Short ‘n Sweet Book Recommendations
I had the privilege of attending Sabrina Carpenter’s opening night for the Short ‘n Sweet Tour on September 23rd in Columbus, OH and it was worth every moment. It was also inspiring - it got me thinking about the short and sweet books I love and also books that fit some of the songs from the album.
Let’s go over some short books that I love and would love to hear other opinions on!
Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth
Genre: Sci-Fi
Rating: 3/5 Stars
This tragedy is written by the same author who wrote the iconic Divergent series. Roth is killing the adult short story game right now. I read this in April of 2023 on a short plane ride to Marco Island and will never forget how it made me feel.
It is the story of Antigone, the Greek myth, and takes place in a city surrounded by wasteland. The last city on Earth. If you’re familiar with the play, I believe you’ll get more out of the book. It’s full of betrayal and loss.
Although not to the degree as the album, we see a lot of tragic and sad themes hidden behind some of the songs on Sabrina’s album. Sharpest Tool is an incredible song about loss and confusion.
“You’re confused and I’m upset but we never talk about it”
“Always made sure that the phone was face down, seems like overnight I’m just the bitch you hate now.”
“If that was casual then I’m an idiot.”
The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt
Genre: Satire Coming-of-Age, Dark Comedy
Rating: 4/5 Stars
“Mauvais Ton” - “Bad Taste”
The English Understand Wool is a satirical masterpiece of a novella. It’s a historical mystery that revolves around a missing mother turned kidnapper. The mother raised our protagonist to avoid “mauvais ton” at all costs. When the mother disappears, our MC has to succumb to some “bad taste” in order to stay true to herself.
“Guess who he learned that from?”
Sex and Rage by Eve Babitz
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3/5 Stars
I think this title encompasses the entire album…Sex and Rage follows a woman between LA and New York through various affairs. It has very little plot and mostly interpersonal themes. It is very stream-of-consciousness nepo-baby privilege with a very dislikeable MC.
“Now he’s thinking ‘bout me every night, isn’t that sweet? I guess so.”
“Heartbreak is one thing, my ego’s another.”
“You don’t have to lie to girls, if they like you they’ll just lie to themselves.”
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
Genre: Dark Romance / Smut
Rating: 4/5 Stars
If this isn’t Bed Chem, I don’t know what is. Another Greek myth retelling, this is the modern story of Hades and Persephone told in a way that will keep you interested from start to finish. From their first meeting, Hades and Persephone can tell they would have really good bed chem. I’ll leave it at that….
“Maybe it’s all in my head, but I bet we’d have really good bed chem.”
“One of me is cute but two though? I might let you make me Juno.”
Before the Coffee gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Genre: Magical Realism, Fantasy Fiction
Rating: 5/5 Stars
This sweet and heartwarming story gives you the chance to talk to people that are no longer with us, but you only have until your coffee gets cold. I read this years ago and still remember how it made me feel. Kawaguchi never fails to bring out the most pleasant feelings for a reader.
It’s all musings on what people would do if they had the ability to go back and speak with someone - anyone. It’s beautifully written and profound.
“Don’t smile because it happened, cry because its over.”
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: 4/5 Stars
My absolute favorite of Sally Rooney’s, this is an objectively good short book. Although sometimes painfully political, Rooney captures anxiety, power dynamics and intellectualism perfectly. She puts feelings you’ve never been able to describe into succinct, clear words. That talent made this novel so satisfying at times. It follows Bobbi and Frances, who are college friends in Dublin, as they meet and get involved with an older married couple.
“Gold star for highbrow manipulation, and “love everyone” is your favorite quotation. Save all your breath for your floor meditation.”
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Fiction
Rating: 5/5 Stars
This was the book that got me back into reading after college. I read it at the beginning of lockdown and had a visceral and slightly embarrassing reaction to the plot twist. Not to mention the Amazon Prime series captures the story PERFECTLY. It was exactly how I imagined it in my head. It follows Camille as she returns home as a journalist to cover the disappearance and suspected death of two young girls. It’s the embodiment of familial trauma, female rage, and homesickness. To be honest, the Taste music video and title “Sharpest Tool” brought this one to mind. I will never stop raving about this book, and I will never forget it.
“I know you’re not the sharpest tool in the shed.”
insert the entire Taste MV here
Slow Days, Fast Company by Eve Babitz
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Essay Collection
Rating: 3/5 Stars
“In the end it doesn’t matter if Babitz ever gets the guy - she seduces us.”
This is a collection of essays, and was called a “fictive memoir” by Hermione Hoby, TLS. These stories are essentially all about Los Angeles and Babitz love for the city. These stories are sensual, perceptive, and are still applicable 50 years later. When I think “Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll,” I think of this collection.
“What a surprise, your phone just died, your car drove itself from LA to her thighs.”
“It’s not that complicated, you should stay in my good graces.”
Swimming Lessons by Lili Reinhart
Genre: Poetry, Celebrity Book
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Normally celebrity literature gives me the ick. Sometimes it comes off as a cash-grab and most young influencers and stars don’t have the experience in the industry to make a memoir appealing. The good thing for them is that they have the built-in audience to rely on. When swimming lessons came out years ago, I got it because the art was phenomenal and I actually enjoy Lili Reinhart’s speeches and value her opinion. I personally admire her and her transparency, especially on body image in the silver screen world.
I loved swimming lessons. I thought the illustrations were gorgeous, I wanted to cut the pages out and frame it. The poems were an average level of cringe, absolutely no more than any other celebrity poetry book (looking at you Halsey and Lana). It was an easy read with meaningful words and I will remember the contemplative feeling I had while reading it for a long time.
“You’re so dumb and poetic, it’s just what I fall for, I like the aesthetic.”
Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Lighthearted Mystery
Rating: 5/5 Stars
From the author of A Series of Unfortunate Events comes his one and only (so far) adult fiction. Lemony write of a man who eats his routine breakfast, only to find a note from someone that says “You’ve been poisoned.” The rest of this small, incredible feat is the man retracing his steps to find out where this note came from.
I won’t spoil the ending, but a note serving as a warning reminded me of “Taste.” “You might not see me, but I’m here.”
“You’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissing you.”
“I’m gone, but you’re still laying next to me, one degree of separation.”
I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed making it. Let me know your thoughts and please leave other recommendations!
Happy fall,