Motherhood, Sobriety & Writing Complex Women in Book Club Fiction w/ Jessica Guerrieri (E235)
In today’s episode, I am chatting with Jessica Guerrieri, an award-winning novelist and essayist whose literary fiction explores the complexities of motherhood, identity, family, and the ways our past continues to shape us. She is the author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, winner of the 2023 Maurice Prize for Fiction, and her newest novel, Both Can Be True. Beyond her fiction, Jessica is a passionate voice in essays on sobriety and mental health communities. Her book flight includes books that explore alcoholism and addiction.
Episode Highlights:
How writing became a form of escapism for Jessica as a new mom and in early sobriety
Giving ourselves permission to have an identity outside of motherhood
Sobriety, identity, and figuring out what comes next in recovery
How alcohol can numb both the difficult and joyful parts of life
Why reaching for our phones and doomscrolling doesn't actually give us the recharge we're looking for
Writing complex women and allowing two conflicting truths to exist at once
Why Jessica wants to write book club fiction that creates feelings, opinions, and conversations
The intimacy of reading and how books allow us to experience someone else's life from the safety of our own
A book flight exploring alcoholism, addiction, motherhood, and family dynamics
Connect with Jessica:
Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.
Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Nothing Hurt and Everything Was Beautiful by Ben Reeves
Book Flight
Both Can Be True by Jessica Guerrieri
The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (also The Burning Side)
The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!
