As the song from a popular Broadway musical goes, "No one mourns the wicked." But the latest Reese's Book Club pick promises to turn that trope on its head. The Book-Lover-in-Chief has announced her March 2026 pick, and it's a retelling of Cinderella like you've never considered. Meet Lady Tremaine by debut author Rachel Hochhauser.

"I loved the idea that it's a retelling of the Cinderella story," Witherspoon said in her announcement. "What we thought we knew, we don't know at all. Cinderella is not the hero."

Watching the reel further reveals some shocking takes on Cinderella's character, and paints Lady Tremaine in a whole new light.

In Hochhauser's retelling, the woman every little girl is taught to villainize becomes stunningly human. She's a widow with three daughters, facing imminent poverty and only her late husband's title as a possible saving grace. There's a stepdaughter who has always rebuffed her, a royal engagement, sordid family secrets and, at the end of the day, a mother's love.

Writing on Reese's Book Club's blog, Hochhauser shared that the idea came during a difficult time in her family's life. Her husband was hospitalized and suddenly, the author was juggling innumerable doctors' appointments, parenting a toddler and working full time.

"Like many women my age, I grew up loving Cinderella—aching for my own happily ever after and identifying with the story’s namesake," she writes. "But this time, looking at the stepmother, I didn’t see a villain motivated by harm. I saw myself: a woman motivated by care, doing whatever she could to survive. A mother. I could not stop thinking about the many ways women fight to protect those they love, and how this intersects with—or more often fails to intersect with—the stories we pass down, especially to girls."

Hochhauser was captivated by how easily she'd ingested the fairytale message that being nice and beautiful might save you. The resulting book, she writes, has the familiar hallmarks of this classic story, before it defies expectations.

"It’s a love story—but not the kind you expect—and an attempt to imagine a different version of happily ever after."

If there were two core tenets of my personality, they would be: 1) In bed by 10:30 p.m. and 2) classic literature. However, I do have a weak spot for murder mysteries. Agatha Christie? I'm there. Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben dropping a dizzying thriller? Goodbye, outside weekend plans. So when I got my hands on Holly Jackson's new adult mystery novel, Not Quite Dead Yet, I wasn't surprised that I cracked the book open midday and then turned the last page at 2 a.m.

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Jackson is best known for her YA series, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, which hit Netflix in 2024. Following the publication of The Reappearance of Rachel Price under Random House Children's Books that same year, Not Quite Dead Yet is the author's foray into adult fiction, and the premise instantly intriguing.

Jet Mason is 27 years old. Her biggest accomplishment in life is the habit of never finishing anything. She's the younger daughter of her small town's wealthiest family, and she's recently quit law school to move back in with her parents while contemplating a new business idea that will probably go nowhere.

On Halloween night, her parents host their construction company's annual carnival, disguised as a community fundraiser but in actuality a cold PR stunt to mask the fact that they're literally bulldozing the town to make way for McMansions. Tensions between Jet and her mom are high, the death of Jet's older sister years prior still hanging between them. Her brother is as condescending as ever. Meanwhile, Jet has a run-in with her ex-boyfriend, whose proposal she had rejected months earlier. When she finally makes it home, away from the chaos and the conflict, she is violently bludgeoned. Waking up in the hospital, Jet learns that she's not quite dead...yet. Doctors predict that within a week, the injury will induce a fatal aneurysm. So with seven days left, Jet decides she must finish something—and that something is solving her own murder.

The first thing that struck me is that Jet is not a sympathetic character. She's brash, rude, entitled, a little whiny...and as someone with great executive function, I could barely stand the fact that she was a serial quitter. And yet, Jackson still managed to give her some redeeming qualities while exploring the complicated and manipulative relationship with Jet's mom, the weird and controlling vibes emanating off her brother and sister-in-law and the way Jet's childhood friend, Billy, comes stumbling back into her life. Against this backdrop, Jet is fighting to wrest control of her final days, despite others having an opinion on what she should be doing. And in that, Jackson asks an important question: Can one still redeem a life cut short? Can living well in a week compensate for a squandered lifetime?

If the crazy ticking time bomb doesn't reel you in, then perhaps the family drama and sinister red herrings will. Jackson kept me guessing until the end—and even up to the last chapter, I was still wrong. Completely worth a week of messed-up sleep, if you ask me.

I hate crying. While I have friends who will generously weep at the end of a movie, I’m the one angrily repressing my tears and pretending to sneeze so I can wipe my eyes. But there was no hiding my emotions when I got my hands on the 2025 Goodreads’ Choice Awards winner in the fiction category. After turning the last page of Fredrik Backman’s My Friends, I had tears trailing down my cheeks—and I wasn’t mad about it.

The writer who gave us A Man Called Ove returns with a similar tale of an older curmudgeon (Ted) whose life is turned upside down by a bright young woman (Louisa). Louisa is an artist, ex-foster kid and orphan whose best friend, Fish, just died by suicide. Ted is the loyal friend of the most famous artist in the world, C.Jat. It’s C.Jat’s first painting, “The One of the Sea,” that Louisa kept as a postcard in her backpack as she bounced from home to home. On a fateful day—the day the painting will be auctioned for millions of dollars—their worlds collide. Suddenly, the budding young artist finds herself saddled with a valuable painting. And the curmudgeon in turn finds himself saddled with a persistent girl who needs to know the story of the painting so she can understand herself.

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My Friends is brimming with so many themes I could write a dissertation. Art and friendship. Grief and death. Childhood, growing up. Family. What I loved about A Man Called Ove, and what Backman does again well, is the prose. He is funny without being deprecating, delivering a plethora of aphorisms about life, and, in this case, the power of art, without making it feel cliché or cringe. It seems nearly every page is brimming with some melancholic observation that is funny, only because I know it’s true. Example: “Little children think teenagers are the best humans, and teenagers think teenagers are the best humans, the only people who don’t think that teenagers are the best humans are adults. Which is obviously because adults are the worst kind of humans.”

I found Louisa to be a particularly interesting character. She quickly reminded me of Stevens from Kazuo Ishiguro’s Remains of the Day. Both read as protagonists who are possibly on the spectrum, and Backman and Ishiguro render them with compassion, humor, clarity and agency. Louisa’s internal monologue is resilient, but because she lacks a filter, it is comical—even to herself. 

What most cued all my tears was the way Backman, through each character, spoke of the power of art as a way to save a soul. Through the story of Ted, C.Jat and their childhood friends comes a scathing critique of the world’s attempt to industrialize the act of creation and taint it with money. It’s an ode to those who dare to create, no matter where they come from, no matter how unknown. Backman puts it this way: “Art doesn’t require training, dear child, art just needs friends.”

4 Book-to-Screen Adaptations I’m Excited for in 2026—and 1 I’m Really Worried About

Wuthering Heights is everywhere right now, thanks to Emerald Fennell's highly controversial adaptation starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Google Trends reported that search for the novel is at an all-time high. So what's the deal, especially in the highly contentious book-or-movie debate? As the host of a classics book club, I've read Brontë's one and only novel twice. Below, I make my case for why you should read it—and what we've got wrong about "The Greatest Love Story of All Time."

What Is Wuthering Heights About?

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Brontë's gothic tale of love and tragedy is an intergenerational tale positing two young lovers at its center: Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. The latter is found, presumably an orphan (or even a slave) in Liverpool by Catherine's father, and brought to Wuthering Heights as a child. The pair are raised as adoptive siblings, which evolves into infatuation and love as they grow older.

Wuthering Heights has a lone neighbor in Yorkshire moors, a sumptuous property called Thrushcross Grange. It is the home of the Lintons, who have two children, Edgar and Isabella. Brontë's novel follows these families as they intertwine through marriages, births and deaths, all set in motion because of the love triangle between Catherine, Heathcliff and Edgar. It is ultimately a revenge tale as Heathcliff seeks to destroy the legacies of those he feels wronged him.

Not a Novel for the Faint of Heart

Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.

If you're a fan of period dramas in the vein of Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton, caution. This is no Jane Austen novel of manners. Not at all. Wuthering Heights is incredibly violent, filled with rage. Even Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre has nothing on the passionate sado-masochism that permeates her younger sister's work. There are so many mentions of death, murder, blood and various violent acts that at times the intensity was too much, and I had to stop reading. Two lines in particular that halted me were, "Because misery, and degradation, and death, and nothing that God or satan could inflict would have parted us...would you like to live with your soul in the grave?" and "I would have torn his heart out, and drank his blood!" In short, we're far from tea time at Rosings Park.

Not Just Another Love Story

Wuthering Heights has often been marketed as "the greatest love story of all time." We have the 1939 Laurence Olivier adaptation to thank for the first appellation. Dubbing it so, however, misses the entire mark—erasing the deep and complex dynamics between the characters and the ultimate story arc. Yes, Catherine and Heathcliff are the fateful lovers, but Wuthering Heights is not their story. Wuthering Heights is Heathcliff's story. In centering the narrative around this man, Brontë was an iconoclast. Because, unlike many of the film adaptations, Heathcliff is "dark almost as if it came from the devil," "a dirty, ragged, black-haired child," a "gipsy brat" and "little Lascar, or an American or Spanish castaway." He is racially ambiguous at best, but definitively not Caucausian. Heathcliff himself is also quoted as saying, "I wish I had light hair and a fair skin, and was dressed, and behaved as well, and had a chance of being as rich as he will be!"

For context, the year that Wuthering Heights was published (1847) was just 14 years after England abolished slavery and seven years after British slave owners ceased the practice of retaining former slaves as unpaid "apprentices." The novel's present day is set in 1801-1802; the story of Catherine and Heathcliff said to have taken place 25 years earlier, meaning the bulk of the events would have started around 1776. During this period, Liverpool, the city in which Heathcliff had been found, is still a huge port for the European slave trade.

Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.

Thus, as the protagonist (or, with the amount of violence he commits, rather the anti-hero), Heathcliff has much to overcome. Dehumanizing treatment from his adopted family, the loss of his lover to a man more privileged and respected than he will ever be, constantly despised and doubted...in a quest for vengeance, Wuthering Heights transforms from a simple story of tortured lovers into a sweeping family saga that looks at the darkest corners of the human soul. Brontë addresses thorny topics like social class, race, feminism and religion in a way that literary scholar John Burton called "transgressive," breaking not just narrative norms, but moral ones as well.

It's easy to get swept up in the impossibly romantic lines—"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same," and "Be with me always—take any form—drive me mad! Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you!"—I certainly did. But underneath is a text brimming with a jagged complexity and mastery that, dare I say, even Jane Austen did not attain.

I'm a Classics Nerd and Didn't Hate the New 'Wuthering Heights' Film Nearly as Much as I Anticipated

Another month, another Reese's Book Club pick. The media mogul and actress led January with Laura Dave's The First Time I Saw Him, the latest installment in her The Last Thing He Told Me saga, which Witherspoon produces through her production company, Hello Sunshine. February's pick proves that the book lover in chief is clearly on a twisty thriller kick—and my heart is thumping.

Witherspoon selected In Her Defense. This is author Philippa Malicka's debut—a psychological thriller that puts a celebrity libel trial front and center. TV star Anna Finbow takes her daughter's therapist to court, alleging brainwashing and libel after the therapist, Jean Guest, claims that Mary's memories have been triggered by a traumatic stint in a prestigious Roman art school and childhood. It's all a tangled web of deceit, and the most unlikely witness will step forward. Anna's former employee, Augusta “Gus” Bird, somehow holds the keys to the truth of what really happened.

"You are going to lose your mind over this book," Witherspoon says in her announcement. "You don't know what's real, and you don't know who to trust. You're going to lose your mind over it."

The book is hot off the press, releasing today. All I know is I need to get my hands on it, stat.

3 Reese's Book Club Picks You Shouldn't Sleep On

It’s been nearly a decade since Reese Witherspoon launched her first book club, Reese’s Book Club, and now she’s back with a fresh twist. Through her Hello Sunshine company, Sunnie, Witherspoon has launched Sunnie Reads, a Gen Z–focused book club, and she revealed its first pick earlier this month: Beth Is Dead.

Just judging from the title, it already seemed like my kind of read. The synopsis only sealed the deal. Written by Katie Bernet, Beth Is Dead is a debut thriller and a dark reimagining of Little Women, only this time, Beth March is murdered on New Year’s Day.

When Beth is found dead in the woods, her sisters vow to uncover her killer. And they've got a handful of suspects abound, including the neighbor who has feelings for not one but two of the girls, Meg’s manipulative best friend, Amy’s flirtatious mentor and Beth’s lionhearted first love. But the surviving sisters quickly discover that each March girl had secrets… and motives for committing the unthinkable.

If this sounds like your kind of murder mystery—or the perfect pick for the Gen Z reader in your life—Beth Is Dead is available now on Amazon.

Books aren’t the only thing Witherspoon has in store for this generation. In August 2025, she announced that digital magazines will also be part of the Sunnie experience.

“Sunnie Issues,” a new monthly digital magazine curated by Gen Z, will feature personal essays, expert advice, deep dives on STEM topics, and more. There’s also “Sunnie Playbooks,” described as a “personal pep talk meets a journaling session” in her August 21, 2025 post. These downloadable guides include research-backed tools and activities designed to help navigate stress and spark creativity.

Grab your copy of Beth Is Dead here.

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Reese Witherspoon Was Told Never to Take This Job (Try Not to Eyeroll)

While Ina Garten may have made her name as the Barefoot Contessa, she's proved time and again that she's a lady with great taste all around. She can write a best-selling memoir. She makes a killer playlist. She's mastered the capsule wardrobe and knows a good, comfy shoe when she sees one. It seems that now, the culinary doyenne is wading into new territory—book reviewer.

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In a recent Substack post (YES, even the Barefoot Contessa is on Substack), Garten took the opportunity to sneak in a little book recommendation at the end of six very important recipes she proclaimed all cooks should know. (For the record, they are: Perfect Roast Chicken, Weeknight Bolognese, Mustard Roasted Fish, Rack of Lamb, Potato Basil Frittata and Green Salad Vinaigrette.)

"Ann Patchett sent me [an advanced copy] of her newest novel, Whistler, over the weekend and I couldn’t put it down," she wrote. "It’s such a great story and so beautifully written that I felt as though Ann was sitting next to me telling me the story herself!!"

The book officially launches on June 2, but is currently available for preorder. Its plot centers on Daphne Fuller, who is unexpectedly reunited with her former stepfather, Eddie Triplett, while visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Though they were only in each other's lives briefly, the bond they shared was strong. The novel dives into memory, loss and how love endures through time and space.

With that synopsis, I'm just waiting for Garten to start her book club. Will there be Beatty's chocolate cake?

Ina Garten Has More Than 50 Chicken Recipes—and They All Have 3 Things in Common

By my count, there are over a dozen books being adapted as movies and TV series this year. The genres are sweeping, including thrillers, period dramas, American classics and horror. Some of the most anticipated are The Devil Wears Prada 2, Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him and Verity and Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation. In this sea of tomes, here are five that caught my eye (including one I’m slightly worried about).

1. The Beauty (January 21)

If you were delighted (and, perhaps, like me, mildly repulsed) by The Substance and consider Death Becomes Her a classic, then Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty will be of great interest. Based on the book of the same name by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, the story follows FBI agents Drew Foster and Kara Vaughn investigating a lethal STD (in the series, now a shot) known as “the Beauty.” Though deadly, it creates aesthetically pleasing side effects—so the question is, how far is one willing to go to be beautiful? The darkly comic world seems oddly prescient in this post-Ozempic era.

2. The Seven Dials Mystery (January 15)

I love a good whodunnit, and Agatha Christie is the queen of the genre. She’s also no stranger to the screen, with works widely adapted or having inspired new projects. This year, The Seven Dials Mystery gets a makeover (it was previously adapted in 1981) in a three-part limited series starring Mia McKenna-Bruce and Helena Bonham Carter. The creators take liberties with Christie’s novel as Bundle Brent (Bruce) must solve the murder of her lover, who is found dead in bed surrounded by seven alarm clocks.

3. The Bride! (March 6)

The only thing I was able to talk about in 2025 was Frankenstein. It’s one of my favorite classics, and Guillermo del Toro's Netflix adaptation was stunningly tender. In The Bride! directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and starring Hamnet dynamo Jessie Buckley, Dr. Euphronious resurrects a murdered woman to serve as Frankenstein’s companion. As the movie promises that the Bride (Buckley) will unleash social change across 1930s Chicago, I’m keen to see this story with the female POV.

4. East of Eden (Date TBA)

East of Eden doesn’t have a hard release date, but is scheduled to drop this year. The limited series stars Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist alongside an ensemble cast. Zoe Kazan directs—her grandfather, Elia Kazan, directed the 1951 adaptation starring James Dean. Assuming the series is faithful to John Steinbeck’s novel, the story will follow two Salinas Valley families, the Trasks and Hamiltons, in a retelling of the Biblical saga of Cain and Abel. As a Californian, this is maybe my most anticipated adaptation, as I spent much time with my family in the places haunted by Steinbeck.

5. Wuthering Heights (February 14)

This is the adaptation of which I’m most weary—and wary. Emily Brontë is the Goth girl to Jane Austen’s lighthearted, carefree spirits, and the book itself is the epitome of dark romance. The book is a family saga, detailing the doomed romance between the orphaned, mysterious, brooding Heathcliff and the wealthy, beautiful Catherine Earnshaw as the former wreaks havoc on the latter’s family in revenge following her death. Trailers for the movie promise stunning visuals, but I’m not convinced about the casting or director Emerald Fennell. (Neither, it seems, are my fellow classic fans, who have lit up the comments.) I’ll be re-reading and then watching in cautious curiosity.

What book-to-screen adaptations are you most excited about? Tell me in the comments below!

