Meghan Daum

Date of Birth: March 13, 1970

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Meghan Daum is an acclaimed American author, essayist, and journalist, known for her incisive and often humorous explorations of contemporary life. Born in California, Daum grew up in Austin, Texas, and Ridgewood, New Jersey, before attending Vassar College, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She later pursued an MFA from Columbia University. Over her career, Daum has contributed to a variety of prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, and The Atlantic. She is the author of several books, including her memoir “Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived in That House” and the essay collection “The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects of Discussion,” which won the 2015 PEN Center USA Literary Award for Creative Nonfiction. Daum’s work often tackles themes of modern life, culture, and personal identity, offering a voice that is both critical and deeply personal. She has also served as an adjunct professor and has been a frequent guest on radio programs and podcasts, where she discusses topics ranging from literature to social issues.

5 Interesting Facts about Meghan Daum

1. Meghan Daum’s essay collection “The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects of Discussion” won the 2015 PEN Center USA Literary Award for Creative Nonfiction.

2. She has taught writing at several institutions, including Columbia University and the University of Iowa.

3. Daum once lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, and wrote a column titled “Scene and Heard” for the Lincoln Journal Star.

4. She has been a frequent contributor to public radio, including appearances on “This American Life.”

5. Meghan Daum is the creator and host of the podcast “The Unspeakable,” where she explores taboo topics and cultural issues.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Meghan Daum

1. “The point of essays is to turn the unspeakable into words — not just any words, but precise words with the power to make people feel less alone.”

2. “We are all capable of believing things that we know to be untrue, and then, when we are finally proved wrong, impudently twisting the facts to show that we were right.”

3. “Life is mostly an exercise in being something other than what we used to be while remaining fundamentally — and, in some ways, fundamentally unchanged.”

4. “I think the most effective way to create a sense of connection with readers is through honesty and vulnerability.”

5. “The world is full of people who find it easier to live in the past than face the future.”