Maureen Corrigan

Maureen Corrigan

Maureen Corrigan (Maureen D. Corrigan) was born on July 30th, 1955 and is currently 70 years old. Maureen Corrigan was born in New York City, New York, USA. Corrigan attended Fordham University where he received a B.A. degree and the University of Pennsylvania where he received an M.A. degree and a Ph.D. degree.

Maureen Corrigan is an American writer, teacher, and book reviewer. She reviews books for the NPR radio show Fresh Air and writes for the Book World section of The Washington Post.

Corrigan authored So We Read On, a book about the background and impact of The Great Gatsby. In 2005, she published a memoir Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading, which tells about her personal experiences with books. Corrigan won a 2018 award for her book reviews on NPR and in The Washington Post. In 1999, she won an Edgar Award for a book she co-wrote about mystery and suspense writers.

In Leave Me Alone, I’m Reading, Corrigan weaves key moments of her life - childhood memories, academic years, personal grief, infertility, and adoption - together with the books that shaped and challenged her during those times. The result is both a reflection on reading and a deeply personal journey through loss, identity, and intellectual curiosity.

Corrigan, who also teaches literature at Georgetown University, brings an undeniably scholarly tone to her reflections - though not without her wit. She recounts being initially rejected by NPR for sounding “too academic” for the network.

Readers interested in topics like infertility and adoption will find thoughtful reflections and curated reading suggestions in those areas. Throughout the book, she offers personal favorites and literary touchstones, even though some choices might feel a bit obscure or niche for more casual readers. A notable stretch of over 30 pages is dedicated to Karen and With Love, From Karen by Marie Killilea. This extended analysis may test the patience of those unfamiliar with or uninterested in these mid-century Catholic memoirs.

Corrigan’s insights into the reader’s obsession with books - the thrill of discovery, the emotional bond with characters, the solace in stories - shine in the introduction and closing chapters. She closes the memoir with an extensive, genre-sorted reading list and offers curious readers additional gems that weren’t always spotlighted in the main narrative.

A fair warning to prospective readers: Leave Me Alone, I’m Reading is rich in literary spoilers. Corrigan doesn’t hold back when discussing major plot twists or endings in classics and modern fiction alike. Books affected include The Maltese Falcon, Jane Eyre, The Big Sleep, Gaudy Night, and others. Those sensitive to spoilers may want to tread lightly or skip certain sections.

Overall, Corrigan’s memoir will resonate most with passionate readers - especially those who enjoy examining the interplay between life’s milestones and the literature that accompanies them. While the tone occasionally veers academic and the references might not be universally familiar, there is plenty here to spark interest, reflection, and perhaps even a few reading list additions.

Related Authors

Fans of Maureen Corrigan also enjoy these authors:

1. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter Series.
2. Harold Schechter, author of: Hell's Princess.
3. Amber Ruffin, author of: You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey.
4. Douglas Preston, author of the Pendergast Series.
5. James Patterson, author of the Alex Cross Series.

Maureen Corrigan: F.A.Q