Claire Friedman

(Oh, I also love romance!! But it's a crowded market and it needs to have a big hook/ fresh perspective for me to fall in love!)

^^ Phew that’s a lot! Evergreen reminder that I’m pretty genre agnostic, so if you think we would be a fit, go ahead and try me!

Other recent favorites in no particular order: THE ISLAND OF MISSING TREES, THE WEIGHT OF BLOOD, THE NO-SHOW, MORE THAN YOU’LL EVER KNOW, ALL MY RAGE, BABEL, ONE TRUE LOVES, FABLE, BELLADONNA, THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU, CULT CLASSIC, THE LAST HOUSEWIFE, BLACK CAKE

This also goes for sci-fI! I’m not the best fit for hard sci-fi, but anything that feels “five seconds in the future” (ex. “Black Mirror”) is right up my alley. I couldn’t get enough of THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS and “Severance,” and would love to find something similar!

Grounded genre fiction! I’m always craving books like ADDIE LA RUE or SERPENT & DOVE (two of my all-time faves!) for my list -- something with a lush setting, a big concept, and plenty of romance.

Historical fiction! I’m a big Kate Quinn fan, and am looking for stories w/ a similar vibe - something that can make the past feel accessible/ compelling to a modern audience. I devoured THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR and THE WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE - give me all the historical glitz and drama!

Horror! I’m a huge horror movie fan, and am always on the hunt for a project to keep me up all night. Books that recently scared the pants off me: THE HACIENDA, JACKAL, THE HONEYS, and HOUSE OF HUNGER. Does it have a sense of humor a la NIGHTBITCH or “Yellowjackets?” Even better!

(In YA, think THE CHEERLEADERS or ACE OF SPADES. I KILLED ZOE SPANOS and THE AGATHAS are other favorites! Surprise me!)

Thrillers! I’m famously hard to surprise, so anything with a twist I don’t see coming is an auto “yes.” Ruth Ware, Riley Sager, Megan Abbott, and Lucy Foley are my go-tos, but I would love to read something that can put a fresh twist on the genre (think THE MAID or "Knives Out.")

I’ve been especially loving books with a genre twist lately -- PORTRAIT OF A THIEF comes to mind as a great example of what I’m looking for, as does COUNTERFEIT or LUCKY. I’m a sucker for a charming con artist, or an intricately plotted heist. Bonus if it makes me laugh!

Upmarket fiction! Anything with a big hook and accessible writing has my name all over it. Does it feel like something your book club would love? Send it my way! Recent faves include LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY, TRUE BIZ, TOMORROWx3, and CARRIE SOTO. The bigger the concept, the better!

^^ and final evergreen reminder that I'm fairly genre-agnostic, so if you're not sure, feel free to give me a shot anyway! 📚📚

Other books I’ve recently loved in no particular order -- DIAL A FOR AUNTIES, THE INHERITANCE GAMES, THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & NEV, ACE OF SPADES, THE FAMILY, THE OTHER BLACK GIRL, THE GRACE YEAR, WHITE IVY, THE ECHO WIFE, WE ARE THE BRENNANS, HAPPILY EVER AFTERS

Grounded fantasy/ genre! I can read books like THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE, ADDIE LARUE, SERPENT & DOVE, or THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY again and again -- anything with a lush setting, a little (or a lot) of romance, and high stakes has my name all over it.

Upmarket fiction! If it’s something you would read in a book club, send it my way. I loooved THE GREAT CIRCLE by Maggie Shipstead, and would be over the moon to find something similar! Taylor Jenkins Reid, Kate Quinn, Gail Honeyman, Kristin Hannah are other favorites.

I’m also actively looking for more romance! I’m an absolute fiend for Bridgerton and need something light, witty, and escapist to tide me over until season 2. I’m a huge fan of Talia Hibbert and Emily Henry, and recently loved ONE TO WATCH, THE EX HEX, and THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS.

Speaking of humor… I’m looking for anything with a darkly funny sensibility. Ottessa Moshfegh is an all-time fave, along with books like THE NEW ME, YOU, or MY SISTER THE SERIAL KILLER, and TV shows like White Lotus.

I’m beyond OBSESSED with the TV show Yellowjackets -- would love love love to find something that brings the scares alongside a wicked sense of humor! This goes for thrillers, too -- I’d love to find the next Lucy Foley, Megan Abbott, or Jessica Knoll.

Horror! As if 2021 wasn’t scary enough, I want something that gives me chills in the new year! Recent faves include MEXICAN GOTHIC, THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS, THE SANITORIUM, and anything by Riley Sager. If it feels like the movies Midsommar or It Follows, I want to read it!

Love love loving all the fabulous YA in my inbox, but would love to see more on the adult side! Really in the mood for something juicy 😘 #mswl