All the World Can Hold
Jung Yun
Three strangers — an anxious New Yorker, a newly-sober former TV actor, a burned-out grad student — all separately taking a kitschy reunion cruise days after 9/11. The premise didn't exactly draw me in (9/11 still feels too recent to read about) but I ended up loving this book. The tone never got too dark, and the characterization and pacing were excellent.
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★ 5Sandwich
Catherine Newman
Sandwich, by Catherine Newman, describes a family’s week-long vacation in Wellfleet and instantly transported me back. It’s funny, moving, and relatable, much like Newman herself (Aliza and I saw her speak in Boston a few weeks ago.) If you just finished All Fours and aren’t ready to stop thinking/reading about menopause, try Sandwich next.
★ 5Romantic Comedy
Curtis Sittenfeld
An SNL-style writer falls for the pop star hosting the show and refuses to believe it could work. Smart, swoony, very fun.
★ 5Margo's Got Money Troubles
Rufi Thorpe
A broke young single mom starts an OnlyFans and ropes in her ex-wrestler dad. So much more heart and wit than that premise suggests.