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Peeps
A coming-of-middle-age novel, PEEPS is the story of Meg, a 51-year-old podcaster who heads across the country seeking answers.
Through her solo motorhome journey and her fascinating podcast interviews, she begins to process the complicated grief related to her mother’s death, her divorce, and her only child leaving home for college.
The latest contemporary women’s fiction novel from Erin Gordon, author of Cheer, Heads or Tails, and Beshert, PEEPS is a timely, thought-provoking twist on the theme of self-discovery.
"PEEPS universally speaks to the adventurer in all of us…that yearning drive to reflect, refocus, and even replace our stagnant life with something new." RV Life Magazine
Through her solo motorhome journey and her fascinating podcast interviews, she begins to process the complicated grief related to her mother’s death, her divorce, and her only child leaving home for college.
The latest contemporary women’s fiction novel from Erin Gordon, author of Cheer, Heads or Tails, and Beshert, PEEPS is a timely, thought-provoking twist on the theme of self-discovery.
"PEEPS universally speaks to the adventurer in all of us…that yearning drive to reflect, refocus, and even replace our stagnant life with something new." RV Life Magazine
- GenresFiction
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2021
9 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Erin Gordon
5 books14 followersErin Gordon is a Bay Area native who graduated from UC Berkeley and Loyola Law School. After practicing law for three years, she earned a master’s in journalism at Stanford University and worked several years as a newspaper beat reporter covering law firms. Erin then spent more than 20 years as a freelance legal affairs journalist, all the while dreaming of becoming a novelist.
When not writing, Gordon enjoys knitting, going for long walks in San Francisco, doing yoga, and spending time in Lake Tahoe.
Gordon lives in San Francisco with her family. She loves hearing from readers -- visit her website at ErinGordonAuthor.com. **(IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT ERIN IS READING, VISIT HER OTHER GOODREADS PROFILE: http://bit.ly/LAGordonGoodreads)**
When not writing, Gordon enjoys knitting, going for long walks in San Francisco, doing yoga, and spending time in Lake Tahoe.
Gordon lives in San Francisco with her family. She loves hearing from readers -- visit her website at ErinGordonAuthor.com. **(IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT ERIN IS READING, VISIT HER OTHER GOODREADS PROFILE: http://bit.ly/LAGordonGoodreads)**
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 5, 2021
Peeps, by Erin Gordon, is a terrific book. In fact, I was sorry when I finished it. I really wanted it to keep going. Once I got over my disappointment that I was done(!), it was time to cogitate a bit before I wrote my review. There is a LOT to think about with Peeps. Let me start by giving you a brief synopsis:
A coming-of-middle-age novel, PEEPS is the story of Meg, a 51-year-old podcaster who’s spent her life afraid of “what ifs.” Single after an unexpected divorce, Meg might finally have the chance for what she calls a Big Life, but isn’t sure she can pull it off. After her mother’s death, Meg gathers the courage to seek answers about her disinterested and cruel mother from her uncle. To get to him, she moves out of her Santa Monica home and drives across the country in a new RV she nicknames Irv.
Along the way, Meg conducts interviews for her podcast Peeps, in which she asks everyday people the same seven questions to “peep” into their lives and uncover shared humanity. Meg’s narrative is peppered with lively “transcripts” of her interviews with the ordinary yet fascinating people she meets. The podcast enables Meg to process the complicated grief and relief related to her mother’s death, her divorce, and her only child leaving home for college.
Isn't this a great storyline? Let me answer that for you...It sure is! But let me tell you what I really liked (okay, loved) about this book. And bear with me because it's going to take a while:
1. I love that Peeps is a "coming-of-middle-age" novel.
2. I love Meg's interviews with everyday, regular people. I got very excited every time I saw a new interview was coming up.
3. I love the writing. It's very visual and very thought-provoking. Here are just a couple of examples:
"Ah, he said, with the drama of a magician about to reveal your card."
"I felt a little like an energetic puppy called back indoors just moments after being let out into the yard."
"I've always appreciated the notion that what you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while."
4. I love the 7 questions that she asked every interviewee, especially the one where she asked "Who is someone you never saw again?"
5. As you all know, I love when I get a takeaway from a book. I actually got 2 from Peeps. The 1st one is #4. Think about all the people in your life who just disappeared. I think we all have those who we wonder about. And the 2nd one is that there are disappointments in our lives that we just have to let go. Otherwise, they can continue to shape who we are.
