Oh, this is such a good list! I, too, love a NYC novel in the fall. I’ve been so curious about Vintage Contemporaries (especially after the comp to Heiny!) but I’ve always been turned off that it’s about three young women coming of age and written by a man. Did you find that well done?
I feel you on this, Michelle--it can be a turn-off for me too, but in this case I honestly couldn't tell the author was a man (which, come to think of it, might be kind of weird?)...so in that sense, I definitely thought it was well done. The Heiny vibe is strong, but there's a bit of J. Ryan Stradal there too. I've been thinking about this sort of subset of authors that write with depth about deeply human issues, but do so with warmth/quirkiness/humour and a sense of lightness that lets the themes breathe. Maybe I should do a roundup of books like this, because I think gender identity of authors as such an interesting topic in this regard... ok, sorry for the rant! But I definitely recommend it and would love to talk about it if you do ◡̈
I added it to my list! And yes, I’m always looking for more Katherine Heiny adjacent authors. I love how she (and Stradal) write about simple domesticity but in such a whimsical way and also with a hint of edge to it, too? It’s hard to pin point it exactly, but in my mind it’s the same thing that makes Gilmore Girls and Nora Ephron films so good. It’s relatable and cozy but, yes, has depth and wit and intelligence to it too. So good!
What a fun list! My NYC list would include Red at the Bone, Libertie (partially set in Haiti as well), Rules of Civility, the Falcons, Stories from the Tenants Downstairs and We Are a Haunting (has a ghost vibe to it!) And on my TBR that fit the theme; Brown Girl Brownstones and Crook Manifesto!
The Cloisters is so good 💗Gotchic, a pinch lusty, and slightly preposterous. I’ve also enjoyed: The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, Ready or Not, Definitely Better Now & The Sweetest Fix
Oh, this is such a good list! I, too, love a NYC novel in the fall. I’ve been so curious about Vintage Contemporaries (especially after the comp to Heiny!) but I’ve always been turned off that it’s about three young women coming of age and written by a man. Did you find that well done?
I feel you on this, Michelle--it can be a turn-off for me too, but in this case I honestly couldn't tell the author was a man (which, come to think of it, might be kind of weird?)...so in that sense, I definitely thought it was well done. The Heiny vibe is strong, but there's a bit of J. Ryan Stradal there too. I've been thinking about this sort of subset of authors that write with depth about deeply human issues, but do so with warmth/quirkiness/humour and a sense of lightness that lets the themes breathe. Maybe I should do a roundup of books like this, because I think gender identity of authors as such an interesting topic in this regard... ok, sorry for the rant! But I definitely recommend it and would love to talk about it if you do ◡̈
I added it to my list! And yes, I’m always looking for more Katherine Heiny adjacent authors. I love how she (and Stradal) write about simple domesticity but in such a whimsical way and also with a hint of edge to it, too? It’s hard to pin point it exactly, but in my mind it’s the same thing that makes Gilmore Girls and Nora Ephron films so good. It’s relatable and cozy but, yes, has depth and wit and intelligence to it too. So good!
Oooo! This is a fun category. How about Let the Great World Spin? And Deacon King Kong as additions?
Ahhh thank you!! I haven't heard of Let the Great World Spin, and Deacon King Kong is on my TBR! Will look it up ◡̈
Yes, Let the Great World Spin was probably big pre booktok :)
What a fun list! My NYC list would include Red at the Bone, Libertie (partially set in Haiti as well), Rules of Civility, the Falcons, Stories from the Tenants Downstairs and We Are a Haunting (has a ghost vibe to it!) And on my TBR that fit the theme; Brown Girl Brownstones and Crook Manifesto!
Ahhh yes, Rules of Civility! Love that one too. So many here for me to check out—thanks for sharing!
Oh, you have the best recommendations!!!! I just added so many titles to my list.
Ahhh this warms my heart so much!! Thank you! Hope you find some new favourites here 🥰
I love your list and some of the additions I see in the comments. I’ll add an underrated 2022 release: The Deceptions by Jill Bialosky.
Thanks so much, Rhiannon! I haven't even heard of this one--off to look it up!
I really love your fall reading list. I’ve taken note of a few books!
Thanks so much! Which ones? You can borrow mine!
Lorna Mott Comes Home, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (way overdue reading this one), Cleopatra & Frankenstein. That’s a good start!
What a unique list, I really enjoyed You, Again!
What a great list. I love NYC novels. The Best of Everything Sounds fantastic. An older favorite for me is Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
The Cloisters is so good 💗Gotchic, a pinch lusty, and slightly preposterous. I’ve also enjoyed: The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, Ready or Not, Definitely Better Now & The Sweetest Fix