Jess's Reviews

A debut short story collection people will be reading for decades to come, Afterparties is the work of a wry, playful, brilliant writer at the start of a knockout career. Veasna So passed away suddenly, but by the age of 28 he had already written stories that plumb the depths of what it means to be raised by immigrants, to be queer, to be Cambodian-American, and above all, to grow up as an other in a place that encourages sameness. —Jess

Beautiful World, Where Are You? is Sally Rooney at her Rooney-est, tackling the intricacies of sex, love, and friendship once again. But this time she’s gone existential, incorporating philosophical musings about Marxism and the working class; what it means to be a writer of books about friendship, love, and sex; and where beauty might bloom most bountifully. A must-read for current fans, and a rich entry point for anyone who hasn’t yet dabbled in Rooneyism. Profound, funny, and emotionally sprawling. —Jess

These little essays about life during Covid contain so many nuggets of graceful wisdom. Smith writes about the embarrassment of having family members fully witness how we spend our days during quarantine; about menopause and the guy who hoverboards in the park; flowers in a garden and the way boys are indoctrinated by the toxic masculinity of our culture. She contains multitudes, and so does Intimations. - Jess

Be prepared to stay up all night reading Carmen Maria Machado’s latest masterpiece. How can a book about abuse be so beautiful? Part memoir, part poem, part fever dream, In the Dream House contains so much searing honesty, such heart-crunching truth, that it will never leave you once you’ve read it. - Jess

I will never be able to write a 60-word review that does this book justice, but here I am trying. Morrison is probably the greatest writer of all time, and this book is layered with symbolism, magic, and hard brutal truths about how Black people have always been treated in this country. The main character’s name is Milkman Dead; if that doesn’t sell you on it, I can’t help you. - Jess

O’Farrell makes words dance on the page, embodying the spirit of Shakespeare while focusing on the untold story of his wife, Agnes, a witchy wonder who brews herb tonics and trains falcons while her husband gets ink stains on his fingers in London. Yes, there is a death, and it is painful to read. But the tears feel good, ya know? - Jess

Greenfeast: Autumn, Winter makes my mouth literally water every time I look through it, so you can bet I’ll be first in line to purchase the Spring, Summer edition. Full of delicious plant-based recipes for the hotter months of the year (because who wants to eat roasted turnips in July? Give me that tomato salad, please!), this sweet little cookbook is a must for anyone who loves vegetables or wants to learn how to love them. — Jess 

If you, like me, have spent most of the last year in quarantine becoming your own favorite bartender, then you, like me, need this book. These cocktail recipes from Nick Mautone are boozy, crisp, and perfectly cooling for a hot summer day. Learn how to make everything, from the classic Margarita to the more esoteric Singapore Sling, and look to Mautone’s variations on each recipe to keep the flavors surprising. Cheers to summer! — Jess

Summer is coming, which means: Vacation! Doesn’t a road trip sound fun? But where should you go? What should you see? If you’re planning a trip along any part of the West Coast of the US, this is the book for you! With gorgeous, whimsical illustrations from author-illustrator Danielle Kroll, Pacific Coasting will make planning your next trip a dreamy and engaging experience. Plus, when you’re done planning, you’ll have a beautiful coffee-table book to show for it! — Jess

From the author of the incredible memoir Heavy, this debut novel is spectacular. Kiese Laymon’s writing is so fast, so smooth, so electrifying; the story he tells so odd and heavy, satirical and raw; the characters so perfectly described. Long Division is poetry in prose form, and it’s also a rich examination of one Black teenager’s encounters with sexuality, racism, bullying, complex family dynamics, friendship, and the surreal. A deeply affecting, tender, and funny read. — Jess