Life story book options compared: journal, guided service or done-for-you?
Updated
Quick answer: Fill-in journals, year-long question services, or a done-for-you book from recordings. Kemuva's life story book is $49 and ready in about 72 hours. Kemuva’s life story book is $49, with a preview in about 72 hours and one round of revisions, then a print-ready file.
Life story book · $49Christmas delivery: order by December 21 (December 18 for life story books and cookbooks). All order-by dates
Want Grandma's stories saved before they're lost? You have three main options: a fill-in journal she writes herself, a guided service that sends questions over months, or a book made for you from stories and photos you share. Kemuva's life story book is the done-for-you option: from your recordings and photos to a print-ready PDF in about 72 hours for $49.
Every Kemuva order includes a preview and one round of revisions. Nothing is shipped.
Life story book options compared
| Option | Example (public prices, 2026-10-18) | Effort for grandparent | Time | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fill-in journal | Grandmother Remembers Gift Edition (Abrams) — $24.99 | High — they write by hand | Weeks to months (or unfinished) | Blank prompt book they fill in |
| Weekly questions + printed book | LiveYourBook — from $59 for one year of questions + one hardcover | Medium — answer weekly prompts | About a year | Guided memoir, then a hardcover |
| Recorded/written stories platform | StoryKeeper Classic — $99 (one full-color hardcover; no time limit) | Medium — type, dictate or record over time | As long as you take | Hardcover with optional QR to recordings |
| Done-for-you from your recordings | Kemuva life story book — $49 | Low — talk while you record | About 72 hours after materials | 20–30 page illustrated print-ready PDF |
Competitor prices checked on their public pages on 2026-10-18 (Abrams, LiveYourBook, StoryKeeper). Taxes, shipping and upgrades may apply on those sites. Kemuva is digital-only.
How the Kemuva life story book works
- Order and download the free 20-question guide if you want prompts.
- Record up to 60 minutes of audio or video (phone memos are fine) and add a handful of photos.
- Approve the preview (one round of revisions included) and print the PDF.
Also see Christmas gifts for grandparents and family recipe cookbook.
FAQs
How long does each option take?
A fill-in journal takes as long as Grandma writes. Weekly-question services often run about a year before the book is printed. Kemuva's life story book is previewed in about 72 hours after you send up to 60 minutes of audio and photos ($49).
What if Grandpa won't write?
Record him talking instead. Phone voice memos are fine. Kemuva turns the audio into an illustrated book, so he does not have to type.
Can we include recipes and photos?
Yes for photos on the life story book. For recipes as their own book, see the family recipe cookbook ($49), also about 72 hours.
Is the Kemuva book printed or digital?
Digital: a 20–30 page illustrated, print-ready PDF. You print it at home, at a local print shop or an online book printer. Kemuva does not ship a bound book.
Can family add stories?
You gather the recordings and photos before ordering. Multiple relatives can record on the same phone. We also send a free list of 20 question prompts.
Is a life story book worth it?
If the goal is to keep their stories before they are lost, yes — especially when writing feels hard. A done-for-you book from recordings is often finished when a blank journal would still be empty.
Sources: Abrams: Grandmother Remembers Gift Edition; LiveYourBook pricing; StoryKeeper memory book
Ready to create it? See the life story book, $49 →