The crunch of fall leaves, the crisp air, the burst of colorful foliage outside the window, warm apple cider…fall paints a picture-perfect backdrop for browsing your local bookstore and heading home to read all night long. Here at Woman’s World, one of our favorite ways to collect book recommendations is by asking people who live and breathe books: local booksellers. Their thoughtful, highly specific and intentional recommendations come from the heart in a way no algorithm could ever match. 

Ready for some fall reading inspiration from one of our go-to local bookstores? We gathered five must-read books recommended by the staff at Nashville’s beloved Parnassus Books. Founded by award-winning author Ann Patchett, this literary haven is a favorite destination for book lovers and their four-legged friends alike. 

Keep reading to discover five can’t-miss picks that are ideal for curling up with under a cozy blanket, from historical mystery-meets-romance to gothic romantasy, family sagas and more!

‘The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies’ by Kate Westbury

There’s nothing like historical mysteries and academia in the fall, and The Oxford Guide to Scandal & Lies serves up both—with a witty side of romance. Set in the academic world of 1951, Ginevra Bishop is studying at Oxford, like her mother did, and wants to prove she’s more than a debutante. Sidney Braithwaite hopes Oxford can free him from a war-torn past. Then, the pair is asked to track down a Soviet spy at the university. Can these opposites work together as sparks fly?

Why Parnassus loves it: “I love mystery and romance. In Oxford? With spies? Even better. A mismatched pair—working class and wealthy, veteran and undergraduate, Gin and Sidney—are teamed up by MI5 to figure out who poisoned a librarian. Watching these two trade barbs and solve a mystery is a fun ride.”

‘The Knave and the Moon’ by Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig’s newest novel—the sequel to her hit bestseller The Knight and the Moth—is ideal for atmospheric October reading. A story about a captive protagonist plotting to overthrow a cruel ruler in a gothic fantasy kingdom? Sign us up! With Aisling Cathedral in ruins and her allies presumed dead, Sybil Delling is forced into marriage with King Benji. As she schemes for ways to bring him down, she finds an unexpected ally in a mysterious knight with no memory of his past. 

Why Parnassus loves it: “Full of secrets, betrayal, intrigue and sweeping romance, the highly anticipated sequel to The Knight and the Moth was everything I dreamed it would be. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy now!” -Naomi

Entertainment

Ann Patchett Shares Her 'Very Favorite' Novel of 2026

Bestselling author Ann Patchett is opening up about what books she recommends people add to their to-be-read (TBR) list. While chatting with Woman’s World at the Library of Congress’s National Book Festival, the Whistler author revealed what novels she’s most excited for people to read, and trust us when we say you are going to […]

‘Body Language’ by Meg Howrey

Known for her 2022 novel They’re Going to Love You, Meg Howrey is back with another magnetic, moving story. Body Language follows three very different sisters as they return to their mother’s home after learning she has dementia and a unique request for them. Sloane is a former actress navigating menopause, Laurel is a mom and environmental activist who may be facing infidelity and Nanette, a new nun caught in a media frenzy. When a shocking revelation changes everything, they are forced to reckon with long-buried tensions and learn what it means to truly care for one another. 

Why Parnassus loves it: “As a reader, I often have to skip any book that touches on dementia, but as a fan of Meg Howrey, I had to give this one a shot. I’m so glad I did–Body Language is a gorgeous story of sisterhood and family bonds.”

‘The Treasure House’ by Amy Matthews

Starting over in a quaint cottage in Maine is the dreamy premise of award-winning author Amy Matthews’ new book, The Treasure House. Zoe Copeland needs a fresh start for herself and her daughter, Florence. When she spots a listing for an affordable home in Maine, she jumps at the chance. The catch? The house is being sold “as is”—with everything still inside. It’s a cozy, heartwarming story about starting over and discovering what truly makes a house a home.

Why Parnassus loves it: “On a whim, Zoe buys a house in a small coastal Maine town. But as Zoe and Flo sort through the physical treasures (junk) that fills their house, it’s the past stories that shape their lives now and in the future. I highly recommend this book!” -Zoe

Entertainment

9 Must-Read Historical Mystery Books for Cozy Fall Nights

Crisp air, early twilights, the light crunch of leaves underfoot…there’s something about October that makes it the perfect season to curl up with a great book set in a bygone era. In fact, for many readers, fall is prime time for historical mystery books. Between the atmospheric settings, slow-burning suspense and mystery-laden secrets that span […]

‘Exit Party’ by Emily St. John Mandel 

Known for her award-winning book Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel returns with Exit Party, another captivating novel set in the future that left Ann Patchett “riveted.” In 2031 Los Angeles, the world as Ari Waker once knew it no longer exists. One evening, Ari walks to a party nearby and before long, odd events occur: A doppelganger shows up and then Kareem, the host, disappears into thin air. As Ari follows eerie clues, a mystery leads her across the globe.

Why Parnassus loves it: “If post-civil war speculative fiction takes you out of your comfort zone, you are in good company, and, more importantly, you are in good hands. Emily St. John Mandel is a brilliant writer. In Exit Party she manages to populate two worlds full of doppelgangers. Time and space slide back and forth, characters lead long and complicated lives, what is true in one state is not exactly true in another, and yes, part of Paris is under glass. And never for one sentence was I confused about what was going on. Never for one sentence was I anything short of riveted. I know exactly where I was sitting when I finished it.” -Ann Patchett

Verity just hit the big screen, and millions are flocking to theaters to watch the twisted tale of Lowen, Verity and Jeremy unfold on the big screen. But if you’re looking for more books with that same dark, psychological thriller drama, you’re in luck. There are plenty, and they all fall under the “domestic noir” genre—stories filled with secrets, lies and shocking twists that keep you guessing until the very end. Below are eight books we loved that deliver the same spine-tingling suspense.

‘The Housemaid’ by Freida McFadden

Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide and was made into a movie starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar in 2025. The plot follows an ex-convict named Millie who accepts a job working as a maid for the wealthy Winchesters. At first, it seems like a dream—she gets free housing and a good salary, and Andrew Winchester is incredibly handsome. The only problem: Nina Winchester, the house’s matriarch, seems to be getting crazier by the day. Can Millie figure out what’s really going on before it’s too late?

What Goodreads users are saying: “I haven’t read a thriller in three years prior to this one so I didn’t really have high expectations but omg this was so good! It pulled me in from the first few chapters and I couldn’t stop reading. It was just so entertaining and it got me out of my reading slump. I can’t wait to read more books by this author!” 

