True stories are stranger than fiction, and often more thought-provoking. The Genre Explorers Club recently read memorable memoirs, contemplating what each person experienced and how they responded.

A few of our favorites are sorted below by similar themes. Browse the complete list by searching the library catalog with the phrase “favorite memorable memoirs.”

Abuse and trauma

Memoirs sometimes deal with difficult topics. Although they can be taboo to talk about openly, many people go through these experiences and it can be helpful to read about some else’s hardships and triumphs.

In “Finding Me,” actor Viola Davis reveals her past family trauma.

“It’s hard to hear her talk about the things she went through,” said club member Carol Culbreath. “If you need inspiration on how to overcome hard things, listen — you just have to get through the first part.”

Other stories about traumatic childhoods and ensuing victories or losses include “Educated” by Tara Westover, “Nobody’s Girl” by Virginia Roberts Giuffre and “Yours Cruelly, Elvira” by Elvira.

Mental Illness and addiction

In memoirs, authors with mental health and addiction struggles have been known to lay in all on the line.

In “Sociopath,” Patric Gagne describes how she self-diagnosed her antisocial personality disorder. In “I’m Happy My Mom Died,” Jeannette McCurdy confesses how she found freedom from addictions and eating disorders.

In “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” Matthew Perry discloses his own chemical dependency battles.

“If you need a book about addiction and depression and what they will do to you, this is it,” said club member Emily Pedersen.

Personal growth

Part of everyone’s life journey includes embracing opportunities for personal growth.

In “No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon,” Erik Weihenmayer describes facing personal limitations and taking risks in his outdoors pursuits.

British veteran and ex-paratrooper Christian Lewis finds healing from depression in nature and community in “Finding Hildasay: How One Man Walked the UK’s Coastline and Found Hope and Happiness.”

Read “The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor” to learn how Eddie Jaku endured hardships through gratitude, friendship and finding a reason to smile every day.

Humorous anecdotes

At other moments, what we really need is something funny to lighten our spirits.

Entertain yourself with Michael Gurnow’s misadventures in “Nature’s Housekeeper: An Eco-Comedy,” wherein the dusty professor switches careers to become a state park construction worker.

After facing a career setback, Stephen Starring Grant relates his amusing journey of self-discovery and fulfillment in “Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home.”

In the candid memoir, “This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Medical Resident,” Adam Kay discloses the emotional and physical strain on medical professionals.

“I laughed; I cringed,” said club member Jen Goertz. “Key takeaway: I’d like my doctor to be working on a full eight hours of sleep, thanks.”

Human-animal relationships

Animal lovers will enjoy these two heartwarming reads: “Raising Hare” by Chloe Dalton and “We Should All Be Birds” by Brian Buckbee.

The library’s Summer Library Program is kicking off this week. “Unearth a Story” by digging into the past or exploring something new. Visit your local library to request an activity log.

For book suggestions, browse the library catalog reading lists at GCLD.Marmot.org and follow the Genre Explorers Book Club on Facebook.

Complete the activity log and come celebrate with us at a book club party at the Kremmling Library on August 3 or at the Hot Sulphur Springs Library on August 5. Contact these libraries for party details.

Shelly Mathis is a library associate for Grand County Library District. Reach her at smathis@gcld.org.