Loved Lena Dunham’s ‘Famesick’? Here are 24 Juicy Celebrity Memoirs You Won’t Be Able To Put Down
If Lena Dunham's controversial 'Famesick' had you hooked, these page-turners by A-listers and icons will be your next obsession.
The 2020s are shaping up to be quite the decade for the celebrity memoir.
In 2026 alone, we've already had one of the most hotly anticipated A-list releases in a long time, courtesy of Lena Dunham's Famesick, a riveting read that set the internet abuzz with many a think piece since it dropped in April this year.
And if you, like many of us, love getting the inside scoop straight from the source, we're going to go out on a limb and say that celebrity memoirs are your ticket. So, it’s time to make yourself a tea, cosy up in your Threads and dive into these compelling reads written by some of the most famous faces on the planet.
1. 'Famesick' by Lena Dunham
In case you haven't already read it, Famesick is the second memoir by Girls creator Lena Dunham, and a follow-up to her controversial 2014 memoir, Not That Kind of Girl. In this deeply personal reflection on life, fame and chronic illness, Dunham opens up about the breakdown of her long-term relationship with musician Jack Antonoff, her relationship with Girls co-star Adam Driver and falling out with the show's producer and her former best friend, Jenni Konner. Dunham's frank voice and vulnerable grappling with fame and pain make it a compelling, and occasionally uncomfortable, read.
2. 'The Meaning of Mariah Carey' by Mariah Carey with Michaela Angela Davis
Mariah Carey, the music icon, needs no introduction, but her backstory? It's definitely worth diving into. Delivered with her signature self-aware wit, The Meaning of Mariah Carey offers a captivating insight into the singer's life as a child and a young woman coming up in the music industry. In it, the elusive chanteuse recounts a difficult childhood with highly strained family relationships and growing up biracial, all the way through to her abusive marriage to music executive Tommy Mottola early in her career. It also presents a rare look at how the legendary singer-songwriter approaches her craft, describing her writing process and the origins of some of her most famous songs. Our tip? Get this one as an audiobook – it's so worth it to hear Carey herself narrate her story.
3. 'The Half of It' by Madison Beer
Discovered at just twelve years of age, Madison Beer is one of the first artists to have their entire life captured on social media. Covering career, fame and self-love through her teen years and into her twenties, The Half of It shares a look into her life 'backstage', from the making of her debut album, Life Support, to overcoming mass online hate. A vocal advocate for mental health, Beer goes deep into the stories behind the headlines, reminding us that no matter how strong a parasocial relationship may feel, we rarely know even half of it.
4. 'Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!)' by Bethany Joy Lenz
If that title hasn't already sold you on it, allow us to elaborate. In the early 2000s, actress Bethany Joy Lenz was best known for playing Haley on the titular "cult TV show", One Tree Hill. At the same time that her career in Hollywood was taking off, her personal life was quietly coming undone, with Lenz finding herself groomed into and trapped within The Big House Family cult. Pulled in by a depraved minister who convinced her to marry one of his sons (while funnelling away millions of her TV income without her knowing), Lenz's story is a daring quest to break free and reclaim her autonomy, and one that will leave you reeling long after the pages have stopped turning.
5. 'Cher: The Memoir, Part One' by Cher
A candid tale of an extraordinary entertainer, the first of Cher's two-part memoir – part two is slated for a November 2026 release – is a heady throwback to the early days of the trailblazing star's life and career. Commencing with her as a dyslexic child dreaming of fame, and following her story all the way to meeting and marrying Sonny Bono, Cher spares no detail (or brilliantly timed laugh) as she talks through a life shaped by love, loss and finding her voice.
6. 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing' by Matthew Perry
A comedy icon and one of the world's most beloved actors, the late Matthew Perry's memoir – released just one year before his tragic passing – isn't the easiest of reads. It is, however, a raw one, with the Friends star painting a searing picture of the depths of his battle with addiction to drugs and alcohol, as well as his simultaneous rise to fame, and how both change a person. It's also darkly funny, with dry quips reminiscent of his most famous character, Chandler Bing, who is also a topic of much of the book.
