Some books I have LOVED reading that are on sale TODAY, 4/19.
Eligible - Curtis Sittenfeld:This update to Pride and Prejudice nails every beat by smashing up the story and putting it back together. Set in Cincinnati, the book includes a Bachelor-style TV show, Crossfit, family barbecues, and more, all with the wit and love of the original.
The Darkest Corners - Kara Thomas: A YA novel with a true-crime feeling about a teenage girl missing in a small town where a serial killer roamed ten years ago - and may be back now. The problem with this is that someone was jailed for this last time it happened, and Tessa Lowell’s childhood account was part of the crucial testimony to put him behind bars. More than a “lost girl” thriller, this is about the aftermath of a serial killer on a small town, the story of what life looks like ten years later, and the dark suspicion that maybe not everything was wrapped up as neatly as hoped for a decade ago.
Scarlett Epstein Hates it Here - Anna Breslaw: Independent and caustic Scarlett is a staple in the fandom of her favorite TV show, and when it gets canceled, the Internet - and Scarlett - goes into a tailspin of what-to-do-next. This nails contemporary fandom without being condescending or unrealistic. If you liked Fangirl, you’ll love this.
New in paperback:
Spinster - Kate Bolick: Bolick’s memoir-cum-deep dive into historical spinsterdom covers her own life as an unmarried woman and weaves into the narrative the lives of women writers considered “spinsters”. A real examination of the word and its history, as well as why we focus on marriage instead of what women can accomplish alone.
Re Jane - Patricia Park:Inspired by Jane Eyre, this contemporary Korean-American novel set in NYC tells the story of Jane, whose story is loosely based on the classic. Breaking the mold works here, too, as Park examines the story through a contemporary lens.
Many moons ago, I heard that one of my favorite novelists – Curtis Sittenfeld – would be writing a modern Pride and Prejudice adaptation. And I was like
And I waited patiently to get my hands on it.
And finally, I got a beautiful copy of Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld.
And one Saturday morning, I got some coffee, some Muncher’s donuts, and sat in to read it in one sitting, which is in my opinion, the best way to read a book.
And I was like
laughing like Taylor Swift. It was that cute, adorable, and hilarious.
And it immediately had me wanting to read some more Austen-level comedy-drama about family and romantic relationships. Once I’m on a wave, I just like to ride it out.
So here are some books to satisfy your Pride and Prejudice cravings:
This novel has the intimate look close relationships between women that so many love about Pride and Prejudice couple with an adorable romance that is not without its share of bumps.
If you love the Bronte sisters like you love Austen, this modern story of a woman on a Bronte themed scavenger hunt to find her inheritance (with the help of a condescending but charming professor) will surely please.
Austen’s novels also subtly critique social customs around wealth and privilege. A bit darker than the previous suggestions, this literary drama focuses on a young woman adopted into a world of privilege, and a nanny who was trafficked as a child. An intimate look at a complicated family and a critique of capitalism.
What modern novels would you recommend to fans of Pride and Prejudice?
