6 memoirs to read this winter

Memoirs offer a peek into different worlds.

Just over a week ago, I had unexpected and urgent spine surgery. I am not allowed to pick up anything that weighs more than a half gallon of milk for six weeks. No bending, twisting, or carrying. Nothing more strenuous than a walk. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be cleared to resume normal activity just before we fly back to Missouri for Christmas.

Forced rest is hard, which is weird because if you had asked me two weeks ago what I wanted, I would have said rest. Humans are silly. I’m really trying to enjoy this break and take advantage of time on the couch to do things that I always wish I had more time to do. I hope this will allow me to read a lot more.

I’ve always enjoyed memoirs. Well written memoirs read like fiction but with the twists and cliffhangers that only real life can lend. I like to read memoirs to better understand worlds that are different than mine, which feels like the right move in this moment in time.

Here are a few I’ve enjoyed this year:

• Nearly Departed: Adventures in Loss, Cancer, and Other Inconveniences by Gila Pfeffer

• I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman's Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris by Glynnis MacNicol

• Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family by Mark Daley

• The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony by Annabelle Tometich

• Ambition Monster: A Memoir by Jennifer Romolini

• Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy by Cait West

You can see everything I’m reading here. I’d love your recommendations for what I should add to my list.

What I’m reading

• User Mag: Why Democrats won't build their own Joe Rogan

• The Daily Beast: CNN Down 50 Percent as Americans Switch Off Election Coverage (CNN is usually my go-to for live political coverage, but I found the election night broadcast to be unwatchable this year.)

• Nieman Lab: What would Project 2025 do for (or to) journalism?

• Press Gazette: New York Times-owned The Athletic reports quarterly profit for first time

• Harvard Business Review: 3 Questions Hiring Managers Want You to Answer

And a bonus link: This is my favorite soup to make when the temperatures get colder.

One more thing

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See you next week,
Rachel

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