You Didn't Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip

by Kelsey McKinney Narrated by Not Yet Available

Overview

A delightfully insightful exploration of our obsession with gossip that weaves together journalism, cultural criticism, and memoir, from the host of the massively popular Normal Gossip podcast.

Can you keep a secret? As the pandemic forced us to socialize at a distance, Kelsey McKinney was mourning the juicy updates, jaw-dropping stories, and idle chatter that she'd typically collect over drinks with friends.*She realized she wasn't the only one missing these little morsels and her hunger for this aspect of normalcy took on a life of its own*and*the blockbuster Normal Gossip podcast was born.*With listenership in the millions and gossip quickly becoming her day job, Kelsey found herself with the urge to think more critically about gossip as a form, to better understand the role that it plays in our culture.

In YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, McKinney explores the murkiness of everyday storytelling. Why is gossip considered a sin and how can we better recognize when gossip is being weaponized against the oppressed? Why do we think we're entitled to every detail of a celebrity's personal life because they are a public figure? And how do we even define “gossip,” anyway? She dishes on the art of eavesdropping and dives deep into how pop culture has changed the way that we look at hearsay. But as much as the book aims to treat gossip as a subject worthy of rigor, it also hopes to capture the heart of gossiping: how enchanting and fun it can be to lean over and whisper something a little salacious into your friend's ear. With wit and honesty, McKinney unmasks what we're actually searching for when we demand to know the truth - and how much the truth really matters in the first place.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

PRAISE FOR GOD SPARE THE GIRLS

“[A] tender, aching debut . . . where faith and betrayal are intertwined.”—Elle

“McKinney is a strong and compelling storyteller and has crafted a captivating small town world full of gossip and intrigue. God Spare the Girls beautifully explores the challenges of young womanhood in the context of a religion that has its own very strict ideas about what it means to be a good daughter, sister, and wife."—Associated Press

"Kelsey McKinney’s debut is a timely exploration of the moral contradictions of contemporary Evangelical Christianity. But the accomplishment of this canny novel is in positing coming of age itself as a loss of faith—not only in the church, but in our parents, our family, and the world as we thought we understood it."—Rumaan Alam, New York Times bestselling author of Leave the World Behind and Rich and Pretty

"Every family has its secrets. . . . God Spare the Girls is an exploration of individuality, family, religion, community, and how when one family secret is revealed, many more follow."—Oprah Daily, 33 of the Best Beach Reads to Help You Escape

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192373750
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	02/11/2025
Edition description:	Unabridged