Epistolary Reads

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Dearest Borrow. Read. Repeat. Reader,
It’s no secret that we enjoy the intimate and first-hand accounts delivered to us through epistolary works, so this week, we’re writing to you as we reflect on some of our favorite books told through letters, interviews, diary entries, and more.

Sharnell’s Pick:

The Correspondent

Virginia Evans

Discover the word-of-mouth hit hailed by Ann Patchett as “A cause for celebration”—an intimate novel about the transformative power of the written word and the beauty of slowing down to reconnect with the people we love.

“The Correspondent is at turns amusing and, poignant and ultimately, a pleasure to read. This moving novel unfurls its truths one letter at a time, filling in a complex and memorable picture of one woman’s life. Like a handwritten letter at its best, The Correspondent is meant to be savored.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

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Elizabeth’s Pick:

84, Charing Cross Road

Helene Hanff

This funny, poignant, classic love story unfolds through a series of letters between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer living in New York City, and a used-book dealer in London at 84, Charing Cross Road. Through the years, though never meeting and separated both geographically and culturally, they share a charming, sentimental friendship based on their common love for books.

“I loved it and was so moved by it. . . . It was such a delight.” —Virginia Evans, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Correspondent, on the podcast Totally Booked with Zibby

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Zetta’s Pick:

Daisy Jones & The Six: Reese’s Book Club

Taylor Jenkins Reid

A gripping novel about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, revealing the mystery behind their infamous breakup—from the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Malibu Rising, and Carrie Soto Is Back.

“An explosive, dynamite, down-and-dirty look at a fictional rock band told in an interview style that gives it irresistible surface energy.”—Elin Hilderbrand

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Jen C.’s Pick:

Ella Minnow Pea

Mark Dunn

A hilarious and moving story of one girl’s fight for freedom of expression, as well as a linguistic tour de force sure to delight word lovers everywhere.

“A love letter to alphabetarians and logomaniacs everywhere.”—Myla Goldberg

“This exceptional, zany book will quickly make you laugh.” —Dallas Morning Herald

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Maureen’s Pick:

Dracula

Bram Stoker

Bram Stoker’s peerless tale of desperate battle against a powerful, ancient vampire.

When Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase a London house, he makes horrifying discoveries in his client’s castle. Soon afterwards, disturbing incidents unfold in England. In the ensuing battle of wills between the sinister Count and a determined group of adversaries—led by the intrepid vampire hunter Abraham van Helsing—Bram Stoker created a masterpiece of the horror genre, probing into questions of identity, sanity and the dark corners of Victorian sexuality and desire.

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Jen R.’s Pick:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows

A remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German Occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name.

“I can’t remember the last time I discovered a novel as smart and delightful as this one, a world so vivid that I kept forgetting this was a work of fiction populated with characters so utterly wonderful that I kept forgetting they weren’t my actual friends and neighbors. Treat yourself to this book please—I can’t recommend it highly enough.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love

Also Available in Spanish: La sociedad literaria del pastel de piel de patata de Guernsey 

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Miriam’s Pick:

The Color Purple

Alice Walker

A powerful cultural touchstone of modern American literature, The Color Purple depicts the lives of African American women in early-twentieth-century rural Georgia. Separated as girls, sisters Celie and Nettie sustain their loyalty to and hope in each other across time, distance, and silence. Through a series of letters spanning nearly thirty years, first from Celie to God, then from the sisters to each other, the novel draws readers into a rich and memorable portrayal of Black women—their pain and struggle, companionship and growth, resilience and bravery.

Also Available in Spanish: El color púrpura

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Rachel’s Pick:

House of Leaves

Mark Z. Danielewski

A masterpiece of horror and an astonishingly immersive, maze-like reading experience that redefines the boundaries of a novel.
 
“Thrillingly alive, sublimely creepy, distressingly scary, breathtakingly intelligent—it renders most other fiction meaningless.”—Bret Easton Ellis, bestselling author of American Psycho

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Kelly’s Pick:

The Unforgettable Mailman

April Howells

It’s never too late for the adventure of a lifetime, even if you can’t remember why you started.

The Unforgettable Mailman is a heartwarming story about intergenerational friendship and the power of human connection, perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman and Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent.

“I adored this book! Right from the first page, I was captured by it’s warmth and found myself instantly rooting for Henry, against all the odds! A story of humanity and hope, this debut novel is a total triumph.”—Evie Woods, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop

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A Love Letter to Letter Writing

The Healing Power of Korean Letter Writing

Juhee Mun

A charming ode to the lost art of connecting through the handwritten letter, from the owner of the beloved Seoul stationery shop geulwoll.

“That which takes longer to arrive stays longer in the heart.”

The Healing Power of Korean Letter Writing is the ultimate love letter to an age-old practice that fosters connection to yourself and others, and a potent antidote to the fast-paced, online world of today.

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To You, From Us

More unforgettable epistolary works