Episode · The Book Review · 2025-09-12
Books mentioned on 17 Nonfiction Books We’re Looking Forward to This Fall
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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All the Way to the River
All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert is a memoir detailing the author's relationship with her terminally ill best friend, Rya Elas.
Recommended“So, this is called All the Way to the River.”
Where to get it
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Dark Renaissance
Dark Renaissance is a compelling historical and literary non-fiction work by Stephen Greenblatt that investigates the dangerous times and fatal genius of William Shakespeare's greatest rival, Christopher Marlowe.
Recommended“It is called Dark Renaissance, the dangerous times and fatal genius of Shakespeare's greatest rival by Steven Greenblat.”
Where to get it
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Will in the World How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare
Discussed“His book that I think people may be most identifying with is a book called Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare.”
Where to get it
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The swerve
The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt is a historical nonfiction book that explores how the rediscovery of a long-lost Roman poem by Lucretius in 1417 helped ignite the modern world.
Discussed“And then he won a Pulitzer for his book The Swerve, which was a book I have not read, but our own Dwight Garner in 2011 reviewed it extremely positively.”
Where to get it
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Mother Mary Comes to Me
Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy is a deeply personal memoir focusing on the author's complex relationship with her mother.
Recommended“So, this is Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arand Roy, and she is the of course is the author of The God of Small Things”
Where to get it
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The God of Small Things
The God of Small Things is the Booker Prize-winning debut novel by Arundhati Roy that traces the childhood experiences of fraternal twins in Kerala, India, whose lives are shattered by the destructive societal rules governing love and caste.
Discussed“So, this is Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arand Roy, and she is the of course is the author of The God of Small Things, which is a novel that honest to God I think was one of the more profound reading experiences I had.”
Where to get it
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Greenlights
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey is a candid, unconventional memoir composed of diary entries, poetry, and life lessons that captures the actor's philosophy on chasing down successes and navigating life's red and yellow lights.
Discussed“So his last non-fiction book or his last book, Greenlights, do you remember this?”
Where to get it
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Electric Spark
Electric Spark by Frances Wilson is a biographical work exploring the life and enigma of author Dame Muriel Spark.
Recommended“So this is Electric Spark, The Enigma of Dame Muriel by Francis Wilson.”
Where to get it
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The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is a classic novella by Muriel Spark that follows an eccentric, charismatic schoolteacher in 1930s Edinburgh who exerts a powerful, controversial influence over a select group of young students.
Discussed“She's best known for the slim but mighty novel called The Prime of Miss Jean Brody.”
Where to get it
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The Orchid Thief
The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean is a true-life narrative exploring the eccentric world of orchid poachers and plant obsession in the Florida Everglades.
Discussed“Her book, The Orchid Thief, was essentially adapted into the movie adaptation, the Spike Jones Charlie Kaufman movie”
Where to get it
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Next of Kin
Next of Kin by Gabrielle Hamilton is a deeply anticipated second memoir by the acclaimed chef and author, exploring complex familial relationships and personal evolution.
Recommended“This is Next of Kin by Gabrielle Hamilton.”
Where to get it
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Blood, Bones, & Butter
Blood, Bones, and Butter is a compelling memoir by chef Gabrielle Hamilton that chronicles her unconventional path through the culinary world, family complexities, and personal self-discovery.
Discussed“Her first one, Blood, Bones, and Butter, came out in 2011.”
Where to get it
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Dopesick
Dopesick by Beth Macy is an investigative non-profit chronicle that explores the devastating human and systemic impact of the American opioid epidemic.
Discussed“She's best known for the Dopessick, which has also become a Hulu series, Raising Lazarus.”
Where to get it
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Raising Lazarus
Raising Lazarus by Beth Macy is a deeply reported piece of investigative journalism that examines the ongoing American opioid epidemic and the heroic community efforts combating it.
Discussed“She's best known for the Dopessick, which has also become a Hulu series, Raising Lazarus.”
Where to get it
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Paper Girl
Paper Girl by Beth Macy is an intimate personal memoir set in Ohio that explores themes of community, resilience, and personal history through the author's characteristic journalistic lens.
Recommended“This is called Paper Girl, and it's coming out the beginning of October”
Where to get it
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Water Mirror Echo
Water Mirror Echo by Jeff Chang is a thoughtful and comprehensive nonfiction work exploring the cultural legacy of Bruce Lee and his profound impact on Asian American history and identity.
Recommended“His new book is Water Mirror Echo.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“You might also have heard of Momento my or a Far Cry from Kensington.”
“You might also have heard of Momento my or a Far Cry from Kensington.”