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#1. Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott: I’m a fan of Philpott’s essays when they appear in publications so it’s no surprise that I appreciated reading her work in memoir form with a longer arc to follow. I can relate to Philpott’s worries as a mom and many of the other topics she addresses, too. Her writing is warm and relatable. Thank you to netgalley.com for the early copy. I will be grabbing the print version when it’s out! Listen to Mary Laura on episode 30 of Dear Nina where we talked about loneliness and anxiety despite having close friends.
#2. Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris: Not my favorite Sedaris book, but it might be that I didn’t love Tracy Ullman in the audio.
#3. The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer: This was a really fun rom-com with lots of Jewish elements. I’ve never read a book like that!
#4. A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher: If you like dystopian books, this one is for you. I found the premise clever and the writing very good. Sort of Station Eleven-ish.
#5. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: I wasn’t sure I could get into a book about video games, but I’ve never been disappointed by Gabrielle Zevin before and this time was no different. The friendship at the center of Zevin’s newest was so original and beautifully portrayed with realistic breaks in the friendship, too. I can’t wait for Zevin’s next one. I’ve read them all! Thank you to netgalley.com for the early copy.
#6. We Should Get Together by Kat Vellos: Kat is a go-to researcher for practical friendship information, especially how to very intentionally go about making friends. She has fun illustrations and really good tips. If you’re moving to a new city or just feeling like a shake up to your social life, Kat’s book is a winner. One of the most practical ones I’ve read. Less theory and more action. Yes! Kat is my guest on episode 25 of Dear Nina– “Improving Group Texts”.
#7. I’m Judging You by Luvvie: I got a kick out of Luvvie’s unapologetic “this is the best way to do life” take on several issues. I listened to the audio, which was especially fun. 
#8. No Cure For Being Human by Kate Bowler: I read this memoir in one sitting. Bowler, Duke Divinity School’s professor of the history of Christianity in North America, writes about getting a devastating cancer diagnosis in her 30s and surviving despite all odds. The book is a quick, poignant read. I wrote a little more about it in this post when I found a passage that reminded me of my favorite passage from The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
#9. Life’s Accessories: A Memoir (And Fashion Guide) by Rachel Levy Lesser: Rachel writes about relatable aspects of growing up (fitting in, overnight camp, etc) and also the difficulty of losing her mother to cancer soon after Rachel had her first baby. And she cleverly ties each essay to a particular accessory. She writes with honesty, insight, warmth, and humor. And she also hits on #friendship a lot, my number one topic. Rachel was my guest for episode 21 of Dear Nina. We had such a good conversation and became fast writer friends. 
#10. The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose: This book grew on me as I read it, and I went all the way to the end. It’s a time travel book, which I normally love. The main character was hard to follow at first, but like I said, she grew on me. I loved that the the time travel was back to 2002. Recent enough to remember, but long enough ago to get a kick out of how things have changed. 
#11. The Rewind by Allison Winn Scotch: A fun rom-com that I can absolutely see on screen and I hope it will be! Thanks to netgalley and Allison Winn Scotch for the advance copy. I was rooting for this couple.
#12. Soul Construction: Shape Your Character Using 8 Steps From the Timeless Jewish Practice of Mussar by Ruchi Koval: If you’ve never heard of the Jewish study of Mussar, Ruchi’s book is the perfect resource to learn about some of the core character traits every single person can improve. I could do three podcast episodes on each chapter! Our episode together is #33 on Dear Nina. We called it, “When The Desire For Friendship Is Not Equal.” It was a tough one! 
#13. Bad Vibes Only (And Other Things I Bring To The Table) by Nora McInerny: This was my favorite Nora McInerny book. I could relate to her desire to sit in on the couch, even on vacation, and her desire to stop writing about her son. Her writing is also entertaining and thoughtful. Thank you to netgalley for the early release. 
#14. Write For Your Life by Anna Quindlen: You have a story to tell? An opinion to share? Something in the world you want to see changed? Want to pass down family lore to your kids, nieces, or nephews? Write a letter to a friend or family member or partner who has meant so much to you? Give forgiveness? Ask for forgiveness? It’s all possible with the power of the written word. Great gift for the writer in your life.
