It is here! “The Family Dynamic” is officially out today, and it feels incredible. I am so very proud of this book, and so grateful to the wonderful families who let me into their lives so we could all learn a bit more about each other, and how we learn from the people who got to love us first. I’ am so gratified by the attention the book has gotten so far (today has been especially busy… thank you for not unfollowing me across social media platforms) and I’m just so grateful for all the support I have been so lucky to receive from my family (my family! don’t worry, they are getting their own special post), my friends, my colleagues, the great people at Penguin and Crown, my wonderful agent @elysefcheney, the generous, generous colleagues who lent their names to this book via blurbs or joining me on book tour, everyone who has taken the time to interview me about what I’ve learned about exceptional families (and how that can apply to all of us), and everyone who read, tagged, and posted, commented, and buoyed me through the long, long process of brining a book into the world. I’m very grateful and I’m very happy. Thank you so much. Sue
Good thing my (New York loving) brother and father are not on Instagram, so they will not see how excited I am to have copies of the Gods of New York to give them for their birthdays. One of these stays with me—looking forward to having it inscribed the by the great jonathanmahler!
Best Nonfiction Books of 2025 (So Far) We’re only halfway through 2025, but it’s already shaping up to be a banner year for nonfiction. From paradigm-shifting science to soul-deep creativity, this year’s most compelling books are tackling big questions with clarity, heart, and fresh insight. Whether you're looking to change your personality, rethink aging, understand AI, or unlock your moral ambition, these titles deliver bold ideas you’ll be thinking about long after the final page. Here are our favorite nonfiction books from the first half of the year. 🔗 Link in bio to full posts with links to summaries and more.
MVBF2025 Author Spotlight: Susan Dominus has worked for The New York Times since 2007, first as a Metro columnist and then as staff writer for The New York Times Magazine. In 2018, she was part of a team that won a Pulitzer Prize for public service for its reporting on workplace sexual harassment. She won a Front Page Award from the Newswomen’s Club of New York and a Mychal Judge Heart of New York Award from the New York Press Club. She has studied as a fellow at the National Institutes of Health and Yale Law School. Her article about menopause in The New York Times Magazine won a National Magazine Award in 2024. She teaches journalism at Yale University. In THE FAMILY DYNAMIC: A Journey into the Mystery of Sibling Success, the acclaimed New York Times journalist Susan Dominus offers compelling profiles of six such families in search of the factors that led to their success—was it an inherited quality, a specific way of parenting, the influence of a sibling, or a twist of luck? Inspired by the iconic Brontë sisters, whose remarkable literary success prompted endless speculation, Dominus, the mother of twin teenagers, sought out contemporary high-achieving families who shared intimate stories of their upbringing. She introduces us to the Chens, young parents who fled their country’s one-child policy to open a Chinese restaurant in Appalachia—then sent four children to elite colleges and on to careers that give back in technology and medicine; the Groffs, whose claim to fame is not just an award-winning novelist but an Olympic athlete and a notable entrepreneur; the Wojcickis, whose daughters made inroads as STEM pioneers in Silicon Valley; and the Murguias, who rose from exceptionally humble origins to become powerful jurists and civil rights champions. Woven into these and other stories is an account of centuries of scientific research into the ongoing question of nature versus nurture. Elegantly written and extensively researched, The Family Dynamic is more than a checklist of how-to’s. It’s a deep and moving exploration of the complexity of family life and the rewards—and burdens—of ambition. Author Photo: Audrey deWys
@suedominus tells the story of how Michelle Obama’s guidance counselor said she wasn’t Princeton material on the latest episode of NST
It was an honor to spend time with the beautiful Listro family for @nytmag as they captured Peter Listro’s memories and thoughts, so they could access them going forward with the use of AI, as if conversing with him, even after his death. The family knew full well that the technology would not change the reality of grief; but it would offer them a different kind of comfort that until now was not available. Their love was palpable, their mutual understanding extremely moving. Photos by @elinorcarucci, videos by Singeli Agnew.
We have the amazing @suedominus joins us on Dadville! We talk about her amazing new book, birth order, and the magic of family dynamics. Send this episode to your siblings!