3 Reese's Book Club Picks You Shouldn't Sleep On

With the New Year just around the corner, my mind naturally turns to a fresh page. Boundless opportunities for adventure, improvement and fun. As I round up my 2026 reading list, I’m turning to the stars for a little inspiration. Below, I chatted with astrologer Tetiana Tsvil about the one book every zodiac sign should read in their lifetime. From The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to The Art of War, here’s what you should add to your TBR, per your star sign.

Meet the Astrologer

Tetiana Tsvil is an astrologer and spiritual manager at Nebula, a spiritual guidance platform. Tsvil specializes in relationships, financial guidance and astrological forecasting, with a specific focus on annual Solars and natal and prognostic astrology.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

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Firey, energetic, stubborn rams—I see you. As an Aries myself, my number one flaw is my lack of follow through. I have great ideas…but once the exciting, fizzy spark dies, I am often struggling to help it slow-burn into something actually sustainable. That’s why Tsvil recommends The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which shares the habits rams need to take a spark of an idea into a full-fledged project. 

“2026 will help you structure your energy and direct it to specific goals,” she tells me. “You’ll be able to move beyond acting impulsively and instead build a system of habits and specific principles. This is a year of discipline, focus and self-management.” AKA, the year I finally publish my novel?! 

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

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If there’s one thing that defines the bull, it’s comfort. Taurus is the hedonistic little queen of the zodiac with a passion for life’s finer things. So, it’s no surprise that when that comfort is challenged, the bull gets stubborn. Tsvil’s recommended reading for this sign is The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery. In it, Wiest does the deep dive on why and when self-sabotage creeps in, plus how to stop it by analyzing habits that need changing. 

2026 is going to push Taurus out of its comfort zone…but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. “What scares you actually opens the door to growth,” she says. “Self-confidence and the courage to act against fear will become your main allies. This is how true freedom is born.” 

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

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Gemini may have a bad reputation for being two-faced, but it’s really just their sharp ability to adapt to any situation. There are possibilities everywhere, which makes it hard for this sign to focus and commit to things. In short, they’re scatterbrained. If there’s one book a Gemini needs to read in 2026, it’s Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. In other words, a bible for Geminis who find themselves running in a million directions. McKeown teaches readers what he calls “systematic discipline” for determining priorities for time and energy. 

“In 2026, it’s important for you to learn to cut out the unnecessary and focus on one thing,” Tsvil says. “Instead of doing everything at once, focus on one direction that really resonates. Minimalism in tasks and directions will open maximum possibilities.”

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

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Cancers, add Taming Tigers: Do Things You Never Thought You Could to you 2026 TBR. Inside, you’ll find ten rules that help tame the roaring voice that holds you back from achieving your full potential. “The year will bring a sense of renewal and a desire to become a better version of yourself,” Tsvil says. “This is a great time to finally dare to make changes in your life and restrain your inner critic. Small daily steps taken with self-love will gradually change your life.”

Leo (July 23-August 22)

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Leos are a creative bunch, so I wasn’t surprised when Tsvil recommended The Creative Act: A Way of Being for the lions. Generosity is coded into a Leo’s DNA—but sometimes, you have to reserve that creativity for yourself. “2026 will be a year of creative realization, inspiration and expression,” Tsvil says. “You will feel the need not just to work, but to create something real, alive and inspiring. This is a period when it’s important to allow yourself to be truly authentic, without chasing others' standards. Your authenticity is your superpower.” In the Creative Act, readers learn how to tap into their own creativity and overcome self-imposed expectations. 

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

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Virgos are reliable and pragmatic—sometimes to a fault. Another bad habit of this sign is a tendency to hold themselves at fault and fall into imposter syndrome. That’s why Tara Schuster’s Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies will be essential reading for Virgo in 2026. It will teach you how to practice self-love with daily—but simple—rituals that address everything from self-limiting beliefs to gratitude and emotional wounds. 

“This year will teach you to care for yourself not only through duties but also through love,” Tsvil says. “You will have the opportunity to rethink what self-worth truly means and how to build a life where you're not placed last. Embracing simple joys and sincere rituals will help restore your energy and encourage self-compassion.”

Libra (September 23-October 22)

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Libras love harmony and they’re great at arranging it—whether it be people or things. However, sometimes their analytical eye goes a little overboard. Couple with their aversion to conflict, and you’ve got them clocking red and green flags left and right. 

“In 2026, the key focus will be on your awareness of the people you interact with,” Tsvil says. “Life will teach you to recognize sincerity and identify those who may drain your energy. You'll learn to set healthy boundaries and choose relationships that are respectful, supportive, and balanced.” Red Flags, Green Flags will help you categorize people’s behavoir—including family, romantic partners and friends—without going overboard. 

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

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Yeah, I know, Scorpio, you hate change. But what if that change was for the better? This is the year you put Think and Grow Rich on your bookshelf. The now legendary book looks at the lives of some of history’s most successful people and how we can apply some of their strategies to our own lives.

“The year will awaken ambition within you and the desire to harness your full potential, especially concerning financial growth,” Tsvil says. “However, the main objective is not just to dream but to act strategically. Self-discipline and faith in your own strength will open the door to success.”

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

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I’m willing to bet some of my Swiftie coins that the world’s resident Saggitarius, Taylor Swift, would approve of this book selection, because the pop star is strategic as hell. The Art of War is a 2,000-year-old (but still highly relevant) tract on battlefield tactics and, more applicably, management strategies. I mean, you don’t dominate the music charts without a plan, and it's a battlefield out there. A Sag’s worst trait is the inability to commit, which is definitely hampering any strategy they would have put in place. 

That’s why Tsvil says, “2026 will be the year of inner strategy for you. You will understand that victories come not through impulsive actions but through wisdom and vision. This is a time of learning, analysis and intelligent risk-taking. Use your natural optimism to achieve long-term goals.”

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

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Cutthroat Capricorns, don’t @ me but…you might have a thing or two to glean from Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Yeah, you’re ambitious, but don’t let that ambition blind you. 

“Your key to success this year is emotional maturity,” Tsvil says. “You will learn to understand yourself and others better, which will aid in work, relationships and decision-making. When feelings become allies, not enemies, you act more accurately, wisely and confidently, inevitably achieving more.” In Emotional Intelligence, Goleman breaks down the difference between IQ and EQ, and why writing off the latter may be to your detriment. 

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

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Per Tsvil, 2026 is a time of inner work for Aquarius. This zodiac sign has a reputation for being a bit of a know-it-all, and the belief that they’re always right can hold them back. 

“You will see that the main obstacles are not external circumstances but your own doubts, fears and habits that prevent you from moving forward,” Tsvil says when recommending Atomic Habits, the landmark book about how tiny changes can snowball into huge outcomes. “This year is about accepting yourself and transforming self-criticism into strength.”

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

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As the old man of the zodiac, it’s not surprising that Pisces might need a little help getting out of bed in the morning. But jokes aside, Tsvil says, “The year will help you find your inner rhythm and harmony. It is important not to wait for the perfect moment but to create your day with inspiration—morning after morning. Focus, gratitude and clear intention will help you feel that life is truly changing for the better.” In The Miracle Morning, Pisces will learn about the S.A.V.E.R.S. method that’ll get their days started in as little as six minutes. Think of it as a way to effectively harvest all that overflowing creativity. 

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This year I went on a bit of a reading rampage. As in, I read double the number of books I did in 2024. Despite my many ramblings about my classics book club, I do, in fact, read other books. Highlights: Local Heavens, Interior Chinatown, The God of the Woods. However...if you were to ask me about the book—or type of book—I'd clear my schedule for and actually stay up until 3 a.m. reading, it's not literary fiction. It's not even a romantic comedy, though I did enjoy Emily Henry's Great Big Beautiful Life. It's...crime fiction. I swear my love for Jane Austen is real, but I CANNOT resist the genre. Particularly, I cannot resist Canadian author Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, which is also a miniseries on Amazon Prime.

I first discovered Penny's series as a university student. A journalism class assignment had me scrambling to find a suitable book on which I could "write" a review, and after blowing through the front doors of the Boston Public Library, I spotted A Great Reckoning. Six hours later, I turned the last page.

If it's not obvious, I track installments for this series religiously and eventually got my hands on The GreyWolf, which came out in 2024. And yes, I binged it and woke up the next day with what I can only imagine a hangover feels like.

Another Thrilling Mystery With Complex Characters

What I love about the Gamache series is that there are 20 books, but each one stands on its own. Sure, the reading experience will be richer if you start from the beginning, but I didn't and can attest that wherever you jump in, the stories are thrilling, propulsive page turners.

The Grey Wolf is number 19 in the series, and follows Inspector Gamache as he and his team investigate a potentially devastating bioterrorist attack before it's too late. There are, predictably, old and familiar characters, but also new faces. A race against time. Personal stakes that are sky-high.

Penny keeps me coming back again and again because in a genre where right and wrong should be black and white, they're...not. That's what makes the inspector so relatable. He's human, trying to do the right thing, thinking he's doing the right thing and...he's wrong. He and the reader are in a morally gray area. Sometimes I surprise myself, agreeing with his actions, other times questioning them.

The Grey Wolf was my binge read of the year, and now I'm staring down book 20 in the series, The Black Wolf. Unlike Penny's other novels, this is a direct sequel to the former. Now that I've finally bought a reading light, I know what my New Year's Eve plans will be...and I'll happily cheers to that.

Reading three books per month hardly makes you prolific. I aspire to read much more, and there are times in my life that I have. But every year, I dutifully keep a tally of what I’ve read, what I’ve loved and what I’d just as soon forget (titles I actually would forget if I hadn’t written them down.)

In 2025, my number wasn’t particularly impressive, but I was pleased with some of the great books I picked up. Notable mentions go to heavy-hitter novels like James, Martyr! and The Emperor of Gladness. And, as per usual, I loved my odd little selection of nonfiction titles—Frostbite (about the history of refrigeration), A Marriage at Sea (about a real-life husband and wife who survived 118 days shipwrecked on a rubber raft), The Anxious Generation (as a parent of tweens, that one hit me hard). And I even got a sneak peek at two fantastic 2026 books—The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout and the arresting A Real Animal by Emeline Atwood.

But my favorite book of 2025 wasn’t even from 2025—it was a quiet, British novel from 2023, Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt.

Set in working-class London in an unspecified era (which most certainly isn’t today), the novel follows Ruth, a hard-working, clear-thinking teacher who decides to take in and raise her granddaughter Lily in the wake of her daughter (Lily’s mother) Eleanor’s years-long struggle with drug addiction.

The book is told in vignettes, skipping ahead years in time to focus on small moments that loom large in Ruth’s life: the time she coaxes Eleanor to eat a turkey sandwich on Christmas, the time she maybe spots Lily’s father on a London bus, the time she tries to bring dignity to a truly bungled Christening with a truly in-over-his-head priest. And many of these moments—particularly as Lily grows older and begins to understand her mother’s unreliability—are gutting, but also funny, honest and sharply astute.

The addiction novel, of course, is nothing new. Yet I found the specificity of Ruth’s perspective both original and underrepresented in contemporary culture. There is an epidemic of grandparents raising their grandchildren. And there are very few books that look at that dynamic head-on. I have also dealt, in my own family, with the heartache of drug use and mental illness, and I felt Boyt’s subtle chronicle of the experience to be extremely accurate. It is possible to love, to hope, to despair all at the same time; These things are not mutually exclusive.

Loved and Missed is not a long book. At 200 pages, it’s easily read in an afternoon. And yet it’s one that stayed with me—extraordinary in its subtly, unparalleled in its charm.

My Favorite Book of the Past 5 Years Is Becoming a Movie (& the Trailer Is Breathtaking)

To date, Reese’s Book Club has recommended a staggering 116 books. The titles range from fast-paced thrillers to romantic comedies and coming-of-age stories. If, like me, you don’t read along on the official book club schedule, the choices can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? After sifting through every pick, I came across three I quite enjoyed, and that you’d be remiss to sleep on. If I were you, I’d take advantage of the coming cold, blustery winter months to cozy up under a blanket and knock these off your TBR.

The 15 Best Gifts for Book Lovers, According to Someone Who Reads 60+ Books a Year

1. Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

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Whenever I want a real laugh, I turn to Curtis Sittenfeld. Her contemporary parody of Pride and Prejudice, titled Eligible, was the first time I actually laughed out loud while reading. Not just a chortle. Full on cackle. When Romantic Comedy came out in 2023, I pounced. The story follows a comedy sketch writer, Sally Milz, working on a late-night television show dubbed “The Night Owls”—a thinly veiled SNL-inspired ruse. All around her, Sally sees the same conundrum…average guys like her friend and coworker, Danny Horst, ending up with impossibly hot girls. Meanwhile, no hot guy has ever even sniffed in plain old Sally’s direction. That all changes when pop star Noah Brewster comes to host the show, and Sally finds her world turned upside down. If you love sketch comedy (or Saturday Night Live) and a pretty-guy-falls-for-average-but-smart-girl trope, then you need to pick this up.

2. Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González

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Xóchitl González is one of my favorite writers at The Atlantic, so I’ve been following her since she published her debut novel, Olga Dies Dreaming. Anita de Monte Laughs Last is her sophomore novel, and a screen adaptation is currently in development with Eva Longoria to direct. González was inspired by the life and work of Ana Mendieta, who informs the titular character. Her novel follows two protagonists: Anita, living and dying in 1980s New York, and Raquel, a Brown University art history student in the 1990s who stumbles on Anita’s story, which uncannily mirrors her own. Both women are young and bright, working-class and people of color, trying to find their way through the halls of power within the art world’s most exclusive circles. Told through these dual storylines, I thought it was a moving portrait of two young women trying to find themselves and demand that the world see them for who they are.

3. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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R.F. Kuang is one of the most dynamic writers alive. She first gained recognition for her historical military fantasy series, The Poppy War, and then Babel, a historical fantasy epic. So, it was surprising when she published Yellowface in 2023. It’s a contemporary novel about writing, writers and the publishing industry—a far cry from her past works and newest novel, Katabasis, a speculative fiction satire on academia. Yellowface follows struggling author Juniper Hayward who’s constantly in the shadow of her rival and friend, celebrity author Athena Liu. When Athena dies suddenly, Juniper steals her unfinished manuscript, passing it off as her own. What ensues is a zinging critique of the publishing industry and one woman’s descent into desperation to be great at all costs. Warning—this book is intense, and I’ve only made it halfway through. Prepare yourselves.

HBO’s ‘The Sympathizer’ Was Totally Underrated (But the Book Was Even Better)

For book reviewers like me, the last few weeks have been in a frenzy, researching and reading advanced copies ahead of their 2026 debuts. There’s so much good stuff out there, from hotly-anticipated romantasy titles to dazzling murder mystery debuts and touching coming-of-age stories. After reading and considering a dozen titles, below are the books I’m most looking forward to. From one of my favorite author’s third novel to a queer romance set against a WWE backdrop, these are real page-turners. So load up your Kindle; you’re in for a ride.

1. Last Night In Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez (April 2026)

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I’ve been following Gonzalez since she started writing the Brooklyn, Everywhere column in The Atlantic. Her first two novels, Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita DeMonte Laughs Last, were best-sellers. The latter was a Reese’s Book Club selection in March 2024, and is also being adapted for the screen. When I heard that her third novel was coming in 2026, I did a little happy dance.

Last Night In Brooklyn follows 26-year-old Alicia Canales Forten, living in Brooklyn with her mother. After one night in Fort Greene, Alicia crosses paths with a charismatic, charming fashion designer who soon pulls the hesitant young woman into his euphoric orbit of creativity and possibility. On the horizon, both a history-making presidential election and fiscal crisis loom.

I’m always drawn to Gonzalez’s novels because they center on women of color trying to find themselves, fighting to cut through the noise of the dominant culture as well as the one in which they were raised. Gonzalez’s excavation of NYC, in particular Brooklyn, is what drew me to her column in the first place, so I can’t wait to get my hands on this newest love letter to my (adopted) home town.

2. How to Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Philipson (February 2026)

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I absolutely gobbled this one up. My supreme weakness is the murder mystery, and Philipson’s debut novel was a zingy propulsive page-turner. The opening line, for starters, is killer, so to speak: “If you picked up this book because you truly want to get away with murder, you will not be disappointed. Simply turn the page and we'll get started."

The plot, in a nutshetll: Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen is back at Scotland Yard following an extended period of leave after suffering harassment on the job. She’s spurred into the office by a shocking new case: A 14-year-old girl has been murdered, and Samantha knows she needs to see the case through. Throw in a competing detective, a godfather who’s also her boss and a junior detective who makes Samantha blush, and it’s a dramatic race to find the killer before they strike again.

I’m giving major props to Philipson for creating a character who feels real and human. Samantha sees injustice in the world and is up against big institutions that care little for being right and only for looking good. She makes choices that I don’t always agree with. But despite all that, I can’t help but think, “Maybe she’s right.” 

3. Hold Me Like a Grudge by Celine Ong (March 2026)

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This one reminded me of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere in the way I was thrown into a hyper-specific world. A debut queer romance, Hold Me Like a Grudge follows Asher Ross, a Singaporean wrestler who’s landed his one chance to make a name for himself in an industry where people of color are scarce. To claim it, he must defeat the reigning champion, Caleb Knight, also known as the Ice Prince. Despite the heated rivalry the two must portray for the cameras and fans, a romance brews. As they come to terms with who they are in a sport that’s less than forgiving, both wrestlers will have to decide what’s actually worth fighting for. The fight scenes are taut and the writing style punchy and very online. Ultimately, this novel is about legacy—where you come from, what you leave behind and claiming the person you want to be.

4. Fae & Alchemy Book 3 by Callie Hart (November 2026)

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Hart’s romantasy series did so well that the last book in her Fae & Alchemy trilogy is available for pre-order…without a title, and without a dust jacket. Former PureWow Associate Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera told me this one is high on her anticipation list. Following Quicksilver and Brimstone, this final tome will be released in November 2026. Plenty of time for those who have some catching up to do…and agony for the rest of us.

