Best-Selling Autobiographies of 2022
From candid accounts of family life to reflections on fame, recovery and creative work, 2022 brought readers a memorable selection of autobiographies and memoirs. Several became major bestsellers, attracting attention for their frankness and for the well-known voices behind them.
There is no single definitive list of the year’s bestsellers: rankings differ between countries, retailers and chart organisations, and memoirs are often grouped with other non-fiction. The books below were among the most prominent and commercially successful autobiographical releases of 2022.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Actor and writer Jennette McCurdy’s memoir became one of the year’s most talked-about books. She writes about growing up in the entertainment industry, her complicated relationship with her mother and her struggles with eating disorders and grief. Its direct, often darkly funny style helped it reach a wide audience, while its title signals the candour at the heart of the book.
I’m Glad My Mom Died was a major chart success in the United States and prompted conversations about parental control, child performers and the long-term effects of difficult family relationships.
Finding Me by Viola Davis
In Finding Me, award-winning actor Viola Davis traces her journey from a childhood marked by poverty and hardship to a distinguished career on stage and screen. The book explores identity, ambition and the challenges of finding a sense of belonging.
Davis’s account is both personal and uplifting, but it does not shy away from painful experiences. Her narration of the audiobook also helped bring the memoir’s distinctive voice to listeners.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
Best known for playing Chandler Bing in Friends, Matthew Perry looked back on his life and career in this memoir, published in 2022. He writes about growing up, becoming famous and living with addiction, including the repeated attempts at treatment and recovery that shaped much of his adult life.
Perry’s humour sits alongside a frank account of serious illness and personal struggle. The book drew wide interest from fans of the actor and readers seeking a candid perspective on addiction and recovery.
Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton
In Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard, Tom Felton reflects on his childhood as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. Alongside behind-the-scenes memories, he writes about growing up in the public eye and the experiences that followed his time on set.
The memoir appealed to readers who grew up with the films, as well as those interested in the realities of becoming famous at a young age. Its warm, conversational tone makes it an accessible account of life beyond a much-loved role.
Madly, Deeply by Alan Rickman
Published after Alan Rickman’s death, Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman brings together extracts from the actor’s diaries. It is not a conventional autobiography, but it offers a personal perspective on his work, friendships and observations of everyday life.
Rickman’s wit and sharp eye for detail make the collection appealing to readers interested in his career, particularly his work in theatre and film. It also gives a glimpse into the thoughts of an actor who was often guarded about his private life.
A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney
Comedian and actor Rob Delaney’s memoir is a moving account of his family’s experience after his young son Henry was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Delaney writes about illness, grief and the love that sustained his family through an unimaginably difficult period.
The book is emotionally direct and often difficult to read, but it also reflects on the importance of family and the ways people endure loss. It stood out among 2022’s memoirs for its openness and compassion.
Why did these autobiographies connect with readers?
The popular memoirs of 2022 covered very different lives, but many shared a willingness to address difficult subjects openly. Readers encountered accounts of addiction, grief, childhood, fame and identity, alongside humour and reflection. The authors’ public profiles helped attract attention, but the books’ personal storytelling gave audiences a reason to keep reading.
Whether you are drawn to celebrity stories, accounts of resilience or thoughtful reflections on family life, these titles offer varied perspectives on what it means to look back and tell your own story.
Choosing a memoir to read
When looking for the best-selling autobiographies of 2022, consider what kind of story interests you. Finding Me and Beyond the Wand explore very different paths through the entertainment industry, while I’m Glad My Mom Died and Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing offer candid accounts of personal struggles. For a more reflective or emotional read, Madly, Deeply and A Heart That Works provide intimate perspectives on life, work and loss.
Top Autobiographies of 2022: Candid Insights and Compelling Stories
- Offers candid insights into remarkable lives.
- Explores resilience, grief and personal growth.
- Features voices from film, television and comedy.
- Combines compelling stories with real-life experiences.
- Suits readers with varied interests and tastes.
- Highlights memorable memoirs published in 2022.
Exploring the Drawbacks of 2022’s Bestselling Autobiographies: Celebrity Focus, Emotional Intensity, and More
- May focus heavily on celebrity stories.
- Some accounts can feel emotionally intense.
- Fame may overshadow less-known memoirs.
- Not every bestseller suits every reader.
- Some stories cover difficult subjects.
- Bestseller rankings vary by source.