7. 'Crying in H Mart' by Michelle Zauner
A thoroughly moving memoir rooted in family, food, grief and resilience, Michelle Zauner's story is a New York Times bestseller for good reason. Speaking honestly about growing up mixed-race, losing her Korean mother to terminal pancreatic cancer and Korean food – a soulful connection to her culture and mother – the Grammy-nominated lead singer of the band Japanese Breakfast serves up a devastatingly heartfelt story that stays with you.
8. 'You With The Sad Eyes' by Christina Applegate
Achingly honest and darkly funny – unsurprising given her comedic prowess – Christina Applegate's memoir is a front-row seat to her life from childhood star through to Emmy Award-winning actress and beyond. But it's far from pure glitz and glamour, with The Independent dubbing it "the most devastating celebrity memoir of the year" for Applegate's unflinching openness about her private struggles with body dysmorphia, surviving abuse, growing up around addiction and living with multiple sclerosis. For all the unapologetic heaviness underpinning the harder subject matter, her humour is just as unfiltered, making it a dizzying yet mesmerising read that swings stunningly between two extremes.
9. 'From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir' by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough
In 2022, Lisa Marie Presley asked her daughter, actress Riley Keough, for help with completing her memoir. A month later, Presley passed away. Fulfilling her mother's wishes, Keough listened diligently to the taped interviews Presley had recorded for the book and wove her stories into words on the page, their voices merging into one. The result is a book The Guardian described as "jaw-dropping", delving into her idyllic childhood on the grounds of Graceland, witnessing her father, Elvis, battle with drug addiction, the complicated relationship with her mother, Priscilla, and even her mid-90s marriage to Michael Jackson. Phew!
10. 'Love, Pamela' by Pamela Anderson
From her acclaimed 2023 Netflix documentary to this memoir – which combines essays with poetry and personal photographs – Pamela Anderson hasn't shied away from sharing more of her story in recent years. As revealed by both the documentary and this deeply personal book, the Baywatch star has been grossly mistreated by the press and is only now beginning to claw back her agency. This memoir is a moving read and, combined with the visceral pieces of poetry, helps to give a sense of Pamela’s unique and singular mind.
11. 'The Woman In Me' by Britney Spears
We’ll hazard a guess that no book in the world was as anticipated as Britney Spears’ memoir The Woman In Me at the time of its release. There was a bidding war among publishing houses when the singer took the title to market and with good reason: this is the book that will detail, in Britney’s own words, her experience successfully fighting the conservatorship held over her for more than a decade, and emerging on the other side. This is Britney’s story, in Britney’s words, and we will be reading them.
12. 'Pageboy' by Elliot Page
In this beautifully written and heart-wrenching memoir, actor Elliot Page details their transitioning journey. It’s a powerful read by one of our most visible transgender celebrities, and provides so much insight into Elliot’s story that goes well beyond the actor’s many acclaimed on-screen performances. A brilliant and moving read.
13. 'Paris: The Memoir' by Paris Hilton
Yes, Paris Hilton’s memoir is good. Really good. Let this book serve as a reminder of the DJ slash model slash reality TV star’s perennial dry wit and her ability to tell her own story. You don’t remain at the top of the fame game for decades without being in control of that. Whether she’s writing about her lowest points or her highest ones, Paris does it all with honesty – so much so that reading it will turn even the skeptics into true Paris fans. Our favourite parts involve recounting the years spent on The Simple Life with her co-star and friend Nicole Richie.
14. 'My Name is Barbra' by Barbra Streisand
This 1,000-page memoir is a firm reminder that the one and only Barbra Streisand, a powerhouse singer, actor and director, has lived a life. Not only is she part of the rarified EGOT winner club (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners), but she was also the first female director to receive an Oscar nomination. And we haven’t even gotten started on her iconic film roles (Funny Girl! A Star Is Born! Yentl!) or her records. Taking ten years to pen her story, she talks through her early life and meteoric career, from growing up in Brooklyn to her struggles as an actress and star-making turns in New York nightclubs, as well as the romantic relationships – rumoured and real – that have become a part of it.
