandal that outraged the world. Or read about a seasoned journalist finally tackling his figurative white whale: the Rolling Stones, who after nearly 60 years in the business, remain as popular and beloved as ever. After surveying the year’s new releases and the publishing calendar, we’ve selected our best biographies and memoirs of 2026 so far. Each is sure to thrill, educate or simply entertain you, revealing human lives – rich and extraordinary – shaped by resilience, hope and passion.