‘‘My Husband’s Wife’ by Alice Feeney 

This novel begins when Eden Fox arrives at her house only to discover that she’s been locked out. Through the window, she watches in horror as her husband stands beside another woman, a stranger who claims to be his wife. The story then shifts to Birdy, a young woman who has many secrets and ties to Eden and her husband. As Birdy and Eden’s stories collide, shocking truths are revealed. 

What Goodreads users are saying: “If you’re an Alice Feeney girl, you need to pick this one up. It’s packed with thrill, tension and the kind of chaotic plot twists that make you sit up straight like, ‘HELLO???’ Honestly, what more do you even want? Suspense? Check. Drama? Check. Unhinged characters? Double check. So yeah, do yourself a favor and go read this. You won’t regret it.” 

‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn 

This cult classic delivers a chilling, unputdownable story. When Amy vanishes from her Missouri home on her fifth wedding anniversary, all eyes turn to her husband Nick. His strange reaction to the news makes him the police’s top suspect, and as the media frenzy intensifies, even Amy’s parents and neighbors turn against him. Only his twin sister Margo stands by his side—but she has secrets too, and those secrets could ruin everything. What follows is a jaw-dropping twist that no reader will see coming.

What Goodreads users are saying: “I just reread Gone Girl for the first time in nearly six years, and it was once again, exceptional. This book made me realize that you shouldn’t trust people so easily because you never know who they really are behind closed doors. This book just made me think a lot in general. It’s not one you will forget easily. I love it, and it’s one of my favorite books of all time.” 

Entertainment

10 Book Plot Twists That Will Stop You In Your Tracks — No Spoilers!

All book lovers can agree — nothing beats a good plot twist. That feeling of needing to know what happens next and thinking you have the solution and then gasping out loud when you find out you’re wrong is truly unmatched. But the best book plot twists have you thinking about them long after you’ve […]

‘Behind Closed Doors’ by B.A. Paris

From bestselling author B.A. Paris comes a chilling domestic noir tale. Jack and Grace seem like the perfect couple—he’s a dedicated lawyer representing domestic violence victims, while she’s a caring wife who looks after her disabled sister. But if they’re so perfect, why does Grace never pick up the phone and why is she never seen without Jack? As suspicions begin to rise, questions are asked, forcing Jack and Grace to do things readers will never see coming. 

What Goodreads users are saying: “Behind Closed Doors will capture your mind and keep your heart prisoner until the very last page! My heart was pounding from stress. My feet twitched from anticipation and sheer frustration. I experienced a heightened level of anxiety throughout the whole of this book. The last few lines of this story sent shivers down my spine and I had tears in my eyes as I sat staring at the very last page. This book should come with a free oxygen mask, beta-blockers and a box of tissues.” 

‘The Wife Upstairs’ by Rachel Hawkins 

his chilling tale—a dark reimagining of the classic Jane Eyre—follows Jane, who is new to Birmingham, Alabama. She spends her days working as a dog walker in a rich neighborhood, hiding her identity and stealing from the homeowners. Then she meets wealthy—albeit mysterious—man named Eddie Rochester and her life takes a dramatic turn. Now she’s living in his house and feeling haunted by his late wife, Bea, who died in a boating accident. As time goes on, Jane begins investigating what really happened to Bea, and deadly secrets emerge.

What Goodreads users are saying: “Oh boy, this book is the product of an evil genius, and it’s the most dangerous glue you can imagine: you simply cannot put it down. And after you read the final page, it’s already inside your head and refuses to let you go. You keep thinking about the wicked characters and their dark backstories. You shiver, but at the same time a satisfied smile forms on your face because this is a well-written, exciting, riveting, and surprising novel.”   

Entertainment

Stephen King, Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware And More Best-Selling Mystery Authors Reveal The Stories They Can’t Get Enough of

Detectives, danger, crime and chaos — we asked our favorite authors to share their most beloved mystery novels!

‘The Push’ by Ashley Audrain 

In this Good Morning America book club pick, first-time mother Blythe Connor desperately wants to bond with her daughter Violet. Yet from the beginning, something feels wrong. Her husband Fox dismisses her concerns as postpartum anxiety, but Blythe is convinced young Violet is cold, manipulative and even dangerous, Is Blythe imagining things, or is there really something sinister about Violet? Years later when their son Sam arrives, Blythe experiences the instant connection she’d always longed for. But then tragedy strikes, forcing Blythe to reexamine everything and wonder if her worries about her daughter are founded. Nothing can prepare her for what she finds.

What Goodreads users are saying: “This is such a tremendously powerful, suspenseful, slightly creepy book I stayed up until nearly 1:30 a.m. to finish because I couldn’t put it down. I’ve read some good books so far this month but I hadn’t yet found a 5-star read. The Push sure did fit that bill for me. It’s definitely one I won’t forget anytime soon, and I’d imagine it would be great discussion fodder for book clubs!” 

‘Then She Was Gone’ by Lisa Jewell

Thrilling plotlines, unforgettable characters and an unfortunate twist? This novel from Lisa Jewell has it all. Fifteen-year-old Ellie Mack was happy and loved and had her whole life ahead of her. Then she disappeared without a trace. Her mother, Laurel, has been trying to rebuild her life ever since. Now, 10 years later, Laurel is divorced and still searching for clues. Then one day she meets a charming man named Floyd in a coffee shop and they hit it off instantly. Soon after, she meets his kids, one of whom looks eerily similar to Ellie, causing Laurel to rethink everything she thought she knew about her daughter’s disappearance and the man she thinks she loves.

What Goodreads users are saying: “This story was very dark, gloomy, and creepy, but also quite emotional and poignant. Laurel’s voice is so realistic, raw, and sympathetic, she nearly had me believing she was a real person and that this was a true story. Her emergence from a tortuous state of limbo and her fierce determination to get to the truth, and begin truly living life again was an amazing transformation. I think Lisa Jewell has written a chilling novel of suspense, but it is also a book about the power of maternal love, forgiveness and healing and never giving up.” 

‘The Mother-in-Law’ by Sally Hepworth

Sally Hepworth’s page-turning tale follows Lucy, a young woman who knows her mother-in-law Diana doesn’t love her. She doesn’t like Diana either, but everyone else seems to. Five years later, Diana is dead. The police believe she killed herself to avoid dealing with her cancer, but there was no trace of cancer in her body. Now everyone’s wondering what really happened to Diana and if someone killed her for revenge.

What Goodreads users are saying: “Oh my gosh! I absolutely could not put this book down! This was such a different take on the typical mother-in-law story! I just loved it! I ran the full gamut of emotions reading this book. It will make you smile, shock you at times…it may even bring a tear to your eye. It did for me.”

