The other day, my partner read Curtis Sittenfeld’s (delightful) Romantic Comedy. Then he went to the library and asked the librarian for more books like Romantic Comedy, which I’m pretty sure the librarian heard as, “like, romantic comedy,” because he came home with some absolute trash that he did not like, which was both a bummer and also a little funny.

Anyway, the exchange inspired me to make a little mini-list of some big bestsellers I’ve loved, and some related, but maybe less-well-known books I also loved. Maybe it’ll even help with your last minute holiday shopping?

1. If you liked Curtis Sittenfeld’s Romantic Comedy, read Skye Falling, by Mia McKenzie

Why you’ll like it: Jokes! Sturdy but voicey prose. Slightly neurotic protagonist who can’t get out of her own way but you’ll still want to for, through the meet-cute and beyond.
Bonus note: It’s a Black, queer romance and set in Philly :)

2. If you liked Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko, read If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim

Why you’ll like it: Both family sagas set in early 20th century Korea, following multiple characters but giving priority to the thoughts and stories of strong female leads in difficult life circumstances, including forbidden love.
Bonus note: Kim’s latest, The Stone Home is also historical fiction set in Korea with very different cast of characters and a darker timbre, but also very good!

3. If you liked S.A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears, read Safe by Ryan Gattis

Why you’ll like it: Sometimes you just need the bad guys to win. Especially when the bad guys are also kind of the good guys. Like Razorblade Tears (and Blacktop Wasteland) Safe, follows a protagonist who’d decided to live a “clean” life, only to be drawn back into his old ways. In this case, Ricky Mendoza Jr. is doing one last safe-cracking job to help a friend in serious trouble.
Bonus Note: I read the climax of this book years ago on the subway and accidentally ended up in Forest Hills, because I forgot to get off the train. It’s that good.

4. If you liked Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s Fleishman is in Trouble, read Reunion by Elise Juska

Why you’ll like it: Frustrating but also relatable characters going through some midlife crises and turning back to friends of their youth to wade through it? Marriage plots? Missing persons plots? Check Check check!
Bonus note: While Fleishman is relentless with its characters’ determination to self-sabotage toward the end, Juska employs a softer touch that allows the characters to grow a little, which, for me, was nice.

5. If you liked Liz Moore’s God of the Woods, read My Murder by Katie Williams

Why you’ll like it: These two are probably the most different of the bunch in terms of setting and storytelling conventions. My Murder is a near-future story, and God of the Woods jumps in time but mainly takes place in the past. Still, both novels offer up unreliable characters, complicated motherhood, and murders that aren’t quite what they seem.

Enjoy written correspondence but not into holiday cards? How about sending letters or emails to your elected officials asking them to vote NO on Bill S. 5384 Abolishing the Department of Education? Templates + more info here.