<p>West with the Night is beautifully written, having grown up in East Africa, I thought it was wonderfully evocative. Another memoir about an African childhood that I really enjoyed was Let’s Not Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller - I have her new book, but haven’t read it yet. I third the recommendation for Surely you’re Joking Mr. Feynman, even if he is famous. :)</p>
<p>An older classic I just love is Vera Brittain’s Testament of Youth, about coming of age during WW1.</p>
<p>Ruth Reichl is moderately famous (was a NY Times food critic and editor in chief of Gourmet Magazine), but her books are fascinating. I’ve enjoyed all the ones I’ve read so far.</p>