5. A Real Animal by Emeline Atwood (July 2026)

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PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint turned me on to A Real Animal, saying, "This book knocked my socks off with an unreliable (but weirdly relatable) narrator who keeps making bad decisions, but you root for nonetheless.”

Atwood's debut novel centers on Lucy, a woman in her twenties as she crosses from the life of a student into that of adulthood. The premise touched me deeply: A young woman yearning for an extraordinary life, feeling constrained by the smallness of her reality. As Lucy breaks away from the familiar and plunges into the unknown, she journeys on a quest to be loved and known, only to reckon with the shattering idea that maybe being human is to be none of those things. If all this sounds serious, it's not. Quint maintains that A Real Animal is "weird, funny, sexy and disturbing." Sounds unputdownable to me!

‘Wicked’ Rules the Stage and Screen, But Is the Original Book Just as Good?

I’ve officially hit 65 books read in 2025. But shockingly, I’ve only just hopped on the Emily Henry train. Henry, for the uninitiated, is the current queen of the romantic comedy. Her lighthearted stories—often about writers or bookish women—steer her protagonists through hilarious situations with sharp, witty dialogue that have become her M.O. Henry’s published a total of eight novels, with several, including Funny Story, Book Lovers and People We Meet on Vacation, which are in development or will soon be released as screen adaptations. Her newest, Great Big Beautiful Life, also happens to be the winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for best romance book of the year—and a Reese’s Book Club pick. With 610,000+ ratings and a nearly 4-star average, it’s hardly surprising. Here are my thoughts after finishing it back-to-back after her other books.

The Plot

For those unfamiliar with the premise of this romantic comedy, think Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets the Roy family in Succession. Henry’s latest chronicles a battle between established music journalist Hayden Anderson and celebrity writer Alice Scott. On the line? The chance to write the biography of the reclusive Margaret Ives—heiress to what was once the most glittering media empire fortune in the United States. Told in alternating timelines between past and present, Henry dives into Maragaret’s life of glamour and tragedy while creating sizzling tension between Alice and Hayden, who have secrets to uncover about their mysterious subject, as well as the beach town in which she resides. 

Solid Characters and Easy Reading

After blowing through four Henry novels in the span of the same number of weeks, I can see the appeal. Her characters feel like real people. There are good, clear backstories with crystal-cut motivations, and it’s easy reading. As someone who goes through a lot of classic lit, I appreciate that the writing is clean and without pretension, while still adhering to lovely, writerly prose. Though not elaborate, it’s pleasant.

Yes, the Dialogue Is Good

Of all the praise heaped upon Henry, the most common is that she’s good with dialogue. I was skeptical at first, because dialogue isn’t something I’m usually drawn to—I tend to gravitate toward the characters’ inner monologues. But here I was, chortling at Henry’s rapid-fire exchanges. Actually, this is the first book I’ve read since Curtis Sittenfeld’s Eligible (2016) to have me full-on dry-heave cackling on the couch.

The Con: Her Work is Formulaic

Because I read so many of Henry’s novels in a short period of time, it was easier for me to see the pattern in her story structure: Up-and-coming young professional falls for hot man with square jawline. In Great Big Beautiful Life, Alice is a journalist struggling for a career breakthrough. In Beach Read, January Andrews is a novelist with writer’s block. Funny Story’s Daphne Vincent is a stunted librarian. Similarly, their love interests are tall, have some sort of notable hair, piercing eyes and very angular chins (paging Timothée Chalamet and Jacob Elordi, anyone?). Most of the protagonists are women in their 20s or 30s experiencing some degree of success-mixed-with-identity-crisis, and all have a backstory that heavily involves their family (often their mother) that’s driving them forward, with the same sweet, ambitious-but-I-am-cognizant-of-others’-feelings disposition. This formulaic approach wasn’t necessarily off-putting. Just something to know going in.

The Bottom Line

If you’re obsessed with legendary families like the Hearsts, Pulitzers, Rockefellers and Vanderbuilts—with their glamour, opulence and dynastic disfunction—you’ll love Great Big Beautiful Life. While at times harrowing, it’s ultimately a lighthearted—but smart—contemplation on family, loyalty, love, friendship and the secrets we choose to keep.

HBO’s ‘The Sympathizer’ Was Totally Underrated (But the Book Was Even Better)

Somehow, Christmas is already just days away, and if you (like me) have been focusing on finding the perfect gifts for your mom, dad and (of course) your dog, rather than getting in the spirit yourself, you simply *need* to treat yourself to a holiday rom-com read (or three) that gives those Hallmark movies a run for their money. Here are 12 titles that will have you feeling festive in a flash, so you can skip that endless Netflix scroll and cozy up with a good book instead.

I Haven't Watched a New TV Show All Year, But These 12 Book Series Have Kept Me Fully Entertained

1. Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace

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Hannah Grace's Holiday Ever After instantly joined the ranks of my top favorite holiday reads ever. It has everything you could want in a Christmas story, from a small, Stars Hollow-esque snowy town (in this case, Fraser Falls) to the classic storyline of a big city woman (Clara) attempting to right the wrongs of the big corporation she works for (Davenport) by getting to know the townspeople and helping out their small businesses—in particular, Jack's, whose toy design was stolen by Davenport. Plus, it's fast-paced enough that you can totally tackle it in a weekend, provided you have plenty of hot chocolate on hand to set the scene, of course.

(Psst: This story is fab on audio, too, as narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Christine Laken.)

2. How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn

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As a major How the Grinch Stole Christmas fan (yes, I love both the 2000 Jim Carrey and 2018 animated versions equally and, no, please don't ask my family how many times I've watched them over the years), How My Neighbor Stole Christmas was easily my most anticipated holiday read last year—and it didn't disappoint. From character names like Martha, Mae and Max, to the Dr. Seuss-esque rhymes that open every chapter, this book is a good time from the start. But prepare yourself, unlike those family-friendly movies, this read brings some *spice,* which IMO, only adds to the fun of it.

And thankfully, this year we have the sequel, Merrry Christmas, You Filthy Animal, (which comes with gorgeous sprayed edges and art throughout the book) to dive into.

3. My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely

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When Fable and her billionaire boss both have to attend the same wedding over the holidays—where she will be the maid of honor and he needs a plus one—she's shocked that he agrees to be her fake boyfriend for the occasion (to make her cheating ex jealous, of course). But since a good holiday rom-com always has a fun twist, they're also thrown into a week-long Christmas competition that brings them closer than they planned.

Yeah, this sounds like exactly what I need for some cheeky cheer this year, so I'll be reading it ASAP.

4. Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

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I just started listening to B.K. Borison's Good Spirits on audio (which, BTW, is on major sale at Libro.fm right now), and I can already tell I'm going to be obsessed. This one tells the story of Nolan Callahan, the ghost of Christmas past, who sets out on his usual holiday haunting, only to find himself assigned to Harriet York—and they quickly become too attached to simply move on. Full of whimsy and magic, this is one I suggest you move up your own TBR list (especially if you love A Christmas Carol).

5. Snowed In by Catherine Walsh

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This festive story follows two childhood friends who come to an agreement to fake date to keep their families off their backs about being single for the holidays—complete with a signed contract. You can likely guess where it goes from there, but that doesn't mean you should put off picking it up; after all, it's received rave reviews with an average 4.1/5 stars on Goodreads. (Psst: Once you've finished this one, you can jump into Walsh's Holiday Romance, which you're sure to love just as much. Oh, and maybe Merrily Ever After after that.)

6. Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle

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"This was everything I could ask for in a Christmas book. Simultaneously hilarious, magical, comforting and wholesome, this book was so much fun from the first page," is the *exact* quote I wrote on my Goodreads after finishing Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle, and I stand by it years later. This story follows main character Bettie Hughes and the holiday spirit, Hall, whom she accidentally conjures after playing "All I Want for Christmas is You" backwards. It has just enough magic in it to make it a great option for readers who usually stick to fantasy, and honestly, who doesn't love a little spirited mischief around the holidays? I can see myself re-reading it yearly (which says a lot considering my mile-long TBR list).

7. I'll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

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If you're looking for a heartwarming read, don't skip Jenny Bayliss's I'll Be Home for Christmas. In this one, Fred Hallow-Hart returns to her small hometown of Pine Bluff after a bad breakup, and winds up helping out her mom and aunts with their Christmas cracker shop. While she's in the midst of throwing herself into work, she also has to work out the feelings she's developing for her old best friend, Ryan, and making sense of the spark she feels with journalist Warren.

Plenty of readers are gushing over this pick, so it should definitely be on your radar.

8. Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews

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If you love the "small town person heads to the big city" trope, Bright Lights, Big Christmas is the book for you. In this story, Kerry, alongside her brother and his dog, ventures into New York City for the first time to sell Christmas trees from their family's farm. After becoming close with a few members of the neighborhood, Kerry quickly jumps in to help when an elderly neighbor goes missing. And, of course (because it wouldn't be a holiday rom-com without it), there's a swoon-worthy romantic plot line weaved throughout.

9. The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

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From the second I started listening to the audiobook of The Nightmare Before Kissmas I knew it was going to be one of my new favorites for the season. If you love the light magic and interaction between holiday figures in The Santa Clause movies (and, I probably don't have to say, if you like The Nightmare Before Christmas), I have a feeling this will become an instant fave of yours, too. The book, which is the first in a new series, follows the heir to Christmas as he's forced into an arranged marriage with the Easter Princess, only to find himself in competition with Hex, the prince of Halloween. I won't give too much else away, but I definitely suggest giving this one a go.

10. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

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I chose The Most Wonderful Crime of The Year as my Book of the Month pick last December, and it's the perfect pick for anyone who loves a good mystery. Described as Knives Out with a holiday rom-com twist, this story follows rivals Maggie and Ethan as they try to figure out what happened when esteemed author Eleanor Ashley (who happens to be hosting a Christmas party they were cryptically invited to) disappears. Agatha Christie meets Netflix original—what could be better?

11. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

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PureWow reader Delia McCubbin recommended In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren to me, calling it one of the "best holiday books I've come across." This New York Times best seller takes place in a snowy Utah cabin where three families spend Christmas every year—only this year, main character, Mae, ends up stuck in a loop where she experiences the same holiday over and over again. To break free, she has to figure out what, or who (*wink*), will truly make her happy.

12. Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison

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Another must-read from Borison, Lovelight Farms sounds like a Hallmark movie in a book. This is another fake dating scenario where two best friends work together to save Stella's Christmas tree farm by entering an Instagram influencer's contest to win both publicity and a $100,000 cash prize that will solve all of the farm's financial problems. I haven't heard a bad thing about this book, so it's one I'll surely be picking up soon. If you're all in on friends-to-lovers stories, you might want to follow suit.

These 12 Classics Ruled the Charts Last Year. Here's What I Love—and What I'd Skip

Why You Should Trust Us

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First, let's make one thing clear. I have nothing against the sex scene. Sex, like any other plot device, can be a powerful way to advance a story. In and of itself it is not a distraction.

However, in my humble opinion, the film adaptation sex scene has gotten so gratuitous in recent years that it does take away from otherwise good literature, TV and film. Because instead of talking about the actual work at hand, we're all just wondering when the characters are going to jump into bed together. I'm thinking about some of the recent viral hits in the past couple years, including Red, White & Royal Blue, Heated Rivalry, No Hard Feelings, Anyone But You—hell, we all watched Fifty Shades of Grey—where a lot of topline coverage has led with the sex, and let the plot and other themes play secondary characters in conversation.

These recent adaptations are no exception: When I watched Frankenstein's creature and Frankenstein's pseudo-love interest have chemistry, and then watched the internet go nuts for how "hot" the monster was, my first thought was that Mary Shelley might condone it...but that's not how she wrote it. The focus was misplaced.

A prime example of an upcoming adaptation would be Wuthering Heights. Thus far, media coverage has led with words like "provacative," "latex" and "steamy." As an incensed Redditor (whose sentiments were widely echoed) aptly put it: "As a person whose favourite era of literature is Victorian because of how they portrayed intensity and passion and angst and sexual tension WITHOUT explicit sex, it annoys me to no end that they just want to shock people with as much explicit stuff as possible. (I have no issue with explicit sex at all, just saying that the Victorian era was very puritanical). Also they are clearly rage marketing because people will now go to watch and see how far she has gone. It might not even be about the source material at this point."

It's the last sentence that gets me. That in the tizzy of egg yolks and sweaty skin, sensual bread dough and anachronistic latex, we've lost the actual plot. Granted, the film's creators promise that provocation isn't front and center, but the general problem is that provocation is an attention hog, no matter which way you slice it. And if someone hasn't actually read Wuthering Heights, they'll lose the nuance of conversation that made Brontë's book the coarse and shocking work it was. Love, rage, abuse, grief and, importantly, the sticky questions of social class, race and England's colonial legacy.

I don't want or need an orgy. I want sex to underline the connection between the characters and the emotion they feel—be it anguish, passion, fear, rage, euphoria. I want it to have a purpose instead of being the purpose. If that makes me a prude, so be it.

These 12 Classics Ruled the Charts Last Year. Here's What I Love—and What I'd Skip

If you talk to me for five minutes, two things you'll quickly learn about me is that I love to read and I host a classics book club. Yes, I love a good murder mystery or romantic comedy as much as the next person, but there's something deeply gratifying about reading the literary canon—if only to pick the books apart and think, Why is this a classic?!

This year, Google named 12 tomes as the most-searched classics for 2025, ranging from English lit to American legends and European surrealism. They are, in no matter of importance, Crime and Punishment, The Metamorphosis, Wuthering Heights, East of Eden, Paradise Lost, Fahrenheit 451, The Odessey, The Outsiders, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein and Sense and Sensibility. I've read or have many of these books on my TBR. In light of the many adaptations hitting screens, here are the four I recommend...and the book I'm taking a pass on...for now.

What I'd Recommend

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

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If looking purely at numbers, Pride and Prejudice is by far my favorite book. I've now read it 22 times—most recently in honor of Jane Austen's 250th birthday. One of the most enduring works in English literature holds multitudes behind the facade of a romantic comedy. Austen's seminal novel somehow packs a punch on every possible theme. Love and marriage, manners and social class, women's rights, the confusing (sometimes pitiable) state of the male brain...though she published the novel in 1813, much of Austen's insights are stunningly relevant in the 21st century. Oh, and if you're wondering, I'm team 2005 adaptation with Keira Knightley.

2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

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ICYMI, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein has been making waves. As someone who doesn't usually gravitate towards film and television, I was surprised by how affected I felt after watching. But if you're planning to skip the book in favor of the film—don't. Though del Toro took creative liberties with the script, I promise the book is no less moving. If anything, diving into the depths of the creature's suffering will only break you more. I've read this twice and been struck in the heart every time.

3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

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If Wuthering Heights only flew onto your radar because of Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation, may I humbly recommend the source material? Where Austen was vivacious and playful, the Brontë sisters were gothic in the extremes—deaths, secret wives, lonely moores—but still managed to deliver some of the most romantic lines ever. Example: "Be with me always—take any form—drive me mad! Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you!" Swoon. That line alone made me want to pardon Heathcliff. Brontë's most enduring work is a tragic story about love and loss as lovers grasp across a social divide, anchored by a boiling quest for vengeance.

4. The Odessey by Homer

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The Odessey has been on my TBR for a while, but Christopher Nolan's upcoming adaptation has helped bump it up on the priority list. Homer's classic tells the tale of the Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he journeys home from the Trojan War. The decade-long journey will throw monsters, gods, shipwrecks and battles into his path.

The 1 Book I'm Skipping...for Now

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

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Admittedly, I say I'm skipping for now because my book club just voted to read Anna Karenina, which clocks in 300 more pages than Dostoevsky's novel. It's not a skip of distaste but rather...intimidation. There's plenty of talk about how difficult it is to get through these authors, and I just haven't yet acquired the guts. That's not to say the premise isn't intriguing. Crime and Punishment is the story of Raskolnikov, a poor student who commits murder and ultimately must reckon with his actions. I'm not saying I'll never read it...I'm just not reading it next year, probably.

Is This Critically Acclaimed Movie Just Another Millennial Grief Flex?

Listen, it's not that I don't want to dive into every buzzy new TV series that comes out each year, but for whatever reason, they just don't hold my attention the way a good book does. Recently, I realized that I haven't actually even watched *any* new shows in 2025 (although I won't admit to how many Gilmore Girls rewatches occurred), but I did get through a bunch of book series (some finished and some ongoing), including romances, romantasies and even a thriller that kept me more than entertained. Below, find 12 of my favorites that you might want to add to your own TBR list for 2026—no streaming service required.

I Took PTO to Read This Book as Soon as It Came Out—and It Just Got One of the Biggest Movie Deals *Ever*

1. Meghan Quinn's Kringletown Series

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Given that we're in the thick of the holiday season, I simply had to start off this list with Meghan Quinn's Kringletown rom-coms. Set in the small town of Kringletown, these stories are so much fun and truly laugh-out-loud funny. Book one, How My Neighbor Stole Christmas, follows the story of Cole Black and Storee Taylor—childhood neighbors who are now grown up, back in the same town and competing against each other in the town's Christmas Kringle contest (which involves tons of entertaining shenanigans). Book two continues with the story of Cole's best friend Max and new-to-town Betty, who helped her uncle open a Christmas tree farm that rivals Max's own. And you can expect just as many hilarious (and flirtatious) moments in this one as the first.

(By the way, Quinn just announced that the title of the third book in this series will be Christmas Staycation—so we already have more to look forward to next year.)

