Books Are My People Weekly Newsletter
out today, paperback releases and more!
Welcome to my weekly book recommendation newsletter. You can learn more about me by visiting my introductory post here. Please consider purchasing recommended books through my Bookshop.org affiliate links. It’s a great way to support the show and an ethical way to support your local bookstore. (You can even buy books I don’t link in my shop!)
Podcast Corner:
Picture book enthusiasts rejoice! The delightful Nell Cross Beckerman joins me on episode 126 to discuss her latest book, From Park to Playa: The Trails That Connect Us. We also talk about how authors find illustrators (you may be surprised), some of our favorite picture books and how we have a connected history that goes way back! Listen here.
Instagram Live:
I’ll be going live with Annie from SoThis on Friday, May 24th at 9 am PT on Instagram. (this has been moved from a previously scheduled Live.)
Let Me Help You Discover Books You Might Not Otherwise Read!
Out Today:
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
This book signals the start of summer. From the author of Crazy Rich Asians comes a globetrotting tale taking readers from the black sand beaches of Hawaii to the skies of Marrakech, from the glitzy bachelor pads of Los Angeles to the inner sanctums of England's oldest family estate.
key words: love, money, murder, sex, lies
(You may recall this book was recommended by Gerrard Conley on episode 122 of Books Are My People.)
At a lavish party in the hills outside of San Francisco, Jin Han, a brilliant photographer meets Lidija Jung, an injured world-class ballerina on hiatus due to mysterious circumstances. The woman talk all nigh and their lives will never be the same.
key words: family curse, secrets, Bay Area, entangled friendships, ambition
Yup, you read that title correctly.
A surrealist and bold take on the American coming-of-age novel, this debut is about the interstices of loss, grief, and friendship.
key words: 1992, ten-year-old protagonist, runaway
Mood Swings by Frankie Barnet
How awesome is this cover? For fans of Patricia Lockwood’s No One is Talking About This (I LOVED this book) a young Instagram poet starts an affair with a California billionaire who's promised a time machine that will make everything normal again.
key words: gig economy, cosplaying as dogs for companionship, wealth, power, humor
The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
An inventive, high-concept murder mystery: an ingenious puzzle, an extraordinary backdrop, and an audacious solution all taking place on an idyllic island, all that’s left of a destroyed world.
key words: murder, ticking clock mystery
Cecilia by K-Ming Chang
From the author of Bestiary and Organ Meats
Seven, who works as a cleaner at a chiropractor's office, reencounters Cecilia, a woman who has obsessed her since their school days. Their chance meeting spurs a series of intensely vivid and corporeal memories.
key words: erotic, surreal, subversive
The God of Good Looks by Breanne McIvor
Disgraced model-writer Bianca Bridge can't stand hotshot makeup maven Obadiah Cortland. And he lets her know the feeling is mutual.
key words: workplace drama, scandal, revenge
Paperback Releases:
Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
*I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore
Online Writing, Reading and Art Events This Week (three things I love!)
Events for Readers and Writers:
Tuesday, May 21st at 12 PM PT Silvia Moreno Garcia discusses Silver Nitrate.
Tuesday, May 21st at 4 PM PT Asian-American Representation in Literature with Rebecca F. Kuang
Thursday, May 23rd at 4 PM PT Ann Napolitano
Art Events:
All Week: I had signed up for a free 5-day collage challenge on Instagram with Lydia Rink Art. I’m sorry I don’t have a link, but perhaps you could Google it? It began yesterday and I will begin as soon as I have a free second.
Wednesday, May 22 4 am PT (yes, I’ll be asleep, but I will catch the replay)
(Designers Who Draw) is hosting a Co-Swatch Sesh.Thursday, May 23 12 pm PT
Patreon session.Thursday, May 23 4pm PT Art Hang Party with
. This week, she’s drawing / painting flowers. How cheerful!Saturday, May 25 at 9 am BST (which I believe is May 24th at 1 am for me in Los Angeles, but again, video replay is a gift!) Self-Portraits with
. It says all invited, but I think that means all tiers of her Patreon levels. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
Here’s a little preview of my zoo painting expedition with a friend last week. I’ll post more over on Instagram later in the week. It’s so hard to draw moving animals! Or any animal. Or really, just anything!
I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week! Any new releases out today that you’re excited to share? Leave me a comment!
Like what you read? You can buy me a coffee!
Books Are My People: A Podcast Companion Newsletter
(click here to listen to the most recent episode of my book recommendation podcast.)
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I'm Jennifer Caloyeras and I love books. And I love sharing books! I even love writing books. And making books! And teaching people how to write books! This post contains affiliate links to my Bookshop.org shop which not only supports me, but independent bookstores as well. Please consider purchasing books through these links as a way of supporting Books Are My People.
Thank you for the mention Jennifer! So sorry the timing is so bad for you to attend! I must try to squeeze in another session at a more suitable time.
Wonderful newsletter! So informative.