Person
Maria Semple's book recommendations
Across 2 podcasts. Every show Maria Semple appears on, in one place — not just one.
Maria Keogh Semple is an American novelist and screenwriter. She is the author of This One Is Mine (2008), Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2012), and Today Will Be Different (2016). Her television credits include Beverly Hills, 90210, Mad About You, Saturday Night Live, Arrested Development, Suddenly Susan, and Ellen. She is a 2013 recipient of the Alex Awards. Appearing on podcasts such as The Daily Stoic, Semple discussed her own writing and the philosophical texts that influenced her creative work. She talked about writing her Stoicism-inspired novel 'Go Gentle', recounting how Oprah Winfrey ultimately selected the book for her book club after noticing a specific scene involving young boys. Semple also discussed her early introduction to philosophy, naming William B. Irvine's 'A Guide to the Good Life' as the first book she read on Stoicism and noting that it offered an intense look at the philosophy. Additionally, she mentioned Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman's collaborative book 'The Daily Stoic', expressing her fondness for it and showing a physical copy she kept close at hand. In other media appearances, such as on The Book Review, she also briefly discussed her debut novel 'This One Is Mine' and how its setting took shape in Los Angeles.
Books recommended by Maria Semple
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Go Gentle
Go Gentle by Maria Semple is a contemporary novel heavily inspired by the practical philosophy of Stoicism.
Discussed“So I was, I'd written Go Gentle, you know, and when you write a novel. That's your Stoicism-inspired novel.”
Where to get it
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A Guide to the Good Life
A Guide to the Good Life by William B.
Discussed“I read I think William Irvine, that book, that was like the first book that I read and it was really about just intense the good life? The guy to the good life...”
Where to get it
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The Daily Stoic
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman is a popular daily devotional offering 365 days of ancient Stoic wisdom, practical reflections, and actionable insights.
Discussed“And so so what I did was I and then of course like I got your book The Daily Stoic which I just loved and I have my copy here.”
Where to get it
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This One Is Mine
Discussed“so my first novel is called this one is mine and it took place in La”
Where to get it
Books by Maria Semple
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| You Should Be In The Thick of It | How Oprah Discovered Stoicism | The Daily Stoic | 2026-09-29 | 2 |
| The 5-Step Stoic Routine For Thinking Clearly | Maria Semple on the Daily Stoic Podcast | The Daily Stoic | 2026-04-22 | 2 |
| Sing for Your Life | The Book Review | 2016-10-07 | 1 |
Other mentions (2: passing, ad reads, own books)
“No, which is kind of wild that that and in fact to my book go gentle not to pivot to my book but but it but my I do it is that I make I've interviewed Yes, so I make her a philosopher...”
“And I write that every day. And it used to be and I write about this in in Go Gentle, but it it for for 10 years it was virtue equals happiness.”