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With Practical Magic 2 having recently hit screens and spooky season officially upon us, many are looking to dive back into the stories of the Owens women—specifically those brought to life on page. Author Alice Hoffman published the first book in the Practical Magic series, the movie’s namesake, in 1995, and in 2017, she expanded on the story she first laid out when she released The Rules of Magic. In 2020, Magic Lessons took readers even further down the Owens family line and her 2021 publication, The Book of Magic, served as inspiration for the most recent release in the film collection. 

Entertainment

Alice Hoffman Shares Her Favorite Book Picks

Ever wonder what a woman who writes about witches, curses and generations of magic likes to curl up with herself? As it turns out, Alice Hoffman is just as big a book lover as the millions of fans who’ve made Practical Magic a classic. Over the years, the author has shared some of her favorite […]

Hoffman’s books weren’t released in chronological order. Practical Magic introduced Gillian and Sally, two women haunted by a curse placed on the women in their family, while The Rules of Magic took readers back in time to learn the origin stories of their great aunts, Jet and Franny, and their brother Vincent. Magic Lessons takes viewers to the start, unraveling the story of Maria Owens, who placed the original curse on the Owens women, which doomed any man they loved down the line. Lastly, The Book of Magic dives into Gillian and Sally’s dangerous journey to break the curse once and for all for the sake of Sally’s daughters. 

‘Practical Magic’ reading order

According to Alice Hoffman’s official website, the order in which you can read her books is completely up to you. Going in the order in which they were published or the order in which the story takes place won’t affect the reading experience and is ultimately the reader’s decision. Here, we break it down by the year each book was published—and explain how each book ties to the movies.

1995: Dive into ’Practical Magic’

The first book Hoffman published in the series, Practical Magic, is what inspired the 1998 film of the same name starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Gillian and Sally Owens were raised by their eccentric aunts, their family having long been the talk of their Massachusetts town thanks to their witchy history—but in addition to the rumors that follow their family, so does a curse, which dooms any man they fall in love with. After some time apart, the duo reunite when tragedy strikes, proving that they’re stronger together in this charming tale of sisterhood. 

2017: Go back in time with ‘The Rules of Magic’

The second book to be released in the series, The Rules of Magic, is a prequel to the first book and follows Gillian and Sally’s Aunts Jet and Franny, as well as their Uncle Vincent, in their youth. Set in the 60s, the trio step away from New York City and pay their Aunt Isabelle a visit in her quaint Massachusetts town—where they come to discover the magic that lives within them. 

2020: Learn the origin story with ‘Magic Lessons’

In Magic Lessons, the third book in the series to be published, readers are introduced to Maria Owens, the woman who brought the curse upon the Owens family when the man she loves abandons her. Though Maria’s story isn’t the explicit focus of either of the films, it is woven into both installments. 

2021: ‘The Book of Magic’ continues Gillian and Sally’s story

Practical Magic 2 was inspired by Alice Hoffman’s most recent publication in the series, The Book of Magic, and depicted three generations of Owens women teaming up and traveling to Europe, where Maria Owens first learned how to use her skills, when Sally’s daughter is affected by the curse. 

Whichever order you choose to tackle these tales in, you’re sure to be in for a magical ride!

Last month, best-selling author Kristin Hannah announced her upcoming novel, The Fire, which follows Merritt Locke, a devoted mother and wife who travels across the country to reunite with her estranged daughter after facing a major scandal. It’s Hannah’s first contemporary fiction novel in years.

“I am so excited to have a book out in the world again,” Hannah told Elle magazine earlier this year. “Every time I do this, I’m amazed and thrilled all over again and I can’t wait to finally be able to tell my readers that it’s coming and to see what kind of conversation it sparks among them.”

Since The Fire doesn’t come out until May 4, 2027, readers have some time to kill before they can get lost in what’s sure to be an immersive, emotional read. To keep you entertained until then, we recommend checking out these five books popular with readers on the reading app Goodreads that have similar mother/daughter themes. Keep scrolling for our list of must-reads!

‘Winter Garden’ by Kristin Hannah

Hannah’s 2010 bestselling dual-timeline novel explores the same themes of  mothers and daughters. Set in 1944 Leningrad, Russia, and modern-day Washington state, the plot follows Meredith and Nina Whitson, sisters who reunite after learning that their father is dying. His dying wish is for them to learn more about their mother Anya’s story. Anya has always been distant and cold as a mother, but she often told the girls the same childhood fairy tale. As they listen to it again, both sisters begin to wonder if the tragic story is not a fictional tale after all.

What Goodreads users are saying: “Once again, I find myself in awe of the power and beauty of Kristin Hannah’s words. Interlaced with a Russian fairytale that changes absolutely everything, this story is harrowing and heartbreaking, in so many ways. It’s the buried resentments that get unearthed, the hidden regrets that are revealed and the realization that there is more to everyone’s story that provides the much needed answers.” 

‘Tom Lake’ by Ann Patchett

From bestselling author Ann Patchett comes an emotional tale about a mother and her three daughters. In the spring of 2020, Lara and Joe’s three daughters return home to their family’s cherry farm in Michigan to help with the harvest. During the long days out in the orchard, the girls decide to get to know their mother better. During one particularly long day, they even get her talking about her first love, who changed Lara’s life. 

What Goodreads users are saying: “This book was exquisite. The writing was so lovely, and I found myself fully immersed in this story. It’s not a love story in the conventional sense, but it is a love story between a woman and her daughters, her life, her husband and her past. It’s brimming with love and contains so much honesty when it comes to mother-daughter relationships. It made me want to call my mom and yearn for a daughter one day. I thought it was just such an excellent portrayal of family and love.” 

Entertainment

Love Kristin Hannah? Her Fans Say You’ll Also Love 4 Jodi Picoult Books

From The Women and The Nightingale to Winter Garden and The Great Alone— Kristin Hannah’s bestsellers are famous for strong heroines, emotional punch and page-turning suspense. Want to try another author with the same power to move us? Diehard Kristin Hannah fans enthusiastically suggest Jodi Picoult.  Like Hannah, Picoult has spent the last 30+ years […]

‘My Name is Lucy Barton’ by Elizabeth Strout  

This novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout begins with Lucy Barton lying in a hospital bed post-surgery. Soon, her estranged mother arrives without warning and fills the silence by telling her daughter small-town gossip from their Illinois hometown. As Lucy listens, she begins to wonder if now is the time for her to tell her mother her own secrets, which could rebuild or ruin their relationship.

What Goodreads users are saying: “This is such a masterpiece. Everything is understated: all of the trauma is less spoken about, but felt clearly, like knowing there are rough waters underneath an illusion of a calm surface. Rather than taking the easy way out and acquiescing to the demands of the average reader by spelling it out for us, Elizabeth Strout’s respectful enough to believe that we can see things clearly on our own. Not enough writers do that.” 

‘Like Mother, Like Mother’ by Susan Rieger 

This enthralling tale follows three generations of women, all of whom have secrets and all of whom have a story to tell. In 1960, Lila Pereira’s mother is taken to an asylum by her abusive husband. Three decades later, Lila has left home and created quite a name for herself in the journalism world. She has had children of her own, one of whom is named Grace. Grace grew up feeling abandoned by her mother and wants nothing more than to build her own life. When she becomes a reporter, she writes a book about her mother. In the process, Grace discovers a secret about Lila’s mother, and it could change everything. 

What Goodreads users are saying: “It’s a beautiful, multiple POV family drama full of rich, unforgiving, honest, flawed characters navigating the complexities of family. As someone with a fraught relationship with her own mother, this one spoke to me in so many ways.” 

Entertainment

Kristin Hannah Shares Her Favorite Historical Fiction Reads

Kristin Hannah is one of the most beloved historical fiction writer of our time. The author of bestsellers like The Nightingale and The Women knows how to captivate readers with her powerful storytelling. Another thing she’s great at? Recommending incredible books! Over the years, Kristin has offered many historical fiction recommendations that are sure to […]

‘Handle with Care’ by Jodi Picoult  

From bestselling author Jodi Picoult comes a moving tale of Willow O’Keefe, a 5-year-old born with a rare genetic disease called osteogenesis imperfecta, which causes her bones to break very easily. As a result, her parents, Charlotte and Sean, deal with mounds of medical bills, a ton of anxiety and loads of stress. The two wonder: What if Charlotte knew about Willow’s illness earlier? Would they have had the child? Would they have done things to be better prepared? As the questions linger, Willow and Charlotte’s mother-daughter bond is put to the test. 

What Goodreads users are saying: “Oh my, what a story. I’m sure there are parts of this story that are true, but this is a work of fiction. A family broken apart by a child’s birth and that same child’s handicap, best friends lost, an eminent divorce. This is the story of a family whose only hope is to be able to give both of their daughters what they need and to live a normal life. What they are dealt, however, is everlasting loss. Jodi Picoult has outdone herself once again.”

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It’s been 21 years since the release of The Lightning Thief and Rick Riordan still isn’t ready to close the door on Percy Jackson’s world. Just a few days ago, Rick teamed up with author Annabelle Oh to release The Wild Zone, a new book in the Percy Jackson universe. Woman’s World recently caught up with the authors to discuss this new adventure and learn what’s on their bookshelves this fall. Read on for more. 

Entertainment

Jeneva Rose Shares 4 Thrillers to Read This Fall (Exclusive)

If you’ve been to the bookstore recently, you’ve probably seen the book The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose on the shelves. It follows a lawyer who decides to defend her husband after he’s accused of killing his mistress. The popular bestseller has more than 1 million ratings on Goodreads.  “I still don’t feel like I […]

Rick Riordan looks back at his time in ‘Percy Jackson’ universe 

In 2005, The Lightning Thief first hit shelves. It followed a 12-year-old kid named Percy Jackson who discovers that he’s actually a demigod. The book was an instant New York Times bestseller and has since been turned into a movie and a TV show and has led to  three follow-up book series and several spinoffs.

“I can’t believe I’ve been writing about this character for over 20 years now, and it’s also surreal to think how many people have now read the books and have grown up, and somehow I’m still here, and that doesn’t make me feel old at all,” Rick tells Woman’s World, laughing. “It’s a great honor, and to know how many people have sort of made this world their own is really cool.” 

During that 20-year period Rick has created a number of characters, but when we asked Rick which character is most like him, he had a ready answer: “I relate most to Chiron the centaur because he and I are both teachers, so I feel like I get him. I know where he’s coming from,” the author explains.

Annabelle Oh reveals what it was like to join the ‘Percy Jackson’ universe

In recent years, Rick has teamed up with a number of authors to co-write new books in the Percy Jackson world. His most recent collaborator is Annabeth Oh. They co-wrote The Wild Zone, which follows Katie Kim, a newcomer at Camp Half-Blood whose brother goes missing after they venture into the Wild Zone, a dangerous place demigods are told not to visit.

“It was so fun. It was like it was not even work. I just got to play all day, every day and have so much fun,” Annabelle says. “Rick was so fun to talk to because we would bounce ideas off each other, and we could just go as wild as we wanted, because the sky’s the limit. It’s fantastical and it’s mythological and so fun to work on.”

Rick  is excited for readers to read The Wild Zone because it allows them to see that Camp Half-Blood still exists after Percy Jackson leaves. He’s also excited for readers to revisit some of the characters that have died or disappeared over the years. 

“I love the characters from the original Percy Jackson series, and I love the opportunity to bring them back. The one I’ve been the most excited to see again is Charles Beckendorf [who died in The Last Olympian],” the author said. “He is not on screen a lot when it comes to that original Percy Jackson series, but all of the coauthors have sort of adopted him as a mentor figure for their characters, and I love that. It’s been really neat to see the different ways that he’s put to use.”

Rick Riordan reveals what’s on his bookshelf 

When he’s not creating characters swinging swords or spending time on Mount Olympus, Rick can be found reading. Here’s what’s on his bookshelf. 

‘Little Women’ by Louisa May Alcott  

Originally published in 1868, this classic tale follows Meg, Amy, Beth and Jo March, sisters living in Concord, Massachusetts, during the Civil War. Each sister has an idea of who they are and what they want, and their goals are similar—except for Jo. Jo wants to make her own way in the world and plans to do so by becoming a writer. But when she befriends Theodore “Laurie” Lawrence next door, she begins to question everything. 

What Rick says: “Right now I’m reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott for the first time. I’ve never read it before, and it’s very interesting to go back and read something that in its time was considered seminal children’s literature. So I’ve really enjoyed that.” 

What other readers are saying: “This book is so well written, the characters are so real and I always cry over parts of this book. I have never seen a movie based on this book that even came close to the written word. Louisa May Alcott takes you into the world during the Civil War and shows the reality of family life during that time. The time frame, the settings, the actions and behaviors of the characters in this book are very well portrayed. This is a book for the ages and for all ages.” 

Entertainment

R.F. Kuang Recommends 5 Books You’ll Want on Your TBR

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 […]

‘L’isola Delle Anime’ by Piergiorgio Pulixi

This novel, written in Italian, follows Mara Rais and Eva Croce, two police inspectors investigating a series of cold cases in Sardinia, an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. While investigating, the killer begins to strike again and Mara and Eva realize that they need to crack the case before it’s too late.

