With fans demanding authentic, behind-the-scenes looks at famous people’s lives, the celebrity memoir continues to boom. While some of this year’s standouts delivered the sex, scandal, and other "bombshell" reveals typically expected in such dispatches, this selection of audiobooks also includes harrowing survival stories and heartfelt, intimate portrayals of friendship, motherhood, and romantic relationships—coupled with lots of vulnerability. Plus, expect some nostalgia bombs to provide cozy comfort and good vibes to get you through lonely, stressful moments when we could all use a pick-me-up.
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A deeply personal portrait of the head of one of the world’s most high-profile families, Ms. Tina's memoir starts with her childhood in 1950s Galveston, Texas, sharing how she overcame the constraints of poverty and racism to pursue her dreams. I was riveted not only by her revelatory journey but also by the raw emotion heard in her voice as she narrates the intimate details. She doesn’t hold back, divulging the ups and downs of her marriages, the challenges of motherhood, and the tumultuous road to her family’s success. You’re left with an awe-inspiring message of how the mothers who came before her fueled her ability to nurture her own daughters into the incredible women they are today. —Margaret H.
This book is truly worth the listen. It’s fun, it’s interesting (especially if you’re a die-hard L Word fan), and it’s heartfelt, too. I found myself laughing one moment and getting choked up the next. At its core, So Gay for You is not a book about a TV series, it's a book about the importance of platonic love and chosen family. Somehow, it does what the original TV series did all those years ago: captures the particular, beautiful, and nearly intangible aspects of queer life. To hear more from authors Leisha Hailey and Kate Moennig, listen to our interview. —Madeline A.
Charlie Sheen is quite the controversial character, but in his new tell-all memoir, The Book of Sheen, we meet the man behind the headlines in a way that humanizes him for all the lovers and the haters. Performed by Sheen himself in his hilariously candid way, the book delves into his Hollywood childhood, successes in film and TV, and, of course, the wild, debaucherous tales he's known for—which he now shares through the clear-eyed lens of sobriety. Listeners can expect Sheen to tell it all, the good and especially the bad! —Nicole R.
I've always had a sweet tooth for reality TV about alternative family structures, especially when a family that looks entirely different from mine still faces familiar challenges. As a viewer of Sister Wives, it was hard not to adore Christine, the bubbly, charming third wife of the Kody Brown family, which made it even harder to imagine the pain that was hidden beneath the surface. Not overly edited or styled, this memoir is raw and authentic, and just this side of being revenge lit. Christine is a compelling storyteller and her distinct and unadulterated voice really shines through, especially with her as narrator. She puts her entire vulnerable self forward and doesn't hold back. While fans of the show will connect most immediately to this story, any woman who has felt underappreciated or been made to feel unworthy will find Christine's journey inspiring. —Emily C.
As a young widow, Tembi Locke's 2019 memoir about grief and healing after her husband's death was a transformative lifeline for me. I'm thrilled she's given us a new chapter in her inspiring story, traveling back to Sicily for an emotional summer adventure before her daughter leaves for college. This audio original is truly immersive. Locke peppers her warm narration with clips of ambient sounds and conversations she recorded on the trip. The result feels like sitting at the kitchen table in her Italian country house rental, sharing her hard-won wisdom about motherhood, middle age, and new beginnings. To hear more from Tembi Locke, listen to our interview. —MH
I got goosebumps listening to this special audiobook. Having Michael J. Fox narrate his story of working on Family Ties and landing his breakout movie role in Back to the Future is special, but the inclusion of archival audio, plus music and snippets from the movies, along with interviews with co-stars—such as Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson—is catnip for fans and newbies alike. —Jerry P.
Mixing journal entries with personal essays and reflections on her first year after coming out as trans, Dylan Mulvaney's Paper Doll is a deeply personal behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows of her journey, including her viral “Days of Girlhood” series on TikTok and the now-infamous “Beergate” controversy of 2023. This memoir is also an incredibly moving exploration of dreams, womanhood, and the power in keeping some things just for yourself. Paper Doll is a particularly intimate experience in audio, delivered in the only voice that could ever do her story justice—her own. Her memoir is just as brave, honest, and funny as everything else she throws her heart into. To hear more from Dylan Mulvaney, listen to our interview. —Michael C.
It's not hard for Cynthia Erivo to convince us that she achieves a level of sacred, spiritual connection with her listeners every time she performs. That fact has long been evident in the audiobooks space, just as it is in the world of musical theater. And her new audiobook is no exception. In Simply More, Erivo uses the metaphor of running a marathon to tell the story of how she learned to thrive as her most authentic self, and passionately aids the listener on their own presumed journey of acceptance. If anyone dares to ever tell me again that I am too much, I will channel my inner Cynthia and proclaim that I’m simply more. —Haley H.
I still recall seeing Lionel Richie “dancing on the ceiling” in the music video for that eponymous song when I was a kid in the 1980s and wanting to be as joyous and carefree as the singer. It took many years to understand that he had a long and complicated career. Now, with his long-awaited memoir—which details his journey from Tuskegee, Alabama, to becoming a global pop superstar—we finally get a fuller picture. Richie narrates the introduction before Blair Underwood picks up the baton and lends his dulcet tones to this moving, all-access pass to music history. —JP
One only has to go to one of Keith McNally’s well-appointed restaurants (Balthazar, Pastis, Minetta Tavern, etc.) to begin to understand the man. He has a fine eye, he knows what he wants, and his dedication to creating memories is undeniable. In his memoir, he shares many memories and is brutally honest about them. An excellent raconteur, he takes you along on his journeys—thanks to Richard E. Grant's fantastic narration—including the one he didn’t plan: his stroke. Personally, I wanted to punch the hell out of life when it dealt him that. But it didn’t stop him from living his life, with some regrets. He’s allowed. —Yvonne D.
