The Fascinating Life Stories of Robin Williams, Carrie Fisher, and More Iconic Personalities

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo”, by Zora Neale Hurston, with Alice Walker and Deborah G. Plant
Though best known as one of the preeminent novelists of the black American south during the early 20th century, Hurston’s work was informed by her background in anthropology. Her work on Barracoon began in 1927 and included her interviews with Cudjo Lewis, the last known then-living survivor of the Atlantic slave trade. The work failed to find a publisher at the time, and remained locked away until this year. Thus, this powerful book is essential for two reasons: it’s the story of one of the key figures in the history of American slavery, and it also serves as an epilogue to the work of Hurston, who writes from her own perspective.

Robin, by Dave Itzkoff
Robin Williams was one of the towering figures in American pop culture during the last half-century, and his untimely death at only 63 is still hard to process. With almost unfathomable energy, he conquered the worlds of stand-up comedy and sitcoms before going on to star in critically acclaimed films and earning an Academy Award. As we’ve all learned since, he was much more than a lovable firecracker: his work often came from a more complex place, and he struggled with self-doubt, depression, and addiction, as well as a crippling condition that he kept secret near the end of his days. With original interviews and research, biographer Itzkoff digs deep into the life of the iconic talent.

My Girls: A Lifetime with Carrie and Debbie, by Todd Fisher
In December of 2016, millions mourned the unexpected deaths of both Carrie Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, within a day of each other. For their fans and admirers, it was deeply sad. But for the family of these two Hollywood legends, the pain was far more intimate. In this memoir, Todd Fisher, the only surviving child of Debbie and singer Eddie Fisher, relates the story of his glamorous childhood with an unconventional mother and his lifelong bond with his sister. The book is part personal memoir and part tribute to Debbie and Carrie, as funny as it is poignant as it charts their glamorous, often very weird lives all the way through their final days together.

Eat Cake. Be Brave., by Melissa Radke
Melissa Radke became a social media star largely by following her own advice: eat the cake and ignore the haters. Radke had been dismissed as a student who’d never amount to anything, as too fat to be worthy of love before she learned that her attitude, street smarts, and southern-style sense of humor were more than enough to carry her through all of life’s trials. Her message is simple, but powerful: forget about the past and fight to become the person you want to be.

Wanna Bet?: A Degenerate Gambler’s Guide to Living on the Edge, by Artie Lange and Anthony Bozza
Though his road has been bumpy, Artie Lange has managed to survive and thrive as an actor, comedian, and radio host. In his third book, the comedian dives into the lifestyle and subculture of one of his favorite risky pastimes: gambling. Funny and confessional, Lange explores his own addiction alongside that of a few famous and less-famous friends who share his obsession with the risky nature of betting—on anything. He provides an insider’s view into a world that few of us could ever hope to glimpse, full of bookies, mobsters, athletes, and celebrities.

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah
When The Daily Show host Trevor Noah was born in apartheid South Africa, his existence was literally a crime: the union of his white father and black Xhosa mother would have, had it been discovered, been punishable by five years in prison. As a result, Noah was hidden away for much of his young life before liberation saw his mother embark with him on an adventurous existence to try to make up for the years of privation. It would be a fascinating story even if he hadn’t gone on to take over as host of the venerable political comedy show, but Noah’s anecdotes and stories covering the breadth of his life take on extra weight given its unlikely trajectory.

When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi with Abraham Verghese
Fascinating figures aren’t always celebrities: Paul Kalanithi wrote this extraordinary memoir while in the final stages of a battle with stage IV lung cancer. At the time he was diagnosed at only 36, he was just about to complete his education as a neurosurgeon and was soon to be a new father. Suddenly, the doctor was also a patient, confronting his own mortality at a time when he expected his life to be beginning. That dual view gives him a unique perspective as he explores his own illness in a way that manages to be both poignant and life-affirming.
Which iconic personality most inspires you?