We have met just about every type of bookworm here at Midland Books. We have seen the classics fanatic, the new release lover, the sports enthusiast and of course, the non-fiction aficionado. So, we know that fiction books are just not appealing to some readers. They prefer their books firmly planted in reality. Instead of escaping to lands far away and unimaginable, they enjoy learning the rich histories of the world we live in. Some readers even enjoy reading about others with whom they share the same planet! Biographies are a great option for any readers who prefer their books to be both realistic and rich in story. We have been busy here at Midland Books compiling a list of biographies we think should be required reading! Here is a list of some must read biographies;

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming is the powerful life story of the former US First Lady, Michelle Obama. In Becoming, she details what it was like growing up in America and her journey to becoming the influential figure that she is today. A combination of rich storytelling and stunning life experiences makes this book a must read! 

Shop Becoming here. 

Rememberings by Sinead O’Connor

Sinead O’Connor tells her story of becoming a global icon at just 21 and how her experiences with fame and life in the music industry has shaped her. This is a story of passion, heartbreak, pain and love. 

Shop Rememberings here. 

Standing in Gaps by Seamus O’Rourke

In Standing in Gaps, O’Rourke documents the comedy and calamity of life growing up in Leitrim, Ireland. An extract from the book; “I was born in Leitrim. A very rural and sheltered part of Ireland. This book is about growing up there. To be honest – I’m trying to steal back time. We hadn’t a clue till we got the telly and then we wanted to be like ‘Dallas’. It’s not an angry book. There’s no slander or shame – just a bunch of mad country people trying to make all their ends meet. We were never happy, that we knew of. We were always longing for something else, so we kept doing the same. What we wouldn’t do, to go back and give ourselves a good boot up the backside.”

Shop Standing in Gaps here. 

Seed to Dust : A Gardener’s Story by Marc Hamer 

Any garden belongs to everyone who sees it – it is like a book and everybody who visits it will find different things.Marc Hamer has designed and nurtured 12 acres of garden for over two decades.  

Shop Seed to Dust here. 

A Light That Never Goes Out : A Memoir by Keelin Shanley

The remarkable story of Keelin Shanley and her life as a journalist before her death in 2020. She documents her astounding career in journalism and media as well as her experience dealing with cancer treatment. 

Shop A Light That Never Goes Out here. 

Those are just a few amazing titles from our selection of biographies here at Midland Books. You can shop all of our biographies here.

Check out our previous blog posts to learn more about our selection of books.