Vance, J. (2016). Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis. New York, NY: HarperCollins

Interest Level: High school upperclassmen to adults of all ages


Audie Award for Nonfiction (2017), 

Dayton Literary Peace Prize Nominee for Nonfiction (2017), 

Ohioana Book Award for About Ohio or an Ohioan (2017), 

Kirkus Prize Nominee for Nonfiction (2016), 

Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Memoir & Autobiography (2016)

[For the reader of memoirs who likes a sprinkling of politics and hope.]

My family was once called “hillbillies.” I prefer rednecks, thank you very much. We don’t scream and fight…we hold in our emotions and get even through passive aggressive outlets. Our drinking is kept secret and first cousins are off limits! What we do have in common, though, is our devotion to our family and our love of Jesus.

J.D. Vance shares the chaotic and tumultuous journey of his family life growing up in a hillbilly community. His hillbilly roots are in Kentucky while his hillbilly rearing takes place in Ohio. He faced the same struggles that most of us do, but with the added hindrance of substance, physical, and mental abuse, a succession of step-daddies, and little to no guidance on college prep. What did work in his favor was the emphasis on reading that was instilled in him early on. His mom read him books. His Mamaw read him books, and in his youth, he became a reader himself. He researched and explored different ideas and grew a desire for the upward mobility that slowly catapulted him from the dregs of society to the top law school in the nation.

I chose to read this book because my mom had watched and loved the movie. I haven’t seen it yet, but I will watch it someday. I found the book inspiring and wondered what it is about upward mobility that the hillbilly communities shy away from. I think his goal with this book is to make us realize that anything is possible, but also makes you question whose fault it is when you are left behind in school…your own? Or the government’s? 4 stars on Goodreads.