I love a memoir. There’s just something about getting a peak inside someone else’s life – who they were as a child, how that impacted their adult life, and the confirmation that no matter who you are, where you come from, wealthy or not, famous or not, we all have “stuff”. But, that “stuff” – the ups and downs, twist and turns – is what makes a life.
The most recent memoir I read was Finding Freedom by Erin French. Now first off – the cover. I mean, how beautiful. But, let’s not judge a book by its cover. 😉 If you have been following along with Magnolia’s new network (and/or hastily downloaded it as soon as it was available) – you may have seen Erin’s Show about her restaurant, The Lost Kitchen, in her small hometown of Freedom, Maine.
It was one of the first shows I watched on the network, and found it so intriguing. The small, intimate restaurant is only open certain times of the year, and in order to make a reservation, you write a postcard listing your reasons, or telling your story, of why you’d like to spend an evening at the The Lost Kitchen. Erin selects a few postcards each year, and people from across the country travel to the tiny town of Freedom to experience the old mill building turned family-style, farm-to-table restaurant.
Erin talks a bit about her past on the show, but the memoir of course really dives deep into her life. The book is not just about cooking, or her restaurant, it’s much more about her personal life, the struggles she faced, and her perseverance to overcome. This was a tough book for me to read if I’m honest. Erin did not have an easy life, but her story is redemptive and inspiring. Now that I have some introspection on Erin and how the Lost Kitchen came to be, I think I’ll re-watch the show with a new perspective.
Other Recent Memoir’s I read and loved.
Make Something Good Today by Ben and Erin Napier
Ben and Erin Napier, stars of the show Hometown, write about their love story, Laurel, Mississippi, and small town America. I especially liked hearing Erin’s perspective and could relate to her on many levels.
Dirt – growing strong roots in what make the broken beautiful by Mary Marantz
Mary Marantz shares her life story of growing up in a trailer in the hills of West Virginia. She comes from generations of loggers, including her father, who left school at an early age to go to work in the woods. Despite perceived obstacles, Mary goes onto college, studies abroad, and ends up at Yale Law School. She and her husband go on to run a successful photography business. Throughout the book, Mary describes the tension she holds between “the girl in the trailer” and “the girl after the trailer.” As she grows into adulthood, some of the resentment she had toward her upbringing, and family, slowly transforms into appreciation, gratitude, and understanding.
Come to the Edge by Christina Haag
Christina Haag gives a personal look into JFK Jr.’s life during his teen and young adult life. An ex-girlfriend of John’s, Christina recounts how they met, their time in college, and the adventures she had with John during their time together.
Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush
This book written by Jenna and Barbara recounts stories throughout the entirety of their lives, beyond their days in the White House – from time spent with their grandparents back in Texas when they were young, to their high school days, up to their current years of adulthood. Through their re-tellings you get a glimpse of the sisterly bond they have carried throughout their lives while also intertwining stories about family, love, and humanity.
Do you have a favorite Memoir? Let me know in the comments.
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