a memoir, fiction, and translated works

Am I ever going to finish my reading list? Definitely not. Do I keep adding to it almost every day, not because I have shiny-new-object syndrome but because there’s simply too big a world of too many marvelous books to read? Yes, I’m glad you asked.

My books-to-read list is ever-growing, but these nine just got a fast-track to the top of the stack. Here’s why:

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1. Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show by Bethany Joy Lenz

Is it cheating if I already read this one?

I couldn’t help myself. Since I was at my parents’ in Rhode Island to visit my family for Christmas, my inner child was pulling me towards a Barnes & Noble visit with my mom. I’ve been living in France for 3+ years, but even so—I hadn’t been to good, old B&N for much longer than that, and I felt like a kid who had rediscovered the candy store.

When I walked in, this flashy pink cover was on one of the front display cases, and it immediately caught my eye. I’d seen the catchy name and the big, Southern hair pop up on the Internet for the past few months, but I really had no idea what the book was about or even who had written it. Apparently, it’s written by Bethany Joy Lenz who was apparently on some early-2000s TV show called One Tree Hill?

I’ve never seen the show, so it wasn’t nostalgic pop culture gossip that was pulling me in. Instead, I’d recently discovered that Lenz had created a new, print-only newspaper called Modern Vintage News—and that was enough to make me a fangirl. (Yay for what feels like the start of society’s return to a more analog lifestyle.)

Long story short, I started reading this book at the airport on my way home to Paris—and I finished it the next day. It’s an unbelievable page-turner that I very well may read again. 10/10 recommend.

Available at Better World Books and Barnes & Noble

2. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Another book the Internet sold me on.

Honestly, until a few months ago, I had never even so much as picked up a Sally Rooney book. I wasn’t avoiding her on pretense, but I was going through a years-long novel drought. Fortunately, my pretentious phase of only reading about politics, history, or high-brow classic literature has come to an end, and I’m rediscovering my love of the novel.

In the last three-ish months, I’ve read the other three Rooney books and have been patiently waiting to sink my teeth into Intermezzo. I read Normal People and Conversations with Friends (my least favorite) on my Libby app, and I bought a used copy of Beautiful World, Where Are You? (my favorite so far), but I can’t wait to head to my local bookstore and pick up a fresh, delightfully crisp, brand-new copy of her latest writing. Please, no spoilers.

Available at Better World Books and Barnes & Noble

3. Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

Yet another book the Internet sold me on—and then I promise it stops there.

I think I saw this book circulating on Instagram through most of last year. Like I said, I first turned a blind eye to it because I wasn’t yet back in my I-love-novels-again phase. It was Normal People that steered me back in the right direction, and since then, I’ve been looking for similar writers. I don’t know if this is necessarily going to scratch the Sally-Rooney itch, but it may sparkle and dazzle me in its own unique way.

I’m definitely intrigued by the title and the absolutely stunning cover art, so I already know this is one I’m going to want to buy in hard cover. I plan to carry it in my bag at all times, flash it at the bookshop and local café, and then proudly display it on my bookshelf like the artful trophy it is. (I hope it’s worth it.)

Available at Better World Books and Barnes & Noble

4. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

At last, something that inspired me from the analog world.

For the last year or so, no matter what bookstore I went into, in what country, in what language, I would see this book staring back at me in French, German, English, etc. In the marketing world, they say it takes at least seven touchpoints before a prospect is ready to become a buyer—and it guess it worked on me this time because my curiosity has finally gotten the better of me.

I’m someone who like to go to into a book (or movie, for that matter) totally blind with as little information about the plot as possible, so to be honest, I don’t even know what this book is about. But it’s clearly a bestseller; it’s clearly everywhere; and it’s clearly well loved. And I want in on this story (finally).

Available at Better World Books and Barnes & Noble

5. The Café with No Name by Robert Seethaler

Another book about coffee—and the reason this one is on my reading list is a little bit embarrassing.

I couldn’t remember the name of the book “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” but I knew I wanted to add it to my list even a few months ago, so I pathetically tried searching online with the phrases “café book” or the equally pointless “coffee shop book.” Eventually, I got to the Japanese novel I was looking for, but first, I kept stumbling on The Café with No Name by Robert Seethaler.

Although it goes against my usual practice, I did check out the synopsis for this one: “a vibrant tale of love.” “Summer 1966.” “Robert Simon is in his early thirties and has a dream.”

