Both the following books are based on true stories, which means that there’s a good amount of fiction in them. You may remember the huge James Frey controversy, and Oprah’s 2009 apology. You also probably know by now that I avoid reading controversial books until after the controversy is dead and over with, so that I can enjoy the book rather than focus on the author.

The first book by Dave Eggers is not your typical memoir, and isn’t written like one. The author makes a note that while most of the story is true, the dialogues are made up. But they have to be, you realize, when you reach the middle of the book. The author pretty much comes out and says it in the text itself. I love memoir (even if it’s fictionalized), and these books didn’t disappoint.

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A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

You probably don’t know this about me (unless you’re my mother), but every bookshelf I’ve ever had has been divided into two sections: read and not yet read. Many a guest has given me a puzzled look when I’ve pointed out that if they wanted to borrow something, they could choose from this shelf, that shelf or the one over there (the read), and don’t even bother looking at the rest (the unread). Now I have to admit, the unread pile, despite my best intentions to read more often and not buy any more books before finishing this lot, is three times as large as the read one.

This book is monstrous in size, that’s the only reason I started to read it. By the time I reached the last hundred pages, I was wishing it could have been longer. Why did it have to end, the bugger? The beauty of this book is in the expression. Eggers’ stream-of-consciousness writing, that at times flippant, at times introspective, usually, brilliantly, both, makes for an easy, emotional read that helps you connect the dots and find meaning in what is presented as a simple story.

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A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

What can I say about this book that hasn’t already been said? I knew of the controversy, I read it like a novel, I loved the writing, and I was still disappointed at just how fabricated the whole thing was. I don’t necessarily think the blame lies completely with the author in these situations, but in interviews, Frey has described how he would read books to an illiterate inmate, etc, when he’s never actually spent time behind bars. It isn’t that SOME of this book is fictionalized, MOST of it is.

Anyhow, the writing is brilliant, and Frey is unquestionably a fine writer. This book is definitely worth a read to study technique and story-telling, but if you’re looking for an honest memoir to inspire you, I’d skip this one.