With some new subscribers thanks to the Electric Literature shout out, I thought I’d start a thread of book recommendations/current reads.
Feel free to share what you’re reading now, what you’ve loved lately, or what you’re in the mood for, and let’s start a conversation!
And if this goes well, I might make it a regular feature 📚
(FYI, paid subscribers, be on the lookout for a Deep Dive double dose tomorrow, featuring what might be my favorite read of the year, a graphic novel, a popular backlist title, and a heartwarming story with a twist.)
I'll start! One of my favorite recent reads was Nora Goes Off Script, about a single mom in her 40s who falls in love with the actor portraying her ex husband. (Think The Idea of You but way better.) Anyone have similar recs, something with a non-celebrity/celebrity trope?
After a string of family dramas, I needed a change of pace to something transporting with strong external conflict so I finally picked up KINDRED by Octavia Butler -- v. hooked so far!
I’ve been really into bite-sized books (under 200 pages). Julie Otsuka’s books are heavy, but beautifully written. I also loved Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine, set in Colorado with Mexican women throughout generations.
This is so fun! Recently I’ve loved The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kaddish. It’s really phenomenal historical fiction. I also devoured all the books in The Penderwicks series and am on the hunt for something just as summery and delightful.
I did listen to some of it on audio and I think it was okay but not particularly great in that format. It’s also really long which can be an audio pro or con 🤷🏼♀️
Two of my favorite middle grade recent releases with summery/delightful feels are SWIM TEAM by Johnnie Christmas (a graphic novel that centers inequitable access to aquatics in the Black community) and IN THE KEY OF US of Mariama Lockington (Music! Camp vibes! Gentle queer romance!).
Oh I LOVE this idea! I’m currently reading The Appeal by Janice Hallett and I can’t put it down. I don’t read thrillers too often, but because this one has had such good buzz around it AND it’s an epistolary style, I gave it a try and I’m so glad I did! It’s such a fun read. In the same vein I also recently loved Cover Story (also epistolary)—these kinds of books are great for getting out of a slump. Two other recent faves (that could be in my top 10 of the year possibly!) are Take My Hand and This Time Tomorrow.
I really enjoyed The Appeal. I love episotaly novels. Cover Story is on my list! Have you read 84 Charing Cross Road or Love & Saffron? Those are excellent as well and very quick reads.
84 Charing Cross Road is one of my all-time favourites! I haven’t read Love & Saffron yet but I do own it already (because of Kat’s rec a few months back 😂). Thanks!
I really want to read The Appeal but I’ve heard you have to do it in paper and that format is difficult for me right now! Anyone have other mystery suggestions that are good on audio?
I've been thinking about putting The Appeal on my list! So glad to hear it's unputdownable – that's what I need more and more of these days. Cover Story and Take My Hand are on my shelf, and at the top of my TBR. This Time Tomorrow is definitely a favorite of the year too.
I just finished Remarkably Bright Creatures. It will definitely be in my top books of the year! Also recently read and loved Thursday Murder Club, recommended by Katharine since I love Louise Penny.
I'm so glad you loved Remarkably Bright Creatures! And I hope you enjoy Thursday Murder Club – I think the third in the series is being released this fall.
Eh. I didn't love the time travel aspect of it. The story was good and I loved the friendship between Sam and Alice, but otherwise, not my favorite from E.S.
Currently reading The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet and really liking it! But life is busy and it’s a SLOW start for me. But it’s me, not the book. I’m also about to start book 4 of the ACOTAR series, and it’s just like “book candy” as the librarian said.
I've been curious about Becky Chambers for a while, so let me know what you think! And I might continue the ACOTAR series via audio at some point, we'll see.
Thanks to your May newsletter, I have a ton on my TBR! lol I just started So Happy For You and am really intrigued by it so far. I didn't read Under the Rainbow even though it's been on my TBR for awhile so I'm excited to see where this one goes since I'm not familiar with her style.
Prior to that, I read Last Summer on State Street and loved it even though it was a little heartbreaking. It makes me think of what some people living in Baltimore City (basically down the block from me) must go through. I also absolutely adored Lessons in Chemistry. And then, I DNF my first book in like three years as well, The Candy House. It did not capture me at all.
I'll start! One of my favorite recent reads was Nora Goes Off Script, about a single mom in her 40s who falls in love with the actor portraying her ex husband. (Think The Idea of You but way better.) Anyone have similar recs, something with a non-celebrity/celebrity trope?
After a string of family dramas, I needed a change of pace to something transporting with strong external conflict so I finally picked up KINDRED by Octavia Butler -- v. hooked so far!
This has been on my shelf for SO long, glad to hear it's hooked you!
I’ve been really into bite-sized books (under 200 pages). Julie Otsuka’s books are heavy, but beautifully written. I also loved Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine, set in Colorado with Mexican women throughout generations.
I adored SABRINA & CORINA so gotta get to WOMAN OF LIGHT!
And I just bought Sabrina and Corina!!
Seconding Chrissie's love of Sabrina & Corina!
I'll definitely be reading Woman of Light soon – so glad to hear you loved it!
