Best Trauma Books December 2024

Running with Scissors

Burroughs’ darkly comic memoir is a rollercoaster of dysfunction and absurdity. From his eccentric mother’s psychiatric breakdown to living with her unhinged therapist, Augusten’s adolescence is anything but ordinary. With razor-sharp wit, he recounts bizarre family dynamics, unconventional living arrangements, and coming-of-age experiences that are equal parts hilarious and horrifying. This raw, unflinching account will make you laugh, cringe, and marvel at the resilience of the human spirit.

The Liars’ Club

Mary Karr’s “The Liars’ Club” is a raw and unflinching memoir that grabs you from the first page. Growing up in an East Texas oil town, Karr’s childhood was anything but ordinary. With a father prone to drunken rages and a mother battling her own demons, young Mary learned to navigate a world of chaos and unpredictability. Karr’s vivid prose brings her dysfunctional family to life, painting a portrait that’s both heartbreaking and darkly humorous. It’s a testament to resilience and the power of storytelling to heal old wounds.

Lucky

Alice Sebold’s “Lucky” is a raw, unflinching memoir that grips you from the first page. With brutal honesty, Sebold recounts her harrowing experience of sexual assault as a college freshman. Her vivid prose brings you into her world, making you feel every emotion – fear, anger, and ultimately, resilience. It’s not an easy read, but it’s an important one. Sebold’s journey from victim to survivor is both heartbreaking and inspiring, leaving a lasting impact long after you’ve finished the last page.

Speak

In this raw and unflinching memoir, Laurie Halse Anderson bares her soul, recounting her journey from a traumatized teen to an empowered advocate. With lyrical prose and searing honesty, she explores the impact of sexual assault, the power of speaking out, and the healing found in writing. Anderson’s voice resonates with authenticity, offering hope and solidarity to survivors while challenging society’s silence. A testament to resilience, “Speak” is a vital read that will leave you both shaken and inspired.

A Little Life

Haunting and deeply moving, “A Little Life” follows four college friends as they navigate the complexities of adulthood in New York City. At its heart is Jude, a brilliant but tormented lawyer whose past trauma casts a long shadow. Yanagihara’s prose is both beautiful and brutal, exploring the depths of human suffering and the redemptive power of friendship. This novel will break your heart and stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

There There

In this raw and powerful debut, Tommy Orange weaves together the stories of twelve Urban Indians in Oakland, California. Their lives intersect in unexpected ways as they journey to the Big Oakland Powwow. Orange’s unflinching prose exposes the harsh realities of Native American life, while also celebrating resilience and identity. I was deeply moved by the characters’ struggles and triumphs. This novel left me pondering the complexities of heritage and belonging long after I turned the final page.