I Came All This Way to Meet You; Writing Myself Home

A Best Book of the Year selection by Time, The New Yorker, and The Sunday Times (UK)

From New York Times bestselling author Jami Attenberg comes a luminous memoir about discovering and embracing creativity—and how it became her lifeline.

In I Came All This Way to Meet You, Attenberg—hailed as a "master of modern fiction" (Entertainment Weekly) and the "poet laureate of difficult families" (Kirkus Reviews)—shares the pivotal moments that shaped her artistic journey. What does it mean to dedicate yourself to creativity? To fully own your ideas? To navigate the world as a woman forging her own path?

Born in the Midwest to a traveling salesman, Attenberg always felt drawn to the open road. Restless and uninspired by conventional jobs, she sought new experiences, leading her across the U.S. and beyond. As she traveled, she reflected on the struggles of her past—trauma, uncertainty, the risks she took—and how they fueled her creative drive. From self-funded book tours to couch-surfing when money was tight, she remained steadfast in her commitment to writing, refining her craft and learning to trust her instincts.

A meditation on friendship, independence, class, and ambition, I Came All This Way to Meet You is an inspiring exploration of what it means to come home—to yourself, your art, and the life you were meant to create.