This was so funny & well-researched. I of course loved the shoutouts to my bravo housewives; The Traitors; Survivor and Mean Girls all of which feature in a highly interesting discussion of the role & social history of gossip. The discussion of AI’s (in)ability to gossip and it’s generation of the Epic of Gilgamesh in “gossip” form is a perfect example of how this book is so funny but also so thought provoking. 5 stars!

I enjoyed that the author narrated the audiobook. It flowed well and I found her style fit the content she was discussing very well. The research and data presented about gossip, both historically and in present day, very interesting. The author kept herself neutral when discussing different gossip anecdotes, for example rumors about politicians/celebrities, which I appreciate. It was fascinating to learn about all different places were gossip and talking about others is presented. From the Bible, to modern day reality shows, and rumors that fly around cities and within communities, both big and small. The author also talked about the variety of things that can be considered gossip that I did not even consider. The way the author blended in her own experiences with the experiences of others was helpful. She gave her own first hand account, but also shared when she had been told gossip, where it came from and whether it was ever proven to be true. Overall, this was a great nonfiction read that was thought provoking and very interesting.

I was psyched to read You Didn't Hear This From Me as a Normal Gossip and Kelsey McKinney fan. Kelsey narrating the audiobook was definitely a highlight.

In terms of content, I liked some chapters much more than others. The sections that focused on Kesley's personal experiences were particularly strong. I appreciated the messaging that gossip can be positive, though I similar sentiments came through clearly in Normal Gossip.

I struggled a bit with Kelsey's storytelling advice to make gossip more interesting. It's a fair point that gossip often goes through various people and details shift, but I feel weird endorsing the idea that we should make those changes on purpose. For Normal Gossip and piece of this book, Kelsey edited gossip submissions to anonymize them, but I've also read that Normal Gossip has sometimes taken the anonymization so far that it's not even recognizable to the submitter. Still trying to figure out how I feel about this.

As someone who is a big fan of Normal Gossip, the podcast created and formerly hosted by Kelsey, I jumped at the chance to receive an ARC of her new book. I am not really an audiobook person but I've been trying to get into them. So, I figured a book on a subject I'm interested in and read in a voice that I know and find comforting would be a great place to start. I was correct! I was engaged the whole time and wound up finishing the book in a couple of sessions.

Kelsey has expertly crafted a piece that is not only a delightful memoir but an interesting look at how pop culture has and continues to shape daily life. She discusses treating gossip as a sort of social currency while also pointing out how I can bring a sense of comradery to a community. And she's funny while she's at it!

I laughed, I learned, and I felt seen. It really felt like a book marketed at me directly (Especially the bit about Reality TV) My only gripe seems to be the general consensus. I wish she had included fewer quotes from outside sources and a bit more of her own thoughts. I promise Kelsey, people want to hear what you have to say!!

This was so fun to listen to! I think the audiobook format for this is especially fitting, and would highly recommend it. While I have not listened to the podcast, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was interesting learning some of the history of gossip alongside anecdotes galore. I was so drawn into every section of this book, it just left me wanting more. I enjoyed McKinney's casual tone, and ability to make you feel like you were old friends catching up on all the hot goss you've missed. McKinney did a great job weaving herself throughout her stories and really letting her personality shine. This is a great, quick listen for anyone who loves a little gossip sesh (and who doesn't?)!

A treat for fans of NORMAL GOSSIP and beyond. McKinney brings humour and warmth to what we've come to think of as tabu, and both normalises and humanises an information-sharing process that has long been vilified.

This has one of the strongest starts for any nonfiction book I've read. I was hooked from the very first line. The author is amazing at narrating, she makes the story feel like talking with a friend. It was very easy to follow and feel like I was actually grasping the concepts.

I audibly said 'oh my god' multiple times while reading. This book is perfect for you if you have ever enjoyed gossiping with your friends, if you are morally against gossip, or even if you are simply interested in social analysis.

4.75/5

I was so excited when Kelsey McKinney announced she had wrote a book about gossip while hosting Normal Gossip, a podcast about gossip! If there was anyone I trusted to tell me more about gossip it was definitely Kelsey. This is not a book of gossip but a book *about* gossip, essays that kinda sound like a thesis (not in a bad way), clearly lovingly researched, with quotes from other authors sprinkled throughout. It's the science of gossip, why it's liked, how it's perceived, and how it factors into so many aspects of society, from religion, AI, and celebrity.

I was a little worried at first when I learned this would be a nonfiction essay kind of book. Sometimes those can be boring and hard to muddle through. But this wasn't boring at all! Even when things got more technical or deep, I could follow along and wanted to hear more. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by Kelsey, and I've already listened to her for many, many, MANY hours so maybe I was just used to hanging on her every word. But I also listened at work and it was still a very easy and entertaining listen. There are lots of quotes from other authors, which almost feels like a trick to validate gossip not being as bad as it's normally seen. But those same quotes mean that people have always talked about gossip and it is just a form of communication and storytelling so calm down and let us do it without judgement! Kelsey's background in journalism is on full display here and I can imagine this book being used for a few papers and maybe even a thesis or two. The writing flows very well from one part to the next. The only thing I would want more of is about gossiping in families, using it to connect through generations and cultures.

For those looking for some bits of gossip, there's some tiny morsels throughout and at the end. And at the very end, Kelsey explains how to make a gossip story better to tell, which was like a peak behind the curtain of the podcast.

Overall this was a very enjoyable book, educational, and made me want to do a little research and open up communication about why we gossip. I would recommend this to anyone who loves gossip and to anyone that hates it.

Having been accused of gossiping too much my whole life, I knew I needed to read this book.

