Fall Fireside Picks
Dear listeners,
Looking for some great non-fiction reads to curl up with by a fire this fall? Check out our latest recommendations!
The Heiresses: The Lives of Million Dollar Babies
New York Times-bestselling author Laura Thompson’s recently-published book explores the glittering-but-fraught history of heiresses like Mary Davies, Consuelo Vanderbilt, and Barbara Hutton in a group bio The New York Times Book Review calls “engrossing.” Thompson joined us on the podcast last spring to talk about Nancy Mitford (Episode 39). Listen here.
The Man Who Hated Women: Sex, Censorship and Civil Liberties in the Gilded Age
Relationship columnist and novelist Amy Sohn makes her nonfiction book debut with this look at anti-vice crusader Anthony Comstock and the ladies who publicly opposed his war on women’s rights. Sohn will join us on the podcast next month to discuss one of those women, Ida Craddock, whose Victorian-era sex manuals made Comstock see red!
An Extravagant Hunger: The Passionate Years of MFK Fisher
Author Anne Zimmerman joins us on the podcast later this fall to discuss MFK Fisher’s seminal work How to Cook a Wolf. Zimmerman’s 2011 biography examines how Fisher’s life and loves transformed her into one of America’s most well-known food writers of her era.
Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy
No matter your opinion of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg (who were executed for treason in 1953), Anne Sebba’s new biography of Ethel and the trial that made her a household name is truly compelling to read.
A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win WWII
Sonia Purnell’s 2019 nailbiting account of American spy Virginia Hall will leave you on the edge of your seat! Using stealth, smarts, and the unassuming cover of womanhood, Hall pulled off superhero feats to help the French Resistance defeat the Nazis. She did it all with an unwieldy prosthetic leg, prompting the Germans to dub her “the limping lady.”
The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll: The Search for Dare Wright
We’ll be discussing the life of Dare Wright and her “Lonely Doll” series of children’s books later this month, but for an even deeper look at her fascinating story, check out this wonderful 2013 biography by Jean Nathan.
This month on the podcast:
This week: Rosamund Lehmann’s Dusty Answer with Paris Review columnist Lucy Scholes
9/27 Emma Wolf’s Other Things Being Equal with Lilith magazine editor Sarah Seltzer
Happy Anniversary to Us!
Lost Ladies of Lit turns a year old on September 14th! We’ll take a lively look back at some of the bloopers and “best ofs” from the past year. Thank you to everyone who has joined us for the ride! It’s been thrilling and we can’t wait for more!
Our very best,
Amy & Kim