Joyride: A Memoir

by Susan Orlean

“The story of my life is the story of my stories,” writes Susan Orlean in this memoir. Joyride is a ride through Orlean’s life and career, where every day is an opportunity for discovery and every moment holds the potential for wonder. Throughout her storied career, her curiosity draws her to explore the most ordinary and extraordinary of places, from going deep inside the head of a regular ten-year-old boy for a legendary profile (“The American Man Age Ten”) to reporting on a woman who owns twenty-seven tigers, from capturing the routine magic of Saturday night to climbing Mt. Fuji.

Not only does Orlean’s account of a writing life offer a trove of indispensable gleanings for writers, it’s also an essential and practical guide to embracing any creative path. She takes us through her process of dreaming up ideas, managing deadlines, connecting with sources, chasing every possible lead, confronting writer’s block and self-doubt, and crafting the perfect lede—a Susan specialty.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Writing, Biography, Audiobook, Biography Memoir, Travel

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2025

About the author

I'm the product of a happy and uneventful childhood in the suburbs of Cleveland, followed by a happy and pretty eventful four years as a student at University of Michigan. From there, I wandered to the West Coast, landing in Portland, Oregon, where I managed (somehow) to get a job as a writer. This had been my dream, of course, but I had no experience and no credentials. What I did have, in spades, was an abiding passion for storytelling and sentence-making. I fell in love with the experience of writing, and I've never stopped. From Portland, I moved to Boston, where I wrote for the Phoenix and the Globe, and then to New York, where I began writing for magazines, and, in 1987, published my first piece in The New Yorker. I've been a staff writer there since 1992.

Reviews

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a red-headed Jewish girl with a pixie-like face, Susan Orlean always stood out. That she has been able to write about people (and animals) of all types and stripes from every social strata is also a testament to how well she blends in. Her secret weapon: engaged curiosity. Orlean is drawn to two kinds of stories—“who knew?” and “hiding in plain sight.” In her 2018 bestseller “The Library Book,” she found both: the arson fire in the Los Angeles Public Library on April 29, 1986, was the largest and most destructive inferno in the history of public libraries, but it went relatively unnoticed due to something else in the news—Chernobyl.

In her latest, “Joyride,” Orlean turns her highly observant internal camera lens on her own life and work, charting her personal odyssey as a writer and fellow human being navigating life. While struggling with a troubled marriage during the 1980s, Orlean joined the ranks of the New Journalists she idolized—Joan Didion, Tom Wolfe, Gay Talese, Hunter S. Thompson—publishing pieces in “Vogue,” “Esquire,” “Rolling Stone,” and “The New Yorker” (eventually becoming a staff writer). She was catapulted into fame with her 1998 book “The Orchid Thief,” which was adapted into the delightfully bonkers film “Adaptation.”

According to Orlean, her life has been a “joyride,” and she takes readers along with her on a warts-and-all jaunt that also features many funny moments, including when she became a viral sensation after tweeting the word “Drunk” (with follow-ups) one uncharacteristically inebriated night. What drives Orlean is the ever-present hope that she will meet someone who will tell her something amazing. And we see this play out here in behind-the-scenes looks at the genesis of her books, including “Saturday Night,” “Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend,” and “On Animals.”

This intimate memoir will be catnip to fans, while her hard-earned insights into writing and publishing are sure to be appreciated by scribblers everywhere. Thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital advance reader copy.

[Ten Cats Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful writer's memoir, but not for me.

Pre-Read Notes:

I grabbed this because it's a writer's memoir and I always find those interesting!

"The swinging eraser of time moving across experience and obliterating it terrified me. Time moving forward made me sad. Writing protected me. It made things last forever." p25

"As Virginia Woolf once wrote to Vita Sackville-West, “Style is a very simple matter: it is all rhythm.”" p36

Final Review

I don't know why I feel this way, but this book isn't for me. I was very excited to read it; Orlean is brilliant and I love a good writer's memoir. I love most of the books I read from Avid Reader Press. This should have been a perfect fit and it wasn't! But books can be like that sometimes!