Offers candid insights into remarkable lives.
One of the main appeals of the best-selling autobiographies of 2022 is the candid insight they offer into remarkable lives. By sharing personal experiences, challenges and turning points in their own words, authors invite readers beyond the public image to understand the people behind the achievements. These honest accounts can be moving, surprising and inspiring, offering fresh perspectives on fame, resilience, family and personal growth.
Explores resilience, grief and personal growth.
One of the strengths of the best-selling autobiographies of 2022 is their honest exploration of resilience, grief and personal growth. By sharing experiences of hardship, loss and change, authors show how people can find ways to endure and move forward, even when life takes an unexpected turn. These stories can help readers feel less alone, offer fresh perspectives on difficult experiences and inspire reflection on their own journeys.
Features voices from film, television and comedy.
One of the advantages of the best-selling autobiographies of 2022 is the variety of voices from film, television and comedy. Readers can hear directly from actors and entertainers such as Viola Davis, Matthew Perry, Tom Felton and Rob Delaney, each offering a different perspective on fame, family life, personal challenges and creative work. Their distinctive voices make these books engaging, while giving readers a glimpse beyond the roles and public personas they know.
Combines compelling stories with real-life experiences.
One of the main attractions of the best-selling autobiographies of 2022 is their blend of compelling storytelling and real-life experience. Readers can follow vivid personal journeys while gaining insight into the challenges, choices and turning points that shaped the authors’ lives. This mix of engaging narrative and genuine reflection makes the books both absorbing and relatable.
Suits readers with varied interests and tastes.
One of the strengths of the best-selling autobiographies of 2022 is their variety, offering something for readers with different interests and tastes. Whether you enjoy stories about life in the entertainment industry, personal accounts of overcoming hardship, reflections on family and grief, or behind-the-scenes insights into a well-known career, there is a memoir to suit. This range makes it easier to discover a compelling read, even if you do not usually choose autobiographies.
Highlights memorable memoirs published in 2022.
One of the main advantages of exploring the best-selling autobiographies of 2022 is discovering the year’s most memorable memoirs in one place. From candid stories of fame and family to moving reflections on grief, recovery and resilience, these books offer a vivid snapshot of the experiences that captured readers’ attention. Whether you are choosing your next read or revisiting the year’s standout releases, the list makes it easier to find a memoir that will stay with you.
May focus heavily on celebrity stories.
One drawback of many best-selling autobiographies in 2022 is their heavy focus on celebrity stories. While famous authors can offer fascinating behind-the-scenes insights, the prominence of well-known names may leave less room for accounts from people with different backgrounds and experiences. As a result, readers looking for a broader range of life stories may need to look beyond the bestseller lists.
Some accounts can feel emotionally intense.
Some of the best-selling autobiographies of 2022 deal with deeply personal experiences, including grief, addiction, family conflict and trauma. Their honesty can be powerful, but the detail and emotional intensity may make certain passages difficult to read. If you prefer lighter material, check the book’s themes beforehand and take breaks when needed.
Fame may overshadow less-known memoirs.
A drawback of the best-selling autobiographies of 2022 is that an author’s fame can overshadow the memoirs themselves. Books by celebrities often receive extensive publicity and prominent placement, making it harder for less-known writers—with equally compelling stories—to reach readers. As a result, bestseller lists may reflect name recognition as much as the quality or significance of the writing.
Not every bestseller suits every reader.
Not every bestselling autobiography will suit every reader. Some are frank and emotionally intense, while others focus on celebrity, career or personal experiences that may not appeal to everyone. A book’s popularity does not necessarily mean its subject matter, writing style or perspective will be the right fit for you, so it is worth reading a sample or checking a review before choosing.
Some stories cover difficult subjects.
Some of the best-selling autobiographies of 2022 deal with difficult subjects, including addiction, grief, illness and troubled family relationships. These stories can be powerful and illuminating, but they may also feel upsetting or emotionally demanding to read. It can help to check a book’s description or content guidance beforehand and choose a time to read it when you feel ready.
Bestseller rankings vary by source.
One drawback when exploring the best-selling autobiographies of 2022 is that bestseller rankings vary by source. Retailers, chart organisations and media outlets may use different sales data, time periods and categories, and some classify memoirs separately from autobiographies. As a result, there is no single definitive ranking, so a title’s position can differ depending on which list you consult.