2. Briar Boleyn's Bloodwing Academy Series

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I saw this series described as Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing and was immediately sold. Now that I've read books one and two in the series (with book three on the way in March 2026), I'm entirely invested. It has everything—vampires, fae, dragons, a dark academia setting—alongside a cast of characters that I'm way too emotionally attached to.

Our main character is Medra Pendragon, who falls into the land of Sangratha and is told she is the last dragon rider to exist, but arrived long after the dragons had disappeared. The leaders of the four highblood (vampire) houses determine that she'll have to enroll in Bloodwing Academy, where she'll not only have to deal with the challenges of a new world and cutthroat classes, but Blake Drakharrow—our moody, arrogant main male character—who she quickly finds out she'll have to spend much more time with than she planned. Honestly, I devoured both of these and will be reading the next one the second it releases.

3. Callie Hart's Fae and Alchemy Series

Amazon

Callie Hart's Quicksilver recently took the internet by storm, so obviously I had to see what all the hype was about—and I wasn't disappointed. This one follows Saeris Fane, who possesses strange powers she has to keep secret to prevent being targeted by the Queen. But after a series of events leads to her being captured by the dangerous fae male, Kingfisher, she finds herself trapped in Yvelia (a fae kingdom where humans haven't been for thousands of years) by traveling through a pool of quicksilver. To avoid spoiling anything, I'll leave you with that. But just trust that you're going to be obsessed with both this fast-paced plot and lovable cast of characters.

(P.S. Both Quicksilver and Brimstone are out now, and I highly recommend diving into these Kingfisher POV bonus scenes in between them for a little extra context!)

4. Veronica Roth's Curse Barer Duology

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Steeped in Slavic folklore, Veronica Roth's Curse Bearer series is the Baba Yaga retelling you never knew you needed. The story begins in the Chicago underworld filled with monsters, with main character Dymitr who is on a mission to find Baba Jaga. To do so, he has to make a deal with a dangerous creature, and ends up journeying alongside Ala, who is a zmora—a humanoid creature who feeds off of fear. Despite growing close throughout their search, Dymitr is hiding information that could destroy it all.

In my experience, this is one of those books that you can start reading, and by the time you look up, have already devoured 50 pages because it's just that captivating. And considering both books in the duology come in at under 230 pages, it's a great series to start (and finish) before your Goodreads challenge ends for the year.

5. Jeneva Rose's Perfect Series

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If I'm being honest, it's very rare for me to pick up a thriller that I'm fully invested in, but from the second I hit "play" on the audiobook of Jeneva Rose's The Perfect Marriage, I was totally sucked in. I can't say too much without giving away major spoilers, but this twisty story follows criminal defense attorney Sarah Morgan as she defends her husband, Adam, in a murder charge following the death of Kelly Summers, who he was having an affair with. You'll just have to read to find out how everything turns out—and don't forget to have The Perfect Divorce at the ready to start immediately after.

6. Demi Winters's Ashen Series

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As you can definitely tell by this list already, I read a lot of romantasy and fantasy series, but this one by Demi Winters felt so fresh and unique. It starts with The Road of Bones, which is a Viking-inspired read that tells the story of main character Silla's epic journey down the Road of Bones (a dangerous route to travel filled with creatures of all kinds, warbands and more) in an attempt to seek safety after her father is murdered. Early in her journey, she finds herself having to convince the Bloodaxe Crew, a group known for their brutality across the land, to help her reach her destination—and, well, you'll just have to read to find out what happens from there.

7. V.E. Schwab's Villains Series

Amazon

After I read V.E. Schwab's Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, I couldn't wait to pick up her other titles, and started with Vicious, the first in the Villains trilogy (the third and final of which is set to release in 2026). This series jumps between two timelines involving the main characters Victor and Eli—one when they were college roommates, and another ten years later, after Victor breaks out of prison. We learn that what brought the two together was a shared interest in supernatural occurrences that occur as a result of near-death experiences, until things (of course) go wrong. The story is enthralling from the get-go and, TBH, I'm convinced that I'll never get enough of Schwab's writing.

(BTW, the audio versions of these books are so good.)

8. Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti's Crown of Hearts and Chaos Series

Amazon

There's something about Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti's writing that always sucks me right in (I mean, I did in fact read book one of Zodiac Academy in one sitting), and Hollow was no exception. This book has such a unique setting, with most of the story taking place in a forest filled with spirits and the monstrous Hollows.

Main character Ferris Creed finds herself in the forest after she enters the bicentennial Great Hunt, which will give her the chance to win a boon from a spirit of the forest and free her sister who was taken by it years ago. Within the forest she finds herself reluctantly agreeing to work together with the broody Prince Bane, a fae male who has plenty of secrets—at least until it comes time for one of them to claim the boon. If you've loved any of Peckham and Valenti's other books, I have no doubt that you'll be just as obsessed with this one as I am. And, good news—book two is already up for preorder and slated to be published in June 2026.

9. Catherine Doyle's The City of Fantome Series

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If you ask me, Catherine Doyle's YA/new adult City of Fantome series is seriously underrated. It has a gaslamp kind of vibe with light and shadow magic and a unique plot line (with a true enemies-to-lovers trope and side characters you'll adore) that pulled me in from the first page. It starts out with The Dagger and the Flame, in which main character Sera has to seek protection from the city's notorious thieving order, the Cloaks. The Cloaks are enemies to the Daggers, a rival order of assassins that Ransom (our other main character) is working his way towards becoming the heir of—and is presented with Sera as his next target.

Book two in the series, The Rebel and the Rose, just recently released, too, and I'm loving it just as much as book one so far.

10. Sable Sorensen's The Wolves of Ruin Series

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You might have heard about Sable Sorensen's Wolves of Ruin series after it recently earned a whole bunch of buzz online—and I'm here to tell you that hype was totally deserved. Dire Bound follows Meryn Cooper as, after joining the army in an attempt to save her sister, she's thrown into the brutal Bonding Trials, where initiates ascend a treacherous (for both its icy terrain and the fact that initiates will be trying to eliminate each other the whole time) mountain in an attempt to bond with a dire wolf at the top. From there, she has to survive several months of harsh training—and Stark Therion.

If you've been missing the massive wolves from Game of Thrones and love a good war academy setting, trust me when I tell you that you need to pick this one up immediately. Especially since the second in the series, Fury Bound is set to come out in May 2026.

11. Abigail Owen's The Crucible Series

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This series by Abigail Owen is such a fun take on Greek mythology. Book one, The Games Gods Play (which I absolutely loved the audio version of, BTW), begins with Lira being entered into the gods' competition, The Crucible, which occurs once every 100 years and involves each of the immortals selecting a human to compete for them in a series of challenges. Lira is chosen by Hades, who's entering the competition for the first time and is playing by his own rules.

And in book two, The Things Gods Break, we enter Tartarus with the Titans—though I won't give anything else away beyond that.The third and final book, The Wrath Gods Reap, was just announced to be published in November 2026, so you won't have to wait long for the conclusion.

12. Rebecca Yarros's The Empyrean Series

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If you've read this far in this list, you likely won't be shocked that Rebecca Yarros's Onyx Storm from The Empyrean series was one of my top reads of the year. In case you aren't familiar, the series starts out with Fourth Wing, where Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter war college Basgiath as a scribe, but instead finds herself in league with the brutal dragon riders—including one of the most brutal wingleaders, Xaden Riorson. Throughout her first year, Violet has to fight to survive not just the tough challenges presented by the college (including attempting to bond to a dragon of her own), but other cadets, too—because at Basgiath, you either graduate or die.

This series is so incredibly addictive (yes, I did in fact take PTO to read Onyx Storm), entertaining and masterfully plotted—so if you haven't already dived in, I suggest that you do ASAP, because books four and five will be here before we know it.

It's Only June, But I Think I've Already Found My Favorite Book of the Year

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.

Earlier this year, it seemed I couldn’t escape God of the Woods. When it debuted in 2024, Jimmy Fallon chose it for his book club, and Barak Obama followed suit, naming it one of his favorite books of the year. Since then, I must have clocked it on the subway at least a million times. My friends were talking about it. Its Goodreads profile has a staggering 699,800+ ratings with a 4.1-star average rating. Not to mention, the book was the Winner for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2024). And to top off its staggering popularity, even Taylor Swift couldn't resist being pulled into the mystery. In her new docuseries, The End of an Era, the pop star is filmed listening to the audiobook version.While I’m normally a classic lit gal, eventually, curiosity got the better of me. And I gobbled up the nearly 500 pages within a week. Here are my unfettered thoughts.

Reese Witherspoon Just Published a Thriller and I Read It in 6 Hours

The TL;DR

At 490 pages, you may really want a TL;DR. So here it is. The story has an explosive start: 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar goes missing while at summer camp. The first catch? She’s the daughter of the camp’s owners and the surrounding town’s wealthiest family. The second catch? Fourteen years prior, her brother, Bear, disappeared into the same woods…and was never found. As the manhunt ensues, readers meet a cast of characters with their own motivations and longings. Tracy, Barbara’s roommate, is feeling lost in the wake of her father’s new relationship. The Van Laars, who have never been on good terms with their daughter. Judyta (pronoucned joo-DIT-ya), a novice policewoman who finds herself defying her family’s expectations. All these worlds converge in a race against the god of the woods, who will determine Barbara’s survival.

Read If You Love Upstate NY Vibes

The God of the Woods takes place in the Adirondacks, and there are languid and lush descriptions of the landscape, including many a lake party, cabins and summer camp antics. Forest romps, humid summer weather. A touch of New York society history. For context, the Van Laars are on par with, or in the social circle just below, the Rockefellers or the Vanderbuilts. That’s to say, there’s money, and plenty of it. New York apartments and Albany estates. It’s a glimpse of the moneyed east coast elite, as told through multiple perspectives spanning the 1950s to the ‘70s.

The Characters Are Solidly Built

Disclosure: While I am an avid reader, I consider anything over 320 pages to be a big investment of my time. Hence, at 490 pages, The God of the Woods had a lot to deliver. On this point, I thought that the principal characters (Barbara, Judyta) were well developed and had satisfying conclusions to their storylines. Granted, I think that for clarity and brevity’s sake, Moore could have cut some of the lesser characters, but ultimately, I did have a sense of what every character wanted and needed, and their arc in the book. That’s a tough feat to achieve, especially with the amount of detail we were given.

The Mystery Had Me on the Edge of My Seat

The book has two mysteries to solve. Where is Barbara Van Laar? And what happened to her brother, Bear? And how does the god of the woods lead to them both? Until the end, I was guessing and could not put my finger on who or what had caused the disappearances. Of course, I had my speculations, but Moore did a good job weaving a fine thread with enough red herrings to keep me engaged.

But the Payoff Was a Little Disappointing

Don’t @ me, but I found that the revelation and answers to the mysteries were a little bit underwhelming, especially for a book creeping on 500 pages. It’s not just me; a couple other people I talked to mentioned the same thing. For such a mammoth tome, we were expecting something insanely shocking. However, that’s for you to decide for yourself—I know that at least one PureWow staffer has read The God of the Woods and fundamentally disagrees with me.

When’s the TV Adaptation?

This year, Moore’s 2020 novel, Long Bright River, premiered on Peacock starring Amanda Seyfried. I can totally see The God of the Woods adapting itself to the small screen, too. In the meantime, I’ll be catching up on the rest of Moore’s oeuvre.

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HBO’s ‘The Sympathizer’ Was Totally Underrated (But the Book Was Even Better)

Avid readers, Reese Witherspoon has announced her last book club pick of the year. And if you also happen to be a fan of royal reads, you're in for a double treat. As we launch into the most hectic month of 2025, Witherspoon is promising a great escape into a (literal) fairytale with Rebecca Armitage's The Heir Apparent.

As soon as I read the plot, my immediate reaction was, "It's The Princess Diaries for adults." Protagonist Lexi Villiers is living her dream life in Australia. She's in year two of her medical residency and shares a farm with her friends Jack and Finn, with Jack on his way to becoming more than just a friend. Life is upended when Lexi receives tragic, jarring news. Her father and brother have been killed in a skiing accident. She is now the heir apparent to the British throne.

As Lexi wrestles with the biggest decision of her life, there are juicy family secrets, a resentful and distrustful public and a scheming uncle she must withstand as this princess faces a choice between love and duty.

"If you love royal family and you love secrets, the biggest secret in here is about her brother that I totally did not see coming," Witherspoon raves in her announcement. "The perfect December read because it just takes you to another world during the busiest month of the year. It was so fun to escape into this book."

As the holidays creep in, a "You're a princess!" moment sounds like the perfect escape to me. May you survive the season with your tiara intact.

Reese Witherspoon Just Published a Thriller and I Read It in 6 Hours

Wicked is everywhere right now. It’s one of the most successful Broadway musicals—now in its 22nd season, making it the fourth-longest running show—and that’s not even mentioning Jon M. Chu’s two-part blockbuster. Wicked: Part 1 racked up ten Academy Award nominations and, at $758 million, was the fourth-highest grossing film of 2024. With Wicked: For Good having just hit theaters, I, an avid reader, decided to dive into the book that inspired it all. Would it be just as smashing as the pop culture phenomena it spawned? Here’s my review.

This Beloved Book Was on Everyone’s Best-Of List, So I Decided to See if It Lived Up to the Hype

A Fascinating Peek into the Land of Oz

As both a reader and writer who doesn’t typically gravitate towards fantasy or fantastical worlds, I always have a deep appreciation for the authors who do. This is author Gregory Maguire’s biggest strength. The land of Oz is crafted with nuance and precision, with people, religion, politics and a landscape that feels pressing and real.

Like the Film, It Hits on Pertinent Issues

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The book and film most intersect in their portrayals of Oz. Notably, the political strife and ostracization of the Animals, though the novel gives the beloved Dr. Dillamond a much more tragic fate. Oz is a land plagued by drought and political instability. The reigning Ozma family is deposed by the Wizard; anthropomorphic Animals (denoted with the capital “A”) are slowly losing their rights, relegated to second-class status. Rubies have been discovered in the poor backwoods, where the locals are exploited for the jewels. And in the middle of it all is Elphaba, green as a pea and fiery as ever.

But the Most Touching Relationships Take a Backseat

What I appreciated about the Wicked adaptations was Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship. Their relationship is front and center, and one of the main driving points of the story. Two friends on the opposite sides of history, with a truth only they will know.

When it came to the novel, the pair’s relationship was so muted that it was nearly lost in the many other details and plot points. There wasn’t much growth between the characters so much as the narrator telling me what had happened, past tense. I would have liked to see more of their relationship unfolding in real time.

That said, Elphaba’s relationship with Nessarose is better in the book. Rather than being pitted solely against each other, Maguire shows the siblings’ complex relationship and Elphaba’s often conflicting feelings about being her sister’s protector. 

The Pacing and Structure Are Uneven

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Normally, I’ll side with a book over its adaptations. In the case of Wicked, I was surprised to find myself doing the opposite. Across platforms, Maguire’s tale has a solid 4-star rating, but I found myself agreeing more with the unfavorable reviews. Chief among them was that the pacing was often slow. To that, I’ll add that the structure was rather confusing. The prose weaved between different characters’ points of view, but never really seems to get to the heart of what they were thinking. Additionally, though Elphaba is supposedly the main character, much of the story is told from the perspectives of others, like Glinda, Boq and Fiyero—the last of whom is totally different from the movie.

The Characters Are Hit-or-Miss

Another gripe that both I and fellow readers had was that many of the characters felt half-baked. There’s a much wider swath of them than in the movie, and for once, Hollywood was right to cut. I’ve often read that Maguire wanted Wicked to be a meditation on good and evil, and that it is. The book explores many themes that grapple with this question, but the characters don’t feel like they have completed their arc by the time page 456 rolls around.

IMDb

While I was left wanting more from Elphaba, Fiyero and Boq, Glinda proved to be the real surprise, in a good way. She has a depth that the movie and play mostly erase in favor of caricature, and I wish that this part of her had been preserved.

TL;DR

If you’re a superfan, Wicked is a fun read, if only to see the source material and get a different glimpse and perspective on some of the characters. Otherwise, for the first time in my life I’m going to say…stick with the movie.

I’ve Read 52 Books in 2025—But This Gatsby Twist Stands Out

Though I’m on track to read 60+ books this year, my tastes lean more classic lit (I’m reading Pride & Prejudice for the 22nd time) than contemporary. But I am sucker for a contemporary re-telling of a well-loved story. So when the algorithm served me a post by a debut author peddling a cyberpunk, queer take on The Great Gatsby, I recommended it to my book club ASAP. After all, 2025 is the 100th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famously tragic novel. I’d raise a flute of Champagne to that.

I Read a Book a Week. These 3 Are My Favorites of 2025 (So Far)

An Innovative Take on an Iconic Book

The year is 2075. Setting: New York City in the futuristic New Americas. The landscape is blighted by climate change. AI bots and technological body modifications are rampant. At the center of it all is Nick Carraway, a Filipino-American corporate hacker sent on assignment from Manila to investigate the mysterious billionaire Jay Gatsby.

If you’ve read the original work, you’ll know the outlines of this story. All the principal characters are there, including Daisy, Tom, Jordan and Myrtle. The hedonistic feel of the 1920s is perfectly captured in Gatsby’s raucous parties and the opulent Buchanan estate—essentially, those facets remain the same, with a lot more tech involved. One of the most unique facets was how humans accessed cyberspace—via body modifications in the spine, as if one were a USB port.

The Characters Have a Lot More Depth

Fitzgerald’s original book is short—less than 200 pages, almost a novella. On the other end, Local Heavens is 490. I was skeptical at first, but author K.M. Fajardo did make good use of those pages. Intense cyberpunk world building aside, the length of the novel allowed me to sit with the characters. One of the members of my book club remarked that the original prose was more of a broad commentary on morals during the Jazz Age, and thus the characters were more metaphors than people. Local Heavens presents deeply fleshed out characters with longings and conflict, providing more of a why behind their actions. Admittedly, I do think the ending wrapped up too quickly. To complete Nick’s character arc, I wish the author had done some more “showing” instead of summarizing what happened, as it made the evolution difficult to understand.

