Mary Laura Philpott

Mary Laura Philpott returns in her distinctive voice to explore our protective instincts, the ways we continue to grow up long after we’re grown, and the limits — both poignant and hilarious — of the human body and mind.

“Her new masterwork… genius” – The New York Times, Editor’s Choice
“A beautifully wrought ode to life… [and] a precious gift to the world. Nora Ephron would approve.” – The Washington Post
“Tugs at your heartstrings in all the right ways.” – NPR’s Best Books of the Year

Read an excerpt in The Atlantic — and another in the Washington Post.

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Advance Praise for Bomb Shelter

“An unforgettable memoir about holding it together when it’s time to let go, Bomb Shelter met me exactly where I am and gently walked me towards humor and hope. This book is a must-read—a treasure to savor now and save for always. I loved it.”

Glennon Doyle, Author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller Untamed

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“At the heart of Bomb Shelter is a truth parents know deeply: ‘I felt the universe had entrusted me with so much more than I could possibly keep safe.’ I put this book down feeling less anxious as a mother and more inspired as a writer. Why? Philpott reveals, page after page, that the love that makes us vulnerable is the same force that makes us powerful.”

Maggie Smith, bestselling author of Keep Moving and Goldenrod

“Bomb Shelter is a gorgeous, gut-wrenching memoir that drew me in immediately. Mary Laura Philpott puts words to the human condition in a life-affirming, joyful, and surprisingly funny way — even as she leaves readers in tears. I’m blown away.”

Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

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“Witty, inspiring, and piercingly honest, this book will pull you in and it won’t let go. Mary Laura Philpott has the gift of making the ordinary extraordinary as she invites you to reflect and laugh. You’ll leave these pages with a deeper appreciation for this exceptional and explosive thing we call life.”

Tembi Locke, author of New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection From Scratch

“Each of these powerful, beautifully written essays is like a tiny grenade aimed straight at the heart. Mary Laura Philpott is a trustworthy guide, ushering us through the magnificent, harrowing terrain of being human. Trust me: You will laugh, you will cry. You will fall in love with her voice.”

Dani Shapiro, New York Times bestselling author of Inheritance

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“One reason we read is to know that burst of recognition when someone supplies new language for that which we once found indescribable. Mary Laura Philpott finds words for [an] intense experience known to so many… This book has felt like a comfort even when cutting close to the bone.”