One of the best parts of working in a library is the ability to find captivating books about incredible people and then to recommend those books to others. Timberland Regional Library has thousands of autobiographies and biographies to choose from in our libraries, a rich collection of stories from people all over the world. In celebration of Women’s History Month, enjoy discovering these featured autobiographies and biographies of notable women and the fascinating stories they tell.
Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo, U.S. Poet Laureate
Joy Harjo, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, has written nine poetry collections and two memoirs. She was the recipient of the 2022 Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2023 Bollingen Prize for American Poetry, and the 2017 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize . Harjo has this to say about her art:
"A family is essentially a field of stories, each interconnected...We want freedom. Freedom to be ourselves. To write the unwriteable. To say the unsayable. To think the unthinkable...We are all here to serve each other. At some point we have to understand that we do not need to carry a story that is unbearable. We can observe the story, which is mental; feel the story, which is physical; let the story go, which is emotional; then forgive the story, which is spiritual, and after, we use the materials of it to build a house of knowledge."
Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo is a moving and lyrical memoir that weaves poetry, prose, and storytelling into a powerful treatise on identity, resilience, and the transformative power of words. Harjo, the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, shares her journey with raw honesty and poetic grace, drawing readers into her experiences of struggle, survival, and self-discovery. Her culturally rich narrative offers profound insights into the complexities of history, family, and spirituality while celebrating the strength found in storytelling and creativity.
What makes Poet Warrior especially riveting is Harjo’s ability to blend personal history with universal themes of healing and hope. Her evocative prose carryies the rhythm and cadence of her poetry, making each page resonate with emotion. Whether she is recounting moments of hardship or sharing the beauty of her native traditions, Harjo’s voice remains both intimate and expansive. This memoir is not just a personal reflection but an invitation to embrace the power of art and resilience in shaping one’s own path. Readers will walk away inspired by her journey and the magic of her words.
The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan, NY Times best-selling author
Amy Tan is the New York Times best-selling author of several novels, including The Joy Luck Club and The Bonesetter's Daughter. After reaching fame with The Joy Luck Club in both book and cinematic form(she co-wrote & co-produced the film version), she published two children’s books, two novels, and her first autobiography, where she shared her struggles with Lyme disease. The condition so impaired her that she gave up writing for two years until medicine improved enough to abate her symptoms. She began writing both fiction and nonfiction again in 2005 and hasn’t stopped since. She is the recipient of the Commonwealth Award of Distinguished Service (2005), the Carl Sandburg Literary Award (2021), and the National Humanities Medal (2021).
On writing The Backyard Bird Chronicles:
“The sketches and words are a record of my life. They contain what puzzled me, thrilled me, what made me laugh and also grieve. It contains my disobedience and bravery, my curiosity and discoveries, my pain and refusal to cry. In these words and drawings are what changed me when I was naive and curious and wondered about a bird I saw for the first time.”
The Backyard Bird Chronicles is a wonderfully quirky and introspective journey into the world of birdwatching, combining memoir, nature writing, and Tan's own personal reflections. With her well-known warmth and wit, Tan invites readers into her backyard, where she observes birds with keen attention and appreciation. Her detailed illustrations and journal-style entries make the book an intimate and visually engaging experience, offering both scientific observations and her own musings on life, creativity, and resilience.
What makes this book truly special is Tan’s ability to transform simple moments—watching a hummingbird hover or a crow outsmarting other birds—into profound meditations on human nature and the beauty of the ordinary. Her storytelling is both charming and insightful, making it a perfect read for bird enthusiasts and literary fans alike. The Backyard Bird Chronicles is not just about birds; it is about wonder, patience, and finding joy in the natural world.
Conversations With RBG Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty, and Law
by Jeffrey Rosen
Conversations with RBG by Jeffrey Rosen is a fascinating book that offers readers a rare glimpse into the mind of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman (and first Jewish-American woman) on the Supreme Court. Through a series of candid discussions, Rosen—who has known Ginsburg for decades—explores her thoughts on the Constitution, gender equality, the workings of the Court, and even aspects of her personal life. The book captures her intellect, wit, and unwavering dedication to justice, making it a compelling read for both legal scholars and general readers alike.