More Than Just a Shallow, Cyberpunk Bacchanal  

The thing that really stood out to my book club was the way Fajardo used the characters to address themes of immigration, East vs. West and class divide. In this retelling, Nick is Asian-American, and Carraway is the name his family adopts to assimilate to their life in the West. A book club friend praised Fajardo’s approach for not taking the usual “I have two identities” route and exploring it with more depth—and I concur. Nick pokes into the complexities of calling two places home, even when neither will ever fully claim him. As a reader, I could relate, and that was painful, but refreshing.

Overall, Local Heavens speaks with a satirical eye on the current state of the world and this era of late stage capitalism with humor and feeling. Now, if we could just get a screen adaptation, I’ll pop the popcorn.

I’ve Read Nearly 200 Books in the Past 5 Years—Here’s My Absolute Favorite

With November just around the corner, that can mean quite a few things, one of them being a brand-new pick for Reese’s Book Club. And without further ado, the November selection is… Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy.

As usual, Reese Witherspoon, 49, shared the exciting news in a fun video on social media. In the clip, The Morning Show actress is casually sitting on a porch chair, scrolling through her phone as she reveals she's reading this month's pick. And she also gives a little taste of what readers can expect from the suspenseful psychological thriller.

“This woman washes up on the shore of this island that’s in Antarctica,” Reese begins. “This man and his children, his teenage children, pull her out of the water and they start to take care of her. And over time she starts to reveal that she has a dark secret.”

She continued, “And I’m not gonna tell you what happens but boy that ending is so scary and tense. Like the craziest end of a thriller movie.”

Reese also shared how she discovered the book and why it became her pick in the comments section of her post.

“Funny story: this book was recommended by a friend b, and I tore thru it,” she wrote. “It is so deep and beautiful and propulsive. A true ecological thriller and a dark romance as well. I knew I had to pick it for RBC! So here it is so excited for you all to read @charlottemcconaghy fantastic novel.”

Interestingly, the November pick follows a little twist for Reese’s Book Club. She surprised readers by skipping an October selection entirely, instead going on a book tour to promote the thriller she co-wrote with Harlan Coben, Gone Before Goodbye.

Even though the tour is officially over, you can still grab a copy of Gone Before Goodbye on Amazon.

That’s also the best place to snag your copy of November’s pick, Wild Dark Shore. Get ready to dive into the suspenseful, page-turning thriller Reese can’t stop talking about.

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Reese Witherspoon's 4-Word Life Advice? “Stick With the Radiators”

When it comes to the best gifts for book lovers, I think I know a thing or two. This year, I’m on track to read 60+ books. (My original goal was a book a week, but I recently turned the last page on book number 51.) As the holidays approach, you may be searching for a present for the voracious reader in your own life. With the help of some fellow bookworms and PureWow editors, I’ve compiled this list of the 15 best gifts for book lovers, ranging from a Libro.fm audiobook subscription ($15) and handy reading light (was $19, now $13) to whimsical bookmarks ($5) decadent silk pajamas for reading all day in bed ($250) and legendary Blackwing 602 pencils ($35) beloved by the likes of Truman Capote and John Steinbeck. (Readers take their annotations seriously!) Whether you want a stocking stuffer or something that will dazzle wrapped up in a bow, I promise these picks won’t let you down.

The 60 Best Gifts Under $50 for Everyone in Your Life in 2025

1. Libro.fm Subscription

Libro.fm

Audiobooks have long been all the rage. I get it. Reading takes time, and not everyone has six hours to blow on Reese Witherspoon’s new book. But if you can multitask? Consider the book (and your chores) done. PureWow Associate Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera loves Libro.fm, an audiobook subscription platform that also supports indie bookstores. Memberships start at $15, and credits are also available to purchase and gift. Credits also start at $15 and grant access to one book, in addition to 30 percent off any other audiobooks. Plus, they never expire.

2. Bedsure Throw Blanket

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I recently crawled under one of these blankets during a trip and it was the softest, coziest thing. Perfect for snuggling under with a book, if you ask me. There are tons of colors to choose from, such as pink, blue and green, and at 50 x 60 inches, it’s big enough to share. (Not that you’d necessarily want to.) Bonus, it’s under $20.

3. Glocusent Book Light

Amazon

This buzzy little light has taken TikTok by a storm. I am 100 percent that person guilty of reading until she falls asleep with the lights on. Thus, I’m predicting that I’ll be picking up one of these for myself this holiday season. Because who wants to get out of a warm bed after they’ve turned the last page at 2 a.m.? Not me. LaBarbera has been using this for a while and loves the lighting options, sharing: “I appreciate just how many different settings there are on this light. You have three different warmths to choose from (a warm light, crisp light and ‘versatile’ shade that falls in-between), along with five different brightness levels. Personally, I almost never need to turn my light up past the first brightness level and usually keep it on the warm light setting, but I like that I have plenty of options.”

4. Waterdrop Art Studio Bookmarks

Etsy

I LOVE a good bookmark. Specifically, hand-painted or illustrated. One of my favorite bookmark artists is Waterdrop Art Studio. I’ve had many of her bookmarks for probably close to a decade now. They’re so full of whimsy, they’re just as likely to take you on an adventure as your book is. Individual bookmarks start at $4.50, and a set of three is $12.

5. A Feast of Thorns and Roses Cookbook

Amazon

Looking for a romantasy gift? Chances are, if they’ve read ACOTAR, they’re going to love this cookbook. Inside are 65 recipes inspired by characters, places and plotlines, including Starlit Stuffed Chicken with Berry Reduction, Cassian’s Banned Chocolate Cupcakes and Moon Phase Crackers. If this doesn’t transport them straight to Prythian, what else will?

6. Sonos Ace

Walmart

If the book lover you know is an audiobook fan like LaBarbera, they’re going to appreciate some wireless headphones.

“The Sonos Ace is *so* comfortable to wear while I'm listening to audiobooks while I'm cleaning, cooking or going for walks thanks to the cushy padding on both the ear cups and the top band,” she says. “Plus, they're adjustable so it’s easy to get the right fit. You can switch between full noise cancellation and a transparency mode that allows you to still hear your surroundings, which is a must for me if I’m wearing them outside.”

7. Book of the Month

Book of the Month

LaBarbera has been a Book of the Month subscriber for over a year and loves it. She writes in her review, “I love that Book of the Month introduces me to some titles I wouldn't normally choose, but also offers ones I've been really looking forward to. I've picked up everything from lighthearted romances to enchanting fantasy series—because, yes, if the first in a series is offered through the subscription, you'll have the option to add any of the following books to your box to have matching editions on your shelf. Another huge benefit is that all of the physical books offered are hardbacks, and at $18/month, that's a serious discount from retail prices in this format.” It’s convenient, low-commitment and flexible, with the option for a 3-, 6- or 12- book membership. The recipient can also, if need be, pause or cancel by the 21st of each month.

8. Heart the Lover by Lily King

Amazon

PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint is an avid reader who immediately recommended Lily King’s new novel. “I feel like she’s such a book-lovers author,” Quint says. As a bookworm myself, Heart the Lover has most definitely been on my personal radar and those of my literary friends. Based on reviews (and my own skim of the first chapter), it’s very Sally Rooney-coded. The novel follows Jordan and her two friends, Sam and Yash, who all meet their senior year of college. Decades later, one unexpected visit will have their pasts colliding with their presents. If you like relationships crashing into mundane life, then Heart the Lover will be a page turner.

9. Kindle Colorsoft

Amazon

There are many Kindle iterations to choose from butLaBarbera thinks you should opt for the Colorsoft. There’s an eight-week battery life, wireless charging, 32GB of storage, waterproofing and, of course, full color. This brings illustrations and covers to life, in addition to providing the most serious readers among us a more organized annotation system. Not to mention that graphic novels just got a major glow-up. If the book lover you’re shopping for is a kid, PureWow Vice President of Editorial Candace Davison recommends the Kindle Colorsoft Kids, which won over her elementary schooler. “It seemed like no time had passed before she hit her reading goal—30 minutes a day, programmed on the device—and surpassed it willingly, just to take in one more tale (after all, we needed to know why Pink Is Not a Color),” she reports.

10. Kindle Unlimited

Amazon

To accompany their Kindle, a Kindle Unlimited subscription is a no-brainer. At $12/month, you get access to 4 million+ books spanning all genres, from classics and best-sellers to must-read series. Additionally, there are thousands of audiobooks and titles available to borrow through the Great on Kindle program. Kindle Unlimited also includes select magazine subscriptions.

11. Zebra Pen Highlighters

Amazon

Something I have recently gotten into is highlighting passages in books that I like (The Picture of Dorian Gray and Frankenstein are peppered in yellow). While I am using a random highlighter I dredged up in my desk drawer, these pretty Zebra Pen highlighters would be great for throwing together stocking stuffers and/or holiday gift baskets. The dual sides have a chisel and bullet tip for highlighting or underlining in five pastel colors: pink, orange, yellow, blue-green and blue.

12. Blackwing 602 Pencils

Amazon

Serious annotators don’t just use highlighters, they make notes. I’m always a fan of pencils—can’t risk ink bleed on the pages! For over a decade I’ve been a devotee of the Blackwing 602, which I affectionately call the Steinbeck pencil. Many legendary writers, including John Steinbeck, Stephen Sondheim and Truman Capote, were loyal to Blackwing. Though the original was discontinued, Cal Cedar Company did everyone a solid when it reintroduced the iconic pencil under its Palomino division in 2011. While $35/dozen isn’t quite the Ticonderoga deal you’re looking for at back-to-school shopping, it’s a whole lot better than the $40/PENCIL prices going around on Ebay before the resurrection. The graphite is smooth and sharpens into the most perfect point. My preferred sharpener (and traveling case) is the Faber-Castell Sharpener & Extender ($14), which delivers a sharpened graphite tip that could kill.

13. Soulful Scents Candle

Etsy

Tell me something better than a rainy day spent under abig blanket with a400-page book, cup of tea and candle. NOTHING. LaBarbera turned me on to Soulful Scents, which makes delightful literature-themed candles. My personal favorite is “Smells Like Mr. Darcy Walking Across a Foggy Meadow” (for obvious reasons), but there are tons of candles to choose from, including “Smells Like She’s Watching Pride & Prejudice Again,” “Smells Like She’s Reading Dramione Fanfic Again,” Smells Like He’s Reading Stephen King Again” and Smells Like She’s Reading Madeline Miller Again.”

14. Clementine Silk T-Shirt Dress

Clementine

I’m something of a pajama aficionado, having an entire dresser drawer dedicated to one of my favorite clothing items. Specifically, I’m very much into having pairs on pairs of the “good pajamas.” I’ve been following Clementine since they launched and think they make some of the best silk on the market right now. This organic mulberry silk T-shirt dress will do double duty. Comfortable pajamas for an all-day reading marathon, cute enough to wear out at night when you finally decide to step out on the town. If you’re feeling incredibly splurgy, they just launched a long-sleeved pajama set ($790) in three delicious colors, of which I’m coveting the bordeaux and martini green. 

15. Trope Tea

The Ripped Bodice

What book lover doesn’t enjoy a good trope? Viral beloved Brooklyn book store, The Ripped Bodice, is coming through with Trope Teas, including “Immortality Blew Until You,” “There’s Only One Bed,” “Can You Zip Me Up?,” “Why Talk When We Can Pine?” and “Snowed Inn.” Blends vary and range from green tea to rooibos and herbal.

72 Gifts for Teens That Are Actually Cool, According to Real Gen Z-ers

I must admit, I don’t exactly read at the level I aspire to. My goal for 2025 was to read one book a month, and while I fell majorly short in that regard, there is one book that I just couldn't resist getting my hands on.

I’ve long had New York Times bestselling romance author Ana Huang (King of Wrath, Twisted Games and Twisted Lies) on my radar, first learning about her on #booktok during the pandemic. But with so many books under her belt now, I didn’t want to jump on the Ana Huang train until I was able to start from the beginning. Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to go in the order of her previous books/series to understand her newest novel, The Defender. And when I heard it was a mixture of my two favorite topics, sports and drama, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to read it early and interview Huang herself.

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“It’s definitely a little different from what I usually write. I think my other books tend to be a little bit darker—not dark romance—but they tend to have drama, angst and a high-stakes feel,” she tells me. “I wanted to challenge myself by stepping outside of my comfort zone, and I thought it would be nice to have a change of pace.”

The story follows Vincent DuBois, captain of Blackcastle Football Club, and one of the highest-paid athletes in futbol. Vincent suddenly finds himself in a dangerous situation and is forced to share a flat with his coach’s daughter, Brooklyn, who is quite irresistible…and forbidden territory.  The sparks start flying, the heat is hot and while they both try to fight their feelings for one another, the temperature definitely rises.

The Defender is the perfect mixture of escapism, romance and drama. It also challenges power dynamics and the rules of the game, so to speak, which is exactly what Huang hoped for when writing it. 

Amazon

“It’s more lighthearted than my other books, but it still has that Ana Huang sort of glam and glitz. If you are looking for a lighthearted sports romance with lots of banter and spooky moments, this is for you.”

I Read a Book a Week. These 3 Are My Favorites of 2025 (So Far)

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.

Every October, my book club chooses a spooky classic to kick off the autumn season. This year was The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Last year we read Dracula. And the inaugural year, we selected Frankenstein. Prior to reading, my only notion of Frankenstein involved square green monstrous cartoons tenuously held together with one too many screws in the head. Thus, I was surprised that upon turning the last page, I was deeply moved. With Guillermo del Toro’s new adaptation now in theaters (and coming to Netflix November 7), I re-read the book as a primer for the screening—and left, as I expected, blown away.

I Just Finished Reading This Intense Thriller and I Can't Believe It's Never Been a Reese's Book Club Pick

First, a Piece of Book Club Trivia

IMDb

Fun fact: The monster in Shelley’s novel does not actually have a name. Frankenstein is rather the name of its creator, Victor Frankenstein. (Use that the next time you’re out at book trivia.)

While pop culture often represents Frankenstein’s creation as a haphazardly assembled sack of bones with a questionable green pallor and poor stitching, in the novel, the creature is constructed with utmost care.

For those unfamiliar with the actual premise of the book, it’s framed as a story told to an arctic explorer, Walton, who relays the tale in a series of letters to his sister in England. The book begins when Walton and his crew rescue a feeble Frankenstein from a sheet of floating ice, after which the doomed scientist recounts his horrifying experiences.

The TL;DR

From a young age, Victor Frankenstein is fascinated by natural philosophy and the challenge of giving life to inanimate matter. He spends his university years studying in a feverish pursuit of this quest, and ultimately succeeds when he breathes life into a monster. Upon gazing at the creature who is absolutely massive (the Jacob Elordi casting does him justice), with yellowed skin and black lips, Frankenstein realizes his grave and un-repentable error. He scares the beast away and passes the next few years in relative peace...that is, until the monster comes back seeking revenge. Understanding that he is destined to be scorned by humankind, Frankenstein’s monster demands that his creator fashion him a female companion. If the scientist acquiesces, he has the monster’s solemn promise that the latter will disappear deep into the South American forests, never to be seen again. When Frankenstein declines, he dooms himself to a life of torment and misery as the monster hunts down those he loves.

I Ended Up Rooting for the Monster

IMDb

What Shelley does so well—and that I expect del Toro’s adaptation to address, too—is humanize Frankenstein’s monster. He’s not a blithering, mindless, amoral, devious machine. In fact, in many ways, I’d argue that the monster was more human than his hubristic creator.

Seeing the monster’s intimidating form (of his own creation!), Frankenstein rejects his work on the spot, appalled. The monster is thus left to fend for himself, which is a high challenge considering that the way he experienced the first sensations of life is akin to being born. Surprisingly, some of the first things he learns are goodness, community, generosity and love…things that, tragically, are denied to the monster on principle because of his hideous frame. This made it all the more heart-wrenching when he beseeched Frankenstein: “I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and king, if thou wilt also perform thy part, which thou owest me. Oh, Frankenstein, be not equitable to every other and trample upon me alone, to whom thy justice, and even thy clemency and affection, is most due.”

It Begs the Question: Who’s the Real Monster?

I’m not condoning murder, of course, which the monster performs with vengeance. (I won’t divulge the victims, but it’s a sad affair indeed.) What I am saying is that Frankenstein deserves the litany of tragedies that befall him.

“Will no entreaties cause thee to turn a favorable eye upon thy creature, who implores thy goodness and compassion? Believe me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone?” Based on this humble request alone, I was left to wonder who the actual monster was in this relationship. As the book progresses, it’s evident that Frankenstein only driven by self-interest, while the monster earnestly attempted to cultivate in himself real altruistic qualities.

At just 221 pages, the book is snappy, though not lacking at all in substance. Frankenstein took everything I thought I knew about morality and twisted it into something unexpected. A challenge to look for humanity and goodness in the most unlikely places. 

The Top 15 Reese’s Book Club Picks, According to a Book Reviewer and Reading Nerd

Last year, I made one of the best decisions a book lover can make: I submitted a few days of PTO to read Sarah J. Maas's House of Flame and Shadow (the third book in the Crescent City series) and, now, taking time off from my everyday routine for at least one or two of my most anticipated reads of the year is simply a must. I mean, it allows me hours of uninterrupted reading time, and I don't have to worry about finding myself at the end of a cliffhanger chapter just as my lunch break is ending.

