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Lovingly Known As Midge's avatar

Thank you for some new book recomendations (Jess Walters’ book on Ruby Ridge is one of my favorite non-fiction books). I don’t know if you have read this book, “The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir” by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich. If not, you should. It defies both true-crime and memoir genres into something completely different. It will be on your list of Best Non-Fiction Read in 2026. Or maybe it was on your list some previous year.

Chelsey Crouch's avatar

I have read that one! I read it many years ago, long before my Substack began. I actually have another book I’m about to start that is Ruby Ridge adjacent — it’s called End of Days by Chris Jennings.

Lovingly Known As Midge's avatar

Also, Careless People is on my bedside table.

Lovingly Known As Midge's avatar

I heard about it the other day. It will go on my list.

Emily Nichols's avatar

I read this post a few days ago, and I just came back to it today to add almost all of these to my “want to read” list on Goodreads. Now to go search Hoopla for them! I love a good book or audiobook, and I really hate starting a book that I don’t want to finish. So Chelsey, your recommendations have been great! I think it was you that talked about “Bad Blood” a few years ago, and I find that vein of books still very interesting (pun not originally intended). Thanks for sharing all your lists!

Faith the Writer's avatar

I’ve been meaning to read a bunch of these! Finally bit the bullet and downloaded No More Tears just now.

Chelsey Crouch's avatar

It's SO GOOD. And by good, I mean terrible.