All the Books the Apartment Therapy Team is Reading While We’re Staying Home
Like most of the country, the Apartment Therapy team is hunkering down and getting ready to spend most of our time indoors. That means plenty of Netflix, puzzles, board games, and, of course, lots and lots of books. I asked my coworkers what books they’re reading right now to get some ideas for my own TBR list, and found an impressive range featuring old and new, fiction and nonfiction, thrillers to mysteries to family dramas and more. As libraries shut down and visiting bookstores in person becomes less recommended, consider downloading books on your Kindle, getting an Audible subscription, digitally renting them from your library, or ordering books to your home from an independent bookstore.
The Mirror & the Light
“Tudor nerds have been waiting for five years for the ‘Wolf Hall’ finale, and now that it’s here we are all ecstatic with the weird ambivalence of seeing our hero lose his head.” —Matt Gurry, Branded Content Editor
Buy: The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel, $30 $18 from Amazon
Fleishman Is in Trouble
“I am FINALLY reading ‘Fleishman is in Trouble’ which came highly recommended from the AT staff. We are all huge Taffy fans here!” —Emma Glubiak, Social Media Manager
Buy: Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, $27 $17.29 from Amazon
Show Them a Good Time
“I recently started ‘Show Them a Good Time’ and it’s a very smart and funny collection of short stories. I’d say it has kind of a Sally Rooney vibe, but weirder.” —Hillary Halter, Photo Editor
Buy: Show Them a Good Time by Nicole Flattery, $24 $15.99 from Amazon
The Dutch House
“I recently finished listening to ‘The Dutch House’ narrated by Tom Hanks, which was very comforting. There are lots of descriptors of the old, grand house which really paint the scenes.” —Tara Bellucci, News & Culture Editor
Buy: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, $27.99 $19.65 from Amazon
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life
“I’m reading ‘Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life‘! I heard about it on one of my favorite podcasts, Anthropocene Reviewed. Amy Krouse Rosenthal passed away not too long ago, so it’s both very funny and very sad to read.” —Adrienne Breaux, House Tours Editor
Buy: Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, $18 $12.79 from Amazon
Uncanny Valley
“I juuuust finished ‘Uncanny Valley’ by Anna Wiener. It’s an amazing (and quick!) read for anyone with even a mild interest in tech, startups, or data privacy. The writing is so darn good, and there are some gasp-inducing zingers that perfectly skewer tech bro culture and our general tech-dependent culture at large!” —Madeline Bilis, Real Estate & Finance Editor
Buy: Uncanny Valley by Anna Wiener, $27 $19.39 from Amazon
Fangirls: Scenes From Modern Music Culture
“I’m reading ‘Fangirls’ because I will voraciously consume any media about how we should all be taking young women and young feminine fans more seriously. They drive culture in so many ways, and society has a way of dismissing their passion—truly a crime.” —Taryn Williford, Lifestyle Director
Buy: Fangirls: Scenes From Modern Music Culture by Hannah Ewens, $16.42 from Amazon
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
“Muriel Spark’s use of language is delicious. It’s feminist AF but without relying on any of the tropes we’re all accustomed to, and each of the characters is deeply ambivalent; no heroes or villains in this book.” —Elaine Harman, Senior Software Engineer
Buy: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark, $14.99 $10.99 from Amazon
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
“I’m finishing up ‘Maybe You Should Talk to Someone’. I’m fascinated by therapy and love talking about it, so reading a book written by a therapist about her clients (obviously their identities are protected) and HER therapist is exactly what my nosy, feelings-y brain loves.” —Terri Pous, Managing Editor
Buy: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb, $28 $19.40 from Amazon
An American Marriage
“The epitome of storytelling. One of the best books I’ve read!” —Madeline Goode, Brand Planning & Activation Manager
Buy: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, $16.95 $7.89 from Amazon
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
“I’m listening to ‘Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ (yes, I’m way late to the game here, but it was available on Libby so I jumped on it)!” —Megan Baker, Projects Editor
Buy: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, $35 $16.59 from Amazon
The Art of Making Memories
“It’s a fascinating book about how we can create happy memories for ourselves in the moment and become better at retaining them in the long run.” —Nicoletta Richardson, Senior Associate News & Culture Editor
Buy: The Art of Making Memories by Meik Wiking, $19.99 $9.99 from Amazon
Educated
“Not only is Tara Westover’s true story unbelievable, painful, and inspiring, her writing is a joy to read. She’s also an incredibly honest narrator. She’ll include other family member’s memories of events, even if they don’t match her own memories, and say, it could be any of these versions.” —Greg Brostrom, Office & Studio Manager
Buy: Educated by Tara Westover, $28 $15.17 from Amazon
Killing Commendatore
“It’s a little slow to start but I’m getting to the good, quintessential Murakami weirdness now. Very spooky! Sadly, no talking cats so far.” —Kevin Hoopes, Senior Staff Accountant
Buy: Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami, $13.44 from Amazon