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Some books feel like they’re speaking directly to your soul, and for me, essay collections often do just that.
There’s something so magical about reading someone’s thoughts—raw, unfiltered, and beautifully crafted—on topics that resonate with your own experiences.
From sharp humor to deeply personal reflections, essay collections are like little treasure troves of wisdom and wit.
I’ve fallen in love with so many over the years, and I’m thrilled to share a few of my absolute favorites with you.
These are the kind of essays that stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
1. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
James Baldwin’s first collection of essays is a classic for a reason.
Written in 1955, it’s still strikingly relevant today. Baldwin dives into life in Harlem, race relations, and African American identity with a mix of raw honesty and poetic beauty.
Whether he’s discussing the impact of movies or reflecting on his experiences abroad, Baldwin’s voice is powerful and unforgettable.
This collection is essential reading for anyone curious about the intersection of race, culture, and history in America.
2. They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib
Hanif Abdurraqib’s essays are like a mixtape of culture, music, and personal reflection.
He weaves together stories about attending concerts—like a Bruce Springsteen show the day after visiting Michael Brown’s grave—with heavier moments about racial injustice and loss.
His writing feels personal and hits hard, whether he’s talking about public displays of affection at a pop concert or his own encounters with police.
These essays are deeply moving and full of sharp insights, and they show how music and culture shape our understanding of the world.
3. Translating Myself and Others by Jhumpa Lahiri
Jhumpa Lahiri gets real about her love for language and the art of translation in this thoughtful collection.
She explores what it means to write and translate, reflecting on her decision to embrace Italian as a second creative voice.
Whether she’s drawing from Ovid’s myths or breaking down passages from Aristotle, Lahiri’s essays feel deeply personal and inspiring.
This book is perfect for anyone curious about how language shapes identity and creativity.
4. Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror is a smart, sharp look at how we navigate a world built on self-delusion.
She dives into topics like the internet’s impact on our lives, the obsession with self-optimization, and how scammers have become cultural icons.
Her writing is witty and honest, making you think about the ways we see ourselves (or fail to) in today’s culture.
It’s a must-read if you’ve ever found yourself wondering how we got here.
5. Pulphead: Essays by John Jeremiah Sullivan
John Jeremiah Sullivan takes you on a wild ride through American culture in Pulphead.
From Christian rock festivals in the Ozarks to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he covers it all with humor and insight.
He’ll introduce you to fascinating characters and forgotten corners of pop culture while somehow tying it all together into a bigger story about America.
6. A Horse at Night by Amina Cain
Amina Cain’s A Horse at Night is like sitting down with a friend who loves books as much as you do.
She reflects on her favorite authors, the act of writing, and what it means to create in a world that’s constantly shifting.
The essays touch on everything from female friendships to meditation and even coyotes in her neighborhood.
If you love thoughtful, quiet meditations on life and literature, this one’s for you.
7. Small Wonder: Essays by Barbara Kingsolver
Barbara Kingsolver’s Small Wonder is a love letter to the world and its possibilities.
She writes about everything from her garden to big-picture issues like climate change and genetic engineering.
These essays are hopeful, often funny, and always grounded in a deep sense of humanity.
It’s a perfect pick if you’re looking for essays that make you think about how we can make the world a little better.
8. Notes to Self by Emilie Pine
Emilie Pine’s Notes to Self doesn’t hold back.
This collection of essays dives into her life experiences, tackling tough subjects like addiction, infertility, and feminism with raw honesty.
Her writing is intimate and relatable, blending heartbreak with humor.
It’s one of those books that feels like a deep conversation with a friend who tells it like it is.
9. Let Me Clear My Throat: Essays by Elena Passarello
Elena Passarello’s essays in Let Me Clear My Throat are all about the human voice in its wildest, funniest, and most fascinating forms.
She covers everything from opera singers to iconic movie screams, breaking down how our voices shape who we are.
With a mix of humor and deep dives into history, this book is a quirky, fun read that’ll make you think about sound in a whole new way.
10. The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan
In The Philosophy of Modern Song, Bob Dylan does what he does best: gets you thinking about music and life.
He digs into over 60 songs by other artists, analyzing their lyrics and diving into the craft of songwriting.
But this isn’t just about music—it’s about the human condition, told through Dylan’s unique voice.
With plenty of humor, sharp observations, and some great photos, this book is a treat for music lovers and Dylan fans alike.
11. Consider the Lobster, and Other Essays by David Foster Wallace
If you’ve ever wondered if lobsters feel pain (or why someone would even think to ask that), David Foster Wallace’s essays are for you.
He has this way of making even the strangest topics—like the Maine Lobster Festival—totally fascinating.
It’s not just about lobsters, though; his essays touch on everything from politics to pop culture with sharp wit and unexpected depth.
You’ll probably find yourself thinking about things in a whole new way after reading this.
12. We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby
Samantha Irby’s essays are like talking to your funniest, most brutally honest friend.
She gets real about awkward experiences, life’s messiness, and the weirdest, most relatable parts of growing up.
