S-Town, the new podcast from the team that brought us Serial, has fast became a favourite here at Readings. If, like us, you reached the end of the series and are left feeling bereft, here’s a reading list that might help.

• My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout – This short, haunting book is the story of a woman, Lucy Barton, who grew up in deep poverty in a small, rural town. Like S-Town, it’s a sophisticated, empathetic deep dive into the realities of such a life.
  
  
• Gilead by Marilynne Robinson – Similar to Strout, Robinson also writes about small, American towns with deep heart and understanding. This novel is the first in her loosely linked trilogy, all set within the same community but exploring different characters.
  
  
• Deer Hunting With Jesus by Joe Bageant – If you’re interesting in gaining a greater understanding of the socio-economic issues that underpin S-Town, Bageant’s book is a classic and a must.
  
  
• Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance – One of the definitive books of last year’s US election, Vance shares a passionate and personal analysis of white working-class Americans.
  
  
• Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman – This bestselling hopeful and practical book can help you overcome despair about capitalism, and may even propel you into action.
  
  
• The Island Will Sink by Briohny Doyle – Climate change was a major obsession of John’s on the podcast, and this novel deftly depicts a near future where people are dealing with the affect of major environmental shifts.
  
  
• Just Cool It by David Suzuki and Ian Hanington – In contrast to a future imagining, this book shares practical steps and solutions real people can take against climate change today.
  
  
• Close Range: Brokeback Mountain and Other Stories by Annie Proulx– In S-Town, John referred to this book as the ‘grief manual’ while his friend Olin had watched the film adaptation of the story Brokeback Mountain over 50 times. Read the story to find out why it resonated so deeply with both men.
  
  
• Insomniac City by Bill Hayes – This gorgeously produced book is a tale of love, romance and friendship between two men that will heal and break your heart at the same time.
  
  
• Pierre the Maze Detective by Hiro Kamigaki – If you were as blown away by John’s maze as Brian was, you may be tempted by this a-maze-ing collection of intricate, magical mazes.