When we think of coming of age, we often think of adolescents — middle and high schoolers in the arduous process of learning who they are and who they want to be. But anyone who’s made it out of the battleground that is high school knows that unfortunately — or fortunately — the growth process doesn’t stop at 18. Self-development is a lifelong endeavor that’s as crucial for adults of all ages as it is for children and teens. The desire to evolve into a better version of yourself day after day is one of the greatest acts of self-love.
With that truth in mind, we’re honoring Self-Love Month with three adult coming-of-age novels that depict the messy reality of growing up after you’re already grown. Keep reading to learn more about this week’s Three to Read picks!
HOT PICK
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Trigger warning: This book contains discussions of suicide, depression, miscarriage, and infertility. Please exercise personal care while reading.
SYNOPSIS:
On a glorious, sunny day in Newport, Rhode Island, Phoebe Stone arrives at the illustrious Cornwall Inn with neither an overnight bag nor a companion. In her green dress and golden heels, she’s easily mistaken for one of the wedding guests by those in the lobby. Little do they know, Phoebe is the only person at the Cornwall Inn who isn’t here for the big event. Instead, she has her own agenda. Or, at least, she did before her marriage fell apart, crushing her dreams of shucking oysters and soaking in the sunset with her husband at this very place. Alone and at rock bottom, Phoebe finds an unexpected friend in the bride-to-be, who just might need a confidant as much as Phoebe does.
WHY:
The Wedding People by Alison Espach strikes the perfect balance between humorous and tender, showcasing the transformative power of chance encounters that happen at exactly the right moment. Despite their messiness, Espach’s characters are impossible not to fall in love with, as is her depiction of female camaraderie. An ode to the strangers who change our lives, this book is the ideal read for anyone who needs a reminder to never give up on yourself, even when your passion for life has seemingly burned out. That spark can always be reignited — sometimes, it just takes a serendipitous friendship, some chocolate wine, and a pinch of courage to make it happen.
COFFEE SHOP READ
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
SYNOPSIS:
The child of an ex–pro wrestler and a Hooters waitress, Margo Millet has always known that if she wants to get somewhere in life, she’ll have to do it on her own. She’s still trying to figure out her future when she enrolls at her local junior college. But then Margo gets pregnant with her English professor’s baby, and, against everyone’s advice, decides to keep the child, hoping motherhood might help solidify her purpose. Except now she’s 20 years old, broke, and unemployed. To avoid being evicted, Margo needs cash. And fast. So, she takes a leap of faith and starts an OnlyFans account — to massive success. Could this be the boon Margo’s been waiting for, or will the cost of fame prove too steep to pay?
WHY:
In her newest knock-out novel, Rufi Thorne speaks to the ever-evolving landscape of our increasingly online world and what it means for young people trying to parse their identities. Margo’s Got Money Problems stars an endearing protagonist attempting to weather the storms of adulthood, money troubles, and first-time motherhood simultaneously — to varying degrees of success. But in her struggle to find financial security, Margo unexpectedly finds herself as well. As she comes into her own, Margo learns to take back control of her narrative, resulting in a feel-good tale about self-empowerment and the value of storytelling.
DARK HORSE
Old Enough by Haley Jakobson
Trigger Warning: This book deals with themes of sexual assault. Please exercise personal care while reading.
SYNOPSIS:
In the second semester of her sophomore year, life is finally looking up for Savannah Henry. After coming out as bisexual, she’s making friends with fellow queer students and navigating her first “situationship” — it’s messy, but Sav feels like she’s on the precipice of incredible things. However, when her childhood friend, Izzie, gets engaged, Sav is once again forced to confront her traumatic history with Izzie’s older brother, reopening an old wound she thought had fully healed. To top it all off, she’s crushing hard on Wes from her Gender Studies class, who, like Sav’s newfound circle of friends, seems to understand her in a way no one else ever has.
WHY:
Haley Jakobson’s debut is an insightful, heartfelt look at the connections that shape us. In Old Enough, our charming bi heroine learns to eschew society’s expectations by finding a community that embraces every part of her — even the pieces Sav herself struggles to accept. Through the process of discovering her queer chosen family and letting go of an outgrown childhood friendship, she steps into a happier, more fully realized version of herself. A proud celebration of bisexuality, this is precisely the kind of coming-of-age story young queer people deserve to see on the shelves.
That’s it for this week’s Three to Read. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to join us next week for more curated recommendations.
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Browse these books and more reads handpicked by the Bookstr team on our Three to Read bookshelf on Bookshop!