Given that I've been waiting for Alchemised by SenLinYu to come out since the second it was announced (and the fact that it comes in at a hefty 1,024 pages), I naturally had to make sure I had time set aside to read it—because I certainly wouldn't have been able to focus on anything else on its release day. And since it was recently announced that the book just got one of the biggest movie deals *in history* (described as a "significant seven-figure deal"—which may have been over $3 million), I thought this would be the perfect time to share why I, and so many other readers, are considering it one of the top reads of the year. After all, you'll need some time to dive into it before it hits the screen.

It's Only June, But I Think I've Already Found My Favorite Book of the Year

Amazon

You might know that Alchemised is an adaptation of SenLinYu's Manacled, which is a (just as lengthy!) fan fiction read that combined themes from Harry Potter and The Handmaid's Tale. However, you definitely *don't* need to have read Manacled in the past to enjoy Alchemised (in fact, it was removed from Archive of Our Own prior to the publication date, and any versions of Manacled available for sale are being sold illegally). Though if you have, you're sure to enjoy all of the parallels in scenes and dialogue throughout Alchemised.

Alchemised is set in a dark fantasy world named Paladia, and follows a similar story arc to Manacled, beginning with main female character, Helena, being removed from a state of stasis and finding that over a year's worth of her memories are missing or altered. Prior to her capture, Helena worked as an alchemical healer with the Resistance—a group involved in a brutal war against necromancers, and was captured as a prisoner when the Resistance failed. Now, in order to recover her memories, Helena is sent to one of the most powerful (and most dangerous) necromancers, the High Reeve, in an attempt to have him recover her memories for the High Necromancer, who believes she's concealing secrets of the Resistance that could still be used against him.

The story is told in three equally devastating parts (remember this is a dark fantasy world, and you should definitely check the author's trigger warnings before picking it up), and includes themes of war, alchemical magic, religion and the fight of light against dark (and how blurry those lines can really be) throughout. Despite the fact that I convinced myself I would be able to binge all 1,000+ pages in the two days I took off (I most certainly didn't), this is a book that you should plan to take your time with, as all of the details really do matter. Not to mention, with such heavy themes, you might want to take breaks every few chapters like I did to read something light and fun that will offer a bit of comedic relief (if you need a recommendation, anything by Meghan Quinn is sure to do the trick).

But despite the dark themes in this book, I (and I imagine many other readers, considering it's already racked up more than 28,000 ratings on Goodreads resulting in an average of 4.61/5 stars) found many of Helena's emotions to be entirely relatable. As SenLinYu has previously discussed (as shown in the TikTok video from creator @whimsy_bookowl above), many of the feelings the character grapples with stem from the author's own experiences navigating motherhood.

There is a romantic plotline in the novel as well, but I wouldn't classify it as a typical romantasy or romance read. Rather, in my opinion, it's more about two people finding their way together and holding on to their sense of humanity through each other in the worst circumstances.

If you've made it this far, you've probably guessed that I definitely recommend reading Alchemised, especially if you're a fantasy lover and love reading stories with complex worldbuilding, plotlines and magic systems (and have checked those triggers linked above in advance). And since the movie deal was just recently struck, you have plenty of time to savor those 1,000+ pages before filming even begins.

Romantasy Authors Alex Aster and Sable Sorensen Share Their Favorite Reads of the Year (and Dish on Their Own New Releases)

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.

Reese Witherspoon's resume is longer than my arm. Actress, producer, book club founder, media mogul...and now, author. While the Academy Award winner has several children's books to her name, this newest tome marks her foray into adult fiction. Her suspense novel, Gone Before Goodbye, hit shelves last week—and you need a copy, stat. (Take this from a gal who blew through it in six hours.)

International Intrigue Meets Hollywood Glamor

Seeing that Witherspoon comes from Hollywood, I wasn't surprised that the premise of the book involved lots of...cosmetic surgery. Combine that with the blinding wealth of a Russian oligarch and the heady, hedonistic backdrop of Dubai, and you've got a propulsive setup filled with mystery and intrigue.

The story focuses on disgraced army surgeon Maggie McCabe who, in want of other options after her medical license is suspended, agrees to a secretive, high-stakes job for a mysterious client. As soon as she steps onto the private jet en route to Russia, Maggie becomes entangled in a violent conspiracy that will soon reveal the secrets of her deceased husband and their missing friend.

Fast Pace, So Much Suspense and a Shocking Ending

When I learned that Harlan Coben was teaming up with Witherspoon to write Gone Before Goodbye, my interest was immediately pique. As a kid, I devoured Coben's Mickey Bolitar series as well as some of his adult fiction before one particularly violent scene had me creeped out. I'm glad I decided to pick this book up, though. As a reader, my one weakness I try to hide behind my wall of classic literature is a love for murder mysteries. My guiltiest pleasure is not a Netflix binge but starting a thriller at 9 p.m., snuggled in bed, and turning the last page at 3 a.m.

Gone Before Goodbye delivered on all fronts—a deeply painful death, international machinations of the sinister medical variety, plot twists and enough red herrings to keep me guessing until I turned the last page. It was everything I expected from Coben as a writer, with the Hollywood spin on elite plastic surgery that could have only been imagined by someone who lives in an industry that breathes these procedures.

While I found the novel highly entertaining, I was bothered by some POV changes I found rather inconsistent, a character who felt a little half-baked and a few murky details that still felt unclear by the time I turned the last page. But overall, it was a spectacular debut for Witherspoon and hallmark of Coben's best work. The writing is crisp, clean and detailed, with a satisfying ending. Definitely worth a reading binge into the wee hours of the morning.

As an avid reader, I will profess a love for book adaptations. Hulu’s Interior Chinatown was excellent. My book club is going to see Oedipus on Broadway. And do not get me started on Pride & Prejudice (Keira Knightley version, of course). Naturally, I was thrilled when Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer got the HBO limited series treatment last year. However, after reading many reviews, I hesitated. It was “Robert Downey Jr. this” and “Robert Downey Jr. that”—did the series, I wonder, even set out to tell the story it had licensed? Eventually, my curiosity got the better of me. After binge watching all eight episodes in a weekend, I can say that The Sympathizer was one of 2024’s most underrated shows…but the novel? Even better. Here, I make my case.

The Book Is Propulsive but Reflective

The Sympathizer has excellent credentials. While the show premiered in 2024, Nguyen actually published the novel in 2015. It was the 2016 recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and well received by critics.

The novel opens with one of the most intriguing lines in fiction—and I write that as someone who reads, on average, a book per week. (Truth: I read six books in a month this year.) “I am a spy, a sleeper, a spook, a man of two faces,” the narrator, who remains unnamed, begins. This is the fascinating, heart-wrenching, tragic and somehow simultaneously heartwarming saga of a Vietnamese communist spy who infiltrates the south and ends up expatriating to America after the fall of Saigon in 1975. Though he never reveals his name, this revolutionary, who only goes by The Captain, proves himself to be a complex man. The son of a Vietnamese mother and French priest. A Viet Cong infiltrator into the Western-backed south Vietnam. Asian immigrant unmoored in the suburban malaise of Los Angeles.

Something I found unique to this novel was that it was written in the style of a confession, generated by the protagonist in a reeducation camp in Vietnam. The book accomplishes the tall order of having both a propulsive plot—Assassinations! Political machinations! War-torn escapes! Hollywood glamour!—with the emotional depth of a man attempting to determine his identity.

It’s a Novel Take on a Major Historical Event

Another thing that struck me about The Sympathizer is that it was, I’m ashamed to say, the first time I’d read about a big historical conflict from a non-Western perspective. Not only that, but from a perspective that is often demonized. I don’t know what I was expecting to learn from a Communist spy, but it certainly wasn’t themes like loyalty, friendship, love, identity, heartbreak, regret, longing and loneliness. Humanity was bursting at the seams of this novel, and I remember lying in bed, late at night, turning the last page and just thinking, “Wow.” It was a powerful indictment on the one-sidedness of history.

The Series Was 2024’s Hidden TV Gem

Screen adaptations of award-winning fiction (however incredible) don’t always translate. I’m not going to lie, my book club watched the first episode of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude after reading the book and I don’t think any of us went further than that. On the flip side, The Sympathizer was incredibly well-executed. The cinematography was crisp but not overbearing like in One Hundred Years of Solitude, with just enough texture to transport me to ‘70s and ‘80s Saigon and Los Angeles. Major kudos to the set and costume designers there.

Additionally, it held pretty faithful to the original text, with some minor liberties taken to accommodate, what I assume, is a Hollywood spin to up the stakes and keep the viewers engaged. Otherwise, the visuals were amazing, and it was fun to see it all portrayed on the screen. Hoa Xuande was phenomenal as The Captain, with the incisive ability to convey a swath of emotion in the smallest, most nuanced facial expression. After watching the series, I’m wondering why he wasn’t nominated for any of the tentpole TV awards! Injustice.

One major gripe I had upon reading initial reviews was that Robert Downey Jr. played several roles. Though it did come off a bit distracting (and reviews I read focused only on Downey Jr. and not the wider story), I thought it was a brilliant way to build The Captain’s world. To him, he sees each character played by Downey Jr.—CIA Claude, a movie director, a professor, etc.—not as distinct people but one and the same, the West trying to bring his people into submission, bend them to the West’s ideology of who a Vietnamese, and, more broadly, who an Asian can be in America. And that was genius.

This Judy Blume Adaptation Has a 97% Rotten Tomatoes Score…and Don’t Sleep on the Book Either

Reese Witherspoon, 49, took to Instagram with a video to explain the surprise twist. And spoiler alert: there’s no book club pick this month. But there is something even bigger in store.

“Hey, everybody,” she began. “Okay, I know you’re probably expecting me to share out October Reese’s Book Club pick, but this month we’re changing it up—we’re doing something a little different.”

That “something different” is her own new book.

“As some of you know, I’ve teamed up with my very, very good friend Harlan Coben to write a brand-new thriller called Gone Before Goodbye and it is coming out October 14,” Reese shared. “So instead of picking a book, I thought, ‘Why don’t I take everybody on a book tour?’”

Yep, you heard that right. Reese is using this month to take fans behind the scenes of her new thriller—from the inspiration behind the story to how the co-writing process worked with bestselling author Harlan Coben.

“I’m so excited to share this amazing book with you. We worked so hard on it, and I want to tell you what my inspirations were, where I came up with this idea, how Harlan and I work together,” she added.

In her caption, she echoed the excitement, writing, “I can’t wait to share Gone Before Goodbye with you in person and online. You’ll be able to read or listen on @applebooks, our official home for audiobooks and eBooks.”

The Gone Before Goodbye book tour kicks off in Los Angeles, with additional stops in New York, St. Louis, Charleston, Nashville and London.

Tickets for the book tour are on sale now and you can snag her book on Amazon October 14.

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Reese Witherspoon Was Told Never to Take This Job (Try Not to Eyeroll)

One of my chief aspirations in life has always been to join a book club. When I first moved to New York, I quickly found that an invitation to one was more difficult to scrounge up than an invite to New York Fashion Week. (Trust me, I’ve gotten plenty of the latter and none of the former.) So, I adhered to the old adage: If you build it, they will come. I am now the host of a classics book club, which recently marked its two-year anniversary. What defines a classic? Typically, a publication date of no less than 25 years ago and the deader the author, the better. Exceptions made for contemporary authors riffing on classic works (as you’ll see below). Together, my book club has read 23 books, encompassing all sorts of writers, from Jane Austen and Joan Didion to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, James Baldwin and William Shakespeare. Here are my five favorites.

I Just Finished Reading This Intense Thriller and I Can't Believe It's Never Been a Reese's Book Club Pick

1. The Picture of Dorian Gray

Bookshop.org

I had long had Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece on my TBR, but finally got it voted into our book club rotation earlier this year. Because we are a classics book club, the expectation is that prose will often be dry and slow. (Not necessarily in a bad way.) However, The Picture of Dorian Gray was an absolute zinger. The novel focuses on the titular character, whom, upon the first page, we meet as a beautiful, innocent young man. He is quickly corrupted by a wry friend who initates Dorian’s descent into wickedness. Pithy aphorism after pithy aphorism delivered with pugilistic humor, critiquing and commenting on the conundrum of beauty. It’s violent, twisted, tragic—and very much applicable to the world we’re living in today.

2. Persuasion

Bookshop.org

Of course, Jane Austen had to make it on this list. Shockingly, we have not read Pride & Prejudice yet (though we will this year in honor of her 250th birthday in December). The upside has been reading some of her other work, of which I think Persuasion is highly underrated. The Netflix adaptation did not do it justice.

For those new to the Austen universe, I actually recommend this novel as it is on the shorter side (288 pages to Pride & Prejudice’s 480). Interestingly, the heroine is also the oldest of all those found in her works—Anne Elliot is 27 years old when the reader first meets her. Cue Charlotte Lucas’ most famous line: “I am 27 years old. I've no money and no prospects. I'm already a burden to my parents. And I'm frightened.” This is a will-they-won’t they get back together question, when her former fiancé waltzes back into her life, once poor, and now the owner of a dazzling fortune.

I also think that Persuasion has one of the best, most romantic Jane Austen quotes of all time, spoken by Captain Wentworth, who sadly lives in Mr. Darcy’s shadow: “You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever.” Do I really need to convince you to pick up a copy?

3. James

Bookshop.org

While we try to stick to “classic” lit, we make exceptions for riffs on classics, like Percival Everett’s Pulitzer Prize-winning spin on Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Everett takes a minor character in Twain’s book, Jim, and tells his story. The novel is cheeky and filled with humor, tempered by the inevitable injustice and tragedy that befall the titular character, who is enslaved and at risk of losing his family. Impressively, Everett brings the reader to a satisfying ending, and our book club meeting was particularly vibrant with discussion notes.

4. Dracula

Bookshop.org

While I usually eschew themes and seasons, something I look forward to every year is my book club’s spooky October tome. It’s been incredibly interesting to dive into characters that are omnipresent in pop culture, like Frankenstein and Jekyll & Hyde, and discover that their stories are rich and surprising—rather than flattened, one-dimensional Halloween decorations and costumes. Dracula was a harrowing, thrilling tale that made me feel the creepy-crawlies at night. And if you’re into book-to-movie adaptations, Nosferatu was much better than Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 adaptation, though the latter does star a young Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves and Gary Oldman.

5. Madame Bovary

Bookshop.org

The introduction in my copy of Gustave Flaubert’s novel described the eponymous character as the “original desperate housewife” and that’s all the convincing my book club needed to read it. Despite its setting in a rural French village, this tome about a passionate young woman in a loveless marriage has drama for the ages. Unrequited love. Secret affairs. Wholesome harvest festivals, questionable medical advice, maddening, debt-spiraling shopping sprees and a desperate tailspin into a tragic ending.

Katherine Heigl Gave Her Stamp to One of BookTok's Favorite Romantasy Series—and Inspired Me to Binge the First Book

We live in an age when celebrity book clubs are how scores of women get their literary picks. (Remember the days when it was just Oprah?) But with great power comes great responsibility. Reese’s Book Club and Read with Jenna are known for promoting diverse, women-forward novels that are highly readable and worthy of discussion. And often this means twisty thrillers, from The Secret History to The Last Thing He Told Me to The Guest List.

One book neither has selected that absolutely deserves a spot on any smart-girl’s thriller list: Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll.

Knoll is best-known for her 2015 hit Luckiest Girl Alive, about a woman seeking a new life after a traumatic and mysterious high school experience. But I would argue that Bright Young Women, published in 2023, is superior: more nuanced, more surprising and more subversive in the way it flips the “girl-as-victim” narrative on its head.

Amazon

Based on true events (the 1978 Ted Bundy FSU sorority house murders), the novel follows the fictional Pamela Schumacher, the Type A president of house, and the only witness to a horrific attack committed during the cloak of night. As she bravely tries to help the police (themselves mired in the sexism and myopia of the day), she comes into contact with another woman with a story to tell: Tina Cannon, who has traveled to Florida with a dark past and a sense of who the murderer may be.

Knoll does a number of interesting things in this fast-paced book. First of all, she never mentions the murderer by name, simply calling him “the Defendant.” Secondly, she directs the narrative away from the gory crime itself, never letting us wallow (or bask) in its depravity. Rather, she centers the novel on the women, the survivors—how their lives were changed and the stories they might want to tell if given the chance.

A tightly plotted thriller with feminist overlays? Sounds like just the sort of thing Reese and Jenna might enjoy. Having already hit many best-of lists when it published two years ago, Bright Young Women doesn’t exactly need their help. Still, I’d wager it’s worth them grabbing a copy.

Miss Your 'Wednesday' Fix? These 20 Dark Academia Books Are Equal Parts Delectable and Deranged

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.

When it comes to #booktok, there’s arguably no bigger and more rabid fanbase than romantasy readers. Fourth Wing, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Shield of Sparrows, The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy…titles abound, and readers can’t get enough. As the holiday season gears up and you’re searching high and low for the best gifts for everyone from teens to dad to the experience nut in your family, trust me, an avid reader, when I say you’re going to want romantasy gifts on hand. The question isn’t who’s reading, it’s who’s not reading? If my deep dives into Reddit are any indication, the fans are *invested.* To create this romantasy gift guide, I consulted two romantasy lovers I know: PureWow Associate Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera and the writer Becca Glasser-Baker. Together, we curated a list of 20 romantasy gifts that will satisfy even the most hard-core reader.

1. Glocusent Book Light

Amazon

All bookworms know the conundrum. You’re about to snuggle up in bed but don’t want to fall asleep with the lights on. Everyone is sleeping on the plane and you don’t want to be *that* person turning on the overhead light. Enter the compact, convenient Glocusent book light.

“I appreciate just how many different settings there are on this light. You have three different warmths to choose from (a warm light, crisp light and ‘versatile’ shade that falls in-between), along with five different brightness levels,” LaBarbera notes in her review. “Personally, I almost never need to turn my light up past the first brightness level and usually keep it on the warm light setting, but I like that I have plenty of options.”

