Monday Motivation: 8 autobiographies to kick-start the week with

American author James Patterson once said, “What are we but our stories?” We tend to concur. Stories make us who we are and take us where we want to be. It is through stories that we’re able to make some sense of human behaviour, connections and relationships, life and its many, many facets and at the end of the day, even ourselves. For years now, my favourite genre of books has been autobiographies. The genre takes us through the struggles, shortcomings, flaws and virtues of leaders, sportspeople, actors, artists, politicians and more. And I ask, what could be more inspirational than to know about the kind of perfect imperfections that brought them to where they reached? Here’s a list of some of the most iconic autobiographies you should read for motivation on Mondays, and every day. 

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela 

In what is an absolutely moving and exhilarating autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom has been written by former South African President, social activist, and leader, Nelson Mandela. Among the many themes reflected in the book, the struggle and fight for freedom in a colonised South Africa is probably the most significant. Mandela, who was at the forefront of this yearning for independence, begins the book by giving us an insight into his childhood and years as a student at university. In the second part, he goes on to describe the various aspects of the apartheid, and his journey as a member of the African National Congress. Only a few could do what he did for his country—spending 27 years in jail, a near death sentence, and more. But we can definitely be inspired by his conviction, leadership, empathy, and the sheer courage and determination. 

Becoming by Michelle Obama 

A personal favourite, Becoming by Michelle Obama takes us through the journey and implications of being a Black woman, growing up in the south side of Chicago. She writes candidly as she tells us about her upbringing, college days, and days of working at a law firm. She reflects upon her journey, where she constantly strives to find her purpose in whatever she does. The former First Lady writes about simple values of love, kindness, and compassion that can take us a long way in life. She recalls in intricate detail how she met Obama as an intern in a law firm and how they fell in love. She describes the hard times as much as the good ones—and expresses gratitude for both. Today, she continues to use her voice to fight for issues that she is deeply passionate about—race, equality, health, education, and of course, a balance between it all. 

Wings of Fire by APJ Abdul Kalam 

“We are all born with a divine fire in us. Our effort should be to give wings to this fire and fill the world with the glow of its goodness.” Read this on a Monday morning and we promise you’ve got your fix of motivation for a week. Famously known as the Missile Man of India, APJ Abdul Kalam’s story is one of grit, hard work, ambition, passion, and luck. Besides being one of the people who helped establish the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Kalam was a firm believer in education and absolutely adored children. The book has been divided into various sections that describe the different phases of Kalam’s life. 

Open by Andre Agassi 

Open by tennis champion Andre Agassi begins with the lines, “I love tennis. I hate tennis.” The book is almost like a maze through his mind. Agassi recalls his relationship with his father and how he felt pressurised into not only playing the sport, but winning at it every time. He opens up about how he dealt with the highs and lows of playing a sport for so many years, his drug addiction, his need to be unconventional, and more. His story gives a fresh perspective on wins, losses, inspirations, and everything in between. “It's no accident, I think, that tennis uses the language of life. Advantage, service, fault, break, love, the basic elements of tennis are those of everyday existence, because every match is a life in miniature,” he writes. Sports often brings out characters in ways other aspects of life may not, and Agassi’s story does just that. He’s made mistakes galore and faced the worst of the circumstances and yet, he grew through it to reach the other side. “Now that I've won a Slam, I know something very few people on earth are permitted to know. A win doesn't feel as good as a loss feels bad, and the good feeling doesn't last long as the bad. Not even close.”

Finding Me—Viola Davis 

You know her from some of the most iconic films and shows like How to Get Away with Murder and The Help. Viola Davis is an Academy and Tony Award winning actor who has made it big and how. Her book, Finding Me was the result of much introspection and contemplation during the lockdown in 2020, which made her look back at her journey and identify what she was looking for—her identity, purpose, joy and peace. To say that her story is one of trials and tribulations would be an absolute understatement. From living in abject poverty and bed-wetting tendencies up to the age of 14, to becoming a revered actor of the times—nothing but motivation here. 

Playing it My Way—Sachin Tendulkar  

Another personal favourite, Playing it My Way tells the story of the man who stole a billion hearts. A young 14-year-old, curly haired boy stepped out into the field, played the 22 yards for 22 years and the rest is history. His story begins at 6:00 am in Shivaji Park in the city of Mumbai and takes us through the beats of his life in detail. Tendulkar writes about his early influences, his deep passion for the game and how he navigated his way as a junior player to becoming captain. He writes with immense gratitude and respect for the support system around him—his brother, wife, children, mother, team members, friends, and coaches. There’s much to learn from his routine, never-giving-up mindset and approach towards everything that came his way. 

What I know for Sure—Oprah Winfrey 

“What I know for sure is that every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and step out and dance—to live free of regret and filled with as much joy, fun, and laughter as you can stand. You can either waltz boldly onto the stage of life or live the way you know your spirit is nudging you to, or you can sit quietly by the wall, receding into the shadows of fear and self-doubt.” Winfrey writes these words in the beginning few pages of the book. Not entirely an autobiography, What I Know for Sure is a collection of lessons through Oprah’s life experiences. Each chapter serves as a reminder to live the life we want to every single day. The book emphasises on the little, invaluable things in life—gratitude, love, kindness, faith, and empathy. 

When Breath Becomes Air—Paul Kalanithi 

Written by American neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi, When Breath Becomes Air is a memoir about his life, while he battled stage three cancer at the age of 36. It chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a naïve medical student "possessed", as he wrote, "by the question of what, given that all organisms die, makes a virtuous and meaningful life,” into a neurosurgeon and ultimately to a patient. Through the course of his book, he seeks answers to questions about the purpose of life, what makes life worth living when faced with death, and more. He died in 2015, but his words remain an important lesson even today. "I began to realise that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed nothing and everything," he wrote.