What Rick says: “Usually, I’m reading one book in Italian at a time just to keep my skills up. So I’m reading a mystery called L’Isola delle Anime. It’s set in Sardinia, which is very interesting. It’s got a lot of Sardinian dialect, which I don’t understand very well, but it’s a great story.”

What other readers are saying: “This book is wonderful—An unmissable read for fans of Italian thrillers, set in Sardinia amidst ancient myths.” [Editor’s note: This quote was translated from Italian.] 

You can pick up your copy of The Wild Zone by Rick Riordan and Annabelle Oh now wherever books are sold.

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It’s been just over a week since The Love Hypothesis made the leap from page to screen, finally bringing Adam Carlsen and Olive Smith’s romance to life. Nearly five years after readers first fell for Ali Hazelwood’s beloved couple, Prime Video’s adaptation gives fans a new way to revisit their story—from the awkward beginnings to the moments that made Adam and Olive such BookTok favorites.

The fake-dating romantic comedy quickly became the No. 1 movie on Prime Video worldwide, which is why it’s no surprise that Hazelwood has shared that the sequel to her debut novel, titled The Two-Body Problem, is on the way to bookstores near you and that an adaptation is possible. Find out everything you need to know about The Two-Body Problem, including the plot, release date, potential sequel and the meaning behind the title. 

Entertainment

Ali Hazelwood Recommends 5 Romance Books Fans Will Love

Ali Hazelwood knows romance. As the author of nearly 20 different swoon-worthy novels, Hazelwood has a good handle on what consists of a happily ever after and all of  the messy, confusing feelings and actions it takes to get there. With one film adaptation already available for your binge-watching pleasure in the form of The […]

What is ‘The Two-Body Problem’ about?

If you’ve read or watched The Love Hypothesis, you’ll recall that it ended with Olive Smith and Dr. Adam Carlsen having developed real feelings during their fake dating scheme. But now, with The Two-Body Problem, the duo face the pressures of careers in academia and maneuvering their love in that world.

Set several years after the events of The Love Hypothesis, The Two-Body Problem finds Olive with her PhD and building a life with Adam. But happily ever after turns out to be a little more complicated than either of them expected as they navigate demanding careers in academia, clashing schedules and an intensely competitive job market. They also discover the challenges that come with maintaining a long-term relationship.

When does ‘Two-Body Problem’ come out?

With The Love Hypothesis only having been out for a week, it’s safe to say that nobody expected a sequel just yet, but Hazelwood has been hard at work continuing the beloved story, which is set to be published on February 2, 2027. 

Will there be a second movie?

Given the success of The Love Hypothesis with fans, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a second movie. And according to Hazelwood, it’s a possibility. 

In her Instagram post announcing the second novel, she wrote, “And: nothing is guaranteed, but MRC is developing a film based on The Two-Body Problem for Amazon MGM Studios.”

What does ‘Two-Body Problem’ mean?

The title of Hazelwood’s first novel was fairly straightforward: The Love Hypothesis turns Olive and Adam’s fake-dating experiment into a romantic version of the scientific method. What begins as a relationship neither expects to be real ultimately tests whether their growing connection is genuine—and whether falling in love is worth the risk.

The meaning behind The Two-Body Problem isn’t quite as obvious—unless, perhaps, you’re a scientist like Olive and Adam. In physics, the two-body problem involves predicting how two objects interact and move under their mutual gravitational pull, with the Earth and Moon providing a familiar example.

But the title has another meaning that’s particularly relevant to Olive and Adam. In academia, the “two-body problem” describes the difficulty couples can face when both partners are pursuing specialized careers and trying to find suitable jobs in the same geographic area. For two ambitious scientists attempting to establish careers while building a life together, that dilemma could be at the very heart of Hazelwood’s sequel.

As for Olive and Adam’s journey in The Two-Body Problem, you’ll just have to wait and read about it on February 2, 2027!

We’re just 25 days away from the release of A Court of Splintered Harmony, the sixth book in Sarah J. Maas’s bestselling series, A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), and no one is as excited as the people at Target. The big-box store recently revealed their plans to celebrate the novel’s release, and it ranges from free merch to midnight parties and even specialty BrüMate cups. To learn more, keep scrolling!

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7 ‘ACOTAR’ Finds Fans Will Want Before Book 6 Arrives

We are just about six weeks away from the highly anticipated release of A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) 6, A Court of Splintered Harmony, and if you’re looking for ways to add some magic to your bookshelf in the meantime, get ready, because there is a ton of merch out there that will […]

How Target is celebrating the release of ‘ACOTAR 6’ 

Earlier today Target announced the midnight release party to celebrate ACOTAR 6, complete with food, drinks and exclusive merch at more than 240 stores. 

The free merch includes an exclusive gift for people who purchase book six at the store, a complimentary Bryaxis keychain for the first 100 guests at each store, a commemorative entry ticket and a gift for people who buy ACOTAR Monopoly. Target will also be selling ACOTAR totes, jewelry, clothes, bag charms, journals, coloring books, puzzles, mugs, Kindle cases, figurines and more. 

Now for the food and drinks. Target will offer their guests BOOMCHICKAPOP Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn, which pairs perfectly with their specialty teas including Brew Suriel Earl Greyer Lavender Black Tea, Night Court Velaris Jasmine Green Tea, Spring Court Raspberry Rose Hibiscus Tea and more. 

“Target is showing up for the fandom and creating an easy, one-stop destination to shop, celebrate and connect around the highly anticipated release of book six,” reads the press release obtained by Woman’s World. “The wide-ranging assortment showcases Target’s merchandise authority, bringing together brands guests love, exclusive finds and plenty of ‘if you know, you know’ details across the collection, with most items priced under $20.” 

To find out if your store is participating in the Target ACOTAR release party, click here! 

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Barnes & Noble Just Dropped an ‘ACOTAR’ Collection—You Have to See the Vases!

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) 6 might still be a few months away, but Barnes & Noble is already gearing up for the release. Over the past couple of weeks, the popular bookstore chain has released a variety of merch inspired by Sarah J. Maas’ bestselling series and it’s so cute that even […]

A look at some of the exclusive ‘ACOTAR’ merch only available at Target 

Along with the items mentioned above, Target will also be selling some collaborations between ACOTAR and other brands. You can view what they are below. 

BrüMate water bottles

The popular drinkware brand BrüMate is releasing a line of ACOTAR-inspired water bottles at Target starting October 4. The line includes two Era Flip 40-oz. Bottles and two Müv 15-oz. bottles, both in the shades Starfall and Cursebreaker.

Starfall, according to the company, is “Cloaked in midnight blue, the Night Court mountain peaks are cast amid a firmament of gilded gold and luminous gloss,” whereas Cursebreaker is “Born from shadow and starlight, with a smoky cat-eye base and gloss black tattoo-inspired artwork. It evokes the energy of forbidden bargains, powerful warriors and destinies bound by magic.”