From the book:
JR : "You've said that there should be nine women on the Supreme Court."
RBG: "No, I didn't say that there should be. The question was 'When will there be enough women on the Supreme Court?' I answered, 'When there are nine.' For most of our history, except the times the Court was less than nine...they were, until Justice O'Connor, all men. And nobody thought there was anything strange about that."
What makes this book particularly special is its conversational format, which allows Ginsburg's personality and sharp reasoning to shine through. Readers not only gain a deeper understanding of her judicial philosophy but also get a sense of her warmth and humility. Rosen’s thoughtful questions and deep legal expertise help frame the discussions in an accessible and thought-providing way. Rosen's helpful notes and direct interview style showcase Ginsburg's exceptional mind. The conversations are wide-ranging, covering Roe vs. Wade, her favorite dissents, the cases she would most appreciate being overruled, the #MeToo movement, and many more. One reviewer described the book as "Imagine having a cup of coffee with Ruth Bader Ginsburg and chatting about law, the Supreme Court, marriage, family, music, wins, and losses. If that seems unlikely to happen, Rosen's Conversations with RBG is the best possible substitute."
Whether you're a longtime admirer of 'Notorious RBG' or someone looking to learn more about her legacy, Conversations with RBG is an inspiring and enjoyable read.
Rosa Parks In Her Own Words
by Susan Reyburn, Library of Congress
Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words is a powerful and intimate look into the life of one of America’s most iconic civil rights figures. Unlike traditional biographies, this book gives readers a firsthand account of Rosa Parks’ thoughts, struggles, and triumphs through her personal letters, handwritten notes, and photographs housed in a special collection at the Library of Congress. These documents provide a deeper, more personal perspective on her lifelong activism beyond the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott, highlighting her courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice.
From the book:
"Is it worthwhile to reveal the intimacies of the past life? Would the people be sympathetic or disillusioned when the facts of my life are told? Would they be interested or indifferent? Would the results be harmful or good?...I want to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free and wanted others to be free."
With an introduction by Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, the book includes a timeline of Parks' life from her birth in 1909 to her death in 2005, with special attention paid to her activist years. She attempted to vote three times, beginning in 1943 and finally getting her voter's certificate in 1945. Prior to her famous actions that started the Montgomery Bus Boycott, she was active in the NAACP and created several Committees for Equal Justice for a several African-American rape victims. She attended workshops on tactics to successfully implement Brown vs. the Board of Education and worked with well-known civil rights icons Septima Clark and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Even as a child, age 10, young Rosa McCauley shockingly told her grandmother 'I would rather be lynched than live to be mistreated.' Rosa Parks wasn't just a seamstress who one day decided not to give up her seat on the bus; she was a fighter and activist against Jim Crow for the entirety of her life.
What makes this book truly special is its authenticity and emotional depth. Seeing Rosa Parks’ own words and reflections, in her own handwriting, brings her story to life in a way that feels deeply personal. The collection of archival materials curated by the Library of Congress offers a rare glimpse into her inner world, making it an invaluable resource for history lovers, students, and anyone looking for inspiration from a true American hero. This book is a must-read for those who want to understand not just the history of the civil rights movement but also the heart and mind of one of its most influential leaders.
Celebrate Women's History Month with inspiring books for kids about trailblazing women who changed the world!
Discover empowering reads for teens this Women's History Month! Stories of trailblazers, rebels, and history-makers who changed the world.
Celebrate Women's History Month with powerful books for adults, featuring trailblazing women, history-makers, and changemakers.
Joy Harjo, the first Native American to serve as U.S. poet laureate, invites us to travel along the heartaches, losses, and humble realizations of her "poet-warrior" road. A musical, kaleidoscopic, and wise follow-up to Crazy Brave, Poet Warrior reveals how Harjo came to write poetry of compassion and healing, poetry with the power to unearth the truth and demand justice.
