Columbus Author Lesley Jenike Releases New Essay Collection 'City of Toys'

Jenike's essays blend personal experiences, pop culture references, and deep historical research to explore the human condition.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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In her new essay collection 'City of Toys,' out today, Columbus-based author Lesley Jenike opens up in a way she doesn't in her everyday life, weaving together deep historical research, pop culture references, and vivid scenes from her own experiences to explore the human experience. Jenike, who grew up as an actor, says writing allows her to shed the 'veneer' and 'performative' aspects of her personality that she maintains in daily life.

Why it matters

Jenike's essays provide a unique perspective on the human condition, blending the personal and the universal in a way that feels both vulnerable and deeply resonant. Her willingness to interrogate the insecurities, frustrations, and wonders of everyday life offers readers an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences.

The details

In her essay 'The Teaching Emotion,' Jenike connects a range of disparate elements - from the 1959 Edward Albee play 'The Zoo Story' to the death of the gorilla Harambe - to explore how people often judge mothers harshly without understanding the realities of parenting. Jenike said she is drawn to exploring the 'weird' things that happen to her or that she overhears, using them as a starting point to delve deeper into the human experience.

  • Lesley Jenike's new essay collection 'City of Toys' was released on Monday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Lesley Jenike

A Columbus-based author whose new essay collection 'City of Toys' explores the human condition through a blend of personal experiences, pop culture references, and historical research.

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What they’re saying

“If something weird happens to me, or I overhear a weird thing, or somebody says something weird to me and it disturbs me, that, to me, is a good opportunity for an essay, because I want to get to the bottom of why it makes me feel this way.”

— Lesley Jenike, Author (matternews.org)

“You spend your life as the student, and then you realize, wait a minute, I'm the professor now. And it took me a really long time to figure that out, because I'm the youngest kid, the baby of the family, and I tried to be nice and accommodating all the time. But I think once I had my own kids … it was like, it's me now. I can do whatever I want.”

— Lesley Jenike, Author (matternews.org)

What’s next

Jenike is currently working on an essay exploring the experiences of the Donner Party, a challenging topic given her lack of personal connection to pioneer life.

The takeaway

Lesley Jenike's essays in 'City of Toys' offer a unique perspective on the human experience, blending the personal and the universal in a way that feels both vulnerable and deeply resonant. Her willingness to interrogate the insecurities, frustrations, and wonders of everyday life provides readers an opportunity for reflection on their own lives.