• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Display Search Bar
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Facebook Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Twitter Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Pinterest Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Instagram Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on YouTube Follow 5 Minutes For Mom via RSS

5 Minutes for Mom

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Snack
      • Lunch
      • Appetizer
      • Dinner
      • Dessert
    • Ingredient
      • Apple
      • Beef
      • Blueberry
      • Chicken
      • Chocolate
      • Cranberry
      • Peach
      • Pumpkin
      • Squash
      • Strawberry
      • Tomato
      • Vegetables
      • Zucchini
    • Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Baking
      • Grilling
      • Instant Pot
      • No Bake
      • One Dish
      • Slow Cooker
    • Type
      • Breads and Rolls
      • Cakes and Muffins
      • Condiments
      • Cookies and Bars
      • Drinks
      • Food for Kids
      • Gluten-Free
      • Main Dish
      • Pies and Crisps
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches and Wraps
      • Side Dishes
      • Smoothies
      • Soup
  • Crafts & DIY
    • Crafts
    • DIY
    • Kids Crafts
    • Printables
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing
  • Family Life
    • Giveaways
    • Lifestyle
    • Marriage
    • Motherhood
    • Parenting
    • Pet Care
    • Special Needs
    • Time Management
    • Travel
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas

The Best Memoirs from Overcomers

August 14, 2017 by Jennifer Donovan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

ShareTweetPinPocketMail

I (Jennifer) first read The Glass Castle over 10 years ago, but it has always stuck with me. The writing is expressive, so much so that I remember specific scenes and phrases. I re-read the book in this last month in anticipation of my early screening of The Glass Castle movie and my interview with Jeannette Walls, and so these kinds of stories have been on my mind.

Jeannette Walls’ true story is a modern-day fairy tale. I lifted this phrase from a New York Times Book Review which was applied to this memoir because it features people who overcome their outrageous misfortune, and the whole article (check it out) reminded me why I like these kinds of stories.

Reading about someone who is able to overcome her past — to perhaps become even stronger because of it — is truly inspirational. These kinds of stories always remind me that there are people who seem ordinary, who look just like us, who have endured what we could never imagine.

I also hope that opening our minds to see people as more than their circumstances will remind us that we are too, and perhaps make it easier to share our own stories.

If you enjoyed The Glass Castle book or movie, I think that these might inspire you in an equal measure. If you have not read it, start there. It’s on my All-time Top Ten List of Best Books.

The subtitles on these books really tell it all, so I will let those subtitles pique your interest. If you want to find out more, just click the title or cover to read my full review of the book.

Etched in Sand

Described as “A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island,” this story is remarkably inspiring, though much of their childhood was indeed unspeakable.

Regina Calcaterra helped her youngest sister — who lived a very different life — to tell her own story in Girl Unbroken, and it is also a fascinating story.

My Underground American Dream

“My True Story as an Undocumented Immigrant who Became a Wall Street Executive” does not detail abuse, but there certainly were obstacles in Julissa Arce’s path. This is a very current hot-button issue, and this book presents a unique viewpoint.

Breaking Night

This “memoir of forgiveness, survival, and my journey from homeless to Harvard,” reminds me of another important part about owning our past — acceptance, and if possible — forgiveness. Liz Murray’s true story is available for only 2.99 on Kindle right now!

Pin it

ShareTweetPinPocketMail
Around the Blogosphere – Add YOUR Giveaway Link #Giveaways
Tempting Chocolate Recipes and our Delicious Dishes Recipe Party

About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

Reader Interactions


Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Bringing Moms Together

We are Janice and Susan, twin bloggers and work-at-home moms. We're here to inspire, encourage & empower you.

Meet Us…

Work With Us…

Subscribe via Email

to be first to read new posts

Trending Now

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Raspberry Coulis – How To Make Raspberry Sauce

Among Us Costumes – How To Make Pretty DIY Among Us Cosplay Outfits

Among Us Costumes – How To Make Pretty DIY Among Us Cosplay Outfits

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

Oven Roasted Potatoes and Peppers Recipe

Instant Pot Apple Crisp that is Ready in Minutes!

Instant Pot Apple Crisp that is Ready in Minutes!

browse around

  • Posts by Susan
  • Posts by Janice
  • Favorite Recipes
  • Favorite Crafts
  • Giveaways
  • All Posts

Footer

Recipes

Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe and History

Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe and History

25 Awesome Rainbow and Green St. Patrick’s Day Treats

25 Awesome Rainbow and Green St. Patrick’s Day Treats

Easy Valentine Sugar Cookies

Easy Valentine Sugar Cookies

Crafts/DIY

Easter Egg Painting – How to Paint Easter Eggs with Acrylic Paint

Easter Egg Painting – How to Paint Easter Eggs with Acrylic Paint

DIY Flower Press – How To Press Flowers

DIY Flower Press – How To Press Flowers

Valentine’s Day Crafts For Kids – Super Cute and Easy Valentine Craft Ideas

Valentine’s Day Crafts For Kids – Super Cute and Easy Valentine Craft Ideas

Giveaways

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Mom

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Mom

School Supplies List and Back to School Shopping Guide

School Supplies List and Back to School Shopping Guide

REDEEMING LOVE Set to Strike Gold on the Big Screen #RedeemingLoveMovie

REDEEMING LOVE Set to Strike Gold on the Big Screen #RedeemingLoveMovie

Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Facebook Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Twitter Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Pinterest Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on Instagram Follow 5 Minutes For Mom on YouTube Follow 5 Minutes For Mom via RSS
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Us
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 5 Minutes for MomTheme by Melissa Rose Design and Once Coupled