It’s been a big year for Joan Didion fans. First the Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne Archives opened at the New York Public Library, followed closely by the publication of Notes to John, journal entries of her sessions with a psychiatrist from 1999-2002, many of which revolved around her daughter Quintana.

Another new book which hasn’t gotten as much attention is We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine, written by New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson. Instead of a straightforward biography, Wilkinson examines Didion through the specific lens of Hollywood’s influence on her and her thinking. I especially liked the parts about Hollywood values overtaking politics. The book would be even better accompanied by a mini film fest of the movies discussed! Luckily NPL has you covered: