Recently arrived memoirs and biographies
Our newest memoirs explore the full spectrum of human experience, from profound loss and self-discovery to the joys of food and travel, and finding peace with one's mental health.
Diagnosed with a serious heart condition Australian author and essayist Dessaix, now in his 80s uses his convalescence as a period of profound reflection delving into his past, re-examining his life's various roles and how he has adapted to different personas—much like a chameleon changes colour. The book is less a chronological narrative and more a mosaic of memories, philosophical musings, and literary references. Dessaix fluidly connects his personal experiences with broader reflections on travel, sexuality, and the art of writing. An important piece of work from this seminal Australian.
Inside the wire - Rhonda Hapi-Smith
Having worked for twenty years, including as the first female member of the Riot Squad, Hapi-Smith shares raw stories of everything from mass riots and gang violence to suicide attempts, not shying away from the intense personal cost of the job, including the psychological toll and the cumulative effects of constant stress. Hapi-Smith also highlights moments of unexpected humanity, humour, and the unlikely bonds formed with inmates and discusses how her Māori heritage informed her approach to the job, allowing her to connect with and understand many of the men she supervised. This is a deeply personal reflection on a demanding career and a powerful piece of social history that critiques the effectiveness of the New Zealand justice system.
Chinese parents don't say I love you - Candice Chung
Writer, editor and food reviewer Candice Chung explores the complex relationship between a daughter and her Cantonese parents, with food serving as their primary language of love. After a significant breakup, Chung begins to take her parents to restaurants she's reviewing, using these shared meals to bridge a decade of emotional distance. An exploration of family, heritage, and the unspoken, often subtle, ways love is expressed, this will appeal to readers of Crying in H Mart and Tiny Moons.
From the quiet sanctuary of her Edinburgh basement kitchen, Caroline Eden revisits her extensive culinary travels across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Each chapter is a journey prompted by a specific dish or ingredient, serving as a portal to places like Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and the Baltics. More than just a travelogue or cookbook, the book is a reflection on the human stories food can tell, weaving together personal anecdotes, history, and a subtle sense of melancholy, particularly in chapters that touch on the volatile political landscapes of the regions she loves.
Scorpions - Tuppence Middleton
Scorpions is a rare and candid look into living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Middleton, an actor, visualises her intrusive, obsessive thoughts as a "nest of scorpions" inhabiting her mind. Middleton recounts her lifelong struggle with the disorder, beginning in childhood, with often terrifying and exhausting compulsions and fears, sharing the daily battle that is both debilitating and often hidden from the public eye. A raw, often darkly humorous memoir, a beautifully written account of her journey to understand and manage a condition that she has come to live alongside.
Born to a drug-addicted mother, Rob Henderson was shuffled through numerous foster homes before being adopted. Here he recounts a life marked by instability, poverty, and violence, which eventually led him to enlist in the Air Force as a way to escape. A central theme is Henderson's concept of "luxury beliefs," which are ideas held by the upper class that confer status but have negative consequences for those in lower social classes - he argues that elites can endorse beliefs like "stable families aren't necessary" without suffering the consequences, while those in vulnerable situations are harmed by such ideas. This is a moving story of resilience and a sharp social critique of the class divide and the disconnect between elite values and the realities of life for the most disadvantaged.
Finding Loretta - Diane Wheaton
At age 47 Diane Wheaton began to uncover her origins from the "Baby Scoop Era", in which children of unwed mothers were adopted out, often against their parent's wishes. Amid her search and reunion with her biological family, she is confronted with a long-held secret her adoptive parents kept from her- this revelation profoundly complicating her feelings toward them and forcing her to make a difficult decision. A powerfully touching story of self-discovery and a moving reflection on accepting and embracing the distinct families that shape lives.
A nickname for intensive care paramedics, because everything they touch 'croaks', Frog is Gould's memoir of 14 years in the service. Highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of the job, dealing with mental health challenges and trauma, but also the highlights, celebrating resilience, camaraderie and the unique brand of dark humour developed in times of immense stress. Based on meticulously kept journals, the book is a tribute to her colleagues and a deeply personal reflection on the human cost of a demanding but ultimately fulfilling career.