Whether she’s sharing her terrible trip to Nashville or her thoughts on body image, she’s guaranteed to make you laugh (and probably cringe a little, too).
If you’re looking for someone who writes about the real, uncomfortable stuff with humor, this is your book.
13. Loitering: New and Collected Essays by Charles D’Ambrosio
Charles D’Ambrosio’s essays are perfect for when you’re in the mood for something deep but not too heavy.
His writing is introspective and personal, often exploring family, history, and identity with a balance of humor and melancholy.
Regardless of whether he’s writing about life in the Pacific Northwest or diving into his own experiences, you’ll find yourself hooked by his honest, thoughtful voice.
14. The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison
Leslie Jamison writes about empathy and pain in a way that makes you think—deeply.
In The Empathy Exams, she looks at everything from her work as a “patient” in medical simulations to how we connect (or fail to) with others.
What I love about this collection is how she’s not afraid to get vulnerable about her own struggles, but still manages to weave in broader cultural and social themes.
It’s a real eye-opener on what it means to feel for others, and yourself.
15. Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
Joan Didion’s first collection of essays is like peering into the soul of 1960s America.
She writes about California’s counterculture with such clarity that you almost feel like you’re there.
Her essays on everything from Hollywood to social unrest are still so relevant today.
If you want to understand the kind of cultural shifts that shaped the world we live in now (and you appreciate the beauty of well-crafted words), Didion’s work is essential.
16. In the Margins: On the Pleasures of Reading and Writing by Elena Ferrante
If you’re a Ferrante fan, this one’s a treat.
In In the Margins, Ferrante opens up about her writing process, her literary influences, and what literature means to her.
The essays aren’t just about her own work but also dive into writers like Emily Dickinson and Gertrude Stein, which makes it a great pick if you want to understand Ferrante’s worldview a little better.
It’s thoughtful and personal, and you might just find yourself thinking about your own relationship with books in a whole new way.
17. The Myth of Sisyphus, and Other Essays by Albert Camus
Camus might sound a little intimidating at first, but The Myth of Sisyphus is surprisingly accessible.
It’s all about life’s absurdity and how we find meaning in an indifferent world.
Camus challenges us to rethink the way we live and search for purpose, even in the most mundane of things.
It’s not the easiest read, but if you like big questions with even bigger ideas, this is one you’ll probably keep coming back to.
18. A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraqib
This one’s for anyone who loves performance and the stories behind it.
Hanif Abdurraqib writes about Black culture with such richness and passion, from Josephine Baker’s wild life to the power of music as a tool for resistance.
His essays explore history and identity in ways that’ll make you feel like you’ve discovered something deeply important.
This collection is emotional, poetic, and full of moments that’ll stick with you long after you finish it.
19. How To Read Now by Elaine Castillo
If you’ve ever wondered what it means to truly read and think about the books you’re consuming, How To Read Now is a must-read.
Elaine Castillo challenges us to reconsider the canon, colonialism in literature, and the importance of our own experiences when choosing what to read.
It’s an eye-opening, sometimes tough read that’ll make you rethink your approach to books, but it’s also super rewarding.
20. Upstream: Selected Essays by Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver’s essays are like a quiet walk in nature—calm, reflective, and full of beauty.
She writes about the world around her with such simplicity, but her observations feel profound.
Whether she’s describing a bird or pondering the meaning of life, you’ll feel at peace reading this book.
It’s the perfect read for when you need to slow down and find joy in the small things.
21. Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos
Melissa Febos dives deep into the power of writing about your own life, the body, and the struggles that make us who we are.
She challenges us to embrace vulnerability and tells us how to write the kind of personal narratives that stick with people.
This book is a love letter to the power of storytelling, and it’s perfect for anyone looking to explore how personal experience can shape writing.
22. You Don’t Know Us Negroes by Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston’s essays are sharp, funny, and insightful as she dissects Black culture and its place in American life.
This collection sheds light on everything from African American folklore to her critique of how Black people are portrayed in mainstream culture.
It’s a fascinating and essential read, especially if you want to get a deeper understanding of the time period she was writing in.
23. How To Write An Autobiographical Novel: Essays by Alexander Chee
Alexander Chee’s essays take you on a journey through his life as a writer, exploring the highs and lows of growing up, writing, and navigating his multiple identities.
He talks about everything from the AIDS crisis to the act of writing personal stories, blending the personal and political in ways that are powerful and thought-provoking.
If you’re into personal stories that resonate on a larger scale, this is a collection you’ll love.
24. Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris
If you need a good laugh (and some awkward moments), David Sedaris has you covered.
His essays are a mix of bizarre encounters, hilarious family stories, and reflections on his travels.
They’re quick, witty, and guaranteed to make you chuckle—if not out loud, definitely in your head.
Perfect for when you need to lighten up, but still want something clever to read.
Which of these fantastic essay collections will you read? Let me know in the comment section.
And, don’t forget to check out the related posts for more non-fiction recommendations.
