There's something about the real stories of real people that really do something incredible when it comes to inspiring and challenging us as readers.
Across the Book Hero team we all read quite varying genres, but most of us have got a memoir that affected us in some way - either by reminding us of our possible impact, sharing insights into careers that are not so often highlighted, or the stories that make us feel seen and understood in new ways. I asked some of the team to share their favourite biography or memoir and some are recent releases, others ones that are a bit older but just as impactful and important. Enjoy!
Dylan - Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Growing up, Steve Jobs was always one of my personal heroes, but I don't think I realised at the time just how good we had it. When you compare Steve Jobs with many of today's tech leaders - whether it's Zuckerberg, Musk or Altman - his value system feels fundamentally different. He loved the arts and creativity. He was brutal - but he loved people. He had great taste. Yes he had his flaws, and this biography certainly doesn't leave them out, but he was driven by a relentless pursuit of building beautiful products that enriched people's lives. Technology in itself wasn't the end goal; it was the medium. Today, it often feels like the conversation has shifted towards engagement, scale, market dominance and AI capability. Those things matter, but they don't inspire me in the same way. Two of my favourite quotes from the book:
Two quotes from the book that have stayed with me:
"Steve Jobs had a tendency to see things in a binary way: a person was either a hero or a bozo, a product was either amazing or shit."
"You should never start a company with the goal of getting rich. Your goal should be making something you believe in and making a company that will last."
Hannah - The Dead Speak by Thomas Coyle
Thomas Coyle is one of New Zealand's most experienced forensic investigators, and in his memoir 'The Dead Speak' we get an insight into the day to day chaos of racing to identify bodies of victims after global disasters, and exposing suspects with the smallest pieces of evidence.
Hannah says about the memoir: "The Dead Speak is a jarring read. On one page the author is talking about his police station parking lot mishaps, the next he's examining a brutal crime scene. Thomas Coyle's life in forensics brings stark cold reality to bear with an often glamorised field. The author's warning: 'not for the faint of heart should be taken seriously
Lizzy - Famesick by Lena Dunham
I absolutely ate up 'Famesick' by Lena Dunham. I usually read 4 or 5 books at the same time, but once I started this I couldn’t put it down. For anyone who watched the TV show ‘Girls’ in their 20s/30s, this will make you want to start again from episode one (I’m now up to season 4). Lena Dunham is an excellent writer, and in this memoir she chronicles a life of fame and of chronic illness, and all the drama that that combination creates.
It’s laugh out loud funny in parts, incredibly sad in others, and a fascinating insight throughout. For anyone who has to deal with chronic illness or pain and finds it a struggle to show up each day because of that, this will also be an important read and a reminder that health comes first and everything else can and must wait. I will read anything Lena writes at this stage.
“Hollywood’s culture has always been permissive toward everything but human frailty. Cruelty in the name of achievement was considered justified, but stopping in the name of grief or pain or simply fatigue was not.” - Lena Dunham in 'Famesick'
Roopa - Shoe Dog By Phil Knight
I don't usually gravitate towards biographies, but I read 'Shoe Dog' a few years ago for a book club, and I'm so glad I did. Written by Nike founder Phil Knight, it's an honest and engaging memoir that follows his journey from selling running shoes out of the trunk of his car to building one of the world's most recognisable brands.
What I loved most was the level of detail throughout the book. Phil Knight kept excellent records over the years, which means he's able to recount the challenges, decisions, and defining moments of his journey with incredible depth. It never felt like a polished success story, it was full of setbacks, uncertainty, and the constant hurdles he had to overcome.
I found it really inspiring, not just because of the success he achieved, but because of the determination and persistence he showed along the way. Seeing all the challenges, risks, and hoops he had to jump through was a good reminder that success doesn't happen overnight. Even if you're not usually a fan of biographies, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a go.
Shirl - Mother Mary Comes To Me by Arundhati Roy
I needed a few quiet moments to breathe and process Arundhati Roy’s memoir after I turned the final page. She delivers a captivating and heartbreaking reflection on her relationship with her mother. Throughout the memoir, even amid deep strain and emotional distance, it becomes clear how profoundly her mother shaped Roy’s values and the fierce, uncompromising woman she would become. At times, this memoir isn’t an easy read, but it lingers gently, staying with you long after you’ve finished.