6. I love the whole cross-country road trip in Irv (my father-in-law's name, by the way). How brave and eye-opening it was for Meg.
7. I LOVE the interviews! Have I already told you that?
As you can see, I loved this book. It's a combination of a whole bunch of things that resonated with me, and that I think will do the same for you. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of Peeps right away!
A coming-of-middle-age novel, PEEPS is the story of Meg, a 51-year-old podcaster who’s spent her life afraid of “what ifs.” Single after an unexpected divorce, Meg might finally have the chance for what she calls a Big Life, but isn’t sure she can pull it off. After her mother’s death, Meg gathers the courage to seek answers about her disinterested and cruel mother from her uncle. To get to him, she moves out of her Santa Monica home and drives across the country in a new RV she nicknames Irv.
Along the way, Meg conducts interviews for her podcast Peeps, in which she asks everyday people the same seven questions to “peep” into their lives and uncover shared humanity. Meg’s narrative is peppered with lively “transcripts” of her interviews with the ordinary yet fascinating people she meets. The podcast enables Meg to process the complicated grief and relief related to her mother’s death, her divorce, and her only child leaving home for college.
Isn't this a great storyline? Let me answer that for you...It sure is! But let me tell you what I really liked (okay, loved) about this book. And bear with me because it's going to take a while:
1. I love that Peeps is a "coming-of-middle-age" novel.
2. I love Meg's interviews with everyday, regular people. I got very excited every time I saw a new interview was coming up.
3. I love the writing. It's very visual and very thought-provoking. Here are just a couple of examples:
"Ah, he said, with the drama of a magician about to reveal your card."
"I felt a little like an energetic puppy called back indoors just moments after being let out into the yard."
"I've always appreciated the notion that what you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while."
4. I love the 7 questions that she asked every interviewee, especially the one where she asked "Who is someone you never saw again?"
5. As you all know, I love when I get a takeaway from a book. I actually got 2 from Peeps. The 1st one is #4. Think about all the people in your life who just disappeared. I think we all have those who we wonder about. And the 2nd one is that there are disappointments in our lives that we just have to let go. Otherwise, they can continue to shape who we are.
6. I love the whole cross-country road trip in Irv (my father-in-law's name, by the way). How brave and eye-opening it was for Meg.
7. I LOVE the interviews! Have I already told you that?
As you can see, I loved this book. It's a combination of a whole bunch of things that resonated with me, and that I think will do the same for you. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of Peeps right away!
August 19, 2021
Another fantastic novel by the incredibly gifted Erin Gordon! I'm a long-time fan of the road trip genre, and I'm adding this to my list of favorites.
Meg's "coming of middle age" story is at once universal and totally unique; it will resonate with anyone who has felt the urge to take off in search of a new life.
As Meg rumbles off in her RV, Irv, seeking answers to long-buried questions about her mother and craving what she calls "a big life," I felt every bump and swerve in the road. Gordon sketches even her minor characters with assurance--and her trademark warmth and humor.
What I love most about Gordon's work is her uncanny ability to move her stories along at a brisk pace without sacrificing depth, and by the end I was not just rooting for Meg, I felt like we were old friends.
I adored this heartfelt, timely tale...and now I want my own RV (or at least a vintage Westfalia van with a sleeping bag inside...)
Meg's "coming of middle age" story is at once universal and totally unique; it will resonate with anyone who has felt the urge to take off in search of a new life.
As Meg rumbles off in her RV, Irv, seeking answers to long-buried questions about her mother and craving what she calls "a big life," I felt every bump and swerve in the road. Gordon sketches even her minor characters with assurance--and her trademark warmth and humor.
What I love most about Gordon's work is her uncanny ability to move her stories along at a brisk pace without sacrificing depth, and by the end I was not just rooting for Meg, I felt like we were old friends.
I adored this heartfelt, timely tale...and now I want my own RV (or at least a vintage Westfalia van with a sleeping bag inside...)
June 27, 2021
Best book I've read in many years! Our heroine is Meg, a 51 year old who has an uncanny ability to find and celebrate ordinary people. Turns out that everyone has a fascinating story to tell if asked the right questions from the right person. Meg is just that person, even though she is still struggling to organize her own life, seemingly like all of us.
