We live in a society and a world with so much polarization, division and disconnection, one where we often define ourselves and others more by our differences than by what we have in common.

I have witnessed and heard a great deal from people about their most painful and vulnerable and difficult experiences that has led me to believe that healing our culture, our relationships, ourselves and our world is going to require us to develop deeper, more genuine empathy, compassion, and connection with others.

One of the simplest ways I’ve found that people can begin to increase this needed empathy and compassion for other people and to increase connection and heal divides with other people is gaining a deeper understanding of another’s lived experiences.

As researcher and author Dr. Brene Brown says, “People are hard to hate close up. Move in.”

One way to move in and get to know others better is by listening to the lived experiences of others in their own words.

So, I decided to write this post and compile a list of some of my favorite memoirs and biographies for anyone who is interested in deepening their understanding of the lived experiences of another person who they perceive as different from them.