By Britney Spears

Gallery Books, 2023. 277 pages. Biography 

In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice--her truth--was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey--and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history. Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears's groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love--and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last. 

The Woman in Me starts off as a hopeful story of a little girl in Louisiana with big dreams and bigger family problems. In heartbreaking detail, Britney Spears shares the events that led to her 13-year conservatorship and, ultimately, how she freed herself. There’s so much to take from this book whether you’re a Britney Spears fan or not; it’s incredibly poignant and self-aware in ways only a woman whose gone through what she has can be. The audiobook is narrated beautifully by Oscar-winning actress Michelle Williams who perfects Spears’ cadence and makes you forget it’s not actually her. If you’ve ever struggled with being kind while also standing up for yourself, you’re sure to take something from this moving memoir. 

I’m Glad My Mom Died

By Jennette McCurdy

Simon and Schuster, 2022. 304 pages. Biography

Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother's dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So, she went along with what Mom called "calorie restriction," eating little and weighing herself five times a day. In I'm Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly, she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi, Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants. 

Being Henry: The Fonz...and Beyond 

By Henry Winkler 

Celadon Books, 2023. 247 pages. Biography

Henry Winkler, launched into prominence as "The Fonz" in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood, Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you. Filled with profound heart, charm, and self-deprecating humor, Being Henry is a memoir about so much more than a life in Hollywood and the curse of stardom. It is a meaningful testament to the power of sharing truth and kindness and of finding fulfillment within yourself.

BW