Daily Skimm

“Quietly Hostile” by Samantha Irby: Fans of laughter, assemble. Samantha Irby is back with another essay collection that’s so relatable, so funny, so exactly what we needed right now that we could scream. With gems like “being perceived is excruciating, especially if you can’t go person to person explaining why you look like that,” it’s basically a printout of our inner monologue (but with better jokes). And yes, there is a full chapter where she suggests re-writes for specific episodes of “Sex and the City.” Purchase and read immediately, if not sooner.

“Romantic Comedy” by Curtis Sittenfeld: You’ve heard it before: Gorgeous female celebrity hosts iconic late-night sketch comedy show, starts dating non-famous male writer on said show. But what if, for once, the reverse happened? Enter: this delightful novel from one of our all-time favorite authors. It follows Sally, a sketch writer and self-declared regular-looking person, as she gets to know Noah, an objectively hot and famous musician. It’s thoughtful, smart, and just the right amount of seriously sweet. Prepare to fall in love.

“Social Engagement” by Avery Carpenter Forrey: Picture it, you’ve just married a handsome, successful guy, in a dream location…but somehow, it’s all wrong. In this darkly funny novel — written by an OG Skimm employee, BTW — we meet Callie in this very situation. The book takes us back through the preceding year, during which Callie moves in with her best friend from childhood, reignites an old flame with her friend’s cousin, and discovers family secrets lurking in forgotten drawers. If you’re looking for a page-turner with some bite, this one’s for you.

“Homebodies” by Tembe Denton-Hurst: When your work is your identity, and it goes away — what then? That’s one of the questions that propels this excellent debut novel. It follows Mickey, a Black beauty writer in NYC who’s let go from her buzzy, great-on-paper job...and then has to reckon with the way she was treated there, and what she really wants next. She flees the city (and the woman she loves) to try and figure it out. The book truly gets what it is to be young and confused in today’s world (worry about being iced out of the group chat included), and we devoured it.

“Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett: Ann Patchett is back and we couldn’t be happier. This time, she tells the story of three sisters, who are back on their parents’ cherry farm during the pandemic. As they shelter in place, they ask their mother, Lara, a former actor, to tell the story of her young romance with now ultra-famous actor, Peter Duke. The story switches between the family’s present moment (with Lara happily married to the girls’ father) and her past romance with Duke. It’s cozy, and feel-good, and we recommend reading with a bowl of cherries.

“Late Bloomers” by Deepa Varadarajan: Equally funny and heartwarming, this debut from law professor Deepa Varadarajan follows an Indian-American couple recently divorced after a 36-year arranged marriage. Ex-husband and father Suresh Raman bops around on dating apps. Ex-wife Lata discovers what it means to have an independent life. Meanwhile, their adult children Priya and Nikesh are unpacking their own relationships. In the end, secrets are revealed and the whole family collides in an endearing, humorous finish.

“Sea Change” by Gina Chung: If you’ve ever been stuck in familiar patterns and felt yourself losing momentum, you’ll relate to this novel’s protagonist. When we meet Ro, she’s mourning a breakup, drifting away from her best friend, and letting childhood traumas lie. But as she prepares to say goodbye to Dolores — the giant octopus she takes care of at her aquarium job, who’s been sold to a wealthy investor — she goes through her own metamorphosis. Trust us: This unique, smart, emotionally rich book is a must-read.