April’s Best New Biographies and Memoirs

Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince, by Mayte Garcia
Few celebrities have been so beloved and ubiquitous, yet remained as mysterious as the late Prince Rogers Nelson, better known (of course) as Prince. This memoir from the legendary musician’s first wife tells of the long romance between the two, which began when Garcia, an artist herself, was hired as a dancer during the Diamonds and Pearls era, circa 1990. After the two were married, a rare congenital defect took the life of their only child and, at least in part, brought about the end of the relationship. Fans desperate to learn more about Prince a year after his untimely death will savor this book, which promises to provide a nuanced portrait rather than mere gossip.

Note to Self, by Connor Franta
YouTube megastar Franta follows up his last bestselling memoir, A Work in Progress with a new book that he promises will be more introspective. Through short stories, letters, and poetry, Franta exposes his struggles with clinical depression and anxiety, as well as with coming out and with searching for authenticity in an online world.

Nevertheless: A Memoir, by Alec Baldwin
It’s not Badwin’s first memoir, exactly, but it’s the first to cover the full scope of his life and career (A Promise to Ourselves was about parenting through divorce). The legendary actor from the famous family has made a new name for himself over the last few years by moving into comedy and, most recently, through his Donald Trump impression for Saturday Night Live. Baldwin digs deep in this candid memoir to talk about the public peaks and valleys, as well as about the private man.

This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare, by Gabourey Sidibe
The Oscar-nominated actress seemed to come from nowhere when she made her acclaimed appearance in Les Daniels’ 2009 film Precious. But, of course, nobody comes from nowhere. Sidibe discusses her Bed-Stuy/Harlem family upbringing with a polygamous father and a mom who made money by singing in the subway, as well as her surprising and sometimes unsettling rise to fame in a world that didn’t always seem ready for her. Now an actress on the hit Empire, Gabby also talks about race, body image, and fashion with the same wit and style that made her a star.

The Secrets of My Life, by Caitlyn Jenner
Whatever your feelings about Caitlyn Jenner, there’s no denying her journey over the past couple of years has been eye-opening for many, as she’s lived out her transition very much in the public eye. In this new book, Jenner talks about her life and athletic career, the Kardashian clan, and offers revealing insights into her life and journey.

Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life, by Sally Bedell Smith
If history plays out as is expected, Prince Charles will someday become King Charles III of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Now 68, he’ll be the oldest English monarch to ascend to the throne, and he’ll do so after a full life that’s not been without controversy. He’ll be moving into a job that most people alive in the world today have only ever seen held by one woman. Sally Bedell Smith, veteran writer of royal biographies, presents the first extensive work on Charles’ life in decades, making the case that the Prince of Wales is far more interesting and compelling than the caricatures would suggest.

Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night, by Jason Zinoman
Though there’s been a bit of a resurgence in late-night programming, there’s no doubt that Letterman’s retirement left an enormous void, and signaled the end of an era. New York Times comedy critic Zinoman details Letterman’s life, but focuses especially on his career and legacy, particularly the origins and influences that shaped the influential comedian.

My Mother’s Kitchen: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and the Meaning of Life, by Peter Gethers
This unique and charming non-fiction work is, in one sense, about Judy Gethers, daughter of a legendary restauranteur who had herself a passion for cooking that lead her to develop friendships with some of America’s most famous chefs and to write bestselling cookbooks. More than that, it’s the story of her son, Peter, who wants to create one last perfect meal for his mother, featuring all of her favorite dishes. Except that he doesn’t really know how to cook. Misadventures ensue that are equally moving and funny.

Change of Seasons: A Memoir, by John Oates and Chris Epting
Though one half of the world’s most successful rock duo, John Oates’ story has never really been told. It’s not a traditional rock & roll memoir, in that Oates life has been less about sex and drugs than about crafting good music and navigating trends. It’s the story of one of the biggest names in the business, as well as the story of popular music over the last 40 years.

Between Them: Remembering My Parents, by Richard Ford
Ford has written several bestselling novels and many short stories, but this book is his first memoir. In it, Ford works to uncover the lives of his parents: rural Arkansans who lived and raised their child on the road. Going beyond the facts of their lives, Ford looks to reconstruct their hopes and dreams, writing not just a biography, but a book about how we view our parents.
Whose story most intrigues you?