Autobiographies provide an untainted window into the extraordinary lives of extraordinary individuals. As a result, the books often turn out to be an effective source of inspiration. The Diary of a Young Girl is one such story that allows readers to take a peek into the depths of human emotions in the face of adversity.
If you enjoyed paging through The Diary of Anne Frank, we’ve compiled a list of autobiographies that kick in a sense of self-awareness, self-introspection, and the need for correction. Enjoy, and as usual, you can drop your thoughts in the comments below:
The Story of My Life – Helen Keller
The Story of My Life is an incredible tale of determination and resilience against all odds. Helen Keller vividly describes her experiences right from her childhood to her ascent through education.
The book sheds light on a variety of human emotions and stages of life, but every sentence gives off a sense of optimism. The author’s relationship with Anne Sullivan serves an as important reminder of why one needs a good teacher in life.
Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela
As the title suggests, Nelson Mandela’s autobiography is an intense account of his struggles for freedom and equality. The book provides a detailed description of his childhood, education, and 27 years spent in prison.
Long Walk to Freedom is a message to the current and upcoming generations to act and respect what we have.
Up From Slavery – Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington’s autobiography is a testament to perseverance and the power of dreaming. Washington goes from being a slave to leading the movement for ‘education for all’ in the US. His experiences speak volumes of the strength of the human spirit. Up From Slavery captures the start of ed-evolution in the United States as to how education went from being a luxury to a basic human right in the country.
In addition, the novel is also a good starting point for someone willing to understand the beginning of the rise of marginalized communities through education.
My Experiments with Truth – Mahatma Gandhi
My Experiments with Truth captures the major events of Mahatma Gandhi’s life from childhood until 1921. The book was published on a weekly basis in Gandhi’s journal titled Navjivan.
Gandhi’s experiences painstakingly point to attaining personal, social, and political stability through love, compassion, and nonviolence. Mahatma Gandhi kept his story honest including not just his positive but also negative characteristics in the book.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin – Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is an unfinished account of Franklin’s life. The text is a collection of memoirs highlighting some of the significant incidents of his life. Franklin recounts his childhood and the heyday of his life as a polymath.
The book has become one of the most popular autobiographies of all time allowing readers to dive into the extraordinary mind of a genius.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X – Malcolm X & Alex Haley
A great reminder to humans of human rights, The Autobiography of Malcolm X is equally relevant today as the world grapples with racial crimes. The book documents his struggles in life from childhood to the years leading to his assassination.
Malcolm X discusses in detail his association with organized crime and his subsequent sentence in prison. Through his words, Malcolm X makes it clear the only way to achieve peace is through harmony and respect among different communities.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s autobiography is a thought-provoking tale of a young girl’s resilience in the face of hardships. The book spans roughly 13 years of Maya’s life from being a little girl with fears to a teenage mother with a sense of responsibility and dignity.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the celebration of the victory of the human spirit over evil and crimes. Hence, it is a must-read.
Agatha Christie: An Autobiography – Agatha Christie
Published posthumously, Agatha Christie’s autobiography is different from others on this list owing to its sole focus on life’s natural movement.
Written over a period of 15 years, the book outlines the life of the crime novelist in detail focusing on her happy childhood, her marriage, and her work as a writer. The book is an unmissable treat for Christie fans for it contains virtually every aspect of the writer’s life.
Assata: An Autobiography – Assata Shakur
Assata is a stark reminder of the inhumane outcomes of social segregation and discrimination. Assata Shakur details her life as a political activist. The book documents the events following the shooting on the New Jersey State Turnpike, as well as Assata’s childhood and her struggles including hospitalization and incarceration. It’s a must-read for those interested in exploring the history of racial crimes in the USA, and its horrific consequences.
The Glass Castle – Jeannette Walls
The Glass Castle is a collection of memoirs by Jeanette Walls detailing her nomadic yet happy childhood. The book’s title refers to Walls’ father’s unfulfilled promise of building a house for his family.
The text focuses on the positives and negatives of Walls’ early life, and how she steered through everything to build a successful career for herself.
There we have it, our list of 10 books like The Diary of a Young Girl. What do you think about our picks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below: