Read All About It
We’ve rounded up 7 books that will make staying in more exciting.
As the weekend approaches, we’re looking forward to spending it with a good book and even better loungewear. With new must-reads already hitting shelves—and many more on the horizon—the spring book scene promises to offer a bit of respite and quality couch time. And, if you’re looking to support local independent bookstores (or other small businesses) along the way, consider purchasing gift cards to give or use on a later date. Every little bit helps, and it’s a reminder that we’ll come out of this. Without further ado, here are 7 books that will make staying in more exciting.
The hotly-anticipated comeback from Laura Zigman (who hasn’t published a novel since Piece of Work in 2006) is well worth the wait. Her new novel is about a once-successful writer named Judy Vogel who, at 50, is mourning the loss of her parents, is in a loveless marriage and, in a last-ditch effort to find sparks of joy, (yes, the Marie Kondo kind) goes down to the basement where she uncovers a baby sling she never got around to using (“I feel like Björk at the Oscars wearing that swan,” she says). So, she begins toting around town with her family dog in it.
The award-winning author’s new page-turner tells the story of two seemingly disparate events—a massive Ponzi scheme collapse and the mysterious disappearance of a woman from a ship at sea. Intrigued? You’re not the only one: The book is on The New York Times’s “20 Books We’re Watching For in 2020” list and just hit shelves this week.
Miranda Popkey’s debut novel takes place almost entirely in the form of deeply intimate discussions between women—friends, maternal figures and single mothers included. It’s all very Sally Rooney-esque, the literary equivalent to eavesdropping. Spoiler alert: It’s been getting raves and will no doubt continue to spark conversations long after you’re finished reading.
The New York Times–bestselling author behind modern cult classics, like How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale, is bringing her quick wit and heartfelt humor to the perils of aging. McMillan’s latest novel follows grumpy, yet lovable, grandmother Loretha Curry (who, by the way, has a booming beauty-supply empire) and her group of 60-something friends as they grapple with getting older, loss, relationships and more.
Hilary Leichter’s debut novel explores the delightfully absurd world of the gig economy, a young woman working as a temp and her hilarious journey through a series of increasingly wild job placements, from shining shoes at Grand Central Station to swabbing the deck of a pirate ship.
Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys has a new memoir that recounts everything from her New York City upbringing to her challenging relationship with her father to the oppressive expectations of female perfection. The book just came out and it’s already Oprah-approved.
Marie Kondo has taken her trademarked method to the workplace and asks us to find joy in tidying up our professional habits—including our WFH offices. Kondo’s latest book (out April 7) is less about asking ourselves, “Does this stapler spark joy?” and more about making space for more productivity. This extends to drawers, meetings (AKA “activity clutter”), inboxes, and, ultimately, our careers.