Hi Ho Bookworms!
Oh Tuesday, my Tuesday. It is the most glorious day to make a list. This week the folks at The Broke and the Bookish have asked us to list our Top Ten Heroines. I’ve played this game before, with fictional ladies, so this time, I’m going to list ladies who are heroes of their own lives and talk about memoir-istas. I just made that a thing. You can thank me later.

1. Amy Poehler- I recently listened to Yes Please (I highly recommend the audio.) I love Amy more now than I did before. “Good for you, not for me” is my new personal mantra.
2. Tina Fey- Uh, Bossypants (review) pretty much rocked my world. Tina for president!
3. Mindy Kaling- Mindy’s memoir Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) makes me feel less alone in my neuroses. (review)
4. Cheryl Strayed- Deciding to take on the Pacific Crest Trail wouldn’t be MY first choice of activity if I were feeling lost, but I’m not Wild like Cheryl Strayed (review). I like living vicariously.
5. Jenny Lawson- The great and powerful Bloggess opens up even more than usual in her delicious memoir Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (review). The woman makes me furiously happy.

6. Jeanette Walls- Holy crap on a cracker, The Glass Castle (review) KILLED ME. The fact that she emerged from her childhood (mostly) unscathed is a miracle.
7. Susanna Kaysen- I read Girl, Interrupted in high school and I was blown away. In fairness I’ve not read it with “grown up” eyes, but I think it holds up. Mental illness is an important topic, y’all.
8. Rachel Dratch- I might have a weakness for the ladies of SNL but Dratch’s memoir Girl Walks into a Bar . . .: Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle was awesome. (review)
9. Sloane Crosley- I recommend you read I Was Told There’d Be Cake. SOMEBODY needs to talk about the mysterious turd on the carpet, you guys. (review)
Talk to me Bookworms! Who are some of your favorite female memoir-istas?
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Heather @ Capricious Reader
Mildred, you’re brilliant. I love the way you did your list!! Wicked awesome.
Shannon @ River City Reading
I loved so many of these and can’t think about Jenny Lawson without going into gigglefits imagining a scene or two from that book. Love your list!
Sarah's Book Shelves
Love that you focused on memoirs! I ended up splitting my list into fiction and nonfiction. Probably should have included Jeanette Walls and Cheryl Strayed on my list too!
Megan M.
I love Amy Poehler something fierce! I hate that I haven’t read Jenny Lawson’s book yet because I adore her and I know her book will be fabulous. It’s been on my list forever.
AMB
It’s interesting to a see a list focused on memoirs. I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler!
Dana
Just Kids by Patti Smith was one of my favorite memoirs ever. I have an odd fascination with the Chelsea Hotel, and after reading her tales of life there, I felt like I’d been a resident. I loved it.
thatashgirl
Mindy Kaling is like my spirit animal or something.
Jancee @ Jancee Reads
I’m pretty sure just about every one of these is on my TBR. I need to be able to read faster! Please??
kristin @ my little heart melodies
I’m so with you on Tina and Amy!
Amy @ Read a Latte
YAS to so many of these! There’s actually a shirt that says “If I die tell Mindy Kaling I loved her” which I think can be collectively worn by the internet as a whole. Also Cheryl Strayed is just…lifespiration.
Words For Worms
I NEED THAT SHIRT! It’s basically a medic alert bracelet for the important things. Sign up to be an organ donor and wear that shirt. Pre-reqs to obtaining a driver’s license I should think.
Lost in Literature 108
I’ve only read one on your list, Wild, but I really want to read Girl, Interrupted.
I have read are A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L’Engle. It’s not your typical memoir, it is a bit cerebral, kind of slow, but I liked it. And Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist. It’s a memoir heavily focused on food. Loved it.
Krystianna
Great list! Amy Poehler is an awesome choice. I hope you have a great week! 🙂
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
I like your twist. Is there anyone who doesn’t like Amy Poehler or Tina Fey? 🙂 Dynamic duo!
TTT
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
Anne @ Lovely Literature
Bossypants and Yes Please are on the very short list of memoirs I would actually like to read. Must start reading those!
Leah @ Books Speak Volumes
Love this list! Such amazing ladies.
Jennine G.
I’ve actually read a number of these! Liked Bossypants and LOVED Let’s Pretend This Never Happened. So funny.
Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf
This is such a cool twist on the prompt!! Love!
Mysterious Bibliophile
I haven’t read these, but my daughter is a fan of The Glass Castle. A friend recommended the Jenny Lawson book to me — I may give that a try. 🙂
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
OMG, all the books I need to read! I’m totally onboard with ALL of the SNL ladies. I didn’t even know Rachel Brilliant-As-Balls Dratch had a book out!