15. 'Honey, Baby, Mine' by Laura Dern and Diane Ladd
What a gift this book is! Comprising transcripts of conversations between mother and daughter – and famous actors – Laura Dern and Diane Ladd during long walks taken as part of treatment for Diane’s ailing health, this book is not only an insight into their relationship but an ode to mothers and daughters everywhere. Yes, they talk about famous film sets and roles, from Diane’s Oscar-nominated performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore to Laura becoming an actor herself and working with David Lynch and Steven Spielberg. But the most moving parts are when they talk about life and love, about family, about regrets and about death. It’s a deeply touching book and beautifully put together.
16. 'Spare' by Prince Harry
Spare was perhaps the most talked-about release of 2023, thanks in large part to choice excerpts regarding Prince Harry’s childhood, his relationship with his brother Prince William and his marriage to Meghan Markle. This book was ghostwritten by J R Moehringer, who also ghostwrote Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, and it is certainly readable, no matter what your thoughts are on the royal family. We recommend the audiobook for this one, which is read by none other than the Prince himself.
17. 'Down The Drain' by Julia Fox
Whether you know her from her breakout role in Uncut Gems, her relationship with Kanye West, or her trendsetting style, exaggerated eyeshadow, and mastery of social media, Julia Fox has established herself as someone to watch these past few years. Renowned for being unabashedly and unapologetically herself, Fox has lived quite the life to get to where she is today. In this insightful memoir, she tells heartbreaking tales of her past, where she struggled with addiction, crime, and the hustle and bustle of New York City.
18. 'Taste' by Stanley Tucci
First, he shared with us the magic of the meals he grew up eating in The Tucci Cookbook and The Tucci Table, and now actor Stanley Tucci is taking us beyond these recipes and into the compelling stories behind them with Taste: My Life Through Food. Taste is a deliciously funny amalgamation of Tucci’s life experiences, through the lens of food. Sharing everything from five-star dining delights to inedible burnt disasters to the simple beauty of a Pasta con Aglio e Olio, this entertaining book is written for those who love dry humour, and know the power of a home-cooked meal.
19. 'I'm Glad My Mom Died' by Jennette McCurdy
Don’t worry, the title shocked us too. This heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy unveils the trials and tribulations she went through as a child star on Disney in the early-to-mid 2000s. The book also delves into Jennette’s struggle with eating disorders, addiction, and her complicated relationship with her overbearing and abusive mother.
20. 'Becoming' By Michelle Obama
Former First Lady Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. From growing up on the South Side of Chicago, to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address, Becoming is a deep reflection of Michelle’s life told through mesmerising storytelling.
21. 'Making a Scene' by Constance Wu
Described as poignant, frank, and intimate by the New York Times, actor from Fresh Off the Boat and the hit film Crazy Rich Asians, Constance Wu pours out her heart and childhood experiences in her memoir Making a Scene. Recounting how she spent most of her childhood in Richmond, Virginia, suppressing her deep emotions, young Constance found an outlet through community theatre. Being the one place where her big feelings were deemed okay, acting became her refuge, and eventually her vocation.
22. 'Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business' by Dolly Parton
Learn about the Queen of Country in this extensive photographic memoir recounting the early life of Dolly Parton. Known for gracing concert stages, movie sets, and TV screens, Miss Parton’s honest-to-God personality and unique Tennessee twang has charmed millions. In this book, Dolly tells her rags-to-riches story, while unveiling never-before-seen photos from her past.
23. 'Born a Crime' by Trevor Noah
In this collection of 18 personal stories, South African comedian Trevor Noah shares what his childhood was like during the final decade of Apartheid and beyond. With a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother, Trevor spent much of his early years hiding, his existence evidence of a union that was punishable by five years in prison. Born a Crime charts the extreme measures his mother went to protect him from a government that had the power to take him away at any moment, as well as their journey to embrace their newfound freedoms once segregation was lifted in 1994.
24. 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith
Legendary American singer, songwriter, poet, painter, and author Patti Smith provides a never-before-seen insight into the tumultuous life she led in the late sixties and early seventies with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Just Kids is an honest and moving story of friendship, brought to life beautifully in the same way she enlivened her visual art, music, and poetry.
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