Please see my reading notes below, because I think this is a good book, and interesting. I recommend this one for writers of literary prose, and also fans of writer's memoirs and The New Yorker.

My Favorite Things:

✔️ "Writing always feels new because you never build equity. Every word and every story come fresh out of the oven. Every sentence is a slippery invention, a bit of quicksilver I release to the world, and then it’s time to make the next one. That’s why being a writer is never boring, but that’s also why it’s always a little terrifying, why every time I’ve sat down to write since 1978, I wonder if this is the time I simply won’t be able to do it and words will fail me. But so far, so good." p11 This is a feeling I both find familiar and also envy-inducing.

✔️ Orlean can write a beautiful sentence, which is harder than it seems. Like this one: "I noted recently that it has been twenty-five years since I published The Orchid Thief, and that unit of time, the quarter-of-a-century monumentality of it, stirred me to think about where I’ve been and where I’m going, and what I’ve seen and learned along the way." p19 So much info delivered in this collection of sentence bits, and it's so elegantly composed. Though long, it runs smooth and keeps it's point. Orlean is a fine writer.

✔️ "If the storytelling was good enough, that justified telling [the story]." p32 No, I disagree. Mechanics are not more important than the story or the content, more generally. Ironically, I think this book proves it.

✔️ "My father trained me to be an observer and to be inquisitive, to be comfortable in settings that were unfamiliar or even strange; without saying it explicitly, he trained me to think like a writer." p34 Training in being comfortable with the unfamiliar -- that is definitely a fine education for a writer. (I hope the writer acknowledges somewhere the many many privileges that allowed her to succeed being a working writer.)

Thank you to the author Susan Orlean, Avid Reader Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of JOY RIDE. All views are mine.

[Amy Tippett · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the final chapter, Orlean writes about how uncomfortable she was writing a memoir. That uncomfortableness is evident in the first third of this book when she writes about her complicated relationship with her parents and her early days as a writer. But then she starts writing about her non-fiction work, and the Orlean who I love shines through with anecdotes and offshoots of factoids about her subjects, including herself.

This book is great for Orlean fans, nonfiction writers, want-to-be writers, or anyone interested in the horrific world of book publishing.

Thank you to Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

[Alan Chrisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Orlean proves real lives can be as fascinating as made up. She has written profiles for NY Times, Vogue, Time, New Yorker Magazine. Known for others lives: being a 10 year old boy, a religious cult, Rin Tin Tin the movie dog, history of libraries, etc. Her Orchid Thief turned into Academy Award winning movie "Adaptation" with Meryl Streep playing her. But this is her own memoir, struggling to make it as a writer, describing how she came across and wrote about these often quirky characters, finding success finally, ironically, as her first marriage is falling apart.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a pleasure to read Susan Orlean’s entertaining memoir about her life as one of one of the foremost American writers of non-fiction. She’s been a staff writer at the New Yorker for decades and has also penned some best-selling books, including The Orchid Thief (which became the quirky Spike Jonze movie Adaptation) and The Library Book, about Los Angeles’ storied central library and the arson fire that ravaged it in the 80s. Even more interesting to me than the entertaining details about her personal life is the story of how she forged such an interesting career path, how she chooses what to write about and her process once she’s on the trail. Hint: let curiosity and passion be your guides.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this memoir. It's such a gift to writers and book lovers. I loved the way she wrote about her writing process--both the magical and the nail-it-down aspects--and how she has adored her life as a writer (ergo, JOYRIDE), and how she wove in details about other aspects of her life.

Two of my favorite quotes:

"Each of us contains an unimaginably rich world, a full universe of thoughts and knowledge and aspirations and reveries, of stories and memories and perceptions and emotions; that the sum of each person is an entire galaxy, unique and whole. If I had to point to one principle that has guided me, inspired me, and taught me how to be in the world as a writer, this would be it."

"Writing can seem magical, mysterious. How did I come up with that? What synapse fired that idea? What pocket did I pull that image out of? The sentences seem to have a life of their own as soon as they appear, as if I had nothing to do with their creation. They exist as a fully realized thing. It’s a little miraculous when it happens. What makes writing so challenging is not knowing how to summon that miracle."

