20 great Canadian memoirs to read now

Memoirs offer a glimpse into the intimate memories of writers, artists and thinkers. On Aug. 31, celebrate national We Love Memoirs Dayby checking out these titles by Canadian writers.

Becoming a Matriarch by Helen Knott

Becoming a Matriarchis a memoir that delves into Helen Knott's experience after losing both her mother and grandmother in just over six months. It spans themes of mourning, sobriety through lossand generational dreaming and explores what it truly means to be a matriarch.

• Helen Knott explores the connection between violence against Indigenous women and violence against the land

Knott is a Dane Zaa, Nehiyaw, Mtisand mixed Euro-descent writer from Prophet River First Nations. She is a 2019 RBC Taylor Prize Emerging author. She is also the author of thememoirIn My Own Moccasins,whichwon the Saskatchewan Book Award for Indigenous Peoples' Publishing.

Bleed by Tracey Lindeman

Bleedis an examination of how we treat endometriosis and the ways the medical system fails patients. Part memoir, part investigative journalism, Tracy Lindeman conducts extensive interviews and research to track the modern experience of those with endometriosis, from discrimination to medical gaslighting. She encourages patients to fight for a revolution in medicine and care.

Lindeman is a freelance journalist, who has reported for The Guardian, The Atlantic, Al Jazeera, Maclean's, The Walrus, the Globe and Mail andCBC. She is based in western Quebec.

British Columbiana by Josie Teed

After graduation, Josie Teed accepts a position at a remote heritage site in British Columbia showcasing the 19th-century gold rush. Living in a nearby village with a population of 250 and no cell reception, Teed questions her future and tries to find connection and purpose while living in a place frozen in time. She recounts this story in her memoirBritish Columbiana.

Teed is a writer from Pelham, Ontario. Her work has been published in Bad Nudes Magazine and Graphite Publications. She lives in Montreal.

Brown Boy by Omer Aziz

InBrown Boy,Omer Aziz describes the complex process of creating an identity as a first-generation Pakistani Muslim boy on the outskirts of Toronto, that fuses where he's from, what people see in himand who he knows himself to be.

Through his personal narrative with the books and friendships that move him, Aziz wrestles with the contradiction of feeling like an Other and his desire to belong to a Western world that never quite accepts him.

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Aziz was bornin Toronto and was educated through scholarships at Queen's University, the Paris Institute of Political Studies, Cambridge Universityand Yale Law School.

He has written for publications such as theNew York Timesand theAtlantic, and has worked for politicians such as PrimeMinister Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland.

Ducks by Kate Beaton

Ducksis an autobiographical graphic novel that recounts author Kate Beaton'stime spent working in the Alberta oil sands. With the goal of paying off her student loans, Kate leaves her tight-knit seaside Nova Scotia community and heads west, where she encounters harsh realities, including the everyday trauma that no one discusses.

DuckswonCanada Reads2023,when it was championed byJeopardy!star Mattea Roach. It also wonEisner awards forbest writer/artist and best graphic memoir in 2023.

• Kate Beaton's affectingDucksdives into the lonely life of labour in Alberta's oil sands

Kate Beaton is a cartoonist from Nova Scotia who launched her career by publishing the comic stripHark! A Vagrantonline. The sassy historical webcomic gained a following of 500,000 monthly visitors and was eventually turned into a bestselling book. Beaton's success continued with the bookStep Aside, Pops,which wonthe 2016 Eisner Award for best humour publication. Beatonhas also published two children's books,King BabyandThe Princess and the Pony.

East Side Story by Nick Marino

East Side Story follows six summers of Nick Marino's youth working at the Pacific National Exhibit in Vancouver. From midnight roller coaster rides, concert riots and other teenage shenanigans, he explores carnival culture and the many life lessons learnt in the city's East Side.

• Memoir on iconic PNE amusement park chronicles coming-of-age story of Vancouver author and the city

Nick Marino is Vancouver-based writer, teacher and comedian. His comedy has been featured at Just for Laughs Northwest.East Side Story: Growing Up at the PNEis his debut book.

Eyes on the Horizon by Balarama Holness

Balarama Holness shares his personal story from growing up on an ashram in West Virginia the son of a Jamaican father and Quebecois mother to his life in Montreal and then playing in the CFLin his memoirEyes on the Horizon. Holness credits his success to his self-determination and spirituality, which helped him confront the systemic racism of his city and country. He connects his own journey to the social history of Quebec and through activism and politics, Holness is committed to reshaping society and teaching others about racism.

Holness is a former defensive back for the Montreal Alouettes. He won the Grey Cup with the Alouettes in 2010. Holness is also an activist and community organizer, focusing on systemic racism, justice, equality and inclusion.

I Felt the End Before It Came by Daniel Allen Cox

Growing up a Jehovah's Witness, Daniel Allan Cox understood his queerness was considered unacceptable by his religion. This resulted in disassociation and a lifelong journey to disentangle himself from the gaslighting and shunning he faced by being part of the religious group.I Felt the End Before It Camegrapples with Cox's complicated past, from his early days as a door-to-door preacher to his time in New York City among a scene of photographers and provocateurs.

