The books that shaped Brigid Archives

Griffin & Sabine

Brigid says: The first in a series of extraordinary epistolary novels that feel like pop-up books for grown-ups. It is a gripping magical realism story about strangers mysteriously connecting through the mail. Told through the use of illustrated postcards and letters, I never tire of opening each letter and reading their star-crossed tale. Discovering this one-of-a-kind correspondence definitely began my love of epistolary storytelling like 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff and Attachments by Rainbow Rowell.

Interview with the Vampire

by Anne Rice

Brigid says: As a teenager, I watched a plethora of horror-comedies like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Fright Night, Once Bitten, and The Lost Boys. While I enjoyed the humor and tropes about immortal creatures of the night in movies and shows, this classic novel by Anne Rice was the first vampire novel I read and it opened my eyes to how much more there was to the long-told myths of Dracula and the like. I have vivid memories of devouring (couldn't resist that pun) this book late into the night. I was totally enthralled by the tense and often gruesome, long-spanning saga of Louis and the Vampire Lestat. That captivation has led me to search out and enjoy many more vampire novels over the years. Content warnings apply.

How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking

by Nigella Lawson

Brigid says: Reading cookbooks cover-to-cover and baking sweet treats are two of my favorite things to do in my free time. That all began with this scrumptious, beautiful, and quirky delight. Even if I have no intentions of making a recipe like the Steak and Kidney Pudding, since I am a long-time vegetarian, I find so much joy in reading the introductions to the recipes with all the tidbits and back stories. With unique ingredients and Nigella’s trademark sassiness and brilliant humor, this decades old cookbook still feels fresh and fun.

Wild Rain

by Beverly Jenkins

Brigid says: Western romances quickly became my new favorite genre after reading this wonderful book. Spring, an independent and strong Wyoming rancher, stumbles across newcomer Garett in need of help; she decides to nurse him back to health. The steamy result is a surprisingly heartfelt tale with a bit of adventure that made me both laugh and cry. I adored the cowboy vibes that are reminiscent of Joan Wilder’s novels from the movie Romancing the Stone. This happily prompted me to seek out more of these rugged western romances like Done and Dusted by Lila Sage and A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon. Siri, play “Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Chicks. (Open door.)

Ready Player One

by Ernest Cline

Dystopian novels abound, but they’re not usually this fun. It’s 2044 and the world is in shambles, so who can blame Wade Watts if he’d rather live in a virtual reality than the real one? Like many of his peers, Wade spends his waking hours by himself, logged into a virtual reality game, racing through a computerized scavenger hunt in which his success depends on his knowledge of obscure ‘80s pop culture references. Sounds like geek heaven, right? But here’s the thing: I couldn’t care less about video games or John Hughes movies, but this exceptional book hooked me from page one. The audio version (read by Wil Wheaton) is fantastic. Suspenseful, funny, and insightful.

Landline: A Novel

by Rainbow Rowell

I read this in a day, but (I hate to say it!) it fell a little flat for me. (Unlike Eleanor & Park, which I loved, and Attachments, which I put in the 2014 Summer Reading Guide.) It DID make me wish I’d signed up for improvisational theater in college. Add Audible narration for $11.49.

The Count of Monte Cristo

by Alexandre Dumas

From the publisher: "Best-selling author Alexandre Dumas—who also wrote The Three Musketeers—tells this heartbreaking yet heroic tale of Edmond Dantes who takes revenge on the men responsible for his unjust fourteen-year imprisonment, keeping him from the woman he loved and the life he was supposed to live. The Count of Monte Cristo is a must-have for any home library or literary aficionado." Over the years I've been floored by the superlatives readers use to describe this behemoth of a novel: epic, thrilling, the best book they've ever read. WSIRN guest Ahtoosa Dale advised me to read the audiobook narrated by John Lee. Forty-seven hours later, I finally understood why readers love this tale of a man thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit and his long quest for retribution. This was wonderful on audio, but I did turn to SparkNotes on a half-dozen occasions for clarity on plot details.

Crooked House

by Agatha Christie

Crooked House is a short, haunting, and intriguing stand-alone story about The Leonides family. When the head of the family is found murdered in their large and ramshackle mansion, everyone starts pointing fingers at each other. If this sounds familiar, the movie Knives Out seems to be quite inspired by Crooked House! Christie said writing this novel "was pure pleasure and I feel justified in my belief that it is one of my best."

The Duchess Deal

by Tessa Dare

Brigid says: One of the first romance books I read that made me fall in love with the genre I had long ignored! This charming historical romp is a steamy Beauty and the Beast retelling that enchanted me from the first page when the main character arrives at the Duke's doorstep in a wedding dress. Tessa Dare's swoony stories are always thoughtfully clever and full of witty banter. (Open door.)

The books that shaped Brigid

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summer reading starts May 16th