There's nothing like getting lost in a good book, especially if it has a captivating combination of handsome men, broken hearts, sex, drugs, and maybe even a little rock and roll. All of those things are fun in a fictional novel, but when it's the real-life story told by a favorite celeb (with maybe just a little help from a ghostwriter)? Sign us up! It doesn't matter if we're reading on a tablet, a phone, or a good, old-fashioned book — nothing compares to a juicy celebrity memoir.
The best thing about these books from our favorite stars is that there are so many options for every possible reading mood and from celebrities from every era. There's the funny (hey, we see you, Ali Wong) and the super gossipy (who knew Katie Couric had it in her?). There's even the salacious (we're talking multiple descriptions of penis sizes — no spoilers on that one, so scroll down to see who dished that particular dirt). When it comes to memoirs from famous folks, there's truly something for everyone.
Here, we've rounded up 16 great reads, including some new releases that are perfect to share with a book club or a friend who is super obsessed with celebrity gossip. Consider this the ultimate guide for the deep dive into the juiciest celeb memoirs!
Brian Cox — 'Putting the Rabbit in the Hat'
Fans of Succession star Brian Cox will love his new memoir, Putting the Rabbit in the Hat. Proving that he's old enough to not care a whit about hurting fellow celebrities' feelings, he dishes about a whole slew of iconic actors, including Ed Norton, Michael Caine, and Johnny Depp (who Brian describes as "so overblown, so overrated").
Putting the Rabbit in the Hat by Brian Cox (Amazon, $27)
Katie Couric — 'Going There'
Katie Couric's new memoir has been getting lots of buzz because, well, she sure wasn't afraid to go there and spill some major dirt. In the book, she talks about everyone from Matt Lauer and Prince Harry to Vladimir Putin, who she described as having "beady little eyes."
Going There by Katie Couric (Barnes & Noble, $24)
Jessica Simpson — 'Open Book'
The queen of the dishy, but surprisingly deep celebrity memoir just might be Jessica Simpson. Her 2020 bestseller, Open Book, offers a candid look at her failed first marriage to Nick Lachey, her struggles with addiction, and the real harm caused by the tabloid cruelty about her weight and appearance. It's impossible to read it and not root for Jessica to get a great next chapter in her life.
Open Book by Jessica Simpson (Amazon, $17)
Kal Penn — 'You Can't Be Serious'
Kal Penn, the Harold & Kumar star turned White House staffer, just released his new memoir, You Can't Be Serious, and it is already getting all the buzz. From revealing his long-term relationship with partner Josh to telling stories about accidentally accepting an invite for an entire White House team to go to a strip club, this one sounds like a total blast to read.
You Can't Be Serious by Kal Penn (Target, $20)
Ali Wong — 'Dear Girls'
Everyone who fell in love with Ali Wong when she was famously filming a Netflix comedy special while super pregnant is sure to enjoy her memoir, Dear Girls, which is filthy (definitely not an audiobook to listen to with kids around), frank, and so stinking funny. It's the perfect book to read and then pass on to another mom who could use a laugh.
Dear Girls by Ali Wong (Amazon, $22)
Jenifer Lewis — 'The Mother of Black Hollywood'
Casual fans may know her best from Black-ish, but Jenifer Lewis has led an incredibly full life. Her memoir, The Mother of Black Hollywood, chronicles her experiences on Broadway and in Hollywood. As if that isn't enough, this tome may also feature more penis descriptions than any other on this list!
The Mother of Black Hollywood by Jenifer Lewis (Barnes & Noble, $14)
Gabrielle Union — 'You Got Anything Stronger?'
Gabrielle Union has written two memoirs, and both of them are must-reads. We're Going To Need More Wine and You Got Anything Stronger? (released in September 2021) are both heartfelt, funny, raw, and real. They feel like the literary equivalent of a long talk over a bottle of wine with a best friend. Who doesn’t need that energy right now?
We're Going To Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union (Target, $21)
You Got Anything Stronger? by Gabrielle Union (Target, $19)
Casey Wilson — 'The Wreckage of My Presence: Essays'
In The Wreckage of My Presence: Essays, Happy Endings star Casey Wilson ranges from laugh-out-loud funny to deeply tender and affecting (the last essay is a doozy — bring tissues) on subjects ranging from weight and body image to motherhood and the grief of losing a parent. This one is also delightful as an audiobook.
The Wreckage of My Presence: Essays by Casey Wilson (Amazon, $17)
Lena Dunham — 'Not That Kind of Girl'
Lena Dunham is a polarizing figure, and her 2014 memoir, Not That Kind of Girl, doesn't do anything to change that. While she's clearly creative and writes with her own distinct voice (no sign of a ghostwriter here), some of her stories may go way too far in the TMI direction for some readers. But fans of the show Girls who aren't afraid of a book that raises some tough questions about the line between sexual abuse and sexual exploration will find it a fascinating read.
Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham (Barnes & Noble, $28)
Michelle Obama — 'Becoming'
Sometimes, a reader wants a book filled with gossip and shocking secrets. Other times, a reader wants to be encouraged to become the best version of themselves. Michelle Obama's hugely popular Becoming is a great literary palate cleanser for the book lover who might need a little less gossip and a lot more inspiration.
Becoming by Michelle Obama (Amazon, $11)
Holly Madison — 'Down the Rabbit Hole'
What really went on in the Playboy mansion for all those years and with all those women? Holly Madison, one of the stars of the ultimate trashy reality show Girls Next Door, shares her account of life with Hugh Hefner and the not-so-glamorous truth about being a Playboy Bunny in the juicy tell-all Down the Rabbit Hole.
Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison (Barnes & Noble, $13)
Mindy Kaling
No list of fun, dishy celebrity memoirs would be complete without Mindy Kaling, but which one to include? Why choose? Mindy has three: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Why Not Me?, and Nothing Like I Imagined. All are funny, smart, and surprisingly relatable for a Hollywood star.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling (Amazon, $14)
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling (Amazon, $6)
Nothing Like I Imagined by Mindy Kaling (Amazon, $9)
Priyanka Chopra Jonas — 'Unfinished'
International fame? Check! Hot rock star husband? Also check! Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a well-written and inspirational confessional that spans a childhood in India, life in the pageant world, the grief of losing a parent, and finding international fame and love with Nick Jonas.
Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra (Target, $14)
Russell Brand — 'My Booky Wook'
When a memoir has the words "sex" and "drugs" right in the title, it is bound to be a riveting read. In Russell Brand's My Booky Wook: A Memoir of Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up, he dives into his experiences with addiction, his rather robust sexual history, and the early years of his stand-up fame. This one is all sorts of juicy.
My Booky Wook by Russell Brand (Amazon, $20)
Andre Agassi — 'Open'
Andre Agassi was once one of the most popular and talented stars on the international tennis scene, but as he reveals in his memoir, Open, there was so much more going on behind the scenes. A difficult father, a love/hate relationship with his sport, and a failed first marriage to Brooke Shields — this book is a fascinating glimpse into athletic fame.
Open by Andre Agassi (Barnes & Noble, $18)
Busy Philipps — 'This Will Only Hurt a Little'
Busy Philipps gives funny-BFF-who-has-all-the-best-stories energy in her memoir, This Will Only Hurt a Little. From her days as a child actor to her teenage abortion to on-set stories about coworkers behaving badly (James Franco alert), this book is honest, funny, and perfect to pass on to a friend after reading.
This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps (Amazon, $9)
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