Famous diaries that became bestsellers

Journals are personal.

Very personal.

They're not just the story of your day; they contain the secrets of your subconcious; of your innermost thoughts, emotions and reactions to the world around you.

Sometimes, however, these intimate works find their way into the public eye - and captivate readers around the world.

While anyone's journal would be interesting to read, these seven individuals lived through extraordinary times and did some extraordinary things.

1. The Diary of Anne Frank

Anne Frank's diary isn't just famous – it's a cultural phenomenon.

Written by a young girl during World War II, it chronicles two years of hiding from Nazis in an Amsterdam secret annex. Anne's vivid descriptions and profound reflections have made her diary a universal symbol of hope in darkness.

Otto Frank, Anne's father, discovered and published the diary after the war. Since 1947, it's been translated into 70+ languages and sold millions.

Essential reading? You bet.

2. Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Wartime Sarajevo

In 1991, 11-year-old Zlata Filipović started a diary in Sarajevo.

Little did she know it would become a window into the Bosnian War for the world.

Zlata's honest account of life under siege in Bosnia caught a journalist's eye.

Published in 1993, it drew comparisons to Anne Frank and spotlighted a conflict many struggled to grasp.

3. The Andy Warhol Diaries

Andy Warhol's diary? Not your typical journal.

From 1976 to 1987, Warhol called friend Pat Hackett daily to chat about the previous day. Hackett transcribed what they talked about, creating an epic record of Warhol's life and times.

Published after his death, these diaries offer an unfiltered peek into 70s and 80s New York art and celeb culture.

While we can't all have a friend like Pat, Reverie is a journal app that does something pretty similar - it calls you every day, listens to you talk and transcribes everything onto an online dashboard. Pretty cool, hey?

4. The Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait

Frida Kahlo's diary is an explosion of color and emotion - much like her career as a painter.

Kept during her final decade on this planet, it's a collection of sketches, musings, and raw honesty. It exposes open her creative process, tumultuous love life, and battle with chronic pain.

Published posthumously, it's a must-read for understanding the woman behind those iconic unibrow self-portraits.

5. The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci

Okay, not strictly a journal – but close enough.

Da Vinci's notebooks are filled with sketches, diagrams, and wild ideas spanning art, science, and engineering - not dissimilar to art journaling many of us do today. The only difference? They're basically a Renaissance genius's brain dump.

Scattered after his death, their rediscovery revolutionized our understanding of da Vinci and his era.

And they're still inspiring creators and innovators today.

6. The Reagan Diaries

Too busy to keep a journal?

Well if the President of the United States has time, you do too!

Ronald Reagan kept a daily diary throughout his presidency, recording thoughts on everything from major policy to staff... shenanigans. Never meant for the public eyes, these entries offer an truly inside look at life in the Oval Office.

Published in 2007, they're a must read for history buffs and political junkies.

7. A Writer's Diary by Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf, a literary giant, was also a prolific journaler.

Her journals explore into her creative process, struggles with mental health, and unique observations on the state of the literary world. After her death, her husband Leonard published excerpts from her journals.

The result?

An invaluable peek into a brilliant, complex mind.

Aspiring writers, take note.

Why Do We Love These Diaries?

Simple. They're real, raw, and deeply human.

Published diaries let us connect with historical figures on a personal level. They illuminate entire eras through individual experiences.

When everything today seems to be a carefully curated public image, their honesty is refreshing.

Plus, they remind us of the power of our own words.

That journal gathering dust on your nightstand?

It might just be tomorrow's bestseller.

-- N.L.