R.F. Kuang’s Bookshelf: 5 Reads She Can’t Stop Recommending
The ‘Taipei Story’ author shares the books she loves, from classics to modern favorites
Key Takeaways
- The bestselling ‘Taipei Story' author shares five books she loves to reread.
- Find out which page-turning novel R.F. Kuang brought along on her honeymoon.
- The author's recommendations span classics, fantasy, mystery and more.
You might know R.F. Kuang for her bestselling books Yellowface, Babel or even Taipei Story, which was released earlier this month and follows Lily Chen, who spends the summer in Taipei at an intensive language program. What you might not know is that Kuang is just as passionate about other authors’ work as she is about her own—she’s shared several book recommendations over the years, in a variety of genres. To learn what’s on her bookshelf, keep scrolling!
‘Les Misérables’ by Victor Hugo
Set in post-Revolutionary France, this timeless classic, which has been made into an award-winning movie and Broadway musical, follows Jean Valjean, a former convict trying to rebuild his life and earn respect in Parisian society. The story weaves together Valjean’s journey with the lives of other unforgettable characters—Fantine, Cosette, Javert and more. A powerful exploration of redemption, friendship and the possibility of transformation.
What R.F. says: “Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is underrated for how goofy it is. The bits about Marius courting Cosette recently had me giggling on a plane.”
What readers are saying: “One of the longest novels I’ve ever read but I finished this in under a week. Someone special made me read it, promising that I too would fall in love with the character Jean Valjean by the end of it and she was right. Hugo’s prose and narrative is really nice, exploring human emotions with a sort of fluidity that took my breath away at times.”
‘The Name of the Rose’ by Umberto Eco
This historical fiction tale, set in 1327, begins when a group of Benedictines are suspected of heresy and Brother William of Baskerville is called in to investigate what really happened. Soon after, seven people are found dead, which raises more questions than answers. As the investigation unfolds, William uncovers long-buried secrets that could bring down the entire wealthy Italian abbey.
What R.F. says: “I read Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose in a small cottage outside Florence on my honeymoon. Unforgettable.”
What readers are saying: “I’ve been an admirer of The Name of the Rose for many, many years now, and I remember reading it for the first time when I was in high school. I reckon I didn’t understand much then regarding the dispute which is the theme around which this novel revolves. Now, with every read, I discover something new.”
‘Piranesi’ by Susanna Clarke
Fans of locked-room thrillers will love this bestselling novel by Susanna Clarke. For as long as he can remember, Piranesi has lived inside the labyrinth, but it’s not scary—at least not to him. Instead, it’s an adventure: The Othero visits Piranesi twice a week and asks for help researching A Great and Secret Knowledge. As they begin to investigate, they learn there might be another person in the labyrinth, one who could change Piranesi’s life.
What R.F. says: “I was going through some serious writer’s block last year, feeling so burnt out and stressed, and writing didn’t feel magical any more… Then I read Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. It’s playful and has this constant note of optimism and wonder about the world which encouraged me to start writing again”
What readers are saying: “Susanna Clarke didn’t just tell a story, she rebuilt my sense of reality. Piranesi is about madness, isolation, wonder and the sacred. It’s about how the modern world forgets what’s important, and how we sometimes have to lose ourselves to see it again. Every detail is a quiet masterstroke.”
‘Redwall’ by Brian Jacques
Originally published in 1986, this series of children’s fantasy books are set in Mossflower Wood, where mice live in peace. But when a shadow falls across the ancient stone, rumors begin to swirl that the terrible one-eyed rat, Cluny, and his savage entourage are coming to conquer them. The only hope they have of surviving is finding the lost sword of the legendary Martin the Warrior. Can they do it before time runs out?
What R.F. says: “I re-read Brian Jacques’s Redwall recently, and those books are timeless!”
What readers are saying: “What a fun book to read! I loved the rich descriptions of the food and the world of the Redwall abbey, it helped paint a picture of warmth and of a home full of loved ones worth fighting for.”
‘No One Is Talking About This’ by Patricia Lockwood
This thoughtful, profound novel was a finalist for the Booker Prize in 2021. When an unnamed woman has been elevated to prominence based on her social media, she is shocked to learn that the newfound fame comes with a chorus of voices that dictate her thoughts. Elsewhere, climate change and social injustice are rising, thanks to an unnamed dictator’s rise in power. As the woman goes deeper into her fame, she tries to figure out what she can do to help herself and the world.
What R.F. says: “Patricia Lockwood’s No One Is Talking About This taught me about comedic timing.”
What readers are saying: “This book just hit me right away. I can’t stop thinking about it and haven’t been able to start a new book. As someone who used to be online all the time and now, well, isn’t, I can maybe relate to this character more than others. I have experienced grief and loss that you don’t share online and that makes you realize ‘the stream’ will continue without you.”
Ready for more? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
