What We’re Reading: Spring 2021

"I am looking forward to reading Beneficence. A friend whose taste I trust told me that this novel of loss and family and love is one of the best books she’s read recently, so it’s now at the top of my pile." —Jamie Raab, President

"I am so excited about spring reading that I couldn’t pick just one title, so here is my list!

How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue (have loved her since I tried to acquire her first book), Festival Days by Jo Ann Beard (that rare book that is a mix of fiction and nonfiction), and, of course, my beloved Kazuo Ishiguro’s latest, Klara and the Sun." —Deb Futter, Publisher and Senior Vice President

"Anxious People was my book club’s pick, but I’m absolutely thrilled, because I’ve loved so many of his books. He captures so much about humanity in the most everyday details. His novels are a pleasure to read." —Randi Kramer, Assistant Editor

"I’d heard incredible buzz about this book for a while, but after it won the National Book Award, I knew I had to pick it up. In this incredibly innovative and surreal novel, Yu explores the experience of Willis Wu — a man living in San Francisco’s Chinatown — and the specific kind of racism that he and his community face through the metaphor (or is it reality?) of a TV show in which they are all cast. Most of the book is written in the form of a screenplay, making this a thought-provoking and inventive read that pushes the boundaries in all the best ways." —Cecily van Buren-Freedman, Assistant Editor

"This National Book Award winner has been on my to-read list ever since it was published in 2010. But a friend recently re-recommended it to me, and I’m excited to dive into the gritty yet romantic existence of artists, poets, and musicians in the orbit of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe in 1960s and ’70s New York City." —Jennifer Jackson, Senior Director, Consumer Marketing

"This spring I look forward to reading poet and activist Salena Godden’s debut novel, Mrs Death Misses Death, which was uniquely the subject of a radio documentary that followed the novel’s progress over the course of 12 months. (And apparently Idris Elba’s production company picked up the film/TV rights recently.) Dark comedies are my favorite fiction. Can’t wait to pick this one up." —Jaime Noven, Senior Marketing Manager

"This one’s been getting so much great media buzz — I listened to Ali’s interview on NPR and was sold! I’m excited to dive in." —Anna Belle Hindenlang, Senior Publicist

"The gorgeous cover matches the captivating stories inside. It retells stories we know and love from history and mythology with new and exciting twists. It’s great to read it leisurely, one story at a time, but you can easily read the book in one sitting. I think even non–romance readers would enjoy these reimagined tales." —Audine Cross, Publicity Assistant

"This spring I am super excited to read Milk Fed by Melissa Broder. The cover is bold and provocative, which instantly caught my attention, and since I’ve seen this everywhere online, I want to know what it’s all about. The reviews say that it’s wry, brutal, and thought-provoking, so I’m expecting a wild ride…." —Lauren Dooley, Marketing Assistant

"Knausgaard is among the most exciting and perceptive contemporary writers I know. His ability to illuminate personal histories and glean unexpected, powerful insights from them results in a kind of hypnotic prose that I’ve rarely experienced elsewhere. With subjects spanning visual art, the Northern Lights, and Madame Bovary, this new collection of essays promises to be an unforgettable read." —Taylor Wiggs, Marketing & PR Intern