This is so fun! Recently I’ve loved The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kaddish. It’s really phenomenal historical fiction. I also devoured all the books in The Penderwicks series and am on the hunt for something just as summery and delightful.
Maybe The Vanderbeeks series?
You're making me curious about The Weight of Ink – do you think it would be good on audio?
If you love the Vanderbeekers, don't miss DUET FOR HOME, the new stand-alone middle grade from Karina Yan Glaser (Vanderbeekers author).
Oh great suggestion!!
I did listen to some of it on audio and I think it was okay but not particularly great in that format. It’s also really long which can be an audio pro or con 🤷🏼♀️
Okay, that's super helpful to know, thank you!
If you liked the weight of ink and haven’t read people of the book by Geraldine brooks I highly recommend
Two of my favorite middle grade recent releases with summery/delightful feels are SWIM TEAM by Johnnie Christmas (a graphic novel that centers inequitable access to aquatics in the Black community) and IN THE KEY OF US of Mariama Lockington (Music! Camp vibes! Gentle queer romance!).
Wow Chrissie, these both sound great, thank you!
Oh I LOVE this idea! I’m currently reading The Appeal by Janice Hallett and I can’t put it down. I don’t read thrillers too often, but because this one has had such good buzz around it AND it’s an epistolary style, I gave it a try and I’m so glad I did! It’s such a fun read. In the same vein I also recently loved Cover Story (also epistolary)—these kinds of books are great for getting out of a slump. Two other recent faves (that could be in my top 10 of the year possibly!) are Take My Hand and This Time Tomorrow.
I really enjoyed The Appeal. I love episotaly novels. Cover Story is on my list! Have you read 84 Charing Cross Road or Love & Saffron? Those are excellent as well and very quick reads.
84 Charing Cross Road is one of my all-time favourites! I haven’t read Love & Saffron yet but I do own it already (because of Kat’s rec a few months back 😂). Thanks!
I really want to read The Appeal but I’ve heard you have to do it in paper and that format is difficult for me right now! Anyone have other mystery suggestions that are good on audio?
Any of the Attica Locke books.
I've been thinking about putting The Appeal on my list! So glad to hear it's unputdownable – that's what I need more and more of these days. Cover Story and Take My Hand are on my shelf, and at the top of my TBR. This Time Tomorrow is definitely a favorite of the year too.
My favorites in June: Leave the World Behind (Rumman Alam), The Magnolia House (Fiona Davis), When the Apricots Bloom (Ginda Wilkerson)
I loved Leave the World Behind too! I haven't read any Fiona Davis but maybe I should add Magnolia House to my list.
Recently read What my bones know by Stephanie Foo, I finished it in 2 days, highly recommend
A contender for my favorite book of the year! Truly incredible.
I just finished Remarkably Bright Creatures. It will definitely be in my top books of the year! Also recently read and loved Thursday Murder Club, recommended by Katharine since I love Louise Penny.
I'm so glad you loved Remarkably Bright Creatures! And I hope you enjoy Thursday Murder Club – I think the third in the series is being released this fall.
Just finished:
- The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley (meh)
- This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straus (breaks my heart but ... meh)
Currently reading:
- Black Boy Smile by D. Watkins
You didn't like This Time Tomorrow?!
I have Black Boy Smile on my library holds!
Eh. I didn't love the time travel aspect of it. The story was good and I loved the friendship between Sam and Alice, but otherwise, not my favorite from E.S.
How high we go in the dark-sequoia nagamastu.
It’s definitely for fans of both cloud atlas and station eleven (station eleven is one of my favorite books ever)
A memory called empire-Arkady Martine. Definitely has the space opera type feel.
I have How High We Go in the Dark on audio, but I've heard it's heavy so I'm a little nervous.
Definitely heavy. I will say that.
Okay, I'll keep that in mind and wait until I'm ready for something heavy. Thank you!
Currently reading The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet and really liking it! But life is busy and it’s a SLOW start for me. But it’s me, not the book. I’m also about to start book 4 of the ACOTAR series, and it’s just like “book candy” as the librarian said.
I've been curious about Becky Chambers for a while, so let me know what you think! And I might continue the ACOTAR series via audio at some point, we'll see.
I recommend a psalm for the wild built by her.
A novella and one of the sweetest, most hopeful things I’ve read. The second book is coming out in July.
Maybe I should start there! Did you do print or audio?
I did print.
Thanks to your May newsletter, I have a ton on my TBR! lol I just started So Happy For You and am really intrigued by it so far. I didn't read Under the Rainbow even though it's been on my TBR for awhile so I'm excited to see where this one goes since I'm not familiar with her style.
Prior to that, I read Last Summer on State Street and loved it even though it was a little heartbreaking. It makes me think of what some people living in Baltimore City (basically down the block from me) must go through. I also absolutely adored Lessons in Chemistry. And then, I DNF my first book in like three years as well, The Candy House. It did not capture me at all.
I just started UNDER THE RAINBOW on audio and so far it is excellent in that format if you want to go back and give it a try!