HALLIE EPHRON: Last week so many of you shared the titles of meoirs you've read and enjoyed and recommend.
First, sharing Mary Karr's observation on what separates fiction from memoir... 
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Growing Up by Russell Baker
A Lady's Life in the Rockies by Isabella L. Bird
Out of Africa by Karen Blixen
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
All About Me by Mel Brooks
The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey by Rinker Buck
Too Pretty to be Good by Lindsay Byron
An Hour Before Daylight by Jimmy Carter
Cher: The Memoir by Cher
What Happened by Hillary Clinton
The Rainbow Comes and Goes by Anderson Cooper
Every Day is a Gift by Sen. Tammy Duckworth
Left on Tenth by Delia Ephron
Necessary Trouble by Drew Gilpin Faust
Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
In Pieces by Sally Fields
The Liars’ Club by Mary Karr
Tell me Everything by Minka Kelly
On Writing by Stephen King
The Tao of Equus by Linda Kohano
We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant’s Story by Simu Liu
West with the Night by Beryl Markham
The Color of Water by James McBride
The Hard Parts: A Memoir of Courage and Triumph by Oksana Masters
Somebody I Used to Know by Wendy Mitchell
It’s a Long Story by Willie Nelson
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Comfort Me With Apples by Ruth Reichl
Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Drawn from Memory by E. H. Shepard
Our Hearts Were Young and Gay by Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough
Dimestore by Lee Smith
Making it So by Patrick Stewart
My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Educated by Tara Westover
Becoming Henry by Henry Winkler
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
This Time Next Year We Will Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear
This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff
As I look at the list, I'm struck by the titles these writers and personalities chose for their tell-alls (or "tell-somes," as the case may be). "Drawn from Memory" is the autobiography of an illustrator. "Tender at the Bone" a food writer. "Making It So" is the directive from actor Patrick Stewart's imperious Star Trek captain Jean-Luc.
So my question for today: If you were writing your own memoir, what title
might you give it? My working title has been THE OTHER SISTER. It worked when I was writing 20 years ago. Now, not so much.
The first thought I had for a title was "The Twins" . . . .
ReplyDeleteThat is great—my first reaction was: no, it should be “Twin” since it’s about YOU—but your choice is all the more wonderful because it’s how you feel—that your life is about both of you. Xxxxx
DeleteI could use that one too! Do you know the rhyme, "Two-ones is the name for it, and that is what it ought to be, but when you say it very fast, it makes your lips say twins, you see. When I was just a little thing, about the year before the last, I called it two-ones all the time, but now I say it fast."
DeleteI have never heard that Gillian (two-ones = twins) that is interesting.
DeleteGillian, I'm writing a book in a series with two sets of twins. Permission to use the rhyme? (If you write to me at edith@edithmaxwell.com, I'll send you a copy of Poisonous Pour when it comes out in 2026!)
DeleteEdith, it's not my rhyme. It might have been in the Golden Book of Poetry we had as kids. I can't seem to find it when I google...I love that you are writing about twins!
DeleteMy protag often works with her fraternal twin sister Allie on cases, and Allie has fraternal twin sons! https://edithmaxwell.com/books/cece-barton-mysteries/
DeleteTwo-ones! Two WINS!
DeleteGillian . . . neither Jean nor I had ever heard that rhyme, but it is cute!
Delete"The Eternal Aspirant" ~~my life in 3 wds.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad thing to be...
DeleteMy first thought was “Only Child”
ReplyDeleteI'd read it...
DeleteIf "The Other Sister" is perfect for the time of life you are describing, I would use it. I was a close friend of the daughter of a movie star whose first child was severely disabled. The older child and his needs were the focus of her parents' emotional lives. Sadly, she absorbed by osmosis the idea that she could have no needs and deserved only cursory attention. She was far too polite to be bitter but she was wry. She once told me that if she wrote a memoir (which of course she never would) she might title it "They Also Had a Daughter," because this phrasing was used in every single article about her celebrated parents. I think you should use a title that fits your emotional reality. (Selden)
ReplyDeleteThat's a sad story Selden, with a perfect title.
DeleteIt's amazing how many of us forever carry (as a prize? as a burden) a family dynamic like that.
DeleteNo title and no plans for a memoir since my life is pretty boring to the point that, if a biography were written about me, it would probably be serialized in DIARRHEA MONTHLY: THE REGULAR JOURNAL OF IRREGULARITY.
ReplyDeleteOr you could just go with BLEH!
DeleteWhat a challenge. The one I did write was called "A Year in Ougadougou" - and it remains unpublished. Maybe mine should be "She Finally Got There" to reflect my happily returning to write fiction after a lifetime of other kinds of writing.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have Left on Tenth at the top of my TBR pile!
DeleteHope you like it.
DeleteMy title would be Goody Two Shoes.
ReplyDeleteI actually remember reading... wasn't that a character in a series of children's books? Another blog topic could be imagining which children's book character would best represent YOU. Goody Two Shoes? Eloise? Dorothy? The Headless Horseman? ...
Deletehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/revolutionary-influence-first-english-childrens-novel-180982724/#:~:text=Before%20her%20name%20became%20synonymous,book%20was%20a%20groundbreaking%20work.
DeleteI've been working on one for years. The title is "Recalculating".
ReplyDeleteLove that title Karen!
DeleteKaren, I want to let you know that I just finished Alan Cumming's memoir. Did you know, that last Monday, the day you mentioned it, was his 60th birthday? I got an email from Masterpiece that told me that! Thank you for the recommendation.
DeleteI love it!
DeleteYou're welcome, Judi, and I did not know that. What a coincidence.
DeleteLove that title - it oozes optimism
DeleteYou all! Your titles are GENIUS! Truly! Hallie, I think your title is perfect because it is so poignant—and has such a powerful point of view.
ReplyDeleteFor me? Ah how about The Juggler?
The Invisible Woman. And I loved Winspear's memoir.
ReplyDeleteAs a child, I thought I was invisible because hearing people would talk to me and if I signed to them, they often did not understand sign language. It took me a while to figure that out!
DeleteMy actual autobiography is titled: Privilégiée (privileged).
ReplyDeleteI began it during a course about biography four years ago. It is not completed, it is on pause.
Before beginning I knew it was the title I wanted because it is how I feel. I warn the readers that it is not a story about a rich and famous woman who succeeded in everything .
It is my story, that of a woman born in Quebec in the fifties, from parents that loved each other and that loved me.
Danielle
That touches me, Danielle. Being loved by people who love each other is a privilege.
DeleteI could title mine that, too, Danielle, having been born to parents who loved each other and who loved me unconditionally. I would love to read your story!
DeleteLucky duck...
DeleteMine would be: Lucky Enough
ReplyDeleteThat title has intrigue in it... just a touch of ambivalence.
DeleteI thought about writing a book called Radio Days and Nights about my time at 9-1-1.
ReplyDeleteYou should write that Gillian, but make sure you're in it too!
DeleteI'd love to read that, Gillian. I've never heard of a book like it, either.
DeleteMy aunt, long before 9-1-1, was a night shift dispatcher at a small local, mostly volunteer police department. I'm fairly sure part of her motivation was to keep tabs on my uncles, one of whom she was married to, who were both parttime cops with serious day jobs. They needed watching, too.
Too funny Karen! So many relationships between cops and dispatchers!
DeleteOne of her coworkers is still alive. I really wish I could pry some stories out of her! Bet she has some doozies.
DeleteBrilliant idea! And one only you could write.
DeleteA title that would fit my life is "Learning to Adapt," but I don't think I'd buy a memoir with such a boring title. It should be something about adjusting to new surroundings often while trying to remaining oneself on the inside.
ReplyDeleteWhoops. "trying to remain . . . "
Delete"My Life as a Chameleon" - would that work?
DeleteMorphing
DeleteGood suggestions!
DeleteNo plans here to write a memoir but if I did it would probably be about how the animals in my life have made me laugh. I doubt I would come up with a title until I had at least some of it written.
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying memoirs lately with two that were recommended last time. Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming was very interesting, but also heartbreaking for a couple of reasons. Yesterday I Started reading The Salt Path - what a story!
The writing is wonderful, isn’t?
DeleteEach chapter about a different animal...
DeleteI might have come up with a title after all. Something along the lines of Living with Four-legged Clowns.
DeleteA Bookish Nerd. That's me in a nutshell!
ReplyDeletePerfect, Grace!
DeleteOh gosh. I've never thought about it. Maybe... I Figured I'd Get There...Someday
ReplyDeleteWistful Thinking
DeleteWhat an interesting thing to ponder; as a middle child this might work: Finding my own Spotlight
ReplyDeleteI can already see the cover.
DeleteHallie, thank you for posting this list. I see many I'd like to check out. As I read your last line "not so much," I felt a pang of sympathy for you. Yeah, it's a part of life, but ... sheesh. :(
ReplyDeleteI'd considered writing memoirs of my different phases of life, but who has the time? :) If I only wrote one, I'd title it "Work in Progress."
Thanks, Rhonda - but actually I feel much less in their shadow now, so it's a good thing.
DeleteI know I commented above, but I continue to read these with much delight! You all are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting exercise….. I’m going with my first thought: “Reluctant Oldest Child
ReplyDeleteCONFLICT! It's what makes us want to keep reading.
DeleteSo many clever ones! I'd probably title it something along the lines of "Well, at least I tried" or "Set a good example: Tales of the eldest child."
ReplyDeleteEven just TRYING - but the theme of being the eldest is one even those of us who are NOT eldests can relate to.
DeleteAs an eldest, I could probably use “Set a Good Example”. As a kid, I used to fantasize about being a middle child in a large family. I thought it would be nice to get lost in the crowd! And I probably wouldn’t be expected to set a good example for the younger kids!
DeleteDebRo
Mine could be Been there, Done that
ReplyDeleteExcept that I know there's a lot more "there's" and "thats" to be ticked off...