Author Erin Gordon uses a clever structure, offering a narrative of Meg's travels across the country in a kitted-out van (before pandemic times even), interspersed with transcripts of her podcast interviews. I am not kidding when I say I found myself believing that these were ACTUAL transcripts of real interviews.
Meg seems to have a little bit of Cheryl Strayed in her. (And yes, Reese Withersp0on, I'm thinking you would rock this role!) But she is also very "real" - noticing things the way I would notice them: "to my left sat a teenage girl in a tank top and booty shorts who made me feel every one of my fifty-one years. I, in contrast, wore elastic-waisted leggings and hoodie with the logo of my son's new college."
The story is lovely, the characters are refreshing, and the writing is out of this world.
Enjoy!
Author Erin Gordon uses a clever structure, offering a narrative of Meg's travels across the country in a kitted-out van (before pandemic times even), interspersed with transcripts of her podcast interviews. I am not kidding when I say I found myself believing that these were ACTUAL transcripts of real interviews.
Meg seems to have a little bit of Cheryl Strayed in her. (And yes, Reese Withersp0on, I'm thinking you would rock this role!) But she is also very "real" - noticing things the way I would notice them: "to my left sat a teenage girl in a tank top and booty shorts who made me feel every one of my fifty-one years. I, in contrast, wore elastic-waisted leggings and hoodie with the logo of my son's new college."
The story is lovely, the characters are refreshing, and the writing is out of this world.
Enjoy!
April 7, 2022
Meg is a divorcee and now an empty-nester who has always been troubled by her relationship with her now-deceased mother. This is her journey to conquer her fear, deal with loneliness, and discover how to move ahead with her life. She believes that if she talks with her beloved uncle, she'll uncover the mystery of her "loveless" relationship with her mother.
I was intrigued by Meg's podcast and her interviews with those "ordinary" people across the country. This is an Everyman tale that we can all relate to.
I was intrigued by Meg's podcast and her interviews with those "ordinary" people across the country. This is an Everyman tale that we can all relate to.
July 12, 2021
Great read! I loved the escape, and it was difficult to put down. Very well written, and I am sad I finished it!
July 3, 2021
I found this book by accident when scrolling through listings on Hoopla; I was drawn in by the name and the cover. This delightful book is an overall story of Meg, a 51 year old podcaster who is on a journey to overcome a lifetime of being 'fearful' of everything and micro stories of people she interviews for her podcast. It is interesting, a quick read and very charming. I will definitely follow the author for other novels.
June 29, 2021
I loved the escape and the journey! Finally found a story about a middle aged woman who is interesting and interested in others, a caring mother, a professional willing to take risks and who still has interest in finding love. Such a relief from the trauma and deep pain of so much contemporary fiction. Meg is a woman I would like to know. As she travelled the county interviewing a variety of fascinating people for her podcast "Peeps", I was happy to journey along in the passenger seat. This was a novel with a great plot and well-developed characters. I simultaneously gobbled it up and did not want it to end!
August 1, 2021
I loved the adventure- something I’ve always wanted to do which is go across country and experience adventures along the way. Peeps is a well written coming of age story about an insecure 50 year old who interviews people for her podcast along her journey. The book makes us realize how unique and fascinating ordinary people really are and as we read Meg’s journey we see her inner growth and strength. This was a very enlightening and enjoyable read.
October 1, 2021
very, very well written. looking forward to reading more of erin's novels.
August 30, 2021
Reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
Although this could be described as a coming-of-middle-age novel, the experiences Meg goes through will resonate and feel relatable for any adult who is looking to change their lives. At a phase in life where most people think their most adventurous days are behind them, Meg makes the decision to travel the country in an RV, a trek that proves both challenging and freeing. I loved the fact that she switches gears and knows nothing about RVing, because we get to see how she handles the curveballs that are thrown her way.
I also appreciated her podcast, Peeps. I’m not a big follower of podcasts, but if such a podcast existed in real life, I’d consider listening to it. She interviews unique individuals who are ordinarily everyday people, yet she brings out the extraordinary characteristics that makes Peeps so fascinating. While sorting through her own feelings related to the relationship she had with her mother and the deeply conflicted backstory that led to her divorce, I felt Meg discovered so much more.
