The antiquated UI of Goodreads is not charming to me, nor very helpful in finding new books. Instead of spending ten minutes looking for my “want to read” folder, please enjoy my Substack listicle of past, present, and future titles.
Currently reading: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
The Best of the Best… my top 5 books in no particular order:
The Giver by Lois Lowry.
This book triggered a mission to reread all of the classics I was forced to read (or SparkNote, depending on how many crushes I had to impress in that year’s English class). The Giver tells the story of a dystopian society (which reminded me of a recent study that claims our world is losing its vibrance), and its “chosen” boy who is responsible for the village’s memory. Lois Lowry’s novel left me with a profound reminder to enjoy what we so often take for granted: color, music, autonomy, twins!
I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel.
I’ve talked at length about this gem of a [poetry-ish] book on my podcast, so I’ll spare you here, but whether you’ve read I’m A Fan or still need to be convinced to do so, I’d give this episode of Deep Read a listen where host Phoebe Lovett interviews author Sheena Patel. It was such a treat to find this conversation and hear more about Patel’s process and insights.
The Secret History by Donna Tart
Reading this book < making a Pinterest board based on it afterward. The Secret History was a striking reminder of the aesthetic world that exceptionally gifted authors can create. Even when a chapter was mundane, my dreams would be dark academia-tinged if I read too close to bedtime.
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray.
I wanted so badly for the attractive Three Lives & Co. staff members to comment on the grandeur of my newly acquired 600-page book, but a kind smile and my free bookmark had to do. From the moment I plopped down in a West Village park to crack the spine to when I finished the novel in Bristol, I was enthralled. Each chapter has a different narrator, switching between members of a particularly bleak Irish family during the 2008 financial crisis. I’m not sure how Murray gets into the minds of a dissociated dad, ADHD mom, pre-pubescent son, and hormone-fueled daughter so candidly, but it is a balancing act worth the read. This book was recommended to me by Sara, and recommended to her by Kate!
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Talk about a book you wish you could read for the first time. If you’ve somehow managed to avoid reading or watching the movie, I’ll spare any spoilers, but I was reminded of the Cool Girl monologue when watching this infamous Subway Takes interview…
My “4-Star” books:
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult
Mean Baby by Selma Blair
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghul
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Books I wish I had stopped reading after Chapter 1:
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Delicious! by Ruth Reichel
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
M Train by Patti Smith
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
The Cuckoos Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling)
The Guest by Emma Cline
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
What’s on my want-to-read list:
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein
Down the Drain by Julia Fox
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Four Stars by Joel Golby
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
I Love Dick by Chris Kraus
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan
Mating by Norman Rush
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Isiguro
Newhouse: All the Glitter, Power, & Glory of America’s Richest Media Empire & the Secretive Man Behind it
Sheep’s Clothing by Celia Dale
Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel
The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway
The Margot Affair by Sanae Lemoine
(reread) The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
See, Goodreads? I even alphabetized it.
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You need to read Big Swiss!
I'm so happy someone else didn't like My Year of Rest and Relaxation. I hate read this one, wanting it to get better.