Prices for these items range from $36 to $51 and you can learn more here. 

Fine’ry fragrances

If you want to smell like the Night Court, be sure to grab one of these scents from Fine’ry. Scents include High Lady of the Night Court – Flower Bed, High Lord of the Night Court – Ultra, Moonstone Palace – The New Rouge and Night in Velaris – No Prince Required. Each bottle will cost $20 and they will hit shelves on October 11.

“Fine’ry is partnering with the bestselling series, A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) to introduce a limited-edition fragrance collection inspired by the beloved fantasy universe,” reads the press release obtained by Woman’s World. “The collection features four of Fine’ry’s best-selling EDP fragrances – Flower Bed, No Prince Required, Ultra and The New Rouge – each reimagined through the lens of the ACOTAR universe with exclusive, limited-edition packaging inspired by the iconic series.” 

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This is shaping up to be a big month for fantasy readers, a point heralded by Goodreads’ Reader’s “Most Anticipated October Books” list. New fantasy fiction titles are offering everything from warring fae and dangerous demons to gods of death, forbidden romance and superpowered enemies. And it’s part of an especially busy stretch for the genre: Terry Brooks recently returned to the world of Shannara with Brona, while Brandon Sanderson’s The Fires of December is still to come later this year. Better still, several of October’s most anticipated releases come from authors readers already know well, including Sarah J. Maas, V.E. Schwab, Marie Lu and Ann Liang, alongside an intriguing debut from Charlotte B. Plumb.

For Maas fans, A Court of Splintered Harmony marks the long-awaited return of A Court of Thorns and Roses, beginning an enormous new story the author says grew beyond the confines of a single book. Schwab, meanwhile, heads in the opposite direction with Victorious, bringing her Villains series and the complicated relationship between Victor Vale and Eli Ever toward its conclusion.

Elsewhere, Lu’s Mortal Things introduces a London where mortals serve as Harbingers for powerful gods, while Liang’s To Dream in Darkness asks one irresistible question: What happens when death falls in love with life? And newcomer Plumb enters the romantasy arena with Reap & Sow, where desperate humans can bargain away years of their lives to demons.

Here are five examples of fantasy fiction worth adding to your fall reading list.

‘Victorious’ (October 6)

Author: V.E. Schwab
Publisher: Tor Books

What It’s About: Thirteen years after Vicious introduced Victor Vale and Eli Ever, Schwab brings their story to an end with the third and final Villains novel. Once best friends, Victor and Eli became superpowered enemies whose obsession with each other has left destruction in its wake. Now allies and adversaries converge for one final confrontation—but another player has been arranging the board, and Victor and Eli aren’t necessarily the ones controlling the game. Victorious completes the trilogy Schwab began with Vicious in 2013 and continued with Vengeful in 2018.

V.E. Schwab says: “I’ve always thought of it as three installments. I think when we say ‘trilogy,’ it gives a really specific structural expectation. I wanted each book to stand in its own light and to do its own thing. I had a vision for how it would end; I had a vision for who would be left standing and what the situation would be. It was just a matter of, ‘How do I want to get from where I ended Vengeful to that moment?’” 

“A lot of [Victorious] opens in the first chapters on the concept of aftermath, specifically what happens when you no longer have a purpose. Everyone is a little bit adrift. They’re still in a purgatory. They’re still hiding. They’re not living normally… This one is counting down to the end… Book 3 is a book about psychology. It’s about control, it’s about the illusion of control and it’s about our own perception of our own reality.” (Entertainment Weekly)

‘Reap & Sow’ (October 6)

Author: Charlotte B. Plumb
Publisher: Penguin

What It’s About: In the impoverished city of Blackbridge, desperate people can literally sell years of their lives to demons in return for what they desire. Eda Shaw knows the business intimately: She and her brothers arrange those bargains for the demon Mr. Night. When a deal goes wrong and her brothers are arrested, Eda turns to another demon, Kit’rath, for help. He’s charming, dangerous and apparently one of the few beings Mr. Night fears. Their alliance could save Eda’s family—and cost her far more than she intended to surrender. The dark, gothic romantasy is Plumb’s debut and the first half of a planned duology.

Charlotte B. Plumb says: “The initial spark for Reap & Sow actually came while I was watching Peaky Blinders. I started wondering what a family on the wrong side of the law might look like in a fantasy world—and what they might trade in. The idea of a ‘deal with the devil’ emerged from there, eventually leading to a magic system where people bargain away years of their lives to demons. From that point, the story really just took on a life of its own. In terms of making a Pact myself, few things would be worth bargaining years of my life for…besides becoming a full-time author, perhaps! Luckily, that dream came true for me without any dark magic—demonic or otherwise.”

‘A Court of Splintered Harmony’ (October 27)

Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

What It’s About: The sixth A Court of Thorns and Roses novel returns readers to the Fae territories as an ancient evil awakens beneath a mountain lake. The Night Court must prepare for the growing threat, but Prythian is still recovering from earlier conflicts and old alliances have become strained or shattered. Betrayals and newly revealed truths have created divisions among the very people who may have to stand together to survive. 

Sarah J. Maas says: “The story that was finally ready to come out of me was big. Really, really, really big. And as I started writing this, it came out in a way that surprised me. What if it took me more than a thousand pages to tell the story that needed to be told, the arc that I wanted to create from start to finish? What if that took beyond the constraints of a single volume?” 

“I’m not playing by anyone else’s rules. The most important thing for me is to write these stories the way they need to be told, but to also honor my fans who make all this possible. And I’m not playing by industry rules. I’m not playing by marketing. I’m doing what feels organic and good for me and my readership.” (Call Her Daddy podcast)

‘Mortal Things’ (October 27)

Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers

What It’s About: Rose Lin Fairchild is the Harbinger of Raven, the god of Death, which makes her quite literally a bringer of death. When a murder among the gods leaves Rose as Raven’s heir, she becomes entangled in the immortals’ dangerous struggles for power. Standing between Rose and her ascension is Étienne Beauchard, the Regent of Lies, for whom she has complicated feelings. Lu combines mythology, romantasy and a murder mystery in this standalone YA fantasy. 

Marie Lu says: “In this version of our world, there are gods who rule all kinds of things. So there’s a god of air, there’s a god of rain, there’s a god of death, there’s a god of love and so on. They cannot really interact with the mortal world, but they need our energy in order to survive. So what they do is recruit mortals like us to work for them as harbingers. And Rose is one of these harbingers.”

