The Shelf Edit - Issue No. 7
Wednesday, October 29th. This week we're hitting for the cycle: a top pick (that I LOVED), a toss up (that I also loved, but comes with some warnings), and a skip. Plus lots of links!
Welcome to The Shelf Edit, my attempt to help curate your to-read list. Read on for this issue’s top pick, toss up, and skip.
As always, past recommendations can be found here, top picks are also on Instagram.
The Shelf Pick
Loved and Missed - Susie Boyt
I felt on the verge of tears from the moment I picked this one up and the balloon in my chest remained the entire time. Susie Boyt’s writing—both the actual sentences and how she so astutely observes the rollercoaster of being human, and more specifically a parent—is unparalleled. The novel follows a mother caring for her grandchild while her daughter is in the throes of drug addiction. Despite the grim premise, and the fact that I just admitted it nearly made me weep from the start, it’s so much more than a book that expects you to endure trauma after trauma. Chloe Schama at Vogue called it “a thriller about parenting” and that’s the most apt description I’ve found. However, it’s also funny and poignant and true to life and Susie Boyt manages to capture it all with her incredible prose. A 200 page masterpiece, one I will return to again and again.
The Toss Up
The Names - Florence Knapp
Before we begin you have to understand something about me: I am a sucker for alternate timelines (Sliding Doors is one of my favorite movies), so I was immediately drawn by the concept. The book is structured around the diverging lives an infant son goes on to have based on what his mother names him, complete with time jumps every seven years from the ‘80s up to 2022. If that sounds gimmicky to you, absolutely skip this one, but my fellow Sliding Doors fans will find a lot to like. However, if you do pick it up, be forewarned: there’s a heavy amount of domestic violence depicted. Even despite being difficult to read at times (and the mental juggling act of remembering what was happening in each timeline), I still flew through it in just a few days. Not my favorite book of the year (The Correspondent and Heart the Lover remain neck and neck), but still worthy of your time.
Read if: like me, you love alternate timelines, you understand it is absolutely not a light read.
Alternatives: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson is a masterclass in the alternate lives genre. One of my favorite books of all time.
The Skip
Patricia Lockwood is a genius, let’s just get that out of the way first. However, I had to set aside Will There Ever Be Another You, her autofiction second novel that dives into her experience with long Covid. It was the fourth book in a row that featured the pandemic and I just couldn’t stomach another. Not the right time, but I may come back to it in the future. In the meantime, if you’re unfamiliar with her particular brand of (excellent) writing, her essays are a great place to start.
The Pile (what I’m currently reading & what’s on deck)
The Ten Year Affair (moved this to the top of my list, excited to see what all the buzz is about)
Count My Lies (my friend Julia’s answer to my thriller request; great timing - it’s being made into a Hulu series starring Lindsay Lohan)
The Perfect Marriage (on my list for a November book club meeting)
The Ministry for the Future (a different book club’s pick for December)
Off the Shelf
Have a generally warm feeling towards Costco? This article explains why, based on the company’s history - and wonders if it can last.
I don’t really look good in grey and yet I remain on the hunt for the perfect grey sweatshirt. This might be it.
Smitten Kitchen rarely steers me wrong & I’m currently dreaming about these brown butter snickerdoodles.
A friend and I decided we are going to dress the heck up when we go into the city to see the The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center this holiday season. I’m thinking this skirt might be perfect for the occasion? I feel like Banana is having a bit of a moment.
I currently do all school runs in my Crocs; these would be much cuter.
Justine Lupe is the best thing about season 2 of Nobody Wants This. Speaking of actresses with good hair (though pointedly not when in character on The Diplomat), Keri Russell forever.
I have unfortunately hit the max amount of coats a person should own, but if you have not: this leopard puffer and this leopard sherpa are perfect.
Key takeaways from the (long) NYT article on testosterone in women.
That’s all for this week, thank you for being here!
Alena
Can confirm those cookies are GOAT.