In addition to a rotation and swivel feature (so the light hits just right!), there’s a handy timer. Perfect for preventing you from telling yourself “just one more chapter,” only to be closing the last page of Fourth Wing at 5 a.m.

2. Libro.fm Membership

Libro.fm

Another gift the romantasy-loving LaBarbera recommends is a Libro.fm membership. “For me, the fact that Libro.fm supports the independent bookstore of your choosing with every audiobook purchase is more than enough to keep me coming back,” she writes. “There are more than 500,000 audiobooks available in every genre on the platform—from romance to science fiction, mystery, thrillers and so much more. Plus, you have options to set a sleep timer, enter the car mode (which has larger buttons for easier control) and use AirPlay to project your audiobook to different devices.” Consider this the ideal gift for the friend who’s just hopped on the romantasy train and is trying to desperately motor through Rachel Gillig’s entire catalogue before they die of suspense.

3. Romantasy Kindle Insert

Amazon

For the person who’s stuffed every romantasy read on their Kindle (and then some), this insert is a fun way to rep all their favorite books. The cardstock print features quotes and references from a variety of popular works and authors, finished with a holographic star overlay for an otherworldly quality. It slips easily into a clear Kindle case so that the recipient can change it out at their fancy.

4. Kindle Colorsoft

Amazon

The Kindle Colorsoft is a splurge gift for the reader in your life. It’s got all the hallmarks of the classic Kindle, but with the addition of color. The upgrade features highlighters in four colors and a Dark Mode which adjusts the lighting while still allowing you to enjoy the images. The battery will last up to eight weeks, with a glare-free display and auto-adjusting light that will adapt to your surroundings. Complete the gift with a Kindle Unlimited subscription and pre-load your recipient’s favorite romantasy titles.

5. Rhysand Candle

Etsy

No question about it—Rhysand is the hottest thing to come out of A Court of Thorns and Roses. So what better gift to give a megafan than a candle…that smells just like the High Lord of the Night Court? This vegan soy candle is hand-mixed and features notes of citrus, jasmine and starlight. A heady, intoxicating, yet delicate scent that manages to encapsulate this morally gray love interest.

6. A Coupe of Thorns and Rosé

Amazon

With a cocktail book like this, a romantasy reading party is an absolute must. For the bookworm who’s also the consummate host, A Coupe of Thorns and Rosé is a cheeky selection of recipes for tipples that will have you imagining your romantic interest of choice is there to clink glasses with you. From a Crescent City Cosmopolitan to a Vampiro and Empyrean Espresso Martini, it’ll be the cocktail party that no one ever forgets.

7. TBR Jar

Amazon

Glasser-Baker told me about her TBR jar, and I thought it was an easy and brilliant idea. We both liked this one from Amazon, which gave us romantic fairy vibes, but also thought it would be fun to customize. Simply buy a plain jar and decorate it with motifs of your friend’s or family member’s favorite romantasy reads. You can also toss in a few reading challenges written on fairy- or dragon- themed paper for a finishing touch.

8. Blind Date With a Book

Etsy

Glasser-Baker and I both love the “blind date” concept with books, whereby you purchase a wrapped mystery book that leaves only a few clues as to its title. We both thought that this romantasy-themed option was fun and cute. The “spa” version includes a few extra goodies to help you relax while reading. I also like that you can choose YA or 18+ ratings.

9. Velaris City of Starlight Candle

Amazon

If someone you know wants to be whisked away to the starry, exquisite world of Velaris City, this candle will come close. The sandalwood notes will create a woody, calming sense of wonder I imagine approximates the feeling of strolling through this world of wonders.

10. Dragon Ornament

Amazon

There are high chances that the romantasy fan in your life is really into dragons. I was instantly drawn to this majestic ornament that perfectly evokes what reading is to me—the explosion and collision of worlds.

11. A Court of Thorns and Roses Tumbler

Amazon

A 40-ounce tumbler for the person who can’t be bothered to get up and refill their cup during a particularly smutty entrancing scene. This insulated beverage cup is an ode to Velaris City, complete with quotes and illustrations.

12. Romantasy Tattoos

Etsy

Twenty-nine dainty tattoos that make all the romantasy references—fated, FMC (female main character), snakes, swords, stars and dragon wings. The vegan, plant-based ink will last up to two weeks.

13. From Blood and Ash Tote Bag

Amazon

Trust me, a bookworm’s sole desire is to have a tote bag that enables them to carry even more books. At least, that’s why I find myself hauling tote bags around. Fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash series will love this tote bag—because who doesn’t want to be a “stunning, murderous little creature”?

14. Smutty Bookmark

Etsy

Glasser-Baker told me she loves gifting smutty bookmarks, and we were absolutely howling when we found this one. It’s cheeky, but not *dirty.* Get this for the romantasy fan in your life ASAP.

15. Annotation Kit

Etsy

Many serious readers are also equally serious annotators. This under-$15 kit is great for bookmarking favorite steamy scenes and pithy quotes that you’ll want to flip back to again and again.  

16. Illyrian Cabin Sweatshirt

Etsy

For the romantasy fan who appreciates bookish apparel, this otherworldly Illyrian Cabin sweatshirt is sure to hit. Not included, sadly, is the High Lord of the Night Court. (But you can dream about him!)

17. Fourth Wing Coloring & Sticker Book

Amazon

Many of my friends are into adult coloring and sticker books. For the Rebecca Yarros fan, this Fourth Wing-themed book offers 78 pages with scenes, quotes and characters, plus ten color stickers. Included are electric renderings of Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson’s romance, dragons Tairn, Andarna and Sgaeyl and illustrations of the cutthroat Basgiath War College.

18. Quicksilver Limited Edition

Barnes & Noble

As a bookworm myself, I can’t ever resist a beautiful limited-edition copy of my favorite tome. Callie Hart’s Quicksilver is available with an updated cover, foil accents, metallic edges, designed endpapers, a stamped foil case and—for the superfans—a bonus chapter.

19. Tarin and Andarna Tote Bag

Etsy

Dragon fans, this one’s for you. This compact and foldable Tarin and Andarna tote bag will accommodate up to 50 pounds—great for groceries or book hauls.

20. Immortality Blew Until You Trope Tea

The Ripped Bodice

Cozy season is upon us, and there’s no better cold-weather activity than curling up with a fluffy blanket and a book. This on-theme tea, a chai green rooibos, will waft the winds of fate in every curl of steam.

Romantasy Authors Alex Aster and Sable Sorensen Share Their Favorite Reads of the Year (and Dish on Their Own New Releases)

Do elite universities, darkened libraries, secret societies, cult-like behavior, morally questionably characters and, well, murder send chills and thrills down your spine? Are you already itching for the next season of Wednesday to drop? If so, you should dip your toes into the world of dark academia. From genre-defining classics like The Secret History to modern must-reads like Ninth House, these 20 dark academia books will have you tearing through pages (and glad you didn’t go to boarding school).

It's Only June, But I Think I've Already Found My Favorite Book of the Year

1. The Ordeals by Rachel Greenlaw

Amazon

I've read my fair share of dark academia books, but this soon-to-be-released romantasy from Rachel Greenlaw totally surprised me by becoming one of my favorites of the year. In this start to a new duology, Sophia DeWinter makes a plan to escape her cruel uncle by gaining access to the notoriously secretive Killmarth College. Before she can secure a position in the school, though, she has to compete in a series of challenges against other magic wielders, all while partnering with her rival Alden Locke. This story had me gripped from the first page to the last, so trust me when I say you'll definitely want to hit that preorder button to get it the day it's released (October 7).

2. The Secret History by Donna Tart

Amazon

Donna Tartt won the Pulitzer for The Goldfinch, but her first title—about a group of bookish misfits at a New England college who fall under the spell of a charismatic, morally questionable classics professor—is a complete classic when it comes to dark academia novels. Richard, the narrator and newest member of the group, finds himself quickly burdened by very dark secrets. Opening with a murder, The Secret History reads like a slow burn, with tension building gradually and an ending that will blow your mind.

3. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Amazon

If you're a fan of dark academia and still haven't gotten around to Leigh Bardugo's Ninth House, this is your sign to pick it up now. This book, which was one of my top reads from last year, follows Alex Stern who, after being the only survivor after a multiple homicide connected to her drug-dealer ex-boyfriend in Los Angeles, finds herself as an unexpected member of Yale's freshman class with all expenses covered by a mysterious benefactor. At Yale, she becomes mixed in amongst the Ivy League university's dark, secret societies and finds herself in the midst of more than one sinister activity. Honestly, I think it's best to go into this one not knowing too much else, but what you should know is that book two in the series, Hell Bent is already out with the third expected to come sometime in 2026, per Goodreads.

4. Arcana Academy by Elise Kova

Amazon

Arcana Academy (the first book in this new series) released this summer, and the second my copy arrived in the mail I dove right into it—and you're going to want to, too. This unique fantasy story features a magic system based on tarot cards and main character, Clara Greysword. After being imprisoned for illegally inking cards, Clara ends up at Arcana Academy at the direction of Prince Kaelis to officially train in the magic. To keep her identity concealed, Kaelis introduces Clara as his bride-to-be, and the two continue their deceit by attempting to steal from the king and create a long-lost card that will give Kaelis complete power. But can Clara really help her enemy gain that kind of control? You'll just have to read to find out. (P.S. The audiobook of this is phenomenal.)

5. Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

Amazon

Blood Over Bright Haven has been recommended by nearly every bookish content creator I follow (not to mention, it has a 4.4/5 Goodreads rating), and I'm finally going to jump into it this fall. This standalone novel takes us through Sciona's story as she endeavors to become the first woman admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry. After achieving this and earning the title of highmage, she's unwelcome among her peers, and is given a janitor as an assistant who is so much more than he seems. The two begin working together and uncover a secret that could change magic forever, but will also put their lives on the line.

6. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Amazon

Another book (well, series, as this is the first in the completed The Legendborn Cycle trilogy) that I've only heard the best things about is Legendborn. This young adult story, influenced by Arthurian legend, centers around Bree Matthews, who witnesses a magical attack on her first night in an accelerated program for high schoolers at UNC-Chapel Hill college. The Legendborn secret society fends off the attacking creatures and, after discovering Bree saw everything a "Merlin" attempts to wipe her memory, but fails. But the attempted erasure reminds Bree that a similar Merlin was present in the hospital when her mother died, so she becomes determined to infiltrate the society to uncover the truth, and eventually finds herself in the grips of a magical war.

7. The Will of the Many by James Islington

Amazon

I have it on good authority from Sable Sorensen (author of Dire Bound) that The Will of the Many is a must-read, and that's more than enough for me to put it on my fall TBR list (plus, it's earned an impressive 4.6/5 star Goodreads rating from nearly 150,000 reviewers). In this start to a new series, Vis Telimus infiltrates The Catenan Republic, or the Heirarchy, by attending their most prestigious school under the guise that after graduating, he will allow his Will to be leeched away to add to their power. Meanwhile, Vis works to uncover secrets that could tear the Heirarchy apart while rising through their ranks.

And there's no better time to get in on this new series since the second book, The Strength of the Few, releases this November.

9. Bunny by Mona Awad

Amazon

Mean girls, occult-ish rituals and murder combine in this delightfully bizarre novel about how women feel about themselves and others, all told through the eyes of five somewhat deranged college students. Set on an idyllic campus in New England, outsider Samantha finds herself at the center of an exclusive group of rich girls (the “Bunnies”) who seem outwardly twee, only to be hiding some grotesque secrets.

10. Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie

Amazon

This YA read set in an academy in the afterlife is just begging to be on your list of books for spooky season. I snagged it in my Book of the Month subscription (with sprayed edges and all!), and binged it in just a few days. This one follows a group of students who are competing in the Decennial—a series of trials in which one will become victorious and earn a permanent spot at Blackwood Academy. But the competition isn't without risk, and the only way out is through. Even then, there are secrets the school is hiding that up the stakes even more.

11. These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

Amazon

In 1970s Pittsburgh, sensitive, mysterious, working-class Paul meets charming (and cruel) Julian as university freshmen. Their unlikely friendship, bound by their intellect, quickly develops into an intimate and toxic obsession. Think Call Me by Your Name with a Secret History edge in a novel that examines the depths of human desire and darkness.

12. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Amazon

As a dark academia-lover, it honestly feels criminal that I haven't gotten to Naomi Novik's The Scholomance series yet, and I'm determined to this year. This trilogy starts with A Deadly Education at the dark and dangerous Scholomance school where many of the students assume El is the evil witch the school wants her to be. El is focused on just making it out alive without killing anyone. Well, except maybe Orion Lake.

13. The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

Amazon

By the author of The Silent Patient, this thriller follows Mariana Andros as she investigates the murder of one of “The Maidens,” a secret society of young women studying under suspiciously charismatic classics professor Edward Fosca at Cambridge University. Students begin to drop like flies and Mariana is convinced that Fosca is behind it—but is he?

14. Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

Amazon

R.F. Kuang's Katabasis is easily one of the most-anticipated dark academia reads of this year, and it's finally out now (with some seriously stunning sprayed edges for the limited deluxe edition). This standalone story follows Alex Law, who has sacrificed everything to work with professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge, who dies in a magical accident and is sent to Hell. Alex, along with her rival Peter, is determined to reach him to receive his recommendation, though, and follows tales of Orpheus and Dante to do it. (P.S. If you want even more academia from Kuang, you'll want to check out Babel, too.)

15. The Incandescent by Emily Tesh

Amazon

Another book that's on my radar to get to this fall is The Incandescent by Emily Tesh, who authored the World Fantasy Award-winning Silver in the Wood. This one tells the story of Doctor Walden, Director of Magic at Chetwood School and one of the most powerful magicians in England, as she tries to secure the school against demonic attacks. But what if the real threat is actually her?

16. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Amazon

A twisty YA thriller, Àbíké-Íyímídé’s debut chronicles two students, Devon and Chiamaka, as they navigate Niveus Private Academy and its anonymous, texting bully who’s out to spill their dark secrets. (Think Gossip Girl/Pretty Little Liars at an elite private school.) The novel also pushes dark academia to new places as it explores themes of institutionalized racism.

17. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

Amazon

In 1950 Vermont at Idlewild Hall, a boarding school that’s rumored to be haunted, four roommates bond until one of them goes missing. Flash forward to 2014 and journalist Fiona Sheridan can’t get over the closed-case murder of her sister, which took place at Idlewild 20 years prior. When she learns that the boarding school is being restored, she decides to write about it, only to discover some shocking revelations linking her sister’s death to the past.

18. The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H.G. Parry

Amazon

I finally picked this book up off my shelf when I set out to put together this list, and I so wish I had read it sooner. This historical fantasy novel starts out at the magical Camford college in the 1920s, where Clover has earned her spot in the hopes of finding a cure for her brother who was cursed by a faerie during World War I. She quickly becomes friends with Alden, Hero and Eddie, until one golden summer changes everything. The true fallout of that summer comes out years later, and Clover has to make an impossible choice between saving the magical world she loves and doing what she knows is right.

19. Nocticadia by Keri Lake

Amazon

Listen, this book is dark, but given that it's probably my favorite audiobook I've ever listened to, I couldn't leave it off this list. (That said, be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.) In this novel, Lilia makes a decision to accept a place at Dracadia University in the hopes of getting the chance to study a mysterious illness that killed her mother. The island where the university is housed is just as spooky as the disease itself—as is Professor Bramwell, who's known across campus as Doctor Death. After securing a place as Bramwell's assistant, Lilia finds herself caught up in an intense romance with the pathologist, while the university's secrets begin to unfold.

(BTW, plenty of other readers are just as obsessed with this book as I am. So many, in fact, that it's set to be traditionally published this December, but you can still snag a copy of the indie paperback before then, too.)

20. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Amazon

The classic story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty is now considered by some to be the Bible of the genre. Basically, Oscar Wilde did dark academia an entire century before it even became a thing. So if you haven't made it around to this classic read yet, I suggest jumping on it ASAP.

Romantasy Authors Alex Aster and Sable Sorensen Share Their Favorite Reads of the Year (and Dish on Their Own New Releases)

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.

At the start of every month, I always try to plan out a few books I definitely want to read in the weeks ahead. Do I stick to that list? Maybe about half the time. But either way, I love taking a few days to check out what other people are reading and recommending to ensure I'm not missing out on any future favorites.

Recently, I had the chance to chat with best-selling romantasy authors, Alex Aster and Sable Sorensen (specifically Annie, who is a co-writer under this penname with friend, Eliza), and besides begging them for all the details they could share about their next releases, I also tapped them for some of the best books they've read recently themselves—all of which, of course, made it to my September TBR list.

And if you're anything like me, you might also want to plan for a re-read of both the Lightlark series by Aster and Dire Bound by Sorensen by queuing them up in your Spotify audiobooks playlist before the next installments are released (Grim and Oro is coming in late September, Crowtide in December and Fury Bound in May). But enough about my reading plans—ahead, find all the details on Aster and Sorensen's upcoming releases, must-read recommendations and more.

How to Start a Book Club (Even If You're a Total Introvert)

PureWow (LaBarbera): "First, what everyone wants to know—can you tell me about your next book being published or what you're currently working on?"

Aster: "My Grim and Oro book comes out next...It ended up being so much longer than we expected. We thought it was going to be two novellas but it ended up being kind of two full novels...That was really fun to write. My hope is that people who are team Grim might switch to team Oro or people who are team Oro might switch to team Grim...For Crowtide, what I can say is there's a huge twist right in the middle of the book that I promise no one is going to guess...It's something that really even surprised me...And I'm working on a secret project right now that's the longest book I've written yet."

