Bad On Paper Podcast: Episode Summary
Episode Title: Our Favorite Non-Fiction Reads
Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
Release Date: March 4, 2026
Episode Overview
In this engaging episode, Becca and Olivia dedicate an entire show to their favorite nonfiction reads—a first in the podcast’s eight-year run. They candidly discuss their complicated relationships with nonfiction, each sharing curated book picks that truly resonated. The episode is rounded out by lively listener voicemails offering even more recommendations. The result is an accessible, enthusiastic, and refreshingly honest guide for any reader searching for great nonfiction, especially those who, like the hosts, don’t naturally gravitate toward it.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Opening Banter: The Challenge of Nonfiction (00:18–01:18)
- Becca and Olivia admit their own hesitation with nonfiction, stressing they are not experts.
- Becca confesses she feels “intimidated” and doesn’t feel qualified to recommend nonfiction, given her reading habits.
- Olivia reframes their suggestions as “recruits,” emphasizing their picks are approachable for readers who don’t typically read nonfiction.
Personal Highs & Lows (01:18–13:56)
- Olivia’s High: Saw Wuthering Heights in theaters; loved the aesthetics, divisive reactions, and soundtrack (01:22–04:49).
- Quote: “It does feel like a mood board and less like an actual story. But I still found it very inspiring in a lot of ways. And I loved the soundtrack so much.” — Olivia (02:17)
- Becca’s High: Officially announced her new book, Back Where We Started. Shared her excitement about finally talking about it openly (05:04–08:41).
- Quote: “It has felt so good to be able to talk about this book finally... and people's energy coming towards me, being excited about the cover, about the pitch, has been so invigorating and meaningful to me.” — Becca (08:08)
- Olivia’s Low: None this week—enjoying being home (13:49).
- Becca’s Low: Struggling with dry, radiator heat in her new apartment (11:25–12:52).
Nonfiction Reading Habits (16:26–19:00)
- Becca: “I identify as a serial nonfiction abandoner…I always have good intentions but I have poor follow-through.”
- Olivia: Nonfiction isn’t a natural choice, likening it to romance for her: “When I find one I really like, I really love it…but it’s never going to be the first thing I’m drawn to taste-wise.”
- Both host gravitate toward nonfiction mostly via audiobooks or when a topic “uniquely appeals.”
Becca’s Top 5 Nonfiction Picks (19:03-33:40)
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Meditations on creativity, inspired Becca to see herself as creative.
- Quote: “Recontextualizing what it means to be creative and not needing to be the best at it or not needing to be professional at it really changed something in my brain…” (20:41)
- Open Book by Jessica Simpson
- “Peak celebrity memoir.” Loved its honesty and ‘juicy’ revelations.
- Quote: “She was so forthcoming in a way…she was telling shit that people didn’t know about because she wanted to.” (22:42)
- I’ll Have What She’s Having by Erin Carlson
- Oral history of the making of Nora Ephron’s famous romcoms—insider stories from When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail.
- “The VH1 Behind the Music of these movies.” (27:49)
- Edie: American Girl by Jean Stein & George Plimpton
- Biography about Edie Sedgwick, her family and 60s NYC; detailed and fascinating.
- No One Tells You This by Glynnis MacNichol
- Memoir about being single and childless at 40, caring for aging parents.
- Becca calls it “empowering in the dictionary meaning of the word.” (30:29)
Olivia’s Top 5 Nonfiction Picks (39:35-51:58)
- A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhurst
- True survival story: Couple survives 118 days in a raft after a whale capsizes their boat in 1973.
- Quote: “You have to look up a picture of this raft…it looks like a pool toy one might have for a child.” (43:10–43:13)
- Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
- Memoir from a therapist’s POV about therapy, human emotion, and personal growth.
- Quote: “It’s like what made me actually go to therapy, which then changed my life.” (44:32)
- 1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg
- Collection of letters and essays by writers; a desk companion for creative motivation.
- Quote: “To me, it reminds me of reading the best writing-focused Substack essays all in one place.” (45:45)
- Not My Type: One Woman Versus a President by E. Jean Carroll
- True account of Carroll’s case against Donald Trump. Olivia praises the personal and legal drama, calling it “inspiring.”
- Quote: “It was super important in my life because I think…Trump has become such a character…[E. Jean’s] book reminded me how much of a monster he is.” (48:03–49:56)
- I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
- Memoir of child stardom and complicated family relationship; widely discussed for its vulnerability.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On being “serial nonfiction abandoners”:
“I DNF’d—not for lack of enjoyment but just never finished—Becoming by Michelle Obama…” — Becca (17:19) - On Elizabeth Gilbert’s impact:
“The act of continuously doing something creative is worthwhile in and of itself.” — Becca (21:49) - On Open Book:
“I went into this book having no feelings about Jessica Simpson… and I developed such a strong parasocial relationship with her…” — Becca (24:19) - Memorable Listener Pick:
“We Might Just Make It After All…is really at its core, a love story; it made me laugh out loud and cry.” — Listener (34:22)
Listener Favorites (33:40–37:09; 52:19–56:04)
A sample of strong recommendations from listeners:
- Cue the Sun by Emily Nussbaum: “A fascinating history of reality TV.” (33:44)
- People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Perry: “An engrossing true crime set in Japan.” (35:08)
- Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam: “Goal setting and time management, with easy, inspiring tips. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” (36:04)
- Solito by Javier Zamora: “Beautiful memoir of a nine-year-old’s journey from El Salvador to the U.S.” (55:34)
Extended Book Conversations and Tangents
- Audiobooks vs. Print: Both hosts encourage audiobooks for nonfiction as the format is approachable and engaging.
- Listener Recap Podcasts: Olivia recommends the Glamorous Trash podcast for memoir digesting (18:36).
- Behind-the-Scenes Reading: Many book choices connect to hosts’ personal projects (e.g., Becca’s research for her new book).
Obsessions & What They’re Reading Now
Obsession of the Week
- Becca: American Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette FX Miniseries—“So nostalgic, so chic, the casting is phenomenal.” (57:58)
- Olivia: “Jessie Buckley…absolutely charming, infectiously happy, I want to be her.” (61:05)
Currently Reading & Recent Reads (62:37–71:01)
- Becca:
- Nina and June by Genevieve Wheeler (“A friendship novel, incredibly heart-wrenching”),
- A Love Story by Anna Maria Volkova (“Economics, spicy age-gap romance, dense but compelling”),
- Play It Again by Georgia Clark (ensemble queer romance, “great summer read”)
- Olivia:
- Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hawkhouser (“Cinderella retold, powerful writing, fantasy without magic...unexpected and perfect moments”)
- Both hosts discuss the appeal of books that blend genres or defy traditional nonfiction expectations.
Useful Timestamps
- 00:18—Introduction
- 13:56—Transition to Main Topic: Nonfiction Picks
- 19:03–33:40—Becca’s Top 5 Nonfiction Books
- 33:40–37:09—Listener Nonfiction Picks (Segment One)
- 39:35–51:58—Olivia’s Top 5 Nonfiction Books
- 52:19–56:04—Listener Nonfiction Picks (Segment Two)
- 57:58–71:01—Obsessions & Current Reading
Final Thoughts
The episode is packed with honest, often humorous banter and relatable bookish struggles, making it a perfect episode for both seasoned nonfiction readers and those seeking a low-pressure entry point into the genre. Whether you’re chasing “peak celebrity memoir” vibes, dramatic survival stories, or refreshingly truthful reflections on adulthood, the hosts and their listeners deliver recommendations that span the full spectrum of nonfiction.