“Étienne was so fun to write. He is the top harbinger for the god of lies. He has the power of illusion, so he can create things that make you believe what you see even though it’s not real. He’s great at lying, and he’s kind of a Robin Hood-Han Solo kind of guy. He’s a little bit sarcastic and a little bit cheeky…. I had a lot of fun bouncing their personalities off of each other.”

‘To Dream in Darkness’ (October 27)

Author: Ann Liang
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

What It’s About: Set in a mystical version of ancient China, Liang’s celestial romance brings together Ruija, the Goddess of Healing, and Keran, the God of Death. Their shared experience of carrying out divine responsibilities creates an unexpected connection, but gods falling in love has potentially catastrophic consequences for mortals—including floods and plague. Liang combines mythology, historical fantasy and romance in a story about two immortals forced to weigh their feelings against the damage those feelings could cause.

Ann Liang says: “The way that we have been pitching this is, what if death fell in love with life? I feel like that kind of just captures the heart of the book because it is about the God of Death, who is fated to kill the God of Healing, but she tries to make a bargain with him so she can basically buy herself more time to live and to escape. As these things tend to go, they kind of fall in love with each other, even though it’s basically world-ending if they do.” 

“I honestly think it started with my love for xianxia dramas. I was raised on those dramas, and I think just as a writer, when you’re so interested in this particular kind of genre or this type of media, you want to be able to capture that feeling in your own writing. I knew that to write an epic fantasy would be very different and it would be a challenge.”

“There are just certain aspects of writing a romantasy like this that you can’t get with contemporary, like having the whole sword-to-the-throat scene or threatening each other with torture and murder, where in real life it’s like, okay, you would be locked up right away. In fantasy, it’s cool. It’s hot.” (theincoherentfangirl)

Miranda Lambert is kicking off a new chapter in true Miranda fashion with her signature country charm and a touch of sparkly disco. Her new album, Crisco, is officially out today, featuring Ella Langley on “Snakeskin Boots” and Chris Stapleton on “A Song to Sing.” On October 1st, Miranda brought her new era to life when she took the stage for the opening night of Nashville’s newest music venue, The Truth. In front of a sold-out crowd, she performed several songs from Crisco alongside the hits from her catalog.

Miranda Lambert’s ‘Crisco’ era brings country and disco together

“It was one of my favorite projects I’ve gotten to work on in a really long time,” she told the crowd. “Country and disco equals Crisco. Y’all get it, right? It’s the first time I’ve recorded with strings, and it’s the first time I’ve ever really dove into that area of country music I’ve never explored. So thank y’all for coming along for the ride!” After more than two decades in country music, the Grammy-winning singer’s new album, Crisco is a reminder of what makes Miranda so iconic and beloved.

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The Southern Story Behind Miranda Lambert’s ‘Crisco’ Song at the ACMs

If you grew up in a kitchen where a blue-and-white can of shortening sat on the counter like a member of the family, Miranda Lambert just wrote a song with your name on it. The country star debuted her brand-new single “Crisco” live for the very first time at the 61st annual Academy of Country […]

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton deliver a Dolly-and-Kenny moment

One of the most special moments of the night came when Lambert welcomed Chris Stapleton to the stage to perform their new song, “A Song to Sing.” Before he joined her, she explained how the collaboration helped inspire the entire Crisco era. 

“As you know, I’m entering a new era of Crisco tonight, and the whole thing started with this song that I wrote with two of my friends, Jesse Frasure and Chris Stapleton,” she said. “We just got in the room one day and we were like, ‘We’re gonna do some Dolly and Kenny s**t today.’ And we did the damn thing, and it set me on a whole path of Crisco. And my friend was kind enough to come out and sing with me tonight. Please welcome to the stage, Mr. Chris Stapleton. We’re gonna do our best Dolly and Kenny for y’all tonight! You ready? Here we go.” 

The two then sang the toe-tapping duet together, bringing their own spin to the kind of classic country sound made famous by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. And Lambert later had one more nod to the legendary pair up her sleeve when she closed out her bows to “Islands in the Stream,” putting the spotlight on the country icons who helped inspire her sound.

Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley’s friendship goes beyond music

The first new hit Miranda played from her new album was “Snakeskin Boots” featuring Ella Langley. The two first connected creatively while writing “Choosin’ Texas” with Luke Dick and Joybeth Taylor, and Lambert went on to co-produce Langley’s album Dandelion. The song became a massive breakthrough for Langley, while her friendship with Miranda also took off. 

Lambert has been candid about how much she wants to support younger women coming up in country music, recently telling Billboard, “What I’ve done is try to use the knowledge that I’ve gained by being in the industry for over 20 years to really lift up the younger generations coming up and trying to be there for them and answer questions. Sometimes I know the right way to do it, because I did it wrong.” 

Entertainment

Ella Langley & Miranda Lambert’s Friendship Is Too Sweet

Country music singer Ella Langley is making waves at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards thanks to her song “Choosin’ Texas.” But here’s the best part: she created that hit with country music icon Miranda Lambert. That’s right—these two powerhouses joined forces, and we have all the heartwarming details below. A look at Ella […]

And when it comes to Langley, Lambert sees herself simply as her biggest “hype girl,” saying, “I’m either talking her off a ledge or hyping her up, because she knows exactly what she wants. We’re girls. We talk each other off the ledge all the time.” 

Their relationship has continued to grow beyond songwriting, with the pair also teaming up on “Butterfly Season” for Dandelion and now “Snakeskin Boots” for Crisco. It’s clear that what started in a songwriting room has turned into a genuine friendship.

The Miranda Lambert songs you didn’t know she wrote

Not only is Miranda an incredible performer and powerhouse vocalist, but her talent for songwriting also makes her a monumental asset to the country music industry. 

She hasn’t just spent the past two decades writing her own hits and selling out shows. She’s created a musical family around her, sharing her gift for turning heartbreak and relatable experiences into country hits for other artists she admires. 

Over the years, she has written or co-written songs recorded by fellow country stars and artists across genres, including:

• “Choosin’ Texas” — Ella Langley
• “Thought You Should Know” — Morgan Wallen
• “Outrunnin’ Your Memory” — Luke Combs feat. Miranda Lambert
• “What Am I Gonna Do” — Chris Stapleton
• “The Lost” — Jelly Roll
• “Good Horses” — Lainey Wilson feat. Miranda Lambert
• “We Ain’t Good at Breaking Up” — Brothers Osborne
• “Falling Apart” — Parker McCollum
• “My Only Child” — The Highwomen
• “Don’t Blame It on Whiskey” — Jon Pardi feat. Lauren Alaina
• “You’re My Texas” — Gabby Barrett
• “Suffocating” — Blake Shelton
• “I’m Good at Leavin’” — Ashley Monroe
• “Love Like Whiskey” — The War and Treaty
• “It Takes One to Know One” — Natalie Hemby

Crisco brings Miranda Lambert’s ‘country disco’ era to Nashville

With Crisco out now, Miranda Lambert is proving again that she knows how to make country music feel fresh. Whether she’s writing alongside a fellow country icon like Stapleton, cheering on a rising star like Langley or putting her own unforgettable twist on a new song, Miranda has spent more than 20 years lifting other artists while remaining an enduring force in country music. With a twang of country and shimmery disco, Crisco is proof that despite the time she’s already put in, Miranda’s shiny star is still rising.

