July 20, 2020
Nicolai, creator and host of the Nothing Much Happens podcast, debuts with a charming collection of short almost-stories intended as an antidote to insomnia and restlessness. She includes more than 50 vignettes, organized by season, that take place in a cozy little town where an unnamed narrator goes to the local bookshop, sits on benches, and admires nature before heading home. Cups of tea abound, as do various satisfying low-stakes activities, like eating a stack of pancakes or petting a cat. The stories are heavy with sensory descriptions, such as the smells of freshly baked bread and lilac, the sound of croaking frogs, and the pleasant feeling in autumn of “the sun on your back and the cool air on your face.” These soothing glimpses of life are occasionally broken up with recipes or relaxation techniques, such as a walking meditation. Nicolai accomplishes what no other author would want to hear: these stories can put people to sleep.