How many books has Joan Didion written?

Joan Didion has written 40 books across 4 series. Their published works span from 1963 to 2025.

What is the first book in each Joan Didion series?

Here are the first books in Joan Didion's series: Anthologies: The Writer on Her Work; Collections: Vintage Didion; Non-Fiction: Slouching Towards Bethlehem.

What order should I read Joan Didion's books?

We recommend reading Joan Didion's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.

Is Joan Didion still writing new books?

Yes, Joan Didion has 2 ongoing series: Collections, Non-Fiction.

Joan Didion Reading Order

4 series · 40 books · Born 5 December 1934

Literary Fiction Non-Fiction

Joan Didion was a distinguished American writer renowned for her impactful novels and insightful literary journalism. With a career spanning from 1963 to 2025, she authored 40 works across four series, including standalone novels, collections, non-fiction, and anthologies. Her most celebrated pieces delve into the complexities of American society, making her a pivotal figure in contemporary literature.

Anthologies Series

Complete

10 books (1980–2005)

Start with The Writer on Her Work, the first of 10 books in the Anthologies series.

#	Title
1	The Writer on Her Work 1980Buy 🇺🇸
2	Women Writers at Work 1989Buy 🇺🇸
3	Florida Stories 1993Buy 🇺🇸
4	Writing Women's Lives 1994Buy 🇺🇸
5	Writing New York 1998Buy 🇺🇸
6	The Eloquent Essay 2000Buy 🇺🇸
7	Writing Los Angeles 2002Buy 🇺🇸
8	40 Model Essays 2005Buy 🇺🇸
9	The Believer Book of Writers Talking to Writers 2005Buy 🇺🇸
10	The Little Big Book of California 2005Buy 🇺🇸

Collections Series

Ongoing

3 books (2004–2025)

Start with Vintage Didion and read in order.

#	Title
1	Vintage Didion 2004Buy 🇺🇸
2	The 1960s & 70s 2019Buy 🇺🇸
3	I Write to Find Out What I Am Thinking 2025Buy 🇺🇸

Non-Fiction Series

Ongoing

22 books (1968–2025)

Start with Slouching Towards Bethlehem, the first of 22 books in the Non-Fiction series.

#	Title
1	Slouching Towards Bethlehem 1968Buy 🇺🇸
2	The White Album 1979Buy 🇺🇸
3	Salvador 1983Buy 🇺🇸
4	Miami 1987Buy 🇺🇸
5	Some Women(With: Robert Mapplethorpe) 1990Buy 🇺🇸
6	After Henry 1992Buy 🇺🇸
7	Sentimental Journeys 1993Buy 🇺🇸
8	Perspectives on the Individual 1998Buy 🇺🇸
9	Political Fictions 2001Buy 🇺🇸
10	Fixed Ideas 2003Buy 🇺🇸
11	Where I Was From 2003Buy 🇺🇸
12	Live and Learn 2005Buy 🇺🇸
13	The Year of Magical Thinking 2005Buy 🇺🇸
14	We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Live 2006Buy 🇺🇸
15	Blue Nights 2011Buy 🇺🇸
16	Insider Baseball 2016Buy 🇺🇸
17	South and West 2017Buy 🇺🇸
18	Collected Essays 2018Buy 🇺🇸
19	Let Me Tell You What I Mean 2021Buy 🇺🇸
20	Bonds of War 2022Buy 🇺🇸
21	What She Means 2022Buy 🇺🇸
22	Notes to John 2025Buy 🇺🇸

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

5 books (1963–1996)

Start with Run River, the first of 5 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	Run River 1963Buy 🇺🇸
2	Play It As It Lays 1970Buy 🇺🇸
3	A Book of Common Prayer 1977Buy 🇺🇸
4	Democracy 1984Buy 🇺🇸
5	The Last Thing He Wanted 1996Buy 🇺🇸

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Joan Didion written?: Joan Didion has written 40 books across 4 series. Their published works span from 1963 to 2025.
What is the first book in each Joan Didion series?: Here are the first books in Joan Didion's series: Anthologies: The Writer on Her Work; Collections: Vintage Didion; Non-Fiction: Slouching Towards Bethlehem.
What order should I read Joan Didion's books?: We recommend reading Joan Didion's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Joan Didion still writing new books?: Yes, Joan Didion has 2 ongoing series: Collections, Non-Fiction.