✨My grandma Lola was truly INNcredible. I was honored that @suedominus wrote about my grandparents and my mom’s famous siblings, playwright Wendy Wasserstein, investment banking pioneer Bruce Wasserstein, glass ceiling breaking marketing wiz Sandra Mayer and my mom Georgette, innkeeper of @thewilburton in her new book, The Family Dynamic. What makes a family have so many famous siblings? Grandma would say it was her being there at 3pm each day when the kids got home from school. Read Susie’s wonderful book and learn the secrets for yourself! Grandma would be honored to be in the same book at The Kennedys and Bronte sisters! Congratulations Susie on your wonderful book. Thanks for helping me get the perfect birthday gift for my sister :-). 🎁 #thefamilydynamic #INNcredible #melissalevis #siblings #grandma
Please join me for these upcoming June events in DC and NYC! On 6/22 I will be in DC at @politicsprose with bestselling author @mark_leibovich, on 6/24 I will be in NYC at @mm_jccmanhattan with bestselling author @ajjacobsinc, and in 6/25 I will be at @centralsynagogue with Senior Rabbi Angela Buchdahl kicking off her “Conversations With Angela” series. I am so looking forward to each of these conversations and would love to see you there!
Some more kind words for “The Family Dynamic” — so gratifying! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read the book and share their thoughts.
A thrill to see “The Family Dynamic” included in this @nytimes list of Father’s Day recommendations! With headlines appealing to perfectionists and pragmatists alike!
I am so thrilled to be included in Amazon’s “Best Books of 2025 So Far!” Thank you to Lindsay Powers (@noshameparenting) for selecting “The Family Dynamic” for the non-fiction list (and for your personal top ten!) and for your wonderful review, excerpted here: “This is not a book that advises tiger parenting or forcing your kid to spend 10,000 hours mastering some skill—and although you’ll meet extreme personalities, you’ll also encounter a host of idiosyncratic and inspiring parents of all backgrounds, financial classes, and abilities, who nonetheless have raised a brood of kids who move mountains. I read this book with a highlighter in hand, eager to discuss it with my sisters, my husband, the parents at school pickup, my own kids, and random strangers—so pick this for your book club.” What she said!
2/3 Emanuel Brothers loved “The Family Dynamic!” The third is the youngest child.
I spent an amazing afternoon with Susan Dominus, New York Times Magazine Staff Writer and Author of the new book, The Family Dynamic.
It’s been a great few months for sophisticated writing about parenting, a subject that is important enough and an undertaking that is hard enough that it deserves writing from the likes of great talents such as Jenny Anderson, Rebecca Winthrop, Melinda Wenner Moyer, Amanda Hess & Ruthie Ackerman. Congratulations to Melinda on pub week, and congratulations to all for putting meaningful work out into the universe.
The Hastings Library—one of our town’s jewels, with stunning views of the Palisades and programming from local literature lovers Tim Donahue and @joannariesman. Delighted to be speaking about my book, The Family Dynamic, with another Hastings jewel, my omni-talented friend Melanie Hoopes, a story-teller supreme (writer for Netflix’s Bloodline, and playwright of Kindness Committee, among other works). Will be fun—come if you’re in the area! Tonight at 7!
One of the best parts of this book publishing experience has been being able to see, and meet, so many wonderful people. I loved visiting Florida and Texas to visit @booksandbooks @thelynx and @interabangbooks, and here are a few moments to share: 1) Books And Books! If you’ve read The Family Dynamic, then you know about the incredible Marilyn Holifield (Chapter 3!) with whom I was honored to speak at the wonderful Books and Books earlier this month. She truly moved the crowd—and me. We are with the Mitch Kaplan, patron saint to authors, visionary founder of Books & Books and the Miami Book Festival. 2) With Marilyn, a Miami legend, who spoke alongside another Miami legend, David Lawrence, the philanthropist and uber mensch who was publisher of The Miami Herald. (Still seeking a photo of David to share from the event—book paparazzi, come through!) 3) Marilyn with her fans (she brought a crowd) 4) Chatting & signing with Chris Lomax of @LomaxLegal & former president, Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association. Chris brought his adorable daughters to be inspired by Marilyn. 5) Dallas! I had such a terrific conversation with my friend Lael Brodsky at Interabang Books, pictured with her equally wonderful husband Peter Brodsky, and holding… 6) Family Dynamic-branded napkins and cups! Lael never met a paper product that she did not feel could benefit from monogramming or personalization, and I was the very, very lucky beneficiary! 7) Lael making one of many excellent points! Screenshot thanks to @interabangbooks. 8) Lynx Books! Founded by the incredible Lauren Groff (Chapter 1!) who has been such a generous participant in this entire process, first with the book itself over (many) years, hosting me in Gainesville at her beautiful book store and then coming to NYC to join our panel at the @92ndstreety (deserves its own post, coming soon). Lauren is a force for literature and a force for good. 9) & 10) Look at this gorgeous space. Lauren, you have built something so valuable in @thelynxbooks, which is not only a beloved community space but a champion for banned and challenged books. 11) With Dr. Lisa Chacko (thank you for the great question & IG post & photo!)
