6 Celebrity Memoirs That Are Actually Great, Well-Written Books

The celebrity memoir is a genre all its own. These nonfiction gems usually lead to the revelation of private details, something the public covets from stars, as well as promising a more intimate encounter with the author. Meanwhile, the celebrity gets to share their story in a controlled way, something that can be very meaningful, particularly if the individual has been up against the media spinning false stories. Just look at what Britney Spears was able to do with her memoir, "The Woman In Me." It was an incredible experience, she told People. "After getting out of my conservatorship, I was finally free to tell my story without consequences from the people in charge of my life."

For some, sharing their story in a memoir can be a cathartic experience, and making private details public diminishes the shame and secrecy around these issues. In fact, every author who made our list has written a story that's offered an honest, vulnerable take on serious issues. That openness, in addition to readable and well-written content, is why we love these six celebrity memoirs. Best of all, many are available on audiobook, and are either read by the author themselves or by another familiar voice. 

For anyone familiar with the Duggar family, famous for their TLC reality show "19 Kids and Counting," Jill Duggar's honest memoir "Counting the Cost" will be a compelling read. Since their time as reality TV royalty, the Duggars have faced numerous scandals, most notably son Josh Duggar's conviction on child pornography. Josh has numerous other cases against him. A police report from 2015 claims that he molested four of his sisters, one of whom was Jill, as well as another girl. His parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar chose to deal with Josh's assault through their church and a state trooper who was a close friend of Jim Bob's. 

Jill discusses all of this in her memoir, as well as the manipulation and indoctrination that she lived through at the hands of her parents and their peers. Along with her husband, Derick Dillard, Jill breaks free of the silencing of her childhood and tells it all. The memoir earned a 4.05 on GoodReads, and readers were aware of the consequences that Jill faced for writing such a book. "And rarely, rarely, does anyone have the courage to explore family estrangement," a reviewer wrote. "Jill outlines the cost of estrangement – the cost to not set your boundaries and the cost once you do." Jill sacrificed a lot to write this extraordinary memoir, and readers responded to her risk with gratitude and genuine engagement with her book. 

Paris Hilton opted to share many personal details in her 2023 book "Paris: The Memoir." It was part of a more vulnerable path that she chose to take in adulthood, following her 2020 documentary "This is Paris." While she built a brand on the bubblegum pink appeal of partying and selling fragrances, Paris' more recent personal exposee show that she's got a lot of grit, depth, trauma, and pain beneath her impeccable facade. In her memoir, she even wrote about an abortion that she had in her early 20s, hoping to reduce the stigma around it. 

Her memoir earned a 4.22 on GoodReads, as well as a GoodReads Choice Award, proving how much readers loved the book. She delved into the traumatizing experience of being sent away to the Provo Canyon School in Utah for teenagers with emotional and behavioural issues. She also articulated the pain around being tabloid fodder for media outlets. Readers were touched by Hilton's depth and personal exploration. 

"I was unbelievably moved by this memoir," one reviewer began on GoodReads. "I was skeptical, expecting a fun, low-stakes memoir about fame but as the book developed, I found myself rooting for Paris. Paris Hilton writes openly and honestly about her experiences going through the troubled teen industry in the late 90s and her own advocacy work as a result of that experience." Sure, Hilton is still a fashion icon, but she's so much more than that. 

Viola Davis' 2022 memoir "Finding Me" absolutely rocked the literary world when it was released. It earned a place on Oprah's Book Club, it was a Harper's Bazaar Best Book of 2022, and it was a Marie Claire Most Anticipated Book. It also earned a GoodReads Choice Award and was nominated for Best Memoir & Autobiography in 2022. Talk about accolades. Davis' memoir goes from her childhood in a small apartment in Rhode Island to the dazzle and challenges of New York City, charting the pitfalls and hurdles she had to overcome to get where she is today. 

