Best autobiography books and memoirs of 2026
There are few books more captivating than a good memoir, with their jaw-dropping revelations, stranger-than-fiction anecdotes, and quiet moments of reflection that can feel painfully relatable.
This year has brought new memoirs and autobiographies from a host of famous faces, including actors, musicians, comedians and cultural icons, each ready to tell their story in their own words. Whether you want to go behind the scenes of The Lord of the Rings, revisit Paul McCartney’s post-Beatles years or read an intimate account of growing up with Princess Diana, there are plenty of untold stories to dive into this year.
These books also make for excellent Christmas gifts, whether for a curious loved one or even for yourself. With that in mind, the following is our guide to the best new memoirs and autobiography books of 2026.
What is an autobiography?
An autobiography is a written account, most often in book form, that someone has written about their life. It’s a bit like taking a diary and turning it into a story that other people can read.
The ‘auto’ here plays a big part; coming from the latin for ‘self’, autobiographies are authored by the same person the account is about.
Best autobiographies and memoirs published this year
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between biography and autobiography?
While biographies and autobiographies are both focused on the life and times of a specific person, they have one big difference: anyone can write a biography on someone, whereas an autobiography needs to be written by the person whose life is being recounted. To get the ‘auto’ in front of ‘biography’, you need to be writing the book yourself.
What's a memoir, and how does it differ from an autobiography?
The terms ‘memoir’ and ‘autobiography’ can get a little blurred, but these two types of books do have differences. The main one is that a memoir typically focuses on a specific theme or period of time in someone’s life, whereas an autobiography tends to cover the whole sum of a person’s existence (well, to a point).
Memoirs can also be a little more introspective and reflective, whereas autobiographies focus on the bigger picture of someone’s life and are more chronological and comprehensive.
Are memoirs usually written in first person?
As a general rule of thumb, most memoirs (and autobiographies) are written in first person. If you’re reading either of these types of books, you can expect the use of ‘I’ and ‘me’. It’s a great way to connect with the author as it feels like they’re telling their story directly to you – this is especially true if you listen to an audiobook narrated by the author.
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