Spare Me

Share a "hot take" about the book world—an opinion that might be unpopular but is a hill you're willing to die on.

by Dietrich

There’s been a recent slew of celebrity memoirs and tell-alls: cheap, shiny and they read like they rolled off a conveyor belt. These obvious cash-grabs don’t seem written; more like they’re manufactured. The trauma within the pages feels curated, the redemption arc seems focus-grouped, and the only thing raw is the advance check. We’re told they're “a courageous tell-all,” yet they read more like monetized pain. Real courage? Refuse the seven-figure deal and let silence do the talking.

For the times I do get curious about a newly released tell-all, I ask myself two questions: Did the author discover something, or just deposit the check? And would I still care if I didn’t already know the name on the cover?

Of course, a blessed few memoirs and biographies bleed ink and can haunt you for weeks. Here are a few I think really earned their dust jackets:

Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder – Salman Rushdie (2024) An unflinching memoir that recounts his near-fatal stabbing attack and his subsequent journey toward physical and psychological recovery. 

Ali: A Life – Jonathan Eig (2017) A deeply human portrait of Muhammad Ali, from his early days as Cassius Clay, moving beyond the boxing legend: flawed and fearless, world-shaking.

A Beautiful Mind – Sylvia Nasar (1998) An exploration into the intersection of genius and mental illness, chronicling John Nash's journey from a groundbreaking game theorist to a man tormented by delusions.

Black Elk Speaks – John G. Neihardt (1932) The life story and sacred visions of Nicholas Black Elk, an Oglala Lakota holy man, offers a moving account of his people's tragic history and cultural resilience during the twilight of the 19th century. 

John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs – Ian Leslie (2025) Reimagining the Beatles' saga, an intimate portrait of Lennon and McCartney's profound and sometimes volatile creative bond—passion, jealousy and genius that fueled their iconic songwriting from teenage jam sessions to global stardom.

Becky Lynch: The Man – Rebecca Quin (2024) Dublin grit and WWE gold. Quin shows a lot of heart, hustle and humor as she unpacks the bruises, betrayals and triumphs behind her trailblazing persona.

Me, the Mob, and the Music – Tommy James (2009) This one recounts the chaos, triumphs, and near-fatal excesses that defined his rise to fame. A gripping behind-the-scenes look at the rock 'n' roll whirlwind of the 1960s. From the chart-topping highs to the lows of music mogul Morris Levy's ruthless control over his career.

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession – Michael FInkel (2023). It’s the true-crime chronicle of Stéphane Breitwieser’s brazen theft of over two hundred masterpieces worth over two billion—safely hidden in Mom’s attic.

I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas – Lewis Black (2010). Not exactly a memoir or a biography, it's a personal look at what’s wrong with Christmas as seen through the eyes the most pissed-off comedian alive, a guy who makes Scrooge look like he’s on decaf.

Newly released and on my TBR pile and just waiting to be read: Patti Smith’s Bread of Angels and Margaret Atwood’s Book of Lives.