The Curator: books I recommend to friends instead of panicking
book recs as proof I actually read, the grand finale of a masterful writing career, staring directly at the sun, and my newfound love for John Cena
“What books do you recommend?” - a friend
Lord have mercy Jesus take the wheel I have immediately forgotten every single book I have ever read over the past 37 years except for The Phantom Tollbooth which is absolutely not appropriate to recommend to a full-grown adult or is it because what if they still have a childlike sense of wonder about the world no that will never do what about Infinite Jest (Infinite Jest??) ok obviously not I haven’t even finished that book ummmm LET ME CHECK GOODREADS ::proceeds to scroll looking for something to say so this person knows I AM a reader and not a chicken in a human suit::.
I am not a good personalized book recommender. If you ask me for one, I will panic, clearly.
This is for a couple of reasons. One, after an English degree and a few years of being a “serious” reader, I’ve cultivated my taste from a trash heap to a curated (ahem) shelf. At the beginning of my Bookstagram career circa 2020, I read anything popular or pushed by loud book clubs. I quickly learned that most of those titles were not for me (
at the taught me I dislike upmarket fiction). I look back on that reading year and it feels like a stranger completed my reading challenge. So I stay away from the Lessons in Chemistry types which means I can’t recommend any of the Lessons in Chemistry types to those who do love upmarket fiction. I’m not huge into historical fiction or popcorn thrillers either (I want a little more meat). I love graphic crime, salacious memoirs, challenging lit fic, classics, speculative epics, experimental formats, and sad girl literature. Not exactly the recommending types (unless I’m recommending to Bookstagram then I am pretty basic honestly).The second reason is I am desperate to recommend the exact right book for the requestor so that they will like the book and by extension like me. I want them to enjoy the reading experience and think fondly of me (remember that time Natalie recommended just the right book what a G). Flip side, recommending the wrong thing leads to dire consequences. What if they hate it (hate me)? What if it’s too weird (if I’m too weird)? What if they see inside my favorite books and see inside me (and have thoughts)??
Back to my real-life friend needing guidance. Once I calmed down via a scroll through Goodreads, I remembered I had a bag of good recommendations, a bag of tried and trues to pull from that have never let me down before. My friend would have no idea I peddled these same recommendations up and down the California coast!!
The following is not necessarily a list of my favorite books (some are), but ones that represent the genre well, are universally liked (as much as a piece of art can be), and provide strong sentence-level writing within the genre. These are like the Tom Hanks of books - everyone likes them, and they don’t usually cause drama. They reflect what I seek in a novel while still being approachable. And they are enjoyable as hell. Maybe these will come in handy for you, too.
Or do you already have your own recs ready to go? Let me know in the comments so I can add them to my arsenal.
Literary Fiction - A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan is an interesting and well-liked literary fiction choice because of its plot and themes. It’s about Bennie, an aging rock star and music mogul, and the giant cast of characters he encounters. It’s Almost Famous in book form in that we get some rock n roll drama, as well as depth, character development, and a play on form. A compelling and approachable Pulitzer prize winner to recommend to even the toughest customers.
Backup: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel for something a bit more current.
Historical Fiction - Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. I’ve talked about this book a lot. I don’t think it’s the best historical fiction ever written, but it has grown on me the more I’ve marinated with it. I love that it links together parallel storylines throughout time with gorgeous prose and a love for humanity. Three time periods are linked through the power of storytelling as kids across centuries use books to make sense of the world. I recommend this to anyone who appreciates good writing, sweeping historical stories, and thinking outside the box.
Backup: Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (is my rock n roll showing?)
Hardcore Thriller - The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter. Will Trent is KS’ greatest creation, and by the tenth book in the series, she has solidified her dominance in the genre. Maybe it’s odd I would recommend starting with the 10th book in a series, but I started there and it hasn’t prevented me from enjoying any of the preceding stories. It’s an example of some of her best writing, which I can’t say about the earlier books, so why not just start here? Will Trent and the entire cast of characters work to solve a serial killer case that has far-reaching consequences. I recommend this to anyone asking directly about KS or looking to read with their mouth open in shock for 24 hours straight without sleeping because they must know what happens.
