I fortunately had spring break over the past week, and it was one of the best spring breaks because the weather was basically summer, which means I got SO much reading done outside and even at the beach. I caught up on TV over the week too, including the latest seasons of Ted Lasso and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – I’ll have more thoughts on both in my monthly wrap ups, but Ted Lasso is still the most comforting comedy and I’m SO sad that Maisel is ending because it’s just such a fantastic show and I’m loving the glimpses at the future of Midge’s career. I also started watching Shrinking, starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford – another show I’ve been loving but trying to savor & not rush through. 

Anyways, you’re probably here for my reading updates, so let’s get into it!If you want more real time updates on what I’m reading or a peek on what I’m excited about in the book world (usually announcements about new books or adaptations), you can follow me on Instagram at Fangirl Fury. 

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson – Jenny Jackson’s Pineapple Street has deservedly gotten so much buzz. This book is set amongst the New York 1% in Brooklyn, & it’s the perfect read for readers like me who love reading about the elite and their spending habits and scandals. Such a easy read to breeze through in one sitting. My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

My Curtis Sittenfeld Deep Dive:

Romantic Comedy – I feel like this one needs no introduction, since Curtis Sittenfeld’s latest release has been everywhere, between being selected as a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club and Book of the Month picks & everyone just generally loving Sittenfeld’s books. Previous to this month, I’d only read her fake Hillary Clinton history, Rodham (loved it!), and her cult favorite, Prep (which I am sad to say I only feel meh about). Sittenfeld takes on romance with Romantic Comedy, following a female night time comedy writer (she works for a thinly veiled SNL) and cannot get over how many of the ‘average’ guys at her job keep forming relationships with the female celebrities on the show…until she forms chemistry with their latest pop star guest. I think you’ll like this one if you’re a contemporary romance fan looking for a bit more of a literary fiction type writing (which to be honest is my current romance mood). Rating: 4/5 Stars 

American Wife and Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld – I’ve been in a more contemporary reading mood than romance lately, and Romantic Comedy reminded me how much I really like Sittenfeld’s writing style. I read what I think is her most popular release (aside from potentially Prep), American Wife, a fictional autobiographical novel following the life of the First Lady of the United States – the main protagonist is very similar to Barbara Bush. This was a 500+ page read, but I was so sucked in and devoured this one within three days. I then went on to read Sittenfeld’s Pride and Prejudice retelling, Eligible, set in 2013 and in Cincinnati, Ohio (I found out after reading the book that there are a lot of nods to Sittenfeld’s own upbringing there). Imagine the same Pride & Prejudice cast, but Liz is a magazine writer, Jane is a yoga instructor, the Bennetts are in really bad debt and Liz is forced to get the family in order, and Darcy and Bingley are doctors. Again, another one that totally sucked me in! Ratings: 4.5 and 4 Stars

The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland – I’ve been taking a mini break from romance lately because I’ve felt a little burnt out from the genre AND I’m waiting for my MOST anticipated romances like Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez (I know this one is out but waiting on my library hold), Happy Place by Emily Henry (I preordered the B&N signed edition), and Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune (I’m debating between buying the B&N or Target edition on release day). ANYWAY, as part of my mini ‘detox, I picked up Eylssa Friedlad’s 2022 release, The Most Likely Club, following four best friends who attend their high schooler reunion and realize how much their lives aren’t what they though they’d be when they were high school seniors. This book doesn’t get as much buzz as Friedland’s The Floating Feldmans or Last Summer at Golden Hotel, but this was the perfect read for me. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives and messages surrounding friendship and chasing after & accomplishing your goals. Rating: 4/5 Stars 

Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino – Renee Carlino is a new-to-me author whose books have recently been getting a ton of attention thanks to Instagram and BookTok. One of the ones making its round is Before We Were Strangers, a second chance romance set in NYC and alternating between present & 15 years prior between two NYU lovebirds. I think this is the type of book seventeen year old me would’ve RAVED about when I was first starting to read romance. Nevertheless, I devoured it in 24 hours. It’s a perfect read for people looking for something similar to a Colleen Hoover (also shoutout to CoHo for being named a TIME Person of the Year!). Maybe blame it on the NYC setting, but the book for some reason reminded me of Jill Santopolo’s The Light We Lost (totally minus that book’s major plot line). Rating: 3/5 Stars

What have you been reading recently? Have you read any of the books I shared? Share in the comments!