Tim F - Mountain Warrior by Shane Cameron
David Tua, Joseph Parker & of course Shane Cameron are the names that instantly spring to mind when thinking about the New Zealand heavyweight boxers of recent years who have taken things to another level.
Although not reaching the global heights of the Tua & Parker, Shane ‘The Mountain Warrior’ Cameron has nevertheless been a stalwart of the NZ Boxing scene for a number of years and has been involved with some very epic fights.
If nothing else, who can forget the heavily promoted ‘Fight of the Century’ Tua vs. Cameron match-up that literally stopped the nation & still holds the all-time record for the most Boxing pay per view buys in New Zealand sporting history.
Shane Cameron - Mountain Warrior is his story in his own words.
Shane has definitely had his fair share of highs & lows and this book doesn’t shy away from them - and just like the back cover says ‘it’s not how you fall - it’s how you rise’ his story doesn't shy away from the fact that to be successful it really is about how many times you get up that counts.
From the tale of sparring with Mike Tyson as well as the David Tua & Danny Green fights & potentially becoming part of the New Zealand Warriors NRL Team - this book is an easy, entertaining read for any sport's fan and a definite ‘must read’ for even the casual of New Zealand boxing fans.
Tim W - Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson
'Losing My Virginity' will always have a special place on my shelf because it was the first book that made me think I'd like to build something of my own one day.
I read it as a teenager, and Richard Branson's stories of starting businesses, taking risks and figuring things out as he went along were unlike anything I'd read before. Looking back, he was the original entrepreneur before startup culture became a thing! He saw opportunities, backed himself and wasn't afraid to have a go.
It's full of stories, some unbelievable, that make you realise most successful businesses aren't built by people who have all the answers. They're built by people who are willing to take the first step, learn along the way and keep going when things get difficult!
I've read plenty of business books since, but this is one of the key books that started it all for me. If you've ever thought about starting a business, or just want to read the story of one of the world's great entrepreneurs, I'd still recommend it!
Some Honorable Mentions:
We couldn't leave without giving a shout out to some recent memoirs that either we have loved, or customers have been non-stop raving about. 'Surviving White Island' by Kelsey Waghorn is one of the most important memoirs published this year, a story of incredible resilience and recovery in the aftermath of the absolute tragedy of the Whakaari White Island explosion. Kelsey is an incredible example of the courage that she showed at the time, and the immense level of bravery to return to life and learn to live with both the physical and emotional scars of her experience.
Another memoir that is receiving a lot of attention (both good and bad!) from readers, but that both Shirl and I (Lizzy) loved is 'Strangers' by Belle Burden. This memoir is not only beautifully crafted, but also devastating in it's vulnerable sharing of a marriage left in tatters. I couldn't put this memoir down - reading about the end of Belle Burden's marriage and the impact on her and her whānau was harrowing. Yes, Belle comes from a lot of privilege and wealth, but she is so aware of this as she shares her experience. I felt like it was a reminder that heartbreak and family breakdowns are earth-shatteringly devastating regardless of our wealth. Incredibly written, brutally honest, a must-read memoir that sits up with my favourite Joan Didion's.
Lastly, a moment for two amazing humans who we lost in the past year or so and their memoirs that have given a lot of readers solace. 'Did I Ever Tell You This' by Sam Neil is a beautifully fascinating memoir of Neil's life across many countries and as one of our most celebrated actors. His warm nature comes through in the tales he shares, and it's a must read for anyone who wants to know more about how he ended up settling down with his whānau in Central Otago.
'Lessons on Living' by Nigel Latta is another memoir that has continued to share the wisdom and advice from one of our country's top psychologists after his sad passing last year.
Dylan read this and said about it "By his own admission, Nigel Latta doesn’t exactly present anything new in this book, but he neatly packages ideas and ways of living that are undeniably positive and make life better if we can follow them. Control what you can control - ignore the rest. Look after your team - at home, at work. A lovely man and a lovely book to be remembered by."
