05/20/2026
Have you ever thought about writing a memoir? Plumbing the deep parts of your life, weaving it into a story, and putting it out there into the wide world?
It can sound (and feel) quite daunting. Writer Kerry Docherty faces those questions head on with her debut book, a memoir titled SELFISH, from . We’re hosting Kerry at First Light on Thursday night, and we’re looking forward to hearing all about the journey she’s been on. Her story is one of family, business, marriage, full of bigtime honesty, generosity, tough questions, surprising answers, and the wonderful messiness of life. It’s a great story, and we hope you’ll come out Thursday, 6pm.
We asked Kerry a few ‘Reading Life’ questions via email this week. See below for the books that have been important for her.
THE READING LIFE
Kerry Docherty
FL: What’s a book you read as a kid that you loved?
KD: In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories, by Alvin Schwartz. It has a haunting and spooky story in it titled “Jenny with the Green Ribbon” which I retell in my book, and which has special significance to me on many levels.
FL: What one book have you’ve read more than once?
KD: Anam Cara by John O’Donohue. His words are meditational melodies to my mind.
FL: What would be your desert island read?
KD: Any poetry book by Ada Limón.
FL: What book taught you about the kind of memoir you hoped to write?
KD: The Rules Do Not Apply by Arielle Levy. It’s matter of fact, beautiful, substantive, and raw.
FL: What’s one book you’d put into everyone’s hands today?
KD: Hala Alyan’s memoir I’ll Tell You When I’m Home. She’s a dear friend, and incredible poet and writer, and the book was just nominated for a Pulitzer. It’ll stop you in your tracks
FL: What book is in your carry-on these days?
KD: A scrawled in journal (always), ready to jot down poems, dreams, or future plots.
