Dear Harry,

Heard you’re in town for a while! Thought you might like some book recommendations for any down time you have between shows. I’ve got some things that I think might be your vibe! And if you wanted to swing by and pick some of them up while you’re in town, we’d be happy to set some aside for you.

Rumor has it that you like Murakami, Bukowski, a little bit of Joan Didion, and some poetry, so I picked some books that I think have a similar emphasis on atmosphere and style (no pun intended) but might broaden your horizons a little!

Because You Like Murakami

The Memory Police, Yoko Ogawa

Because you like Murakami, I suggest The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa. Magical and atmospheric, this beautifully translated novel grapples with loss and memory. The story takes place in a dystopian setting where things routinely go missing from the world and the collective memory. An eerie work of speculative magical realism, this novel is just stunning. If you’re even the least bit nostalgic or interested in the importance of memory, this book is for you. It’s also a gateway into Ogawa’s other works, which I’m also a big fan of!

Honorable mention for magical realism: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Some Poetry:

If you’re in the mood for some poetry, one of my absolute favorites of all time is Frank O’Hara’s Lunch Poems. His observational poetry about people he sees while on his lunch break in New York are beautifully tender and simply wonderful. They’ll remind you how beautiful humanity and mundanity are. Would be a great read at any time but especially while visiting the city! Frank is my fave.

Lunch Poems by Frank O’Hara

Honorable mention for poetry: The Sunflower Cast a Spell to Save Us From the Void by Jackie Wang

For Sadboy Hours

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, Ocean Vuong

For the times that you feel like slowing it all down and indulging in some sad boy hours, wallowing a little, etc, I offer you On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. Written in the form of a letter to the narrator’s mother, this novel is touching and melancholy, gorgeously written and sentimental in a way that has you feeling a little like you’re dreaming from the very first page. Family, love, grief, masculinity, trauma, race, class, this book tackles it all with grace, giving voice to the silent and hope to the seemingly hopeless.

Honorable mention for sad boy hours: Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

For Loving Love:

Be Here To Love Me at the End of the World, Sasha Fletcher

In case you’re feeling just a touch romantic, Be Here To Love Me at the End of the World by Sasha Fletcher is an underrated recent book that is a little magical realism and a lot of love. A couple navigating the end of the world, biblically accurate angels, secret police, and the struggles of regular life find a way to stay connected and grounded in each other in their Brooklyn home. I loved this book and the lighthearted way it handles the reality of the crumbling world around us with a rare optimism.

Honorable mentions in the love category: All About Love by bell hooks and Emergency Contact by Mary HK Choi (this one has HUGE Late Night Talking energy, just saying)

California Vibes:

Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So

If you’re missing California while you’re hanging out on the east coast, you could always go for Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So. A wonderful collection of short stories about the different experiences of Cambodian-Americans in California, this book is witty and insightful, emotional and effortless, and carries the bittersweet legacy of So’s talent. The first story grabs you right away and establishes the characters so well in such a short span of pages. Definitely, definitely worth a read. Plus a short story collection is always nice when you don’t have a ton of time to sit down and read a long story.

Honorable mention for California energy: Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion

Something Rock n’ Roll

We’d be remiss if we didn’t throw in a recommendation for Emma’s book Modern Lovers. In her own words: Listen, I had to. Of course, I want Harry to read my rock n roll lesbian book! It's also full of food, and we know Harry loves a snack. (Did I look up his favorite candy bar the other day? I might have!)

Honorable mention from Emma: Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff

Whether or not you read these books, we all hope you find some down time between your shows and enjoy our city! To Harry and non-Harry readers alike, hope you enjoy these suggestions and there’s always more where those came from!

Your pal,

Jacs, Bookseller & Fan

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