Welcome to our Ten Book Challenge where our favorite authors share some of their most beloved and memorable reads—from the books with their favorite covers and best opening lines, to the reads they gift and the bookstores they frequent. This is a peek into your favorite authors’ perfect bowl of literary comfort food. We hope you discover something delicious!
A practicing physician for over 20 years, guest editor Madi Sinha gives us the perfect medical drama just in time for summer; when swimsuit and vacay season tend to make us consider body image and self care, engulfed with a tidal wave of confusing wellness trends.
At Least You Have Your Health is full of sharp humor, satire and suspense, a cautionary tale about the Goop-ification of women’s healthcare and education, and asks: when does our fascination with wellness become toxic? Sinha tackles such critical topics while also touching on ideas of race, class, beauty standards and “perfect” motherhood.The book follows Dr. Maya Rao, an Indian-American gynecologist on a mission to serve, educate and empower women—all while caring for her three small children and dealing with past trauma. After a breaking point at the hospital where she works, Maya is offered a job by Amelia DeGilles, well-to-do entrepreneur and socialite, who founded Eunoia Women’s Health. This concierge wellness clinic specializes in house calls for its elite clientele in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Maya stumbles into this world of wealthy and powerful women who dictate their own healthcare regimens with fancy vitamins, odd birthing ceremonies, expensive crystals, curative mind journeys, and other outlandish remedies that aren’t based in science. But it’s not long before she discovers that the practice, along with the high-end supplements and deep cleanses she’s been prescribing, may be more dangerous than any cure these women are seeking.
The Book I…
I last bought/am currently reading: We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz. I also just bought The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion and am looking forward to finally reading it
I recommend to everyone: Where’d You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple
That was my favorite to read last year, and why: Nothing To See Here by Kevin Wilson. It’s weird and hilarious, and I loved everything about it.
Whose author I would love to have lunch with: Ann Patchett. There’s so much I want to ask her about life and writing.
That made me realize language had power: David Sedaris. He can write an entire essay about trash on the side of the road or poop in a toilet bowl at a party and somehow it’s both hilarious and meaningful. Everything he writes is genius, as far as I’m concerned.
I’d like to see adapted to the screen: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
That made me laugh out loud—or cry—while reading it: All of Emily Henry’s books and all of Kristen Rockaway’s books make me laugh out loud. Rom-com at its finest.
That has the most gorgeous cover: My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding by Sajni Patel. The pink, the flowers…what’s not to love?
With the best opening line: “Oona stopped trusting the mirror years ago. After all, it told only a sliver of the story.” Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montemore
Book store that I frequent/is my favorite: Shakespeare and Co. in Philadelphia
Bonus: What question do you wish we asked, and your answer! What new releases are you looking forward to this year? Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen. Circa by Devi Laskar. A Shoe Story by Jane L. Rosen.
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