Nothing Much Happens

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.

September 1, 2020
Based on Nicolai's podcast, also called Nothing Much Happens, this collection of very short stories is designed to help readers fall and stay asleep. The stories follow the seasons, starting with winter, and rely heavily on the senses; there are a lot of lovely smells, soft and comfy things, and delicious foods, all described in detail and often accompanied by illustrations in muted tones. Peppered throughout are recipes, meditations, and other relaxation techniques. The stories stay true to the title, with action that includes things like making a cup of tea, going for a walk, visiting a favorite shop or library, and gardening. Nicolai hopes readers can see themselves in the stories, and while she does leave out descriptive characteristics (like gender) of the unnamed first-person narrator as well as any other folks mentioned, the stories rely on certain urbane activities and a similar tone. While you wouldn't want to read this straight through, the stories do succeed in their goal of helping readers sleep better, and couldn't we all use more of that?(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)