Memoir: books for grown-ups

From the Bookbear grown-ups' shelf: 15 books on memoir, chosen for curious, conscious parents.

1. The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story

   The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story

   by A. Revathi

   AdultsIndian author

   The first memoir by a hijra in India, from a small Tamil village to activism in Bengaluru.

   Buy on Amazon.in · ₹241 ↗

2. I Am Vidya: A Transgender's Journey

   I Am Vidya: A Transgender's Journey

   by Living Smile Vidya

   AdultsIndian author

   A trans woman's memoir of transition, family and finding dignity in Tamil Nadu.

   Buy on Amazon.in · ₹195 ↗

3. Me Hijra, Me Laxmi

   Me Hijra, Me Laxmi

   by Laxmi Narayan Tripathi

   AdultsIndian author

   The life of one of India's best-known transgender rights activists.

   Buy on Amazon.in · ₹549 ↗

4. Autobiography of a Yogi

   Autobiography of a Yogi

   by Paramahansa Yogananda

   AdultsIndian author

   The spiritual classic that introduced millions to meditation and Kriya Yoga.

   Buy on Amazon.in · ₹180 ↗

5. The Story of My Experiments with Truth

   The Story of My Experiments with Truth

   by M.K. Gandhi

   AdultsIndian author

   Gandhi's autobiography: his experiments with truth, non-violence, diet and simple living.

   Buy on Amazon.in · ₹95 ↗

6. Unbreakable: An Autobiography

   Unbreakable: An Autobiography

   by Mary Kom with Dina Serto

   AdultsIndian author

   The six-time world boxing champion on growing up in a poor Manipur village, fighting prejudice, and balancing motherhood with the ring.

   Buy on Amazon.in · ₹268 ↗

7. Ace Against Odds

   Ace Against Odds

   by Sania Mirza with Imran Mirza

   AdultsIndian author

   India's tennis trailblazer on her journey from Hyderabad courts to world No. 1 in doubles, and the pressures she faced along the way.

   Buy on Amazon.in · ₹457 ↗

8. My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future

   My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future

   by Indra K. Nooyi

   AdultsIndian author

   The former PepsiCo CEO on growing up in Chennai, rising to lead a global company, and what families and workplaces need to change.

   Buy on Amazon.in · ₹371 ↗

9. We Are Poor but So Many

   We Are Poor but So Many

   by Ela R. Bhatt

   AdultsIndian author

   The founder of SEWA tells the story of organising India's self-employed women workers into one of the world's largest women's movements.

   Buy on Amazon.in · ₹500 ↗

10. Inner Recesses, Outer Spaces: Memoirs

    Inner Recesses, Outer Spaces: Memoirs

    by Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

    AdultsIndian author

    The memoirs of the freedom fighter who revived India's handicrafts and helped build its cultural institutions after independence.

    Buy on Amazon.in · ₹635 ↗

11. Mera Jeevan Sangharsh

    Mera Jeevan Sangharsh

    by Captain Lakshmi Sahgal

    AdultsIndian author

    The autobiography of the doctor who commanded the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army (Hindi).

    Buy on Amazon.in · ₹235 ↗

12. Born a Crime

    Born a Crime

    by Trevor Noah

    Adults

    Growing up mixed-race in apartheid South Africa, when his birth itself was illegal — and the fierce mother who raised him.

    Buy on Amazon.in · ₹354 ↗

13. Flash Count Diary

    Flash Count Diary

    by Darcey Steinke

    Adults✈️ Import only (pricey)

    A novelist's lyrical memoir of menopause, blending her own experience with science, culture and the natural world.

    Buy on Amazon.in · ₹1,364 ↗

14. I Am Malala

    I Am Malala

    by Malala Yousafzai & Christina Lamb

    Adults

    The Nobel laureate's full memoir: growing up in Pakistan's Swat Valley, speaking out for girls' education, surviving an attack and continuing her campaign.

    Buy on Amazon.in · ₹329 ↗

15. Unbowed: A Memoir

    Unbowed: A Memoir

    by Wangari Maathai

    Adults✈️ Import only (pricey)

    The Nobel Peace Prize winner's memoir of founding the Green Belt Movement and planting millions of trees across Kenya.

    Buy on Amazon.in · ₹1,906 ↗