Lauren Grodstein

Lauren Grodstein is the author of several acclaimed novels, including the New York Times bestseller "A Friend of the Family" and "Our Short History," praised by Karen Russell as "funny and fast-paced and extraordinarily insightful on every page." Her upcoming works include "A Dog in Georgia" and "We Must Not Think of Ourselves," the latter selected as a Read with Jenna book club pick. Grodstein's writing spans multiple genres, often exploring complex family dynamics and moral dilemmas with sharp wit and emotional depth.

In addition to her fiction, Grodstein plays a key role in literary education as the director of the MFA program at Rutgers University-Camden, where she also teaches creative writing. Her earlier works include "The Explanation for Everything," "Reproduction is the Flaw of Love," and the short story collection "The Best of Animals." A New Jersey resident, she lives near Rutgers with her husband and son, balancing her writing career with academic leadership.
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 Reproduction Is the Flaw of Love 2004
2 A Friend of the Family 2009
3 The Explanation for Everything 2013
4 Our Short History 2017
5 We Must Not Think of Ourselves 2023
6 A Dog in Georgia 2025
Collections
# Title Year
1 The Best of Animals 2003
Lauren Grodstein Anthologies
# Title Year
1 Who Can Save Us Now? 2008