Cox is the author of four novels. His writing has appeared in Catapult, Electric Literature, The Rumpus and Maisonneuve.

Indigiqueerness by Joshua Whitehead with Angie Abdou

Reflecting on memories of youth,Indigiqueernessis a combination of memoir and collage in conversation with writer Angie Abdou. Through his storytelling, the book contemplates the nuance and beauty of Indigenous language, queer identity, theory and childhood.

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Joshua Whitehead is an Oji-nhiyaw, two-spirit writer, poet and Indigiqueer scholar from Peguis First Nation. He is the author of the poetry collectionfull-metal indigiqueerand theCanada Reads-winning novelJonny Appleseed. His first nonfiction book,Making Love with the Land, was published in 2022.

Is There Bacon in Heaven? by Ali Hassan

While actor and comedian Ali Hassan grew up around all different cultures and can fit in with anyone, his Muslim Pakistani heritage always finds a way of shining through. In his hilarious memoir based on his stand-up comedy sets,Is There Bacon in Heaven?explores what it's like to be culturally Muslim and the questions of belief and identity that arise when following his passions.

• Ali Hassan says writing a memoir is his greatest achievement

Ali Hassan is an actor, comedian, host of CBC Radio'sLaugh Out Loudand frequent guest host ofqandAs It Happens. He is also the host of CBC Books'Canada Reads. He has recurring roles onRun the Burbs,Odd SquadandWorking Moms.

LISTEN |Ali Hassan answers the Proust Questionnaire:

The Next Chapter6:31Ali Hassan answers the Proust Questionnaire

Stand-up comedian and host of CBC Radio's Laugh Out Loud Ali Hassan on his idea of perfect happiness, his favourite journey and more.

It Stops Here by Rueben George with Michael Simpson

It Stops Here: Standing Up for Our Lands, Our Waters, and Our Peopleis part memoir, part call-to-action. It recounts the stance taken against the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion from the perspective of Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation who has devoted years to fighting this project.

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George is Sundance Chief and a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN). He is the manager of TWN's Sacred Trust initiative to protect the unceded Tsleil-Waututh lands and waters from the proposed Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.

Michael Simpson is a writerwhose work focuses on settler colonialism and conflicts over oil and gas pipelines in Canada.

Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson

Alternating between storytelling and her personal poetry, Pamela Anderson fights back to reclaim the narrative of her life in her memoirLove, Pamela. Anderson, now on Vancouver Island where she grew up, is fueled by a love of literature, her family and the causes she cares most about.She reflects on her childhood filled with imaginary friends, to life on covers of magazines, the beaches of Malibu and the sets of TV shows, where she eventually lost control of her own narrative to the media.

• Pamela Anderson isn't looking for sympathy she's just telling her story

Pamela Anderson is a Canadian actor and environmental and animal rights activist. She is best known for modeling in Playboy magazine and for her role as C.J. Parker on the television seriesBaywatch.

LISTEN | Pamela Anderson speaks to Tom Power about her memoir:

Q33:08Pamela Anderson isn't looking for sympathy she's just telling her story

Pamela Andersons story is incredible, but you so rarely get to hear her tell it. For the first time, Pamela shares her story through her new documentary Pamela, a love story, and in her new memoir Love, Pamela. Pam joins Tom Power to talk about growing up on Vancouver Island, the freedom that Playboy gave her, and how shes taking back authorship of her story one thats so often been misconstrued by the media.

Keep My Memory Safe by Stephanie Chitpin

In her memoirKeep My Memory Safe, Stephanie Chitpin tells the story of being transported to the island of Mauritius after being born to unwed parents in Hong Kong. In Mauritius, Chitpin was raised as an orphan in the Buddhist temple Fook Soo Am. She eventually moved to Canada, determined to pursue her education, and studied at the University of Guelph.

Chitpin is a professor of Educational Leadership in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa. She is the co-editor of the book seriesTransforming Education Through Critical Leadership, Policy and Practice.

Pageboy by Elliot Page

Elliot Page shares his personal journey from the massive success ofJunoto discovering his queerness and identity as a trans person, while navigating criticism and abuse from some of the most powerful people in Hollywood.Pageboyis filled with behind-the-scenes details and interrogations on sex, love and trauma. It's a story about what it means to free ourselves from the expectations of others and step into our truth with defiance, strength and joy.

• Elliot Page talks of fully embracing transgender identity

Page is an Academy Award-nominated actor, producer and director. He currently stars in the hit TV-seriesThe Umbrella Academy.Pageboyis his first book

Scratching River by Michelle Porter

Scratching Riverconnects past memories and family with present realities of hope and healing. Michelle Porter shares the emotional reconciliation with her older brother, who is autistic and schizophrenic, as well as the history of her Mtis ancestor.

• 'The land had to have a voice:' Mtis author Michelle Porter discusses her debut novel

Michelle Porter is aMtis writer.She is also the author of the novelA Grandmother Begins the Storyand the nonfiction bookApproaching Fire,which wasshortlisted for the Indigenous Voices Award in 2021.She lives in Newfoundland and Labrador.Porter made the2019 CBC Nonfiction Prize longlistfor her storyFireweed. Before that, she'dalso made the2017 CBC Poetry Prize longlistforSlicing Lemons in Apriland the2016 CBC Poetry Prize longlistforBetween you and home.