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Orleans is a master of narrative nonfiction, whether in books like The Library Book or The Orchid Thief, or in her long form magazine pieces for the New Yorker and others. Here she writes about her life and her writing, letting the reader in on her process and research and most fascinatingly how her ideas arrive. And happily, she includes some of the pieces she writes about in an appendix. Entertaining and hard to put down.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not have loved this more-I was extremely interested in every story she told. I anticipate a revival of interest in her work once this comes out. I was also hoping she would include the drunken night on Twitter during covid and she did.

Long live index cards!

[ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

no one does it like her

[Kim van Alkemade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every page of this insightful, delightful, behind-the-scenes peek into the life and career of a writer I've admired for decades. I appreciated how the personal, while honestly addressed, takes a back seat to the process of writing and the pitfalls of publishing. By doggedly following her curiosity and trusting her intuition, Orlean has built a unique body of work where disparate topics are united by her inimitable style and generous spirit. A fabulous read!

[Biblio Files (takingadayoff) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's right there in the title - "A Memoir." But it's really a behind the scenes look at how Susan Orlean writes her articles and books. How she comes up with ideas, how she researches, how she finds a theme for each article, how she develops an irresistible lede, the first few lines that determine whether the reader skips to the next article or keeps reading. Susan Orlean is on my short list of "immediately read this" non-fiction authors, along with David Sedaris and Jill Lepore. I loved learning the stories behind some of my favorite articles and books. It seems that often, Orlean has so much material to work with, that paring it down to something manageable is a real project. She found so much fascinating material while researching The Library, that she could probably have written a few more books on the topic. If you are a fan of (as Elaine Benes would say) "interesting writing," Joyride is for you. (Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital review copy.)

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful memoir from one of our most delightful writers.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book to start 2026 with! Susan Orlean has lived an adventurous life and is an amazing writer, too, so this memoir was fantastic and fun. A bonus was the appendix containing several of her articles from The New Yorker and elsewhere. Absolutely recommended!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this to every journalism student in my life. Such beautiful, honest, and easy writing. I had such a good time reading this book.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
I started out quite ready to put this book down. If Susan used the word "lede" one more time I was out! I went from there to being a big fan of this book as I was of the Library Book. And for further context, I was glad I had at least started The Orchid Thief.

I liked how she told us about her writing process in an engaging way though many of us readers will never write a book. She wrote an entire paragraph on choosing what to write about, how SHE went about it and how it matters. She said, "Take a chance and ask, even when what you're asking seems a little bit impossible." She backed this up with many an instance where the ask paid off. She found superhuman strength and self-confidence when working on a story. You need to have some level of confidence to write well and frankly "you need swagger to be a writer at all, to be convinced that readers should listen to you." Susan said, "Writing in all forms is the essence of human interaction." I appreciated her unique turns of a phrase and as well how things she said evoked a memory for me to latch onto to put myself in her story.

Recommend.

[Jackie Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Orleans writes nonfiction to entertain and educate with themes she believes are appealing.

This memoir includes personal thoughts with her parents, two marriages, a brief account of political views and love of books. It follows her career path after graduating from college with a description of magazine articles from The New Yorker and deeply-researched nonfiction books. The latest was “The Library Book,” a 2018 New York Times best seller.

Some – want-to-be writers – would most likely be drawn to this memoir about her personal experience with the literary world. It could enhance their understanding of the exhilarating and unexpected parts of being an author.

However, while it was well written, it felt like the chapters were long with a lot of in-depth thoughts. It was exhausting for me at times when I was desperate for a good breaking point.

She noted that one of her past books took longer than expected to write. This, memoir however, was a subject that was familiar and most likely, she was able to zip right through it. If part of her intent was to obtain more readers by covering major plot points from her nonfiction pieces, it worked. I added a few of her books to my list.

At the end, she included magazine articles she’s written from the past about a ten-year old boy, Hindu festival, gospel music, kitchen knives and Harvard Square. I wondered what can top these adventures?

My thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for a copy of this advanced book with an expected release date of October 14, 2025. This is my personal viewpoint.

[Dodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Orlean looks over her life in Joyride. The first part of the book is more about family life, finding jobs, growing up. Orlean recounts the dissolution of her first marriage as she works hard to succeed at her craft. I'm interested in hearing real-life stories, and I think I can learn from Orlean's experiences, but her memoir soared for me when she began discussing her writing in detail. I liked the descriptions of putting material on index cards and traveling to dig for information. I liked especially that Orlean included some of the articles she referenced in the book. Orlean has the ability to cultivate interest in obscure subjects; her passion truly is infectious. And it's a pleasure to read about one who appreciates and enjoys her life.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. I read a lot of memoirs and this was one of my favorites, ever. Susan Orlean has lived a fascinating life and I loved her love of writing, of finding a story, of living a life of curiosity. I love books about books and books about writing and this was just the perfect read for me. Will definitely read it again!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5, rounded up

[Eliza Pillsbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want this to end! Ymmv, since a lot of it is focused on craft and career, which obviously interests me.

[OG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book and everything she does with it. How does she do it!?

[Leslie Zemeckis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan is always a delight - dipping into her easy, quirky profiles is like traveling itself - she is observant and interested

[Mje102 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting and captivating … might have lagged a bit at times, but mostly, it was a welcome respite from the world’s news. Following her life as she became a successful writer, especially for the New Yorker, was fascinating for me. Highly recommend. Don’t miss her add-on piece from 1992, in Esquire: The American Male at Age 10. Hilarious and endearing.

[Louise Hulewsky]

DNF @ 34%

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susan Orlean’s book The Orchid Thief is one of my favorite books, but I found myself skimming through a lot of this autobiography. I think part of it was I couldn’t relate to her affluent lifestyle and although we are both animal lovers, I found this book dull reading compared to her other books. The only part that made me laugh was George R R Martin holding a screening of Rin Tin Tin at his Cousteau theater in Santa Fe NM to celebrate the publication of her book on Rin Tin Tin.

[Britta Böhler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for the BTP

[Susan McAulay · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I believe that it was partially my own misperceptions that underlie my disappointment in this memoir, there were also aspects of the writing that contributed to my opinions. I do note that according to Goodreads, I seem to a bit of an outlier in giving Ms. Orlean’s memoir only three stars.
Honestly, I was looking for inspiration when I decided I wanted to read it. I did not know much, if anything, about Ms. Orlean’s writing and that was my fault, although I don’t know if it would have made any difference. I have always fancied myself a writer, even if I go for long periods of times without doing so. Now that I am retired, I would like to get back into writing but finding myself having difficulty restarting. I looked at Orlean’s memoir as something that might help me develop the impetus to start writing again, even though it is not a how-to book. It started out that way and the beginning of the book which focused on her struggles starting as a writer did provide me with some inspiration.
However, at some point, I realized that I wanted to skip parts. This memoir fell into the trap that many of them do: it became more about name dropping and celebrities that her writing put her into contact with. I was more interested in her struggles in the writing process or becoming a writer than the famous people she met along the way. I also was not necessarily invested in the types of subjects she wrote about and researched although I do not “blame” the memoir for that since it was own fault for not knowing her writing. Quite honestly, this would not have bothered me had the book not become more celebrity naming and a bit dry in parts.
I think that a reader who is more invested in nonfiction writing and/or more impressed by celebrities would enjoy this memoir a bit more than I did.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for providing me access to this advanced copy of this memoir in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Alex Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing memoir. Fascinating look into Orleans’ writing process and how she has developed her writing style while also being an emotional and very honest portrayal of her life. Phenomenal book all around.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite her questioning what she as a writer who sits in front of a computer for a living could possibly write in memoir, Orlean has created an engaging story of her life. It does cover her entire life and the ways that she got into journalism and writing as well as her adult personal life, however most of it is focused on her experiences as a writer and some of the stories she investigated and wrote about over the years. Some of the stories referenced in the memoir are included at the back of the book.

[Lana Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little formless and long for my taste. I like her. I wish she had been a bit more vulnerable. I loved her stories. What an interesting life. But I don’t feel like I entered her brain.