Marissa Stapley’s Recommended Reading List
Marissa Stapley, the author of the newly released The Lightning Bottles (2024) and the New York Times bestselling author of Lucky, which was the first-ever Canadian Reese’s Book Club pick (December 2021) and an upcoming Apple Series adaptation, shares her recommended reading list. Marissa is also the author of the highly praised books: Mating for Life, Things to Do When It’s Raining, and The Last Resort.
To learn more about Marissa’s inspiring career, visit here.
“Every time I reach for this treasured volume, I discover I've passed it along to someone else. Although I'm usually firm about retrieving books from my personal library, this is one I never want to ask for back. And so, I keep repurchasing it, with no regrets. Writer, historian and activist Solnit presents "hope as a commitment to act in a world whose future remains uncertain and unknowable." In these challenging times, we could all use Solnit's wisdom—so perhaps buy two copies: one to keep and one to share.”
“This gem shot to the top of my list of favourite books of all time earlier this year. It asks much of its readers – bravery, an open mind and heart – but gives even more in return: hope in humanity, even in the face of disaster. Krause crafts a story about the end of the world that balances being deeply unsettling with wonderfully cozy. Its uniqueness makes it stand apart from anything else on my shelves.”
Burn Your Sh*t: The Lifechanging Magic of Rituals by Lori Dyan
“Follow Lori Dyan on Instagram (@tarot.lori) for daily tarot readings infused with sass, wit and profound wisdom. Her book serves as an inspiring guide to mindfulness and ritual practices that help readers step into their true potential while releasing what no longer serves them. Dyan's approach transforms the everyday into something magical and meaningful.”
“Any and every Sondheim fan should have this book (as well as its follow-up Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011)): not only do you get the lyrics to those groundbreaking musicals of his (including Company, Into the Woods and Passion, among others) but you get plenty of tidbits and histories about the mounting of those shows—including cut songs and tweaked lyrics. But above all, this is the closest Sondheim ever got to writing a memoir, as well as an artist manifesto.”
“Booksellers dream of novels like this—perfect for vacations, reading slumps, book clubs, and gifts for virtually anyone. Jennifer Close delivers a charming and irresistible family drama about the Sullivans and their Chicago restaurant. The back cover teems with praise from literary stars including Ann Napolitano, Grant Ginder, Lauren Fox, and Katherine Heiny, confirming what readers discover within its pages: a thoroughly satisfying reading experience.”
“Co-authoring Three Holidays and a Wedding with Jalaluddin ranks among my most cherished writing experiences. Her compassionate intelligence and humor shine in this delightful retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. The story follows 30-year-old Nada Syed, whose life stagnation sets the stage for a perfect enemies-to-lovers meets second chance romance. It’s a pitch-perfect contemporary tale that Austen herself would approve of.”
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