#15. Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris: Loved this one. Lots of Hugh stuff, which is always amusing. The parts Sedaris wrote about his dad were definitely the result of a mature, older writer. 
#16. Bookends by Zibby Owens: I read this memoir in a few days. It’s a story of family, career, romantic love, and losing dear friends and family too soon. Listen to Zibby on episode 28 of Dear Nina. We talked about grieving the death of a friend.
#17. Jewish Girls Gone Wild by Linda Pressman: I really enjoyed this memoir about Linda and her six sisters moving to Scottsdale and making new lives there. Lots of family drama and a wonderful coming of age tale.
#18. Body Work by Melissa Febos: If you’re interested in writing nonfiction, this is a really good book about writing the hard stuff. Makes me wants to read the two memoirs Febos wrote before this. I guess I went out of order.
#19. Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make–and Keep–Friends by Dr. Marisa G. Franco: This was a fantastic book that very clearly explains how the way we were raised influences how we attach in relationships. I found the chapter about conflict particularly helpful personally. But it’s all useful and I highlighted many paragraphs. Dr. Franco is the guest on episode 32 of Dear Nina. We based our talk on a chapter of Platonic that stayed with me– “Conflict Can Strengthen a Friendship.”
#20. Love & Saffron by Kim Fay: A very sweet friendship novel told in letters.
#21. Hello Molly by Molly Shannon: Maybe one of my favorite audios ever. I just loved the theatrical reading and the message of a positive attitude and hard work. Molly didn’t have an easy life!
#22. I’ll Show Myself Out by Jessi Klein: Liked it a lot because I connect with Klein’s writing style, but I did skim some. Maybe I’m not feeling it with remembering the younger kid times yet.
#23. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy: I always like to hear memoirists read their work, but I might have preferred this one in print instead so I could have skimmed the parts that were a bit too graphic for me, such as the eating disorder details. This book is a raw account of mental and physical abuse from mother to daughter. It’s not an enjoyable read, but I’m glad I read it myself with all the coverage out there.
#24. Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Entertaining audio. Taylor Jenkins Reid always tells a great story. It’s fun to hear little references to her other work. (Though not necessary to have read those books.) And tennis is a fun story backdrop for me.
#25. First We Must Break by Lauren Jayne: Years ago I read Lauren’s first memoir, Pretty Things Don’t Break and found it compelling. I was happy to see she wrote a sequel. Lauren writes about family and marriage and doesn’t skim over things to make them pretty.
#26. Never Simple by Liz Scheier: I’ve read a lot of family drama memoirs this year. This one is about an unusual childhood and the search for the author’s father. I found the first 2/3 compelling and had to skim the rest.
#27. Sister, Mother, Husband, Dog by Delia Ephron: Really enjoyed Ephron’s essays and hearing about pieces of her relationship with Nora and with her their mother and father. I’ve read so many of Nora’s essays that hearing about the same characters from Delia’s point-of-view was extra interesting. I enjoyed Delia’s writing style enough to pick her newest memoir for my next reading choice.
#28. Left on Tenth by Delia Ephron: Excellent memoir of Ephron’s cancer and really so much more. I’ve recommended it to many people since finishing.
#29. Have I Told You This Already by Lauren Graham: Very typical Lauren Graham, which I mean in a good way. Quick read. Wouldn’t call it a “must” read.
#30. Into the Tangle of Friendship by Beth Kephart: Really lovely essays on friendship. I enjoy Kephart’s writing style. So many quotes I want to share! I believe it’s out of print, but you can find it around the internet.
#31. Consolations by David Whyte: This is one to read in a quick sitting. I’m not sure whether to call it poetry or musings. Nice on a dark, winter day. Thoughtful.
#32. Normal Family by Chrysta Bilton: Excellent memoir about being the daughter of a sperm donor, but really about so much more. It reminded me a little bit of Never Simple, but I preferred this one. I read it in three days and stayed up until 3:00AM to finish.
#33. This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub: I love time travel books, including this one!
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