If winning a million dollars or taking a three-month vacation aren’t in your immediate future, there are other ways to put a smile on your face right now. Bestselling author and our most trusted book recommender Ann Patchett is always full of great book picks to pull you out of a funk and make you feel more joyful. In fact, on a social media reel, she admitted, “Okay, friends, lately I’ve been a little down, right? I mean, I’m guessing that maybe you’ve been a little down too. There’s a lot going on.” But she revealed the right books always lift her mood and they can help you too. Here are the five books Ann Patchett swears by when she needs a mood boost—and why they work like magic.

5 books Ann Patchett says will make you smile today

Get ready to feel renewed. From nonfiction to novels, we have you covered with these backlist book titles. Start with these feel-great books this fall.

‘The Book of Delights’ by Ross Gay

Patchett’s first pick is this 2019 book of essays by award-winning poet Ross Gay. Patchett raves about The Book of Delights on social media for her store Parnassus Books. “Gay decided to find good things in the world, and every day he wrote a little tiny micro essay about something that he had found that day that brought him happiness.” She even rationed the chapters out in tasty little portions to make the book last longer. “I love this book so much that I only let myself read like two or three a night. It was like a box of chocolates.” She adds, “It’s kind, it’s thoughtful and it gives a more expansive view of the world.”

So what makes this book so special? It is described as “reminding us of the purpose and pleasure of praising, extolling and celebrating ordinary wonders” from encountering a lone wildflower growing out of the cracked sidewalk to witnessing the fascinating movements of an insect.

“Love really is all around,” explained one online reviewer of this book. “I could not have picked a more delightful book (pun-intended) to read during such a difficult time. Ross Gay’s ability to find something of beauty and goodness every single day is beyond inspiring. In a world full of darkness, this book is a beacon of light.”

‘On Beauty’ by Zadie Smith

Here’s an example that proves the power of a great book: In another reel, Patchett talks about how both she and her friend Katie DiCamillo, during their weekly phone call, were feeling down about the state of the world. Then they discovered something amazing: Without telling each other, they’d both picked up the same book for comfort and escape—Zadie Smith’s novel On Beauty. Patchett explained, “I started reading it again, and it started to just make me feel so much better.” She marvels at the coincidence, “What are the chances that two friends, who are half a country apart, would land on the same novel that was published in 2005 when dealing with some underlying despair?”

So what’s the book about? “This is a glorious novel that is full of love and joy, and obviously intelligence, because Zadie Smith is the smartest person alive,” says Patchett. “It’s about two families in academia, and they’re dealing with a long feud. They’re dealing with the love of their children, and they’re dealing with the culture wars.”

The Whistler author summed up the book’s power and charm: “Lots of people can be smart and biting and funny and mean, but almost no one can be smart and biting and funny and loving, and that’s what this book is!” One online fan agreed, saying, “The way [Zadie] portrays each character, even the secondary ones, is breath-taking and awe-inspiring. I wish I was a writer so that I could express how magnificent and inspiring the book is.”

‘Little Pieces of Hope’ by Todd Doughty

Patchett’s next pick is a 2021 gem—told mostly in list form—called Little Pieces of Hope: Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World. Doughty created this collection during the pandemic lockdown as a mental exercise to focus on the positive. “It’s a set of lists of all of the things that spark joy for Todd.” Patchett adds, “You cannot believe how good this book makes you feel. It just is like hitting some amazing reset button.”

What kind of joy-sparkers does Doughty include? Everything from a delicious burger to fresh-cut yellow flowers, the taste of Hostess Cupcakes as well as song playlists. The book is designed to be a “daily touchstone of joy.” Patchett recalls how engaging the book is. “You keep stopping and looking things up, so you can see that photograph, or hear that piece of music, or watch that movie, or you want to go read that book” that is mentioned in the lists. She says it is “fabulous advice on all the things out there that can make you happy!”

One reviewer wrote, “You can dip in and out of this book.” But however you read it, the payoff is the same: “Instant uplift.”

‘Little Heathens’ by Mildred Armstrong Kalish

When Patchett has trouble sleeping, she has an unusual remedy: She imagines walking through her grandmother’s home, room by room. That nostalgic ritual led her to rediscover a memoir that’s become one of her favorites.

Patchett recommends the soul-soothing autobiography: Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish, which came out in 2007. The book’s subtitle says it all: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression. To tie everything together, Patchett explains, “My grandmother grew up during the Depression in Kansas, so it’s very close to her story.” She says, “It’s a book about living on a farm, and in one chapter she talks about all the animals and all the chores and jobs, and then in another chapter she talks about the gardening and the farming.”

This grounded, factual story is “interesting and soothing, and really well written.” Patchett admits, “I ended up rereading the whole thing again, just because I enjoyed it so much, and I bet you would enjoy it too.”

The book earned serious acclaim: It was named one of the 10 best books of 2007 by The New York Times and was praised by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love. One reviewer shared, “The good old days remembered. I loved every word of this book! The author grew up fresh and innocent and kind and loving in a very difficult, but pure, time in our history.”

‘This Is Happiness’ by Niall Williams

Patchett gets as many book recommendations as she gives—”more than I could read in 17 lifetimes,” she jokes. But when a fellow bookshop owner urged her to read This Is Happiness, Patchett listened. And now she’s happier for it.

It is described as a “profound and enchanting novel” set in a rural Irish village. Patchett explains, “I love this book so passionately. It’s about the tiny town of Faha in Ireland in 1958 getting electricity. It’s about falling in love. It’s about making friends.” She praises, “It’s one of those books that every single sentence I wanted to underline and sit with and think about.” She says, “If you are sad, you should read it. It’s a book that places you in life and makes you see the larger picture and the passage of time.”

It’s the type of book “you just want to read slowly and stay in for as long as you possibly can,” she adds. One online reviewer said, “If it’s time to read something that nurtures your soul, this is the book to pick up.”

At the end of the day, enjoying any feel-good story can help shift your perspective so you feel more optimistic about the future. Patchett gushes, “I am now such a fan of Niall Williams. I can’t wait to go on and read his other books!”