I have had so many friends text and email me for book recommendations in the past few weeks that I thought I’d share a list of frequent suggestions here. (I think a combination of new year’s resolutions and beach getaways may partially explain the influx of queries — ha!) I recognize that my book club picks are not for everyone and every occasion; I tend to skew towards heavier fare in pursuit of meaty discussion. So here are a range of recommendations for all kinds of palates and situations. Caveat emptor: I have not read all (or even most!) of these books; they have either been heavily recommended to me by people I trust, or are earning a lot of press and praise for one reason or another. And who doesn’t love a buzzed-about book? (P.S. — Loved your thoughts and insights on speed-reading. Do you do it?)
Thrillers: If you like Girl on a Train type books…
+The Other Woman by Sandie Jones.
+Watching You by Lisa Jewell.
+The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantin. This was all abuzz about a year ago and I still recommend it to folks looking for a thriller with a weird and wild twist. SO FUN. And also really gross. AND FUN.
+Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier. An oldie but a goodie.
Frothy Beach Reads: If you liked The Royal We…(and who didn’t?)
+The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory.
+One Day in December by Josie Silver. (N.B.: I did read Silver’s book and found it sorely lacking in character design, plot depth, and especially quality dialogue. BUT. It did tick some boxes when it came to wanting an easy-to-read rom-com in book form. I could almost see Hugh Grant in some of the more cinematic moments of the book. If I’m being honest, it was fun to crawl into bed at 9 p.m. and read this vapid book.)
Cooking Memoirs: If you like Ruth Reichl and Molly Wizenberg…
+Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin.
+Blood, Bones, and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton.
Page-Turning Non-Fiction/Autobiography: If you live for documentaries…
+Bad Blood by John Carreyrou. Completely absorbing and shocking. Reads easily. One of a few books I could NOT put down last year.
+Educated by Tara Westover.
+Becoming by Michelle Obama. Everyone I know is reading/raving about this book.
More Substantive Fiction: If You Liked Little Fires Everywhere…
+Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve been asked whether I’ve read this yet.
+Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie.
+Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
+Exit West by Mohsin Hamid.
Canonical.
+Circe by Madeline Miller. One of my all-time favorite books.
Post-Scripts.
+My favorite beach reads…ever. To be accompanied by musings on highbrow versus lowbrow culture.
+10 books that will change your life.
+These are back in stock. Jump while you can, if you’re on the train.
+Thinking of ordering these for Valentine’s Day.
+Intrigued by these razors/blades after hearing about them on a Goop podcast. I like that they’re attempting to reduce the “pink tax,” i.e., the higher price on products when marketed toward women. How are Gillette women’s razor blades so, so expensive?
+This gown is the stuff of dreams.
+I really like the look of a boxy, logo-less hoodie these days, layered under a trench or wool coat, paired with chic pants, like these.
+Intermix is offering an extra 50% off select sale items and OMG — this Saloni blouse, these culotte jeans ($50?!?!), this pretty and nearly universally flattering polka dotted dress, and these polka-dotted slides ($60!!!)
+Love Tuckernuck’s inexpensive scarves. I own one in pink already and love tying it to handbags, using as a belt, or wrapping around my head as a a headband.
+Love this recipe book. Would be a thoughtful gift for a recent college grad or a burgeoning cook, filled with a couple of your favorite recipes.
+This wundertool just dropped to $43 and I am *thisclose* to ordering to see what all the fuss is about.
+My dream jeans right now. Love how they are styled on the site, with white slingbacks and a voluminous top. #postbabygoalz
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