#1268

Mentioned in 18 episodes

The Year of Magical Thinking

Book • 2005

In 'The Year of Magical Thinking,' Joan Didion recounts the year after her husband's sudden death, delving into the intense and often irrational nature of grief.

The book is a raw and unflinching account of her emotional journey, detailing her 'magical thinking' – the belief that her husband would return.

Didion also navigates her daughter's severe health crises and grapples with the fragility of life.

The memoir blends personal narrative with investigative journalism, citing medical literature and psychological studies to understand the grieving process.

It is a powerful exploration of loss, memory, and the human experience of mourning.

Mentioned by

Evelyn McDonnell

Vinson Cunningham

Geraldine Brooks

Anderson Cooper

Mentioned in 18 episodes

Mentioned by

Cal Newport

to contrast her writing habits with Haruki Murakami's.

Ep. 352: It’s Okay to Slow Down

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

, discussing her resilience and ability to create art from tragedy.

Steven Pressfield On Work Without Attachments (Part 2)

Mentioned by

Vinson Cunningham

as a chronicle of events after the death of her husband.

Why We Turn Grief Into Art

Mentioned by

Geraldine Brooks

in relation to a tattered galley of her book "Year of Magical Thinking" that Tony Horwitz had annotated.

Geraldine Brooks On the Art of Grieving and Spanning the Political Divide

Mentioned by

Jennifer Selig

as an example of a memoir with universal themes.

Deep Memoir Writing: 3 Stages of Transformation Every Writer Should Know with Jennifer Selig

Mentioned as a memoir of grief that

Sonal Chokshi

hasn’t read yet.

What We're Reading & Technology Changing Reading

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

and

Evelyn McDonnell

as a book that chronicles the author's experience of grief and loss.

Author Evelyn McDonnell On Joan Didion’s Life and Legacy (Pt 1)

Mentioned by

Anderson Cooper

while recounting a condolence letter he received.

Tyler Perry: Letting Go

Mencionado por

Isa Calderón

al hablar sobre la obra de Joan Didion y su proceso de duelo tras la muerte de su marido.

08x12 - HERMOSAS

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

in the context of parenthood and vulnerability.

Seize Every Moment With Them (While You Can) | David Kessler

Mentioned by

Jim Cramer

, in reference to the current market situation.

Stocks Extend Record Rally, Powell’s Future, Verizon Leads the Dow 7/21/25

Mentioned by

Jim Cramer

, referencing the book title to describe the current market situation.

Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer 7/21/25

Mentioned by

Evelyn McDonnell

as a book that helps people deal with death and grief.

Author Evelyn McDonnell On Joan Didion’s Life and Legacy (Pt 2)

Mentioned by Eugenia Kuda while discussing her coping mechanism after the loss of her friend.

The Weekend Intelligence: Digital Ghosts

Mentioned by Eugenia Kuda while discussing her coping mechanism after the loss of her friend.

The Weekend Intelligence: Digital Ghosts

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

as must-reads for any parent or person, in the context of loss and vulnerability.

You’re A Hostage To Fortune Now

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

as books that explore the emotional experience of losing loved ones and dealing with the mementos they left behind.

This Will Haunt You

Mentioned by

Russell Moore

in the context of grief and magical thinking.

Life, Leadership, and Lament: A Conversation with Mark Vroegop

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

in the context of Joan Didion's grief and reflection on raising her daughter.

Only Later Will You See This

Mentioned by Molly Jong-Fast as an inspiration, particularly for “A Year of Magical Thinking”.

Molly Jong-Fast on 'How to Lose Your Mother'

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