3 excellent books to help you log-off

Turn off the news for a minute and read one of these

I’m in that beautiful stage of book writing where I’ve submitted a mostly-full rough draft to my editor and am waiting for future guidance — which makes this the first Friday in a while when I don’t have writing I should be doing, my toddler is at daycare, and I’m not sick (sigh), so lucky you, you get another very-inconsistent edition of book recs.

Just three this time around — I’ve read a lot of romance, some interesting non-fiction, and a ton of good books since the last email, but these were the top top top tier that I’d recommend to basically anyone looking for excellent, interesting, fully absorbing books that will distract you from the news for a hot minute. My full book spreadsheet with more abbreviated recs is here, if you’re looking for something else entirely.

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Real Americans by Rachel Khong - Right on the edge of Y2K in NYC, broke children of immigrants Lily Chen meets handsome wealthy Matthew, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, falls in love, gets married, and have a kid. Fast forward to 2021, when Nick Chen and his mom live on an isolated island in Washington state and he knows nothing about his biological father. A spiraling story about race, class, family, genetics, immigration — just so good, totally & correctly hyped.

I Hope This Finds You Well - Natalie Sue - Jolene goes to work, comes home, and copes as she keeps a secret from her teenage years that has wrecked her and wildly confused her immigrant parents. Thru a series of mixed up events that land her in HR’s sensitivity training, she ends up getting access to read her entire departments’ emails and DMs and learns people have more to them than meets the eyes. Also she maybe falls for the HR director. Funny, surprisingly romantic, and thoughtful about grief and loneliness.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles - Rufi Thorpe - After an affair with a professor, 20-year old Margo ends up pregnant and keeps the baby. As a new single mom, Margo needs money quick so decides to start an OnlyFans account, taking advice from her estranged dad, a former professional wrestling manager/recovering addict who understands the art of creating a persona. Things escalate from there. So so funny, thoughtful about motherhood One of my favorite books of the year so far, tbh.

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We’re heading out of the country for a much-needed no-kid vacation next week as I waddle into the third trimester — I’ll have 3 full days (and at least one half day) of nothing to do but alternating between reading by the pool, reading by the beach, and drinking smoothies. Stay tuned because my Kindle backlog is so so so long and I cannot wait to get through it.

Let me know in the comments or via email what kind of book you’re looking for if you’ve got something specific in mind. Here to help!