Already a week into December, we’re just now realizing just how fast the holidays are approaching. Somehow shopping for the perfect gift for our loved ones hasn’t quite happened yet, but we’re sure there are lots of people in the same boat. (At least that’s what we tell ourselves…) Nothing is better in winter than sipping from a steaming mug of hot cocoa and curling up with a good book, making this list of our favorite autobiographies the perfect gift options for any girl on your list.
I’ll Drink to That by Betty Halbreich
Betty Halbreich’s life story is quite the remarkable one. After a tumultuous twenty-year marriage, bout with depression, and even a suicide attempt, she picked herself up by her bootstraps and took a job at iconic New York department store Bergdorf Goodman. Here, she truly found her calling, using her sharp wit and sense of style to give frank advice, and help women find their true selves through clothing.
The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane Von Furstenberg
One of the most iconic and successful designers of our time, Diane Von Furstenberg is a true inspiration. A fashion designer, businesswoman, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, and cancer survivor, her repertoire is endless. From her childhood growing up in Brussels, to her whirlwind marriage to a prince at twenty-two, to the development of her global empire, her story is enough to empower any woman.
Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham
At only twenty-eight years old, Lena Dunham has managed to become an Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning director, actress, writer, and producer. In her memoir, Lena humorously and wittily recounts her experiences falling in love, dealing with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and proving herself as a woman in Hollywood.
A true inspiration to women everywhere, Arianna Huffington is one of the most influential women in the world. In her book, she candidly talks of time management, the power of meditation, and redefining what it means to be successful in today’s world. Something tells us she knows what she’s talking about, as she just so happens to be the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post.
If asked to name the funniest women in the entertainment industry, there is no doubt that Amy Poehler would be on that list. She’s an SNL alumni, Golden Globe Award-winning star of Parks and Recreation, and has even directed and produced. In her memoir, she recounts all areas of her life, from her “too safe” childhood outside of Boston, to her early days in New York City, to her life in Hollywood, and even parenthood.
Vivienne Westwood by Vivienne Westwood and Ian Kelly
Vivienne Westwood is truly a living legend. The fashion designer’s wildly successful and influential career has spanned over five decades, and her work continues to remain an inspiration to millions. As a co-creator of punk, activist, and grandmother, she has proven that one can truly have it all. She tells her story with passion, honesty, and wit in this fascinating autobiography.
Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain
For those on your list who love classics, the celebrated and world-famous World War I memoir Testament of Youth is a must. Vera Brittain went against her parents’ wishes to achieve her dreams of earning a scholarship to Oxford, but soon chose to abandon her studies to become a war nurse. She recounts her experiences working throughout Europe during the war, and how they changed her life forever.