Sorensen (Annie): "So, no surprise to anybody who has seen the cliffhanger at the end of Dire Bound, there is another book coming in the series. It picks up exactly where Dire Bound left off. As many of you may know, I'm a co-writer, my co-writer Eliza can't be here tonight...but she and I have been working really closely together on making sure that book two is everything it can possibly be. So we're very deep into finalizing the last draft of book two and that will come out in May of next year."

PureWow (LaBarbera): "Can you share with me any must-haves you just have to have on your desk for a full writing day? Any treats you have to have, music that has to be playing or anything else that would be fun for us to know?"

Aster: "I think anyone who follows me on social media will know that I drink way too much coffee...I actually make it half-caf so I can have more cups in a day...When I'm editing I like to get chocolate-covered almonds because it's a food that won't get all over my keyboard. If I'm listening to music, it's one song over and over. Every single book I've written has one song that I have listened to a thousand times when writing it. For example, for Lightlark it was "Champagne Problems" by Taylor Swift...Also for anyone who's familiar with the Lightlark series, it's a love triangle...and only three people know who she'll choose—me, my editor and someone from the movie side."

Sorensen (Annie): "I'm kind of funny. Eliza's someone who likes to be in her quiet space...I like to be out in the world when I write. So I have a couple of different cafes that I like near my house that I go to and I'll just drink way too much coffee and sit and often turn my WiFi off, because it's so easy to get distracted...I'll sit with coffee and a pastry and the more people bustling around me the better...There's so many people who are remote working near me or other writers, so it gets you into the vibe."

PureWow (LaBarbera): "If you can possibly narrow it down, what's your favorite thing about being an author?"

Aster: "I love doing what I love every single day. I've been writing books since I was 12 just in my room alone and no one was reading them for a really long time, so just the fact that I still get that same experience of sitting in front of a blank page and trying to fill it. It still feels just as magical as it did when I was a kid...that's what I love."

Sorensen (Annie): "One of my favorite things that I didn't know how much I would love until this year is talking to readers who have also fallen in love with these characters that are so deeply engrained in our heads at this point. Getting to hear when we had something in common that we love about the character, but also sometimes when the reader has a slightly different take on something or interpreted something a little differently, it's always really amazing...I think people come to books and it gives them what they need in that moment and I love hearing about people's experiences."

PureWow (LaBarbera): "What is your favorite book you've read recently? Or any audiobooks you're especially loving?"

Aster: "My friend Chloe Gong has a book called Coldwire coming out, it's a dystopian and I love the resurgence of the dystopian genre—it's so fun. She's such a talented writer so I really enjoyed that. I also really enjoyed Ali Hazelwood's releases this year, Deep End was so good and I can't wait for her other releases coming later this year...Also Abby Jimenez's Just for the Summer...She's a romance writer that I really admire.

I kind of rediscovered audiobooks recently because we were thinking about who was going to [voice] Grim and Oro...and I love it so much because I like to walk for an hour every day to try to get myself out of my writing cave, so I've been reading a lot via audiobook. I'm going to try to listen to some graphic audiobooks, [maybe one of Ali Hazelwood's next]."

Sorensen (Annie): "I recently read the romantasy [The Saint of Steel series] by T. Kingfisher. They are so, so amazing. I love that each one focuses on a different couple, so you get some resolution but then there's this epic, larger plot happening as well, so I'm dying for the next one. I also recently read The Will of the Many, which is not romantasy, it's a fantasy (although there is a little bit of romance in it!), and I just thought it was brilliant the way it incorporated elements from the Roman empire and how much the class system and hierarchy played into the magic system...It was maybe my favorite book I've read this year...I'm also excited [to read] the new R.F. Kuang (Katabasis) and...the sequel to Quicksilver, Brimstone.

This is a little out of left-field because it's not even fiction, but I've been listening to Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, which he narrates himself...It is just really funny and crazy and a crazy behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant industry. I think it's the book that really launched him into his stardom as a chef, so that's incredible. I also really love listening to audiobooks when the narrator has an accent. For example, I've listened to almost all of Liane Moriarty's books as audiobooks...because I just love the Australian narrators, so those are favorites as well."

PureWow (LaBarbera): "To wrap things up, is there anything else you want to share that readers might be especially interested in or that you're really excited about?"

Aster: "I'm really excited that Crowntide is in three points-of-view. It's in Isla, Oro and Grim's points-of-view...and it was so fun to write that because it's kind of nonstop action from page one until the middle and then the big twist happens that changes everything. So I'm just really excited to see readers' reactions."

Sorensen (Annie): "In the paperback and also in audio edition [of Dire Bound], there's an exclusive chapter from Stark's perspective, so that's something I'm really excited about it, and want to make sure fans know that there's an extra bonus thing to discover in [both of those] editions."

Well, between the upcoming releases from both Aster and Sorensen, plus the incredible recommendations from both, my TBR list is looking *full.* Like both authors, I'll be grabbing myself a coffee (or three) to get started on it this weekend (I've already taken Aster's advice and listened to Just for the Summer, which I thought was incredible, and plan to dive into The Will of the Many next), and if you're loving their recs as much as I am, you can shop them all below.

It's Only June, But I Think I've Already Found My Favorite Book of the Year

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.

I can deny it as much as I want, but summer will be drawing to a close very soon. So, I used the end of the season as the perfect opportunity to squeeze in one final breezy summer read. My selection? Beloved murder mystery/thriller The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware.

Fans of Ware and her signature first-person, damaged-protagonist style will know that this is not a new novel. It came out back in 2016. But it is the ideal candidate for one of my favorite book recommendation sources, Reese’s Book Club. And yet, when I scrolled back through the history of Reese Witherspoon selections, I was surprised to see that the novel had never made the list. (Ware’s The Lying Game did make it back in 2017.)

Great for fans of The Woman in the Window, The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl (or, frankly, any of the novels that inspired the Kristen Bell parody series The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window), Ware’s novel follows Lo Blacklock, a journalist who is assigned to cover the launch of a new luxury yacht, the Aurora. Things take a turn when she thinks she witnesses the aftermath of a murder. The victim? A woman staying next door in cabin 10. The only problem? There is no record of this woman ever being a passenger on the ship.

The book is twisty and fun, with plenty of surprises plot-wise. Lo falls into many of the genre’s tropes, but once you get past her panic attacks and overwhelming anxiety, she becomes a character you can truly root for as she tries to unravel the mystery. And the mystery is a complicated one. I won’t give any spoilers, but I definitely didn’t see the major twist coming (it hits about two-thirds of the way through).

Adding to the fun is a long list of suspects aboard the Aurora. And the isolated nature of the boat gives the whole thing an And Then There Were None vibe.

The good news for me? The novel has been made into a new movie for Netflix, forthcoming in October. In fact, the trailer for the star-studded film dropped just days ago. And by “star-studded,” I mean Keira Knightley, Hannah Waddingham, Guy Pearce and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. So, almost as big-time as Reese herself.

The 3 Best Thrillers Reese's Book Club Has Ever Recommended

It’s officially September, which means cooler mornings, pumpkin-flavored everything, kids heading back to school and, of course, a fresh new pick from Reese’s Book Club to cozy up with.

As usual, Reese Witherspoon revealed this month’s selection via Instagram. The Morning Show star shared a sunny snapshot of herself perched on a crisp white and oak staircase, glowing in a cheerful yellow top, classic blue jeans and a brown belt (very fall-core), with her adorable pup Minnie Pearl lounging nearby.

"September’s @reesesbookclub pick is To the Moon and Back by @elianaramage," the caption of her September 2 post reads before teasing, "A breathtaking debut about family, identity, and love across generations."

To the Moon and Back tells the story of Steph Harper, who’s been on the run, physically and emotionally, since she was a kid. After escaping an abusive home with her mom and sister, the family lands in Cherokee Nation but Steph’s sights are set much farther: think NASA, the moon and a future that’s galaxies away from Oklahoma.

Spanning three decades and multiple continents, the book dives deep into Steph’s pursuit of purpose and distance, as well as the lives of the women closest to her, her sister Kayla (an artist turned Indigenous social media star), her college girlfriend Della (reckoning with identity and adoption) and her mother Hannah (whose past holds more secrets than she lets on). It’s a raw, powerful exploration of ambition, identity and what it means to carve out space for yourself.

If it sounds like a must-read, you’re not alone. The novel already has a solid four-star rating on Goodreads, with readers seriously obsessed.

"I’ve spent weeks trying to come up with the right words for this book. I loved it so much I took it everywhere with me. I literally read it between sets at the gym and took it into the sauna (my copy is WORN)," one fan shared.

Another wrote, "Aside from a few slower parts, this was an absolutely enthralling read. I loved how flawed and human each of the characters felt, which made it so easy to immerse myself in this book." And someone else kept it simple: "I loved this, it was excellent."

You can snag your copy of To the Moon and Back now on Amazon.

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I Read the Highest-Rated Reese's Book Club Pick—Here's My Review

Forget Moby Dick, To Kill a Mockingbird or A Farewell to Arms. The great Edith Wharton once cheekily crowned Gentlemen Prefer Blondes “The Great American Novel.” The slim, 176-page satire by Anita Loos also won admirers like James Joyce and George Santayana, and went on to spawn a comic strip, a Broadway musical, a 1928 silent film, and, most famously, the 1953 Marilyn Monroe classic. As a Golden Age of Hollywood enthusiast, I’d seen Monroe purr that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” But I wanted to read the book that started it all and see if really meets Wharton’s appellation as the Great American Novel. Here’s my review.

Anita Loos Commits to the Bit

When I turned the first page, I had to contain my reflexive eye-roll at the spelling- and grammar- riddled prose. Instead of a traditional novel, Loos structures the entire story as a string of diary entries. The narrator, like the 1953 musical, is Lorelai Lee, a society girl from Little Rock, Arkansas. Unlike the movie, Lorelai is not a showgirl engaged to a millionaire but rather a society girl and aspiring actress, bouncing from wealthy male patron to wealthy male patron in the hedonistic heyday of Jazz Age New York. While my writer heart had a hard time with all the “dumb blonde” flubs, the voice was spot on, and eventually the mistakes grew on me as an embellishment of the character.

It Cheekily Redeems the “Dumb Blonde” Trope

While I loved the Monroe musical, Loos’s original work gave the seemingly brainless Lorelai a little more credibility (albeit sarcastically). The book was never meant to be a serious thing, either. Loos had the idea for it while struggling with her luggage on a train, while noticing that instead of offering her aid, all the men were fawning over a vapid natural blonde. However, the novella does deserve some credit in a way that the movie robbed Monroe of the same chance to redeem the trope.

Don’t get me wrong—in the film, Lorelai delivers plenty of witty aphorisms about the tribulations of womanhood. Notably, if you listen to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in its entirety, you’ll hear the zingers. The particular gut punch: “Men grow cold / As girls grow old / And we all lose our charms in the end.” However, the plot sets it up so that Lorelai is portrayed as an engaged woman always scheming to find a better match, tripping in her own foibles in pursuit of the biggest possible diamond.

In the book, Lorelai isn’t engaged, and actually shows, beneath the ditzy veneer, a good modicum of intelligence as she juggles a string of interested, wealthy patrons and a diamond tiara heist, all while managing to bag the country’s most eligible bachelor and turn him into a vehicle to fund her Hollywood pursuits.

Sure, she’s chasing the superficial, but Lorelai is on a mission and orchestrates everything so that in the end, she gets exactly what she wants. And you don’t get exactly what you want solely riding on the basis of being pretty. Might it be easier? Sure. But you need to give your goal momentum, and Lorelai is running a steam engine pulling ten first-class rail cars.

In Short, a Hidden Gem

The satire was a smash hit when it was published in 1925—the same year as The Great Gatsby. Ultimately, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes printed an astonishing 85 editions and translations in 14 languages. While incredibly tongue-in-cheek and poking fun, it does, ultimately, give Lorelai some credit. She’s working the system in which she must exist as a woman, in a time period with limited opportunities. Can you fault her? Because as Monroe so aptly said in character: “I can be smart when it's important. But most men don't like it.”

This Judy Blume Adaptation Has a 97% Rotten Tomatoes Score…and Don’t Sleep on the Book Either

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PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.

My first introduction to Taylor Jenkins Reid was, inevitably, TikTok. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo blew up, and I couldn’t turn a corner or scroll for a minute without hearing about it. I caved, eventually, and read it. I teared up at the ending, then proceeded to devour Daisy Jones & The Six, Carrie Soto Is Back and Malibu Rising. And I’m currently number 268 in line at the library for her latest release, Atmosphere: A Love Story. If you, too, are anxiously waiting to get your hands on the author’s newest book, may I suggest filling your time with her early work? I’ve read all her books but one (Forever, Interrupted) and trust me, the tomes published between 2013 and 2016 will be well worth your while. Here are three of her earlier works that you shouldn’t sleep on.

1. After I Do (2014)

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Before she found her groove in historical fiction, Jenkins Reid started her career writing poignant contemporary fiction, often set in LA. After I Do is her second novel. I was touched by the way she thoughtfully tackles what is likely a common conundrum that is rarely addressed. What happens when we find ourselves falling out of love? So often we are given a “happily ever after”—but I always wondered what happened to the Disney princesses after they drove away in a carriage, wedding bells ringing. No one ever talks about what’s required to make a relationship work after the butterflies are gone. Jenkins Reid attacks the subject with deft and care, with an unpredictable ending for good measure.

2. Maybe In Another Life (2015)

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The structure of Maybe in Another Life is a novel one, told in dueling realities. The story follows Hannah Martin and the two different lives she could have lead depending on whether or not she chooses to get back together with her high school boyfriend. It’s not the drama, glamour and rock ‘n roll of Daisy Jones, but Hannah’s story is one that reasonates with all of us—the question of what if? But rather than a glum meditation on regret, think of this as the version of La La Land’s ending that we all wanted (because, yes, this one is also set in Los Angeles). Here, Jenkins Reid challenges the reader to contemplate how we can have peace with our decisions and maybe even be happy.

3. One True Loves (2016)

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The premise of One True Loves is a real doozy. It starts with a phone call: A spouse, once thought dead, is alive. Oh, and did I mention, the protagonist is engaged to her high school best friend? Who let her go so she could be with the presumed-dead high school sweetheart? Complicated. It’s a messy love triangle, but an honest one, and I give Jenkins Reid major props for concocting an unpredictable story—I truly couldn’t figure out how it would end until I got there. Read the book first, then check out the 2023 film adaptation starring Phillipa Soo, Simu Liu and Luke Bracey (available to rent on Amazon Prime).

TL;DR: Tackling Life’s Big Questions with Grace and Feeling

Although not as glitzy as her more famous novels, in these three underrated picks, Jenkins Reid acknowledges the messiness of life and teases it out in the most engaging way. She does this with care and thoughtfulness, without moralizing, defaulting to the obvious conclusions or making things feel too happy-go-lucky. The endings are always unexpected and yet they always feel right. As someone who is writing the fourth draft of her first novel, let me tell you, that’s a feat, to stick the landing. Reid hits it consistently, and she does it well.

So, which one will you read first?

I Read a Book a Week. These 3 Are My Favorites of 2025 (So Far)

Confession: I’m not much of a film and television person. While I do make occasional exceptions, I’m more likely to go on a book binge instead. If I didn’t work full-time, I could read a book a day. Alas, my pace is more like a book a week, bringing this year’s total to 32. Of these just-under-three-dozen tomes, three have been living in my mind rent-free since I turned the last page. In no particular order, here they are.

Bibliophiles Rejoice! You Can Now Book a Reese's Book Club Reading Retreat

1. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

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The Song of Achilles debuted in 2012, ultimately becoming a New York Times bestseller and winner of the Orange Prize for fiction. I’ve heard about this book for the better part of nearly 15 years, but it wasn’t until I lived with a gal who was a classics major that I really got an earful. I finally picked up a copy this year and…I don’t know why I waited so long.

Miller offers readers an inventive take on the myth of the doomed Greek hero, Achilles. The narrator is Achilles' closest friend and lover, Patroclus. Interestingly, the author elevates the latter, a minor character in the myth, to protagonist, and we see the famed warrior’s rise and fall through his eyes. The novel is a tender bildungsroman and queer love story rolled into one, as the boys’ adolescence is set against the backdrop of the Trojan war. I kid you not, I read the last page five times over multiple days, and each time was trying not to cry. Though tragic, this is one of my favorite endings in literature.

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

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Oscar Wilde’s enduring classic defied all my expectations for a work written nearly 130 years ago. I’m used to older novels moving at a much slower pace than today’s frantic storytelling standards (Jane Austen, I love you), but The Picture of Dorian Gray is an absolute zinger. Through the titular character and his conniving friend, Lord Henry Wotton, Wilde delivers takedown after takedown and a plethora of aphorisms on the pitfalls of beauty, art and vanity. (My book is full of yellow highlights.) Shockingly, but also not shockingly, this novel is extremely relevant in today’s culture of Instagram face and the rat race pursuit of pretty. (It’s also my shortest recommendation, clocking in at 213 packed pages.)

3. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

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Admittedly, the last time I read Barbra Kingsolver was in 11th grade, when the curriculum included High Tide in Tuscon. However, ever since Demon Copperhead was published in 2022, I’ve had my eye on it, if only because Kingsolver promised a contemporary American retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic. It was a co-recipient of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize, an award well-deserved. The epic follows the eponymous Demon Copperhead, born to a single mother struggling with drug and alcohol addiction in rural Virginia. In this coming-of-age tale, the stakes are life or death, as Demon struggles to make something of himself while the community around him falls victim to the opioid addiction that began rocking the country in the 1990s. It’s heartbreaking, hopeful, yearning and propulsive, making the 546 pages feel like leaves in the wind. And what’s more—Kingsolver used proceeds from her book to build Higher Ground Women’s Recovery Residence in Lee County, where the novel is set. 

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