Backup: Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter, if they are purists and refuse to start in the middle of a series.
Popcorn Thriller - The Night Swim by Megan Goldin. Need a page-turner that you can still read before bed? This is it (this is also the one I gave to my friend needing a light thriller). The protagonist is a podcaster who gets sucked into solving a real crime. She is likable, interesting, and brave. It’s easy to flip pages, but not so trope-y or unbelievable that your eyes roll into your head. The story is not graphic or traumatizing like someone we know (ahem Ms. Slaughter). Just don’t pick up the sequel, it was a hot mess.
Backup: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, but only for those who haven’t seen the show.
Mystery - The Likeness by Tana French. French is well known by now, and perhaps best known for her debut In The Woods, but I am here to tell you do not sleep on The Likeness. When a victim turns up who looks exactly like Detective Maddox, she goes under cover as the victim, living her life among college roommates. It combines a campus novel with a detective mystery and a police procedural which is the best combination I can think of for this genre. French asks us to think about identity and purpose all while delivering a suspenseful-as-hell plot. I have recommended this to many people and those who have reported back loved it.
Backup: The Enigma of Room 622 by Joel Dicker, I just finished this and will recommend it forever after.
Gentle Romantasy - Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. If anyone is looking to dip their toes into fantasy with a splash of romance, this is the one I recommend. It’s a tried and true classic! The Owens sisters are the last in a long line of witches fighting an ancient curse. They fall in love with the wrong guys, get into trouble, and bake cakes infused with potions. It’s a story of love, family, and community. The stakes are low and the payoff is high. The entire series is lovely and easy to read, so it’s a great choice for those who like to suspend disbelief in the name of love.
Backup: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen if they’ve seen the Practical Magic movie and need something else to try.
ASTROLOGICAL NEWS →
On Monday, April 8th (US) the world will experience a solar eclipse, so get your paper glasses ready to stare directly at the sun for 4.5 minutes. It’s supposed to be a life-changing spiritual experience!
READING →
Finished The Engima of Room 622 by Joel Dicker over the weekend. I could not put it down! Even though the ending drags a bit, if you love traditional mysteries this one ticks all the boxes.
James by Percival Everett. I hesitated (“This doesn't feel like a treadmill book”) but read one chapter. And then another. And then I was hooked (chapter three really opens things up). I get it now.
I started The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden on audio but I might have to put that on pause for the sociopathic memoir because you know I can’t resist a scandalous life story
WATCHING →
I am a Zac Efron stan (even with the jaw issues) and so his new comedy was an easy pick. What I didn’t expect? To love John Cena so much.
NEW BOOKS →
include the third installment of a mob trilogy and career finale from a master of crime fiction, a historical fiction short story collection including a novella about the Golden Age of Hollywood, a memoir of nature in the face of climate extinction, a dystopian love story, a sociopathic memoir.
BOOK NEWS →
Don Winslow is going on book tour presumably for his new book but actually to celebrate the great finale of his writing career. I find it interesting when people announce the last of anything (what if you change your mind!) but his reasons are applause-worthy - he plans to spend all his free time defeating Donald Trump, among other politically focused goals. Winslow is coming to a city near me next week and I CAN’T WAIT to get another photo and good story for you.
The Millions released their highly anticipated spring preview and I am shocked not to see The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley on there.
RESTACK OF THE WEEK →
gave me a serious dopamine hit with a Y2K edition this week. AND CATS →
They love chasing around soft, squishy, or crunchy toys, pretending they are mice. How sweet.
In Case You Missed It 🖤
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See you around the bookshelf!
Natalie
The second reason is I am desperate to recommend the exact right book for the requestor so that they will like the book and by extension like me.
-me. this is me. the whole paragraph is me. as an overthinker and occasional people pleaser, I can relate.
HAHAH I relate to this so hard. When I can think and write and process, I'll have book recommendations until I die. But when someone asks me on the spot I'm like, books? Never heard of them.