Top memoirs and biographies

A memoir can be a lot of things: a journey through someone's life, an insight into their mindset at a particular time, a comfort to someone experiencing similar things, an inspiration for those seeking something more.

Memoirs are both intimate and all-encompassing; in telling their own story, the author is often speaking to a vast audience.

We asked Penguin readers to tell us about their favourite memoir, and let's just say that our to-read piles have grown exponentially in a short period of time.

We were inundated with recommendations, encompassing everything from reflections on war, grief, sexuality and religion, to insider accounts of Hollywood life, political conspiracy, even philosophical sporting legends.

Here, we’ve rounded up the most popular picks.

Whether you’re looking for light hearted escapism or hard-hitting journalism, there’s something to suit every taste.

We say: A luminous and comp