It was hard not to live vicariously through Meg during her excursion. A while back, I found out that my grandmother, who was in her 70s at the time, had made the decision to drive to the coast and camp out on the beach with her minivan, three poodles, and all. Stories like that one combined with the highs and lows of Meg’s trip makes me feel like there is a whole other level to living the older I get. That ultimately, it’s meant to be lived to the fullest. Peeps was beautifully messy and real, an excellent five-star adventure!
Although this could be described as a coming-of-middle-age novel, the experiences Meg goes through will resonate and feel relatable for any adult who is looking to change their lives. At a phase in life where most people think their most adventurous days are behind them, Meg makes the decision to travel the country in an RV, a trek that proves both challenging and freeing. I loved the fact that she switches gears and knows nothing about RVing, because we get to see how she handles the curveballs that are thrown her way.
I also appreciated her podcast, Peeps. I’m not a big follower of podcasts, but if such a podcast existed in real life, I’d consider listening to it. She interviews unique individuals who are ordinarily everyday people, yet she brings out the extraordinary characteristics that makes Peeps so fascinating. While sorting through her own feelings related to the relationship she had with her mother and the deeply conflicted backstory that led to her divorce, I felt Meg discovered so much more.
It was hard not to live vicariously through Meg during her excursion. A while back, I found out that my grandmother, who was in her 70s at the time, had made the decision to drive to the coast and camp out on the beach with her minivan, three poodles, and all. Stories like that one combined with the highs and lows of Meg’s trip makes me feel like there is a whole other level to living the older I get. That ultimately, it’s meant to be lived to the fullest. Peeps was beautifully messy and real, an excellent five-star adventure!
July 7, 2021
Peeps is the engaging story of Meg, a risk-averse podcaster dealing with the death of her mother who embarks on a cross-country journey to interview average Americans for her podcast, understand her grief. and find a bigger life. Part traveler's tale, part transcript of Meg's fascinating podcast, Peeps is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I was sucked in on the first page and loved every part of the book. The podcast transcripts are wonderful and I wish Peeps was a real podcast! This is a great summer - or any other season read. Enjoy!
June 27, 2021
I loved this book so much that I read it twice. Possibly I loved it more the second time. Such great characters and I loved the Peeps sections themselves. I think Erin should start a real Peeps podcast so I can listen weekly!!!!
December 21, 2021
Perfect book for a middle-aged woman jumping into her RV to read! I enjoyed everything about it. The woman did a small podcast called Peeps, in which she asked people seven very telling questions - What's it like to be you right now? What's your background? What's something you would take with you to the afterlife? What's one thing you do every single day? Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life? Who is someone you you never saw again - someone who disappeared from your life but you still wonder about them? What is your life's motto?
These are brilliant questions and I actually want this to be a real podcast. Our heroine Meg grows and changes on her journey to visit with her Uncle Oscar, her recently deceased mother's brother, to try to learn why her mother was so distant. She doesn't learn that but she comes away with theories, and she and the reader both learn a lot from the interviews with Meg's Peeps. a fantastic book about life and all the things that matter to us as humans.
It's possible my enjoyment of it had everything to do with my current placement in the world but, yeah. I loved it.
To the author - Is anyone actually DOING this podcast? It seems like a fun one with fabulous human interest.
These are brilliant questions and I actually want this to be a real podcast. Our heroine Meg grows and changes on her journey to visit with her Uncle Oscar, her recently deceased mother's brother, to try to learn why her mother was so distant. She doesn't learn that but she comes away with theories, and she and the reader both learn a lot from the interviews with Meg's Peeps. a fantastic book about life and all the things that matter to us as humans.
It's possible my enjoyment of it had everything to do with my current placement in the world but, yeah. I loved it.
To the author - Is anyone actually DOING this podcast? It seems like a fun one with fabulous human interest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2021
4 really, but some language bothered me—big words when not appropriate. Morrie Schwartz quote not credited. But, the concepts are great. Love the son.
December 16, 2024
Honestly I had higher hopes for this book based on it's ratings. It didn't feel as exciting as or like there was a plot here that really reached the climax. I understood some of the points that the author was trying to make and I do believe it was a good diversion away from some of the other mainstream books out there though. However it was not my favorite book and some of the paragraphs really just seemed like it didn't need to be necessary or what I wanted to make. The point the author was trying to make was talk to people and get to know another person without judgement but the journey along the way was just...odd for the most part. Maybe it's because it's mundane. I wouldn't recommend reading this book to a friend.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews