16 Must-Read Memoirs About Health Written by Women
Personal narratives matter—whether they come in the form of a published book, an Instagram post, a series of Tweets, a viral essay, or something else entirely. And when it comes to health and wellness, it’s incredibly important to actually hear from those living with conditions, caring for loved ones, or pushing for further research or legislative change.
Angelina Jolie’s essay about her BRCA1 genetic mutation and her decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy raised many questions about the “right” choices for women with this gene mutation. Writer Keah Brown’s tweets about what it’s like to live with cerebral palsy, using the hashtag #DisabledAndCute, explore the reality of having a disability in America. Viral Facebook posts about C-section births, miscarriages, and late-term abortions have sparked important conversations and encouraged empathy.
What is it like to know that the gender assigned to you at birth was wrong? To be raised by parents who struggle with hoarding? To fight alcohol addiction, live with chronic pain, or face your own terminal cancer diagnosis? These are just a few of the topics covered in these 16 important memoirs by women. And you should consider reading them.