Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




The Best Memoirs of 2010


Cover art for CLAIMING GROUND
NONFICTION
Released: March 19, 2010

"A work of descriptive virtuosity and a hard, honest pull through rough emotional terrain--an exemplary memoir."
An elegant, deep-running chronicle of Bell's 30 years living in the mountain West. Read full book review >
Cover art for A JOURNEY
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 2, 2010

"A vividly rendered account of life in office, with plenty of beneficial pointers to aspiring politicos on either side of the Atlantic."
Long-awaited, uncommonly candid memoir by the former British prime minister. Read full book review >
Cover art for HOW DID YOU GET THIS NUMBER
NONFICTION
Released: June 15, 2010

"Confirmation of the promise shown in the author's bestselling debut."
A worthy successor to Crosley's well-received debut, I Was Told There'd Be Cake (2008). Read full book review >
Cover art for THE FINE WISDOM AND PERFECT TEACHINGS OF THE KINGS OF ROCK AND ROLL
NONFICTION
Released: May 4, 2010

"A near-perfect memoir."
Edmundson (English/Univ. of Virginia; The Death of Sigmund Freud: The Legacy of His Last Days, 2007, etc.) delivers a wily, playful, self-denigrating memoir. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE TICKING IS THE BOMB
NONFICTION
Released: Jan. 18, 2010

"A striking collection of memories that will mystify, enlighten, trouble and amaze."
Memoir as meditation on love and loss, birth and death, good and evil, from PEN Award winner Flynn (Another Bullshit Night in Suck City, 2005, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for MENTOR
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 15, 2010

"Without wasting a word, Grimes presents a thoroughly readable view of how stories--and writers, at least of a certain kind--are made."
An illuminating account of a writer's life under the tutelage of another writer. Read full book review >
Cover art for RAT GIRL
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 1, 2010

"A thoroughly engrossing work by an original voice--hopefully the first of many."
Funny, quirky coming-of-age story from a unique musical artist. Read full book review >
Cover art for HITCH-22
NONFICTION
Released: June 2, 2010

"Revealing and riveting. There's little about his brother, his two marriages or his children, but other memoirs may follow."
Hitchens (Thomas Jefferson: Author of America, 2009, etc.) offers an engrossing account of his lives as a British Navy brat, a socialist activist and a leading essayist and intellectual of our time. Read full book review >
Cover art for TWO CENTS PLAIN
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 5, 2010
by Martin Lemelman, illustrated by Martin Lemelman

""Life is the biggest bargain. You get it for free," reads one of the Yiddish sayings that introduce the chapters, in a book that is both a celebration and an affirmation of life."
Memory comes alive in this compelling amalgam of drawing, narrative and archival photography. Read full book review >
Cover art for HAPPY
NONFICTION
Released: Jan. 1, 2010

"Empathetic, vividly rendered and impossible to put down."
An American poet recalls the medical maladies that befell him in college and beyond. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE GRACE OF SILENCE
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 21, 2010

"Outstanding."
In her debut memoir, veteran journalist and All Things Considered co-host Norris deftly explores the "unprecedented, hidden and robust conversation about race" now taking place throughout the United States. Read full book review >
Cover art for JUST KIDS
NONFICTION
Released: Jan. 19, 2010

"Riveting and exquisitely crafted."
Musician, poet and visual artist Smith (Trois, 2008, etc.) chronicles her intense life with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe during the 1960s and '70s, when both artists came of age in downtown New York. Read full book review >
Cover art for STREET SHADOWS
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 1, 2010

"Several cuts above standard memoirs."
Humorous, provocative tale of a young black writer racing past personal and historical demons. Read full book review >
Cover art for FORGET SORROW
NONFICTION
Released: May 10, 2010

"A transformational experience for author and reader alike."
East meets West in this occasionally playful yet profoundly moving graphic memoir. Read full book review >