On Wednesday I woke up to a treat: it was 68 degrees outside in Phoenix, Arizona. There was a distinct chill in the air when I opened the back door to let the dogs out. My children begged us to turn on the heat. I wore a jacket to the studio. By school pick-up, it was 98 degrees and we had abandoned all pretenses of fall’s arrival.
Which is fine, because today is officially the first day of Fall! So bust out your corduroy and your woolens. Pour a hot glass of pumpkin spice. And get your book lights charged1.
We have a new reading list for you.
My father loved The Folio Society, whose catalogs of special edition books arrived at our house and enticed him to spend what was probably many thousands of dollars on limited-edition books that lined his office shelves. You used to have to be a member (which I learned when I attempted to buy him a Folio Society book in my early 20s with my meager assistant salary2), but now anyone can buy their gorgeous, expensive books.
So at some point I treated myself to Frankenstein by Mary Shelley?? And then it sat on my shelf like a beautiful accessory until this month, when I said, I am going to read Frankenstein! And I did! And it’s really spooky but also very sad, which I don’t think I realized growing up on pop culture representations of Frankenstein’s Monster3. If it’s actually cold and spooky where you live, this is a nice (and by nice I mean depressing) book for you to easily get for $0 from your library!
Ask Not: The Kennedys and The Women They Destroyed by Maureen Callahan had me squirming, cringing, and absolutely raging. I am of Irish Catholic descent, and if there’s anything that demographic loves, it’s The Kennedys. Nobody told me how many women were absolutely, unequivocally wrecked and or killed (!!!!!) by this family! I am now filled with the rage of a thousand suns, and I am ready to go to the mat for Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Rosemary Kennedy, Jackie O, Kick Kennedy, Mary Jo Kopechne, Martha Moxley, Marilyn Monroe and Pam Kelley (an incomplete list). Amazon | Bookshop
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas was my companion on a drive to and from Las Vegas. I listened at 1.5 speed, and I grimaced and cringed and yet…could not stop listening? A fuller reflection on this book has been requested by exactly one person, but what can I say? I understand the appeal: the book is entertaining, well-paced, a slightly more adult version of Beauty and the Beast meets Twilight: a young girl (not like other girls…skinnier, plain, poor) is snatched from her (detached, selfish) family by a fairy (a big tough one?) and forced to live on the other side of the wall in His Kingdom. She is not only his captive, but his savior, and there’s some sex and also she falls in love with him?? My daughter assures me “it’s supposed to be cringey” and that book 2 is “totally different” and you know what? I’m gonna find out! Target | Bookshop | Amazon
Memento Mori by Joanna Ebenstein is the death book I’ve been waiting for (and I was waiting for it). It’s both a book to help you prepare for the inevitable (with 12 weeks of reflection and journaling prompts) and an education on death rites and rituals and myths (as in both mythology and in misunderstandings). I’m desperately trying to arrange an interview with her about it. Amazon | Target| Bookshop
A Bit Much by is the first book of poetry by the woman best known as Mary Oliver’s Drunk Cousin on Instagram. It’s page after page of joy and laughter laced with unexpected gravitas. Target | Amazon | Bookshop
BONUS! Lyndsay took over It’s Going To Be OK ALL WEEK. Her mini-essays are truly a delight, and you can binge them all today!
TTFA Anthologies is a curated collection of stories from Terrible, Thanks for Asking. We’ll release 10-episode seasons 3-4 times a year around focused topics. Spotify | Apple
The first season is stories of suicide and survival, and this episode with Neil Pasricha is an all-time listener (and personal) favorite.
Someone tagged me in a thread about a woman who wants to take down the photos of her fiance’s dead wife and I HAD TO TALK ABOUT IT.
It’s not too early to start Christmas shopping, and Nike is having quite a sale.
I am fully OBSESSED with Lyz Lenz and her book, This American Ex-Wife. I was so so lucky to interview her.
MN! I will be in Minneapolis LIVE AND IN PERSON for my friend Amanda Brinkman’s Purpose Pursuit event. Get your tickets here!
I got to guest host on one of my favorite podcasts
and discuss Dopamine Menus (you should make one)
Our Little Free Library!
I have extra copies of the following books. Leave a comment if you’d like one and I’ll randomly pick winners, send the winners a message, and mail them out!
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, Elle Cosimano
We Were Liars, e. lockhart
Yellowface, R.F. Kuang
The Widow’s Guide to Dead Bastards, Jessica Waite
xo,
Nora
some of the links in my emails are affiliate links, which means the seller gives me a percentage if you buy through that link, but that does not mean you pay more!
if you have a book lover in your life, I think Folio Society books are a great gift idea! And now ANYONE can buy them!
snobs LOVE to tell people that Frankenstein is the name of the doctor, not the monster! But I’m not a snob and I don’t love telling you that!
I’d love to read The Widow’s Guide to Dead Bastards- Thanks Nora! I love your lists, and guarantee you’ll like the second ACOTAR book better!
My daughter LOVES her book light. I caught her up after bed time one night, seeing a dim light coming from her room, thinking it was her Nintendo. NOPE, she was reading, which is usually something I have to fight her to do. I was so happy I let her stay up. 😂 Also,I would love to read A Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards! My library's wait list IS FOREVER.