Thrilled to be in Zibby’s Summer Reads! What incredible company & the categories are so original and fun. Thank you so much for including me, @zibbyowens! Can’t wait to dive in!
In case you missed it, THE FAMILY DYNAMIC author Sue Dominus spoke with her editor Gillian Blake about the book, stories about sibling relationships, and parenting! Watch a recording of the full event now and learn more about THE FAMILY DYNAMIC at the link in our bio.
It's Not Your Job To Fix The Toxic People In Your Life. @suedominus shares with @joannacoles and @danbucatinsky about the key thing to keep in mind when considering repairing an estranged relationship. Have a question or comment for us? Send us an email: beastpod@thedailybeast.com Listen to the full episode of The Daily Beast Podcast at the link in bio or wherever you get your podcasts.
Thank you to @morningjoe for the excellent discussion about “The Family Dynamic” - terrific questions and observations from host Jonathan Lemire, and highly enjoyable swooping camerawork to boot! Link in bio!
Please join us for this IG Live! Today! At 3:30pm! With the great Gillian Blake! Gillian is a visionary editor who (luckily for me) acquired “The Family Dynamic” lo these many years ago, and is now the EVP, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of @crownpublishing and is a brilliant leading voice in the industry. So tune in at 3.:30 and AMA (and I guess, AGA? We’ll see at 3:30!). Thank you, Gillian!
Week two of “The Family Dynamic” & I’m finally getting a chance to look back through my pub week photos. I cannot believe all this happened in seven days. I’m off for a week of book tour travel today (see you soon, Gainesville, Miami and Dallas!), but for now, a sampling of my first week as a debut author. It’s been so much fun and so much fun to share. 1) Book party! Thank you SO much to Jodi Kantor, Ariel Kaminer and Anya Epstein (and Ron, David and Dan) for the book party of dreams, with the guest list of dreams, wearing name tags that made everyone feel like…family! 2) My darling husband @alanburdick being the best, as he is and does 3) WNYC! 4) Local girl makes good 5) Local 24-year NYTmag staffer makes good 6) Discussing longevity & happiness with the great robert.waldinger at the outstanding @nyt_well Fest last week (props @caitlinr and @lorileibo) 7) My book! On display! Thrilling. 8) Wonderful Scarsdale Adult School event, interviewed by thoughtful and fabulous @LoriRotskoff 9) Scarsdale with Marilyn Allman Maye, dear friend to a Marilyn featured in The Family Dynamic! 10) Scarsdale—with Lori and lovely, together @jillserling 11) With @mickiebarb, of course I’m all smiles, that guy is a delight 12) With the brilliant @emilynussbaum (moderator extraordinaire) at @greenlightbklyn, pre-gaming for cake 13) With @adrianadiaz and the possibly air-quoting @vladduthierscbs on @cbsmornings 14) Finally making Instagram Live work with the extremely patient (not to mention wildly wise) @lisa.damour 15) Another delightful conversation with another brilliant friend, Jenny Rosenstrach, about dinner and family and our bedrock rituals on @dinneralovestory 16) MY FAMILY DYNAMIC! With my wonderful parents Flora & Jerry… 17) Hugging my big brother @andrewdominus at my book party after he almost made me cry with his speech… 18) Big sis @ellendominusbroude regaling the book party crew (not pictured: our hug! LOVED IT, peeps, she is no hugger so a rare treat) 19) Bringing it in with Alan—my forever hot book party date. Wow am I lucky. 20) A pretty great excuse to see a lot of people I love. THANK YOU SO MUCH! ❤️ Sue p.s. Leo & Josh, we miss & love you!