Kelsey perfectly shares the shame associated with gossip and how it isn't always bad to gossip. She explains how gossip has always existed and will continue to exist. I love how she told stories about urban legends because trust the first dog licking peanut butter story has stayed with me. Also the poop in a ziploc bag story. =]

Kelsey narrates the book perfectly and it really does feel like talking to an old friend. I think fans of pop culture will enjoy this book because she discusses so many stories we've all heard. Ex. Princess Diana, Britney Spears, Amber Heard vs Johnny Depp

I definitely recommend checking out this book if you want a unique look on how gossip shapes our society. Thank you to NetGalley, Kelsey McKinney, and Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read it. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly!

3.5/5
You Didn’t Hear This From Me is a personal exploration into the American world of gossip—what it is, why we engage in it, and how it shapes culture. The book focuses on the ethical questions surrounding gossip, its social and psychological functions, and its evolution in the digital age. McKinney examines gossip’s role in personal relationships to celebrity culture, influencer communities, and fandoms. With a focus on how information spreads and the power dynamics behind it, the book unpacks the impact of gossip on public perception, reputation, and society at large. Overall, the book was thoughtfully written and enjoyable. The Audiobook feels like a long podcast and McKinney’s narration is engaging and easy to listen to.

I recommend this book for contemporary nonfiction readers that enjoy accessible audiobooks.

This book was very very repetitive! But I still did enjoy a lot about it.

I liked the narration and writing style combination. It felt very much like a podcast (which makes sense given it is based on the author's podcast) or like having a little yap session with a friend.

I liked that the examples were explained with personal anecdotes, so you got to see how the author experienced that same sort of thing and how she felt about it.

I just found this so repetitive, which can happen when you have such a specific niche. We know that gossip is only villainized when it's women doing the gossiping, we know that it was developed as a survive technique (sharing information), we know that religion plays a role in gossip being villainized in only women.

If you're looking for a fun and low stakes non-fiction book, I would still recommend this (especially the audiobook).

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up).

This book was not a good match for me and it is entirely my fault. I love the Normal Gossip podcast so when I saw the host had a book coming out with a gossipy title - I made up for myself that it would be like the podcast but in print. I got in bed with the book ready to read some great gossip stories and moments of “what would you do?” and laugh myself to sleep. However that’s not what the book is about and not what the book claims to be about - it is just what I made up. This book is a study of gossip and what purpose it serves and how it’s more nuanced than just fun or bad. Lots of interesting information there but a big disconnect from what I expected so it wasn’t working for me. Thank you to the publisher for the free ebook and audiobook to review.

I love Normal Gossip so I was so excited about getting this. I absolutely loved this book. All of the concepts were so on point and fascinating. I would highly recommend this (and the Normal Gossip podcast) if you like gossip, celebrity drama, and reality tv.

Kelsey McKinney’s You Didn’t Hear This From Me is a fascinating exploration of gossip, blending humor, research, and cultural analysis. As the host of the Normal Gossip podcast, McKinney brings her signature wit and storytelling flair to the page. The book is deeply researched, offering insightful takes on gossip’s role in society, from its evolutionary roots to its modern-day manifestations in pop culture and media. While some chapters feel overly academic or padded, McKinney’s final thoughts tie the narrative together beautifully. Fans of her podcast will appreciate the familiar tone, though the book occasionally lacks the playful, conversational energy that makes Normal Gossip so addictive. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read that reframes gossip as more than just idle chatter.

I absolutely love listening to this! It's such a treat. In alot of ways I feel validated, informed and entertained. I love how Kelsey makes everything so digestable yet enganging. I couldn't recommend this enough!

This was honestly so good I listened to it in one day. I was hooked pretty early on when she started with an examination of how the moralization of gossip has been used by men in power to hide their bad actions, and I was continuously interested as she examined parasocial relationships, Mean Girls, and gossip as a form of women protecting each other. This book at first glance did not seem like it would be very deep, but she cited people like Foucault and Goffman. That being said, the theory she pulls from is written in a way that is very understandable and accessible. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gosh, this was so interesting. I am so thankful to Hachette Audio, Grand Central Publishing, Netgalley, and Kelsey McKinney for granting me advanced audio access to this piece before it hits shelves on February 11, 2025. I am a known gossiper, and so it was a marvel to hear about the psychological and sociological input from how we spread the flow of information in a hushed, scandalous manner. McKinney narrates the chronological happenstance of "gossiping" through various pop culture events, including celebrity scandals, reality television breakthroughs, and major political nightmares.

I could listen to Kelsey McKinney talk for hours, and I guess that just gives me an excuse to go listen to her podcast and further divulge myself into the world that contains secretive storytelling and other gossipy lingo.

As a long time Normal Gossip listener, I loved hearing Kelsey shift from her usual into information and more personal anecdotes. The audio format made for a smooth transition as a podcast listener. Really enjoyed the musings on gossip as a societal construct, and it gave me a lot to think about concerning how information is passed!

This book feels like a fun & satisfying extension of Normal Gossip. Kelsey McKinney expands on her thoughts around gossip alongside anecdotes from her life and media consumption. Nothing here feels like a revelation or pushing the envelope, the story careens between very interesting, insightful moments of memoir and research that feels...forced in to the degree that it falls flat. All said, would recommend this and definitely anticipate further writing by the author.

4.5 for now.
i had a blast reading this book. i think this is an early contender for a top ten reads this year for me, only because it's so entertaining and also super informative/well-researched. obviously, as a podcast host, the narration here is also excellent. no notes. i was sad that the book was over, which hasn't happened to me in a long time.