I loved a lot of those on your list too! Demon Copperhead still haunts me (in a good way). Just started You're Safe Here by Leslie Stephens, who I discovered here on Substack! Other favorites I've read recently are Margo's Got Money Troubles, All the Colors of the Dark, and Pearce Oysters
Two memoirs: Graydon Carter’s When the Going was Good, and Keith McNally’s I Regret Almost Everything.
Carter really gives you the inside track on being editor in chief of Vanity Fair for twenty five years, great observations about people he interacted with, and his remarkable career as a Canadian without a college degree who conquered the publishing world eventually. McNally’s is more personal and it’s clear his regret lies in his own foibles but there’s a lot of success again from a guy from a council flat in a poor London section who took off at sixteen and has ultimately become one of the most successful restauranteurs in New York. By the way I’m not a New Yorker, rather I
live in SE Virginia and still enjoyed both memoirs a great deal.
I’m reading a new book: Little Bosses Everywhere by Bridget Read, tagline: how the pyramid scheme shaped America. I’m quite certain you will be as fascinated with this excellently researched and written book as I am.
I love anything by Jessie Burton, if you like historic fiction. Just finished The Confession which takes place in the 80s and 2017 and is a beautifully written book about relationships and womanhood. I read it in 2 days (on holidays but it's pacy and hooks you in, perfect book to escape into).
Yes, I’ve actually started pulling together a few summer reads —so glad you asked. I’m feeling the pull toward soulful memoirs, reflective writing, and a little inspiration. Here are a few on my list so far:
I’ll Tell You When I’m Home by Hala Alyan
A deeply personal memoir exploring themes of motherhood, lineage, and displacement.
Fahrenheit-182: A Memoir by Mark Hoppus
A raw, funny, and honest account of life, music, and healing from cancer by the Blink-182 co-founder.
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
A motivational guide focusing on finding joy through self-focus and letting go of societal expectations.
Forest Euphoria by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian
This one blends memoir with nature writing—she explores identity and belonging through the lens of ecology and fungi. It feels like something to read slowly, outside.
Let me know if you have any recs! I’m always up for adding a few more to my stack. We should start a book club here in Woodstock :)
I loved a lot of those on your list too! Demon Copperhead still haunts me (in a good way). Just started You're Safe Here by Leslie Stephens, who I discovered here on Substack! Other favorites I've read recently are Margo's Got Money Troubles, All the Colors of the Dark, and Pearce Oysters
Two memoirs: Graydon Carter’s When the Going was Good, and Keith McNally’s I Regret Almost Everything.
Carter really gives you the inside track on being editor in chief of Vanity Fair for twenty five years, great observations about people he interacted with, and his remarkable career as a Canadian without a college degree who conquered the publishing world eventually. McNally’s is more personal and it’s clear his regret lies in his own foibles but there’s a lot of success again from a guy from a council flat in a poor London section who took off at sixteen and has ultimately become one of the most successful restauranteurs in New York. By the way I’m not a New Yorker, rather I
live in SE Virginia and still enjoyed both memoirs a great deal.
Love reading memoirs. Thank you for the recommendations
I’m reading a new book: Little Bosses Everywhere by Bridget Read, tagline: how the pyramid scheme shaped America. I’m quite certain you will be as fascinated with this excellently researched and written book as I am.
Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen!
ohh ok adding to my list
Girl I've got you covered. My reading librarian bestie hooked me up.
https://open.substack.com/pub/theseasonalist/p/a-fluffy-summer-reading-guide-an?r=7akzb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
ohhh love it.
I love anything by Jessie Burton, if you like historic fiction. Just finished The Confession which takes place in the 80s and 2017 and is a beautifully written book about relationships and womanhood. I read it in 2 days (on holidays but it's pacy and hooks you in, perfect book to escape into).
I really enjoyed Rose code and briar club by Kate Quinn. Historical fiction but briar club also has a mystery storyline woven in.
I love historical fiction!
Hey Jess!
Yes, I’ve actually started pulling together a few summer reads —so glad you asked. I’m feeling the pull toward soulful memoirs, reflective writing, and a little inspiration. Here are a few on my list so far:
I’ll Tell You When I’m Home by Hala Alyan
A deeply personal memoir exploring themes of motherhood, lineage, and displacement.
Fahrenheit-182: A Memoir by Mark Hoppus
A raw, funny, and honest account of life, music, and healing from cancer by the Blink-182 co-founder.
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
A motivational guide focusing on finding joy through self-focus and letting go of societal expectations.
Forest Euphoria by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian
This one blends memoir with nature writing—she explores identity and belonging through the lens of ecology and fungi. It feels like something to read slowly, outside.
Let me know if you have any recs! I’m always up for adding a few more to my stack. We should start a book club here in Woodstock :)