What Are The Best Biographies in 2025

Hardcover, 352 pages, published by Random House

Educated is a gripping, emotional memoir about a woman who leaves her survivalist family in Idaho and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University. It's a testament to the power of education and the lengths one woman will go to for the sake of knowledge. The book explores themes of family, identity, and mental health. It does not focus on dimensions or weight, but rather the depth and weight of the story itself.

A deeply personal memoir about family, education, and self-discovery.

This memoir by Tara Westover recounts her journey from growing up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. The book delves into themes of family, faith, education, and the struggle for selfhood against a backdrop of stark rural life. It's a testament to the transformative power of education and the power of the human spirit.

Mass Market Paperback, 283 pages, published by Bantam

The Diary of a Young Girl is a heartbreaking yet inspiring account of Anne Frank's life in hiding during the Holocaust. It provides an intimate look into the horrors of war and the indomitable spirit of a young girl. The book showcases Anne's profound insights, her hopes, and her dreams in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

A deeply personal reflection on Michelle Obama's life and experiences.

In 'Becoming', Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, and finally her time spent at the world's most famous address. The memoir is a deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations.

Hardcover, 448 pages, published by Crown

Becoming is a deeply personal memoir by Michelle Obama, chronicling her life from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years in the White House. The book showcases her triumphs and disappointments, both public and private, and tells her story in her own words, inviting readers on her journey to becoming a powerful advocate for women and girls.

A young girl's firsthand account of life under Nazi occupation.

'The Diary of a Young Girl' is the record of two years in the life of Anne Frank, a teenage Jewish girl, during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The diary entries, penned under harrowing circumstances, offer a deeply personal insight into the horrors of war and genocide. Despite the grim context, Anne's optimism, wit, and indomitable spirit shine through.

An autobiographical account of a teenager's experiences in Nazi concentration camps.

Night by Elie Wiesel is a poignant and powerful memoir that recounts his experiences during the Holocaust. At the age of fifteen, Wiesel and his family were sent to Auschwitz. His story is one of survival, faith, and the loss of humanity in the face of horrifying circumstances. This book is a testament to the human spirit and the will to survive.

A memoir describing a woman's journey from a chaotic childhood to a successful career.

The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls is a captivating story of resilience in the face of adversity. The book chronicles Jeannette's unconventional upbringing with eccentric parents who instilled in her the determination to create a successful life for herself. This memoir is a testament to the power of hope and perseverance.

A Holocaust memoir that bears witness to unimaginable horrors.

'Night' is a memoir written by Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor. The book recounts his experiences with his father in the Nazi concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald in 1944–1945. A stark testimony to the horrors of the Holocaust, the book is a poignant exploration of human nature under the most extreme circumstances.