Song of the Sparrow by Tara MacLean

In her memoirSong of the Sparrow, singer-songwriter Tara MacLean recalls her childhood in the backwoods of P.E.I. where hunger and uncertainty were always near as the daughter of a musician father and actor mother. Growing up, MacLean found danger even in her most trusted circles turning to singing as a refuge.Song of the Sparrowcharts her musical career from her early days to touring with Dido, Tom Cochrane and Lilith Fair. It's a heartbreaking and raw memoir about a life filled with music.

MacLean is a singer-songwriter from P.E.I. She has been a recording and touring artist for over 25 years. She is also a playwright, author, poet and mother.Song of the Sparrowis her first book.

LISTEN | Singer-songwriter Tara MacLean talks about her debut memoirSong of the Sparrow:

Saskatchewan Weekend13:46Tara MacLean opens up in her memoir 'Song of the Sparrow'

Award-winning singer-songwriter Tara MacLean has been part of our national musical landscape for years. She's recently branched out with an intimate memoir chronicling the joys and traumas of her life. She joins host Shauna Powers to remember the east coast forests of her childhood and explore the healing that comes through music.

Superfan by Jen Sookfong Lee

Superfanexplores Jen Sookfong Lee's life-long love affair with pop culture. Using pop culture as an escape from family tragedy and to fit in with those around her, as Lee grew up she realized that pop culture was not made for the child of Chinese immigrants.Superfanconnects key moments in pop culture with Lee's own stories as an Asian woman, single mother and writer.

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Jen Sookfong Lee is a Vancouver-born novelist, broadcast personality, a pastCBC Short Story Prizejuror, a formerCanada Readspanellist and a columnist onThe Next Chapter. She is the author of the novelThe Conjoined, the nonfiction bookGentlemen of the Shadeand the poetry collectionThe Shadow List.

LISTEN | Jen Sookfong Lee reflects on her love of pop culture:

The Next Chapter13:20Jen Sookfong Lee on Superfan

A replay of part of Shelagh Rogers interview with Jen Sookfong Lee on Superfan: How Pop Culture Broke My Heart

The Way I Remember by Solomon Ratt

Torn from his family and placed in a residential school at the age of six, Solomon Ratt reflects on these dark memories and his life-long challenges in his memoirThe Way I Remember. Ratt describes his life before, during and after residential school and how he would return home to his parents each summer, retaining his mother language of Cree. Shifting between autobiographical stories to sacred stories in the style of traditional Cree literature, Ratt illustrates how in a world uninterrupted by colonialism, these traditional stories would have formed the curriculum of a Cree child's education.

Solomon Ratt is an associate professor of languages, linguistics and literature at First Nations University of Canada. He is a first-language speaker of the Cree Th-dialect from Stanley Mission, Sask.

LISTEN | Solomon Ratt reflects on his life and work:

Saskatchewan Weekend20:14Solomon Ratt's new memoir 'k-p-isi-kiskisiyn / The Way I Remember'

Solomon Ratt went from a childhood living and playing in the forests of northern Saskatchewan to years at a residential school in Prince Albert. Through it all, Cree language remained a vital force in his life. He's sharing some of his stories - in both Cree and English - in a new memoir. The First Nations University of Canada professor joins host Shauna Powers for an extended conversation.

Unbroken by Angela Sterritt

In her memoirUnbroken, Angela Sterritt shares her story from navigating life on the streets to becoming an award-winning journalist. As a teenager, she wrote in her notebook to survive. Now, she reports on cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada, showing how colonialism and racism create a society where Indigenous people are devalued.Unbrokenis a story about courage and strength against all odds.

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Sterritt is a journalist, writer and artist. She currently works with CBC Vancouver as a host and reporter. Sterritt is a member of the Gitxsan Nation and lives on Swxw7mesh, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh territories, Vancouver, Canada.

Wildflower by Aurora James

In her memoirWildflower, fashion star Aurora James recounts growing up the daughter of a counterculture mother to moving to Jamaica with a man her mother married when she was seven, where she learned harsh lessons about control, power and abuse. Scouted as a model when she was just in eighth grade, James became disenchanted by the industry and found power in creating for the runway, showcasing traditional African designs.Wildflowertraces James's path to becoming the first Black female designer to win a Council of Fashion Designers of America Award and starting one of the fastest-growing social justice nonprofits.

• How Canadian designer Aurora James is persuading retailers to support Black-owned businesses

James is the creative director and founder of the luxury accessories brand Brother Vellies, founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge and vice chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Born in Toronto, James lives in Los Angeles and New York City.

LISTEN | Aurora James on her career, fashion and writing a memoir:

Q31:20Aurora James on pushing for change through fashion

New York-based Canadian fashion designer Aurora James on founding her label Brother Vellies, her new memoir Wildflower, and the story behind creating Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs famous tax the rich'' dress she wore at the 2021 Met Gala.