Dugas, Laure. Champagne Baby: How One Parisian Learned To Love Wine—and Life—the American Way. Ballantine. May 2016. 336p. ISBN9781101884638. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781101884645. memoir

Both sides of Dugas’s family have experience in the wine industry, but the author herself had little interest in the business until her vintner uncle offered her a job selling his wines in the United States. Dugas said, “why not?” even though she didn’t speak English, had never been to the area, and knew nothing about the variety of beverages. That understated, open-minded writing style and approach to life characterizes ­Dugas’s account of arriving in New York and traveling the country to distribute French wine. Readers will learn a bit about wine, specifically the taste, smell, and origins of French styles. VERDICT Dugas’s story of being a recent university student and eager to jump at life’s chances will resonate with audiences both young and old, wine aficionados and newcomers. [See Memoir, 4/15/16; ow.ly/DDkU3008IGn.]—Amy Lewontin

Haig, Matt. Reasons To Stay Alive. Penguin. Feb. 2016. 256p. ISBN 9780143128724. pap. $15; ebk. ISBN 9780143128731. memoir

Depression first struck British novelist Haig (The Humans) while he was working in the sunny Mediterranean island of Ibiza—this shows how uncontrollable the disorder can be. The author discusses what depression feels like rather than defining its symptoms. With help from his family and information in books, Haig eventually lifts himself up from his sadness. However, he is careful to mention that it has never quite gone away and probably never will. VERDICT Haig’s inspiring account is an essential read that should lead to a greater understanding of the illness. [See Memoir, 1/22/16; ow.ly/a6Xg300b70n.]—Derek ­Sanderson (DS)

Keenan, Jillian. Sex with Shakespeare: Here’s Much To Do with Pain, but More with Love. Morrow. Apr. 2016. 352p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780062378712. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062378736. memoir

Interspersed with passages of close literary readings of Shakespeare are revealing descriptions of the author’s coming to terms with her sexual identity. Her writing is clear, relatable, and steady, even when conveying painful events. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as a teenager, Keenan only briefly touches on her disease and the childhood sexual abuse she experienced. Instead, she focuses on the meaning of Shakespeare in her life and the Bard’s role in her self-discovery. ­VERDICT Thoroughly enjoyable, not just for the juicy bits of Shakespeare, but also for the sex-positive message. Recommended for anyone working through issues of sexuality and identity. [See Memoir, 2/17/16; ow.ly/Tet6300b88f.]—Rachael Dreyer (RD)

Kotin, Lisa. My Confection: Odyssey of a Sugar Addict. Beacon. Jan. 2016. 248p. ISBN 9780807069257. pap. $15.95; ebk. ISBN 9780807069264. memoir

Kotin takes a lighthearted approach to illustrate that overeating and compulsive eating are addictions with serious effects. There’s shame, private consumption, relapses, and promises that this is the last time. The author details her decades-long struggle to master her obsession and deal with the family dynamics that may have triggered it and led to pursuing inappropriate sexual partners. Ultimately, the why doesn’t matter—it’s how one moves forward and through that counts. VERDICT A delicious morsel of memoir writing that will strike a chord with junk-food junkies and their clean-living counterparts. [See Memoir, 12/14/15; ow.ly/Yz5t300b8mr.]—RD

Selgin, Peter. The Inventors. Hawthorne Bks. & Literary Arts. Apr. 2016. 352p. ISBN 9780989360470. pap. $18.95. memoir

Selgin focuses on his relationships with his father and an eighth-grade English teacher, uncovering not only what they hid from him and others but unraveling what people keep hidden from themselves. Selgin uses fablelike interludes to examine how we narrate our lives, how difficult it is to remember the past, and how blending fiction and nonfiction often leads to a more believable version of the truth. VERDICT A remarkable model of the art of the memoir, this book will satisfy all readers. [See Memoir, 3/15/16; ow.ly/v6cG300b8H9.]—DS

Yang, Kao Kalia. The Song Poet: A Memoir of My Father. Metropolitan: Holt. May 2016. 288p. ISBN 9781627794947. $27; ebk. ISBN 9781627794954. memoir

Yang’s second stellar memoir (after the The Latehomecomer) takes readers back to the mountains of Laos, to her father’s birth and childhood, through the French occupation, and finally to the turbulent war that led to the family fleeing through the jungle to a refugee camp in Thailand and ultimately landing in the American city of St. Paul. Yang writes first in the voice of her father; the second part reveals her own perspective, that of a woman learning to find words in both the language of her Hmong heritage and of her adopted country. These two points of view balance each other and the result captures the raw emotions of grief, joy, fear, and love. VERDICT Yang powerfully demonstrates that much of what society doesn’t hold valuable—talents that don’t translate into monetary or educational success—still carry immense value. [See Memoir, 2/17/16; ow.ly/Tet6300b88f.]—RD

LJ Memoir columnist Rachael Dreyer is Head of Research Services, Eberly Family Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University. Amy Lewontin is Collection Development Librarian at Northeastern University’s Snell Library. LJ Memoir columnist Derek Sanderson is Assistant Librarian, Instruction Services, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY