It's been a little over a month now since Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, dominated the cultural conversation with his revelatory memoir, Spare. His intimate perspective on a life lived as part of the one of the world's most influential dynasties cast a new light on royal life. Beyond the House of Windsor, Harry also detailed the deep anguish of grieving the the loss of his mother, Diana; his adoring relationship with American actress Meghan Markle; and the difficulties of walking away from the royal family altogether. Harry, ahem, spared no detail in his memoir, airing shocking truths and intimacies usually left unaired.
If you, too, have gulped down Spare, and are in need of another deep, juicy memoir to devour next, you're not alone. I turned to a most reputable source—Audible reviewers!—to find similar listens that offer intimate glimpses beyond simple tabloid fodder. Whether totally scandalous or deeply introspective, these listener-beloved audiobooks offer a private look behind the scenes of the most public figures.
"I cannot stress enough how important [audio] was to the experience. Reading ... would have been superficial compared to listening to them in understanding the extensive trauma McCurdy endured at the hands of the entertainment industry and her mother as a child star. The narration was so absolutely raw ... her delivery is so captivating and real that I empathized with her experiences easily and cried multiple times. McCurdy is best described as brutally honest in telling her story, shying away from no detail, sparing no name. I finished the book proud of her, and hopeful for myself and my own recovery. Jennette McCurdy is officially a role model of mine, and I will push the narrative wherever I have the chance to: listen to this damn book." —Nancy, Audible Listener
"A light out of darkness ... The personal honesty, revelation, and courage shared through this book were like water to a withered tree. As someone who has recently escaped a controlling church, and then finally an abusive marriage, only to walk out into the world all alone with my children to learn to make a new way for us, Leah's story brings hope and a reason to keep moving forward. It is a brilliant retelling of a life spent working for something that is impossible to obtain. I applaud your strength and perseverance, Leah." —Melba, Audible Listener
"Matthew Perry shares his brightest and darkest moments in his life so far, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows ... I found Matty’s honesty and vulnerability incredibly brave. He held nothing back as he told his story. He bares his scars for the world to see and bravely declares his struggles ... Perry was not trying to paint himself as a martyr or hero. He admitted his faults repeatedly. He owned his misgivings, even when it was difficult ... Addiction is ugly. It’s hard, lonely, and something that feels impossible to overcome ... I have seen what addiction can do to a family, and I’ve felt the sting of despair that only addiction can leave in its wake of destruction. I see you, Matthew Perry. And you are more than alright." —KKEC, Audible Listener
"Excellent, transformative, thoughtful, funny, and vulnerable ... I thoroughly enjoyed the candor, the real life stories, lessons. She lets you into her life, her marriage, and career. This book has really motivated me to reexamine some things in my life. Her commentary on race relations and dynamics was exquisite. She is a woman who knows her worth. Every chapter is so engaging, evoking a wide range of emotions. (P.S. Her first book was good too!) —Q.C., Audible Listener
"If it’s true that most great art can only be created by those who have survived some form of suffering or tragedy, then this book not only proves the point, but goes way beyond. Authentic, raw, poetic at times, mournful, soulful, and a joy to listen to, this is a wonderful testament of one person’s will to overcome misogyny, aimless contempt, and [the] many ugly faces of humanity. Others may have eventually caved into sorrow and profound grief when having had to deal the deck she received, [but] Pam Anderson demonstrates how to win with love, compassion, and an exuberant joy for life. I’m so happy she wrote this book, and thankful that we have the privilege of living vicariously through her." —E., Audible Listener
"I’ve always liked Drew Barrymore, but I gained a whole new respect for her after listening to this book. She overcame so much as a child actor basically left to her own devices by parents who could barely take care of themselves. Yet she managed to flourish into an amazing adult who loves and cherishes her family and friends as well as traveling across the globe to help those who so many people ignore. I’m sure this book would be good narrated by someone else but Drew did such an amazing job that I laughed out loud more times than I could count and I also had tears streaming down my face a few times. She’s funny, she’s intelligent, she cares about others, and she sounds like the kind of person that you would want as a best friend." —Liz, Audible Listener
"This is an amazing, poignant life story. The author’s honesty and vulnerability can be heard in her voice and words. Robyn’s direct experience and factual recounting of how things developed will help people understand how somebody who was as gifted and successful as Whitney Houston could come to such a tragic demise. I’m grateful that the author narrated her own story. If you listen with an open heart, you will glean [more] richness and textures to her feelings and the events than ever would’ve been possible if it were narrated by someone else or read in print. Thank you, Robyn Crawford, for writing this book. You have helped many people put closure to the loss we as fans feel about Whitney and her daughter." —Kali, Audible Listener
