If You Only Read One: November 2021
We know that we read — and review — a lot of books. It definitely helps that there are three of us, in that regard. So with this feature, we want to tell you our favorite read of the month - if we only recommend one book to pick up, what would it be?
Elizabeth
You wouldn’t know it from the crickets around here, but I actually had a great month of reading — which sometimes, makes this harder. How does one make a choice? It was close (and I almost chose this one), but the top read for me this month was “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune (Bookshop | Kindle). I’ve had this book on my shelf since last year, most likely, and I’m not sure what inspired me to throw it in my carry on for Thanksgiving, but I’m so glad I did. It’s like reading a warm hug — comforting and weird and lovely and the perfect length. I loved everything about it, and as soon as I kick this cold, you’ll hear all about why.
Moira
It’s pretty rare that I read a book that surprises me: I’m not one you’d call a particularly adventurous reader, and I stick to relatively well-trodden authors, concepts, and structures for the most part. Rather than being boring or rigid I hope this just means I have defined taste? However, “The Very Nice Box” by Eve Gleichman and Laura Blackett (Bookshop | Kindle) managed to both tick all my boxes and be completely different from anything I’ve read before. An exploration of bro corporate culture and toxic positivity, it is both funny and suspenseful.
Shannon
If you’ve been reading here a minute, you know I love a celeb memoir. Casey Wilson’s “The Wreckage of my Presence” (Bookshop | Kindle) is a gem. I wasn’t sure I was too familiar with her work before I read this book, but once I started reading, I realized Casey is on “Black Monday” (which I love) and was in “Always Be My Maybe” (I love a rom com). And of course, as soon as I finished the book, I rushed to watch “Happy Endings,” which she is probably most well-known for. Anyway. Even if you have never seen any of Casey’s work, you will love this book, which is less a memoir and more a collection of funny, poignant, thought-provoking essays. Casey writes about the grief of losing her mom, her love of Real Housewives, her creative partnership with June Diane Raphael (whom I love love love as a sarcastic beauty exec on “Grace and Frankie”) (gee I wonder why), and the joys of eating in bed. This one is definitely worth a read!
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