Mary Laura Philpott Memoirs books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Mary Laura Philpott Memoirs series?"

"There are two books in the Mary Laura Philpott Memoirs series, published between 2019 and 2022."

Q: "What is the first book in the Mary Laura Philpott Memoirs series?"

"The first book in the Mary Laura Philpott Memoirs series is I Miss You When I Blink, published in 2019."

Q: "Do you need to read Mary Laura Philpott's memoirs in order?"

"No, each memoir stands on its own. I Miss You When I Blink focuses on personal identity and career restlessness, while Bomb Shelter centers on a family health scare and the desire to keep loved ones safe. Reading both gives a fuller picture of Philpott's voice, but neither depends on the other."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	I Miss You When I Blink	2019	Mary Laura Philpott	Buy
2	Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives	2022	Mary Laura Philpott	Buy

Mary Laura Philpott’s two memoirs tackle different periods and concerns in her life, though both are built from personal essays rather than straight chronological narrative. I Miss You When I Blink (2019) is about the disorienting feeling of having done everything “right” and still not feeling satisfied. It was selected for Reese’s Book Club and connected with readers who recognized the gap between a successful-looking life and actual contentment.

Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives (2022) shifts focus to Philpott’s experience after her son had a serious medical episode. The book is about the impossible wish to control what happens to the people you love, and it mixes humor with genuine fear in a way that keeps it from becoming heavy-handed. Together, the two memoirs show a writer who gets more direct and urgent with each book.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Mary Laura Philpott Memoirs series?

There are two books in the Mary Laura Philpott Memoirs series, published between 2019 and 2022.

What is the first book in the Mary Laura Philpott Memoirs series?

The first book in the Mary Laura Philpott Memoirs series is I Miss You When I Blink, published in 2019.

Do you need to read Mary Laura Philpott's memoirs in order?

No, each memoir stands on its own. I Miss You When I Blink focuses on personal identity and career restlessness, while Bomb Shelter centers on a family health scare and the desire to keep loved ones safe. Reading both gives a fuller picture of Philpott’s voice, but neither depends on the other.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order