Joyride by Susan Orlean

Joyride by Susan Orlean: A Must-Read Memoir for Writers, Creatives, and Curious Minds

About the Book

Joyride is a deeply personal and beautifully written memoir from one of America’s most celebrated nonfiction writers. Susan Orlean takes readers through her process of dreaming up ideas, managing deadlines, connecting with sources, confronting writer’s block and self-doubt, and crafting the perfect opening line.  More than just a writing guide, this book is a warm invitation to live with curiosity, purpose, and joy.

From the Back Cover

“The story of my life is the story of my stories,” writes Susan Orlean in this extraordinary, era-defining memoir  that has been praised by The Wall Street Journal as “brilliant” and called “just masterful” by David Sedaris. If you have ever wanted to understand what it truly means to build a creative life, this book will speak directly to your heart.

About the Author

Susan Orlean has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1992 and is the New York Times bestselling author of The Orchid Thief and The Library Book. She is one of the most celebrated nonfiction writers of her generation, known for walking into rooms on a whim and finding spellbinding stories in both the most evidently interesting and the apparently mundane. The Washington Post has called her “a national treasure.”

Who Is This Book For?

Joyride is written for anyone who wants to build a creative life, find their voice, or simply read about a remarkable woman who did both. It is a must-read for anyone who hungers to start, build, and sustain a creative life, whether you are a working journalist, an aspiring writer, a book lover, or someone searching for more meaning and wonder in everyday life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is Joyride by Susan Orlean about? Joyride is a memoir about Susan Orlean’s life as a writer and her journey through love, loss, creativity, and career. It covers her work at The New Yorker, her personal struggles, and the lessons she learned along the way. It is a book about writing, yes, but even more so it is a book about how to live a full and curious life.

Q2: Is Joyride a good book for aspiring writers? Yes, absolutely. Reviewers have called it “the best craft book on writing you will ever read” and praised it for packing an MFA in nonfiction writing into its pages, full of practical and inspiring advice for writers at every stage of their career.

Q3: Is Joyride suitable for readers who are not writers? Definitely. Even readers mostly uninterested in the inner workings of long-form journalism can find something to enjoy in Joyride , just as Orlean’s earlier fans loved her books about orchids, libraries, and ordinary life. The human story at the heart of this memoir connects with anyone who values curiosity, growth, and meaning.

Q4: What awards or recognition has Joyride received? Joyride is a National Bestseller and was named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, TIME, Oprah Daily, Kirkus Reviews, Goodreads, and more.  It has received starred reviews from Booklist and Kirkus Reviews and has been praised by writers and critics across the board.