I didn’t need to read anymore—they’ve already got me. Just skimming a few lines from synopsis makes me feel like my world has instantly become sepia-toned and poetic and scored by Alan Menken. I’m planning a vacation in April, and I can already picture myself reading this on dreamy spring days in a train car while stealing glances out the window at green, rolling landscapes. (Yes, please.)

Available at Better World Books and Barnes & Noble

6. The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing

I can’t remember where exactly I heard about this book, but I remember it was from another book.

It was some novel where the protagonist was commenting on another character by saying, “They look like they’ve probably read The Golden Notebook.” I totally didn’t get the reference.

When I looked it up, I immediately realized how un-well read and sophisticated I am. Apparently, this is “the landmark novel by Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing” and “a powerful account of a woman searching for her personal, political and professional identity.” Definitely something I want to check out.

Plus, I’m someone who is unabashedly sold by a book’s title or cover. It’s the title that’s drawing me in this time, though the jury’s still out on whether or not I’ll agree with the Nobel Committee’s high marks.

Available at Better World Books and Barnes & Noble

7. Washington Square by Henry James

Another mystery on my reading list—I can’t remember why this book is there, but it certainly deserves its spot.

It covers all the points an exquisite novel should: 19th century New York society. A romance with “a dashing and determined suitor.” And a father determined to squander said romance.

Plus, I’ve never read any of Henry James’s works (and even though I said I’m getting back into the modern novel, I’m not giving up on classic literature altogether), so this seems like as good as any place to start.

P.S. I haven’t even read this book yet, but the 19th-century New York society is already brining back memories of one of my all-time favorite book series that I devoured when I was in middle school and then again in high school and then again in my early twenties. If you’ve never checked out The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen and you want a high drama mixed with silken dresses and passive-aggressive, old-fashioned manners, then this is for you.

Available at Better World Books and Barnes & Noble

8. Solaris by Stanisław Lem

I haven’t read a science fiction book in a long time, so I was really thrilled when a friend gave me this book on their recent visit to Paris.

I’m actually a huge sci-fi fan, so I’m a little bit embarrassed to admit that I’d never even heard of Stanisław Lem. As I’ve recently learned, he’s considered a very prolific writer, particularly in philosophy, futurology, and science fiction. In fact, according to Wikipedia, fellow sci-fi heavyweight Theodore Sturgeon called Lem “the most widely read science fiction writer in the world.” (That was in 1976.)

Plus, Lem is a Polish writer, and I’m married to a Polish man, so I consider it personally important to read more Polish works. I’m excited to dive into this one. Who knows, perhaps it will be the first of many Lem books on my shelf.

Available at Better World Books and Barnes & Noble

9. Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey

And lastly, a good, old self-help book.

(Is that what this is?) I don’t mean to be insulting. I feel like the self-help book category is the subject of a lot of mockery—but couldn’t we all use a little more help?

I’ve heard of this book over the years since it was published in 2013, but it wasn’t until a couple of artist friends mentioned it to me last year that it earned a place on my reading list. Normally, I don’t really go for these inspiration, find-your-way-to-creativity books, but Nikita Andester is one of the best writers I know, so I hold her opinion in good favor.

I’m envisioning myself reading this while drinking tea from a fancy cup on a Sunday morning—or maybe I’ll do it on a random Wednesday afternoon so I can feel like a real broke artist. We’ll see.

Available at Better World Books and Barnes & Noble

P.S. Nikita Andester is also a contributing writer at A Merry Loner. Check out her latest article, In Defense of Laughing Alone.

What’s your 2025 reading goal?

Last year, I only read 17 books, which is nothing to be sad about, but it still leaves me with a reading list a mile long—and the unfulfilled dreams of being an extremely literary person.

This year, I’m aiming to read 25 books (and I’m already three in!). But you know what helps? Setting up good habits. Reading every day for even just 15 minutes brings me a little bit of joy—and a lot of progress towards my reading goals. (Plus, isn’t anything better than doomscrolling.)

Want in? We’re making it a mini club.

Recommended Reading:

• How to Live a More Analog Life: 5 easy, cheap (or free) ideas
• How to Balance Solitude and a Social Life: A Dual Guide for Introverts & Extroverts
• How to Stop Wanting Things
• 13 Habits to Start Now in Your 20s (or Whenever) for Long-Term Physical & Mental Wellbeing
• 20 Journal Prompts for Anger | How Anger Writing Prompts Can Help You Work Through Your Feelings