What exactly is it about memoirs that make them so widely read and discussed, and so compelling? What distinguishes a good memoir from one that becomes a classic in the genre? What makes a person's experience or ordeal worth sharing with a wider audience, and what value can another person's trauma/survival story/struggle impart to a reader? For our 60th episode, Jude and John dig in and examine what is it about this particular form that hits a nerve with people - and share some of our own favorite examples and "wish list" reads. If you've ever been mesmerized by the narrative of someone else's life experience, this episode may be for you. Thanks as always for listening.