"Moving, inspiring, heart wrenching, and relatable. Jessica Simpson shows an incredible vulnerability in this book that outlines her journey to ultimate self-love, compassion, and self-discovery. Through her upbringing, heartache, and internal struggles, she takes us along for a liberating and, at times, dark ride that pulls at your heart strings. She emerges a woman in her power, a loving bombshell of a wife and [a] dedicated mother. It is admirable, the details and discoveries she shares, and wonderful to almost witness from a front row seat her growth through each chapter. Her philanthropy and heart of service outshine the men who scorned her. She truly is a Phoenix that has risen from the fire." —Adriann, Audible Listener
"Constance Wu's collection of essays ties together stories from her life ... They run the gamut from childhood innocence to the helplessness of workplace harassment. Some of them might seem a tad mundane on the surface (like the love for a rabbit or making bread), but left in Wu's hands, they're highly entertaining and strike a chord of commonality with all of us. What's most touching, running under all her anecdotes, are the themes of love and forgiveness. She's almost aggressively forthright about her own life, taking responsibility for it in a way most of us never will. She's come out the other side of her struggles with hard earned wisdom and grace which she's used to love and forgive the characters in her life. Best of all, it never comes across as preachy or egotistical." —Tyson, Audible Listener
"I was not prepared for how deeply I got immersed in this book. I literally listened all the way through, from start to finish, without a break. I'm not even sure I can express how this book moved me. It went so much deeper than just her acting career and grand marriages. Ultimately, she wrote a story that was both brave and vulnerable, with so much grace and eloquence that one doesn't typically expect from someone so famous. Her story was raw, gritty, and every word compelling and beautifully written ... I was completely engaged in every sentence and like the pro she is, she delivered it all with perfection." —Maria, Audible Listener
"Sweet and soulful, illuminating memoir. Listened and finished all in one day ... Brought me to tears many times. I felt the exhilaration of her teenage friendship, then courtship and marriage to the most talented, prolific, and audacious rock star the world has known. The devastating losses and pain she went through will make you weep, and the update on her life since their split and his death makes you feel happy for her that she has moved on with such grace and strength. She is very inspiring and hopeful. What a bright light in the world Mayte embodies." —Jennifer, Audible Listener
"JVN, thank you for being so honest with [listeners] in this incredible memoir—and for being the beautiful human you are ... As sad and horrific as some of the stories within were, Jonathan infused his humor into each sentence, alleviating the pain [listeners] might experience. How JVN managed to maintain his bubbly self, discuss serious issues, and be vulnerable, I do not know. He talked about time with his family, being bullied at school, joining the cheerleading team, attending Aveda Institute, being cast on Queer Eye, etc. Jonathan also opened up about his sex and drug addictions [and] his status of being HIV-positive ... I still don't know what we have done to deserve JVN's honesty." —Hsinju, Audible Listener
"Can I just say it? Tiffany, I'm having an elementary school moment, and I want to march myself across the playground and ask you to be my friend. Let's get lunch. This story, full of joy, pain, and, most of all, hope, is what I needed as a listener. I literally stopped and laughed out loud throughout parts of the narration, as I paused to cry at others because this book made me FEEL something the entire way though. Listening to Tiffany's story through her voice is the best part ... Dear listener, if you need reminding that you're good enough, tough enough, and to keep a sense of humor, get a glass of your favorite wine, and Tiffany will remind you why life is still joyful." —Rain, Audible Listener
"Whether you’re obsessed with or even just remotely curious about the paparazzi-driven, glossy gossip magazine pop culture of the early 2000s, buckle up for a rousing romp down a reality rabbit hole. Throughout this Audible journey, Holly Madison transforms from a two-dimensional girl next door to a fully fleshed-out platinum phenom. I am Holly’s age, so my first impression of her was, of course, through the lens of The Girls Next Door marathons ... The producers of the show clearly made the man behind the magazine appear so benevolent, with his elf-like chuckle and docile demeanor, that even I fantasized about what it would be like to be one of the girls ... Holly reveals the truer cost, and manages to burst the bubble, without losing any of the sweet flavor we secretly enjoy consuming so much." —Matt, Audible Listener
"Carrie Fisher reading her own writing will always be enjoyable. It definitely adds a personal touch and the jokes hit home even more because you can hear herself enjoying her own humor. Also, with such a intimate story, it's wonderful to hear it from the mouth of the person who lived it ... Part gossip but mostly introspective reflection, this book is so much more than the salacious affair story that draws its audience. It's a look into the inner workings of a young woman who would fall into such a potentially hurtful yet exciting fling ... While listening to Carrie's story, I couldn't help but be transported back to when I was younger and all the emotion, angst, and wonderment that comes with it." —Ashley, Audible Listener
