Hi lovely Zoe,
Thank you for writing in again! I hope you’ve been having a good soup season. I just recently got into listening to audiobooks over the summer through the library and Libro.fm. Do you know that website? I resented the fact that you had to take your pick of the Silicon Valley litter in order to procure an audiobook, but Libro makes it possible to buy ‘em and support your local bookstore. They also have a monthly subscription thing where you get one book a month for $15 plus a 30% discount on any other audiobook you buy.
Sorrrryyyy to sound like an advertisement, I just think it’s a cool service! If you want to try it you can use my referral link (okay so this is an advertisement but specifically for my layman’s link??) and you and I will both get a free book.
Now that I’m done my PLUG, here are a few books I think you’ll like:
Loudermilk by Lucy Ives — This is a very silly book about two friends — one a recluse poet, one whose greatest (and only) work is his pleasing appearance. The latter finds out about the funding for MFA programs and uses the former’s poems to ‘earn’ his way in. Very energetic and engaging… Scratches the “college romp” itch while feeling totally original. I interviewed Ives about the book here.
Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood (unfortunately this is an Audible exclusive) — One of the funniest books of recent years, Priestdaddy is a memoir of growing up with a priest who is your father. Hers stories are ridiculous, but her distinctive voice is what really makes the book shine. Thankfully we have another Lockwood book to look forward to next month!
Samantha Irby’s books (Wow, No Thank You., We Are Never Meeting in Real Life) — I’ve recommended Irby’s work in the newsletter before, so I’ll keep it short, but she’s super funny and listening to her read in the audiobooks probably makes ‘em even better.
The Pisces by Melissa Broder — This book is largely about a human woman and a merman falling in love. I know, I know, sounds a little Shape of Water, but let Broder right that movie’s wrongs for you. It’s all about longing, and projection, and impossible love, and personally I can get into that!!!
Green Girl or O Fallen Angel by Kate Zambreno — Zambreno’s fiction isn’t so much “funny ha-ha,” but rather humorous in its peculiarity. Unfortunately neither of these have audiobooks, but I’m including them just in case you get a hankering for something physical!
I’m patiently sitting by the mailbox waiting for a recommendation request from you. Click on the above pic to fill in the form.