Reading Pathways: Taylor Jenkins Reid

First, I would recommend reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Everything from the title to the twist ending of this book is perfection. The story starts when Monique Grant, a struggling journalist and soon-to-be divorcee, is handpicked to interview the elusive Hollywood legend, Evelyn Hugo. Evelyn wants Monique to write her biography and Monique has no idea why she was picked. But soon, she becomes privy to the secret, glamorous, and often tragic life of one of America’s biggest movie stars. From Evelyn moving to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to quit show business in the 1980s, Monique learns about Evelyn’s life and the seven husbands she married along the way. This is one of the rare novels where the present day storyline is just as emotional, juicy, and nuanced as the historical one. And it’s an ideal introduction to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing.

If you want to read a contemporary story, next you should pick up One True Loves. When Emma Blair marries her high school boyfriend Jesse, she knows she’s marrying the love of her life. And she fully plans for their relationship to last forever. But after just one year of marriage, Jesse’s helicopter goes missing. And when the search party gives up looking for him, Emma is told there is no way he could have survived. Years later, Emma’s life looks totally different. She’s moved closer to her family and has fallen in love again with a kind man named Sam. She’s newly engaged when she gets a phone call that Jesse survived the crash and is coming home. He’s spent years trying to get back to her. Now, Emma must figure out which man to spend her life with: her husband or her fiancé?

Secrets. Scandals. Songwriting. For my final choice, I’d pick Daisy Jones & The Six for what to read next. It is structured like the transcript from an oral history of a hugely popular 1970s rock band. Imagine Fleetwood Mac vibes and you won’t be far off. The scene is full of sex, drugs, and (of course) rock and roll. And the enigma at the center of it all is Daisy Jones, the lead singer with a mysterious past, a knockout voice, and a legendary beauty. The story documents this fictional band’s getting together, rise to superstardom, and notorious breakup. Daisy Jones is an amazing character, but each of the members from the band have such interesting character development, histories, and quirks throughout the story. It is an engrossing read from start to finish!