*** Winner selected! Congratulations to Janis in Columbus, OH! ***
What happens when you write a book of personal essays? A lot, apparently, according to Chloe Caldwell, who writes this about her first essay collection, Legs Get Led Astray: “I sometimes wonder what would have happened had I not published that essay collection, because almost all of my best friends, and everyone I’ve slept with since then, I met through that book.”
I haven’t read that book yet, but I read the above quote in Chloe’s most recent essay collection, I’ll Tell You In Person, which I loved. These essays are intimate and freewheeling and hilarious stories that run the gamut, from going to the homes of random craigslist guys who’ve agreed to buy her steak to snorting heroin to try and cope with really bad cystic acne.
It’s a book that kind of makes me want to try writing personal essays — except I still don’t get why you wouldn’t just meet the guys who’ve agreed to buy you steak at a steakhouse, which makes me think maybe I have too pragmatic a brain to write crazy essay collections like this one.
But I can’t wait to read the rest of Chloe’s books.
I’m giving away a copy of I’ll Tell You In Person to one of my readers! All current email subscribers will be automatically entered to win the copy. Subscribe now if you’re not yet getting my occasional newsletters.
For a second chance to win, comment on this post below, recommending a nonfiction book you like. The giveaway closes May 31, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST. US addresses only.
Come back mid-month to read an interview with Chloe Caldwell.