Readers resonated deeply with what she had to say. "Finding Me" earned a whopping 4.55 on GoodReads, and the reviews are glowing. "This has got to be my favorite [reads] of the year," one reader began. "I loved Viola Davis before, but now I'm IN love with her. The immense respect and admiration I have for her is deep. The things she endured as a kid, teen, woman—period." 

Another reviewer was awe-inspired. "Talk about pulling yourself up from your bootstraps! Viola has done her work!" they wrote. "She bravely shares so much. She wants to connect and communicate to the reader what's it's like to come from poverty, to live in fear, to fight for your life." Many readers wrote that the book is a very intense read: obviously, Davis holds nothing back. 

Child star Jennette McCurdy exploded onto the literary scene with her shockingly-titled 2022 memoir "I'm Glad My Mom Died." Famous for her roles on Nickelodeon productions "iCarly" and "Sam & Cat," the actor shared in her memoir how her mother monitored every step of her career, from her income to her hygiene, literally showering her. When her mother died of cancer, McCurdy went through a painful process of finding herself, turning her back on acting, and finding her voice as a writer. 

The difficult memoir earned a 4.46 on GoodReads, with readers shocked and honored by McCurdy's vulnerability and frankness. Readers expressed time and again that there's no need to be familiar with McCurdy's acting career or Nickelodeon productions to enjoy "I'm Glad My Mom Died." Also, many praise her for shutting the door on acting and taking up writing, noting that she's really talented. 

"Jennette McCurdy is extremely talented in her writing and i hope she writes more in the future (whatever genre idc, i'll read anything) because this book alone was a literary masterpiece," one reviewer shared. "THIS DESERVES EVERY OUNCE OF HYPE IT'S BEEN BLESSED WITH!" another reviewer enthusiastically wrote, following with a list of trigger warnings that readers should be prepared for. Clearly, McCurdy doesn't hold back at all. 

Tom Felton, who played the villain Draco Malfoy in the "Harry Potter" movies, wrote about his experience behind the screen in his 2022 memoir "Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard." Felton digs into the life of being a child and teen actor on such a huge worldwide hit, as well as his relationships with fellow cast members. This book holds major appeal for anyone looking for a nostalgic read, as "Harry Potter" fans rave about the intimate story. But Felton's writing is strong enough that it transcends niche-readership, as he digs into all facets of his life. 

The memoir earned a 4.29 on GoodReads, with readers raving about how funny and personal "Beyond the Wand" is. Felton also reads his own work in the audiobook version, which was especially popular among reviewers. "As far as celebrity memoirs go, this pretty much hit on all levels you are looking for," one reviewer began. "It was funny, succinct and also had its moments of seriousness. There were the Harry Potter insides we were hoping for, along with some unexpected stories that I never really knew about Tom Felton and what he went through." 

Another reviewer wrote: "[W]hat a delight. [A]dmittedly, I am a fan of autobiographies, but it was the first one I couldn't put down and ended up reading into the small hours of the day. [I]t has a heart." Felton really made an impression on readers. 

Jessica Simpson's 2020 memoir "Open Book" is an honest, warm, and vulnerable account of her life and the many hats she's worn, from singer to reality star to fashion designer. While she's crafted a public persona around being bubbly and happy, Simpson's memoir addresses the struggles and hardships of her life, including a dark relationship with John Mayer, her divorce from Nick Lachey, and marriage and motherhood. Simpson doesn't hold back when talking about the body shaming she's experienced, her struggles with drinking, or her relationship with her pastor dad. 

The memoir earned a 4.11 on GoodReads, and the audio version was well-loved by all. "Easily one of the best memoirs I've read, or had read to me," a reviewer shared. "Between Jessica narrating her personal thoughts and the songs included in the tracks, it felt like I was having drinks with an old friend and catching up." Repeatedly, readers talked about Simpson's honesty. "Well believe the hype...this book is everything people say it is. This girl couldn't be any more honest if she tried...and I love her for it!" one wrote. The title is right. Simpson is a complete open book.