DeleteNo plans for a memoir, but if I did, it would probably have a title like, A Life of Surprises, or some such.
ReplyDeleteGood and not so good, I imagine
DeleteMostly good, from a difficult beginning. Once I decided to set out on my own life, things turned out well, thanks to lots of helping hands supporting me as I made my way.
DeleteIf I gave this more thought I doubt that I'd land here, but my initial thought was "Chameleon." I came from a nuclear family cut off from extended family with a mother who cared very much what others thought. So over the course of my life, while working very hard at building up a true identity on the inside, I assumed many different outward personas to fit into various communities and/or professions in which I found myself. Those outward personas weren't fake, really, just a narrow expression of certain parts of myself. Only in later life have I really focused on trying to be the same, fully integrated person all the time -- and honestly, I find it very challenging!
ReplyDeleteAnd I neglected to mention, my childhood was full of moves from city to city and school to school, which really set up the pattern of learning to just fit in somewhere fast.
Delete"Chameleon" has got all that wrapped up in it.
DeleteEvery title I've thought of is just too negative. Being The Oldest and Following the Rules Hasn't Helped ... See? Just too negative, I pass.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you need to write it and THEN name it.
DeleteBoth titles sound great, Hank
ReplyDeleteOr use FINDING OUT as a title for one of your mystery novels, Hank. It's so engaging!
ReplyDeleteHallie, maybe you need to be THE MYSTERIOUS SISTER?
ReplyDeleteI've read and loved several of those memoirs. My favorites are written by ordinary people with an amazing story to tell, not the life of a celebrity (although they often, too, have surprising stories to tell.) That being said, the next memoir on my TBR is A POCKETFUL OF HAPPINESS by Richard Grant. It's about, among other things, losing his wife of thirty-some years to cancer. Obviously, I think it will sing to me.
My own memoir? THE PILOT'S DAUGHTER.
It just struck me for the first time that the title would have to be THE PILOTS' DAUGHTER. Both my birth father and my adoptive dad were pilots, and Mom met my stepfather when he was training (ultimately unsuccessfully) to be a pilot. Yes, Mom had a type.
DeleteNo plans to write a memoir, but if I did, it would probably be called, "A Life of Surprises," or something along that line.
ReplyDeleteOops, this was a repeat, because i thought the first one didn't go through.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, Hallie! My first thought was "Who'd Have Thought It." Or "YOU Wrote THAT?" No one thought I could write a novel, much less a British detective novel, and "You wrote that?" is still the most common reaction when I meet people who've read my books but don't know me.
ReplyDelete“My Family is Crazy” is one title I could use. My siblings and cousins on my dad’s side of the family, and I, have often joked that this is a good way to describe our family! “Generations of Weirdness” just popped into my head. That’s another possible choice.
ReplyDeleteOr “No, I’m Not Related to THAT Romano”. It’s such a common name that it always surprises me when someone is sure that I must be related to the Romano family that they know. I even know another Deb Romano! And we’re not related!
DebRo
Mine would be titled "Being Responsible is a Drag." And I married another responsible person.
ReplyDeleteIt could be: “The Truth as I see it, (not Sugar-Coated)” but more likely “A life Stranger Than Fiction, but Mostly Fun”
ReplyDeleteTook me all day to think that up. By the way, my obit will read that I am dead. Not passed anywhere, but maybe some wind…
"I'm Still Here" would just about sum it up. I have had multiple health issues, spent time in several ICUs, have fewer body parts than I was born with, and have spent the past year homeless. My mother never thought I'd live to be 50 and I celebrated my 70th birthday last December. Not sure how I've made it this far, but "I'm Still Here" so there must be something I have yet to experience or accomplish before I can move on to whatever the Universe offers next. -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteOh, such a great question, Hallie. I think mine would be PATIENCE AND FORTITUDE (a nod to the NYC Public Library lions) but also those are the two traits I've needed in abundance my entire life.
ReplyDeleteSorry for coming in so late. I have bacterial pneumonia, had zero sleep last night, and back at the doctor's today. I'm using my inhaler quite a bit, on an antibiotic (because bacterial and not viral), on steroids, on cough and congestion medicine plus the medicines I already take. I did try some Ginger herbal tea tonight, and I'm liking its effect. So, I'm hoping for at least a little sleep tonight. I can't lie down, so sitting up to try and sleep. Actually, if you sit up and then lean your head back, a nice air passage way is created. I hate being sick and this one is really kicking my butt. There is so much going around, I think I'm going back to a mask.
ReplyDeleteMy memoir would probably start with my cute little girl's name Kathy Lou to convey the innocence and life I had that went my way for quite a while (not that I didn't work for it, too), and the last part has to be in contrast to the innocence of life Kathy Lou enjoyed. Something like Kathy Lou Learns Life Can Suck or Kathy Lou Learns Fair Isn't How the World Turns or maybe something a little less hopeless like Kathy Lou Discovers Somebody Changed the Game Rules.
Kathy, I'm sorry you're sick. I hope you feel better! (Selden)
Delete