I used to be a bookseller at Parnassus Books, which means I got used to making elevator pitches for books. When someone comes in and asks for a book rec, you have maybe 60 seconds before they break eye contact and start scanning the shelves. So you learn how to lead with excitement in hopes of getting them to stand there long enough for you to tell them why this book will change their lives.
If you’ve ever wondered why I don’t write actual book reviews or give plot summaries, it’s because in my mind I’m standing in front of you excitedly explaining why I like this book and why you should read it. Then I hand you the book and walk away, letting you flip it over to read what it’s about.
Here are five books I’d like to put in your hands this month.
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
Jasmine Guillory recommended this in her Instagram stories, so I downloaded it and listened to it on a roadtrip last week. Content warning for suicide (not graphic, just main plot point for the two protagonists and gets referenced throughout the book). This book felt very By the Book to me in that it’s a little bit NYC and a little bit LA, and it’s industry focused. Really heartfelt love story with behind the scenes writing room and television show storylines. I really liked it. Great on audio.
The Book of (More) Delights: Essays by Ross Gay
I love these essays on delight so much. I really took my time with this, only reading a few essays a day, stretching it out as long as I could. I think that’s the point - to slow down and give your full attention to something you enjoy. When I’m reading Ross Gay, I do pay more attention. I notice the birds, I look up more bird calls, I take more pictures when I’m on walks. This book in particular made me think about community and neighborhoods and how much I don’t know about my neighbors or what they do or don’t grow in their yards. It made me think about how much the pandemic changed who I know and who I’m known by. Time to get back out there and commune, I fear.
James by Percival Everett
What if I didn’t love this book? Can you imagine? Of course I loved it! It’s Percival Everett! I’m horrible at reviews, but my friend Kashif isn’t. Here’s what he had to say. This may be a wild take, but I’m calling this a summer read. It’s adventurous (it’s on a river!), it moves quickly (short chapters) and it’s engrossing. Take it outside to your backyard hammock, or throw it in your bag to read on your next trip.
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
This was my first Lucy Foley book! I loved it! I forget how much I love reading thrillers. I couldn’t put it down. One thing to note, the audiobook narrators are Scottish. I could understand them just fine, but I’ve heard that the accents are hard for some folks. MMV. Now, please help me solve my own mystery. Someone posted about how they love listening to thrillers on audio and had recently listened to all the Lucy Foley books. I have searched both Gmail and Substack to find who said this. Zero search results, which means I probably saw it on Instagram stories. If you’re reading this and you’re who recommended all the Lucy Foley audiobooks: 1) thank you, and 2) please make yourself known in the comments.
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
Possibly everyone else in the world has already read Binti. It won the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award for Best Novella. I read Noor by Nnedi Okorafor in 2021 for Roxane Gay’s Audacious Book Club and keep meaning to read more from the author, so I picked this one up. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I probably need to read the next two books in the trilogy before making a final judgement. If you’ve read the whole trilogy, sound off in the comments.
ICYMI, here’s what I read last month.
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