You Didn't Hear This from Me Audiobook By Kelsey McKinney cover art

You Didn't Hear This from Me

(Mostly) True Notes on Gossip

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You Didn't Hear This from Me

By: Kelsey McKinney
Narrated by: Kelsey McKinney
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About this listen

“Gossip is the only cultural tradition I care about, and Kelsey McKinney has written its Bible”–Samantha Irby, #1 NYT bestselling author

From the host of the Normal Gossip podcast, a delightfully insightful exploration of our obsession with gossip that weaves together journalism, cultural criticism, and memoir.

As the pandemic forced us to socialize at a distance, Kelsey McKinney was mourning the juicy updates and jaw-dropping stories she’d typically collect over drinks with friends—and from her hunger, the blockbuster Normal Gossip podcast was born. With listenership in the millions, Kelsey found herself thinking more critically about gossip as a form, and wanting to better understand the role it plays in our culture.

In You Didn't Hear This From Me, McKinney explores the murkiness of everyday storytelling. Why is gossip considered a sin, and how can we better recognize when it's being weaponized? Why do we think we’re entitled to every detail of a celebrity’s personal life? And how do we define “gossip,” anyway? As much as the book aims to treat gossip as a subject worthy of rigor, it also hopes to capture the heart of gossiping: how enchanting and fun it can be to lean over and whisper something a little salacious into your friend’s ear.

With wit and honesty, McKinney unmasks what we're actually searching for when we demand to know the truth—and how much the truth really matters in the first place.

©2025 Kelsey McKinney (P)2025 Grand Central Publishing
Anthropology Editors Select Popular Culture Social Sciences Funny

Critic reviews

“Gossip is the only cultural tradition I care about, and Kelsey McKinney has written its Bible. I cannot wait to gossip about this book with everyone I know for the rest of my life. KELSEY IS THE REAL GOSSIP GIRL XOXO.”—Samantha Irby, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wow, No Thank You. and Quietly Hostile

“A beautiful, expansive ode to the joy of information exchange. An ode that, like the practice of gossip itself, can be all at once inviting, tender, enlivening, and rich with humor, complexity, and an abundance of joys.”—Hanif Abdurraqib, New York Times bestselling author of There's Always This Year

“Come for Kelsey McKinney’s alluring voice, stay for her brilliant insights about words, secrets, gender, shame, pop culture, and technology. McKinney is not only our generation’s most beloved raconteuse, she is a rigorous and deeply thoughtful writer who can quote Emily Dickinson and Doja Cat on the same page and make a reader feel both delighted and challenged to come along for the ride. You Didn't Hear This From Me is cogent and sharp, and I will be whispering around town about it for a long time.”—Amanda Montell, New York Times bestselling author of The Age of Magical Overthinking

Editorial Review

Don’t tell anyone I told you this...
But between you and me, Normal Gossip host Kelsey McKinney’s latest take on the singular human joy of hearsay is bound to be a listen you’re going to want to tell all your friends about—without sparing a single detail. You Didn’t Hear This From Me is a collection of essays that blends elements of memoir, journalism and criticism, crafting a fascinating glimpse into the role that a bit of salacious chit-chat plays in our society. McKinney’s assessment of gossip circumvents mere shame and scolding to instead examine how eavesdropping and swapped stories are not only part of our nature, but opportunities at building community and gathering information about the world around us. It’s an account both comprehensive and heartfelt, a deeply sincere volume that tackles everything from urban legends to celebrity culture with thoughtful research, compassion and wit. The author’s narration makes this little gem all the more irresistible: McKinney’s voice is warm, conversational and brimming with intrigue, perfectly suited for spilling all the precious secrets of this book right into your ear. —Alanna M., Audible Editor

What listeners say about You Didn't Hear This from Me

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A dissertation on gossip

I love this thoughtful beautiful book on gossip, group think, urban legends and great storytelling just as much as I love Normal Gossip.

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Excellent Narration

I'm sure like many others, I was looking forward to this book because of the author’s podcast, Normal Gossip. This book did not disappoint! Well researched, well argued, well written. Unique but engaging point of view. All in all, a really great work

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I love Kelsey!

What an enjoyable and insightful book about gossip! I am a fan of the normal gossip pod and now I am a fan of Kelsey’s writing. This book made me feel less bad about being a gossip because, as you’ll see in the book, you can’t help it.

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You didn’t hear this from me

I really identified with Kelsey on her upbringing, also growing up religious and shamed for being chatty or a gossip, it was easy to understand the feelings she wrestled with. I found this enjoyable, especially as she was the reader. As an avid normal gossip reader, I liked the way the essays were broken down, and am so excited for her!

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Deeply reported AND entertaining!

A great listen for any Normal Gossip fans! I had pre-ordered the print version but then realized it would be way more fun to listen to Kelsey reading it and can confirm it was. Things Half Heard chapter was a real standout for me! Will point out to the Audible powers that be however that one of the chapter titles is showing up wrong? Should be The Truth About Urban Legends not another chapter about West Elm Caleb. Hope this gets fixed!

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