Introducing | From The Library Of: Annabel Monaghan
Our new monthly book recommendations column kicks off with a glimpse into the bookshelves of contemporary romance author Annabel Monaghan, just ahead of her new novel release!
Today, I’m delighted to introduce Plot Twists’ new monthly column: From The Library Of, in which authors and readers will bless us with inspired book recommendations and a glimpse into their reading and writing style.
Outside of stories, your #1 content request from Plot Twists is book recommendations, and I quickly realized I alone can not satiate that desire. There are so many books, so many genres, so many perspectives, and I want to give you the world. So, on your behalf, I’m asking authors what they’re reading.
Welcome to the inaugural From The Library Of!
When I first came up this column, my *dream* author to kick us off was none other than
, so I am thrilled to be introducing her now!!For starters, Annabel’s contemporary romance “Nora Goes Off Script” is one of my rare five-star reads and contains a deeply satisfying plot twist. On Instagram, Annabel is a generous champion of fellow authors, always in tune with and raving about new releases, so I knew her recommendations would contain a seasoned depth.
I so admire Annabel as a writer, which is further underscored by her words below. These aren’t just answers to questions; these are strokes of poetry and splashes of wry humor, a telling window into Annabel’s personality. She even offers a sneak peek tidbit about her next, unannounced novel! 🤫
I hope you leave with some titles to add to your TBR, including Annabel’s May 27 release: “It’s A Love Story,” whose cover was revealed by Substack royalty
. And I hope you feel like you gained access to this fabulous author’s library!Over to you, Annabel.
The book with my favorite plot twist: For sure “Sharp Objects” by Gillian Flynn. Read it, watch it. Just, “Don’t tell mama.”
Favorite book in my genre: I’m going to have to say two, because I’m not always sure what my genre is. My favorite contemporary romance is
’s “People We Meet on Vacation.” I know the internet will fight me on this, but it’s my favorite of hers because of its unusual structure and slow burn.The second is part romance, but maybe YA? – “I Capture the Castle” by Dodie Smith. Written in 1948, it’s my all-time favorite book (she also wrote “101 Dalmatians”!). It’s the story of a teenager who dreams of being a writer (me). She lives in a decaying castle with her wacky family (also me) and is secretly in love with the guy in the not-so-decaying castle next door (me, probably). It is absolutely charming.
Favorite book outside of my genre: “The Robber Bride” by Margaret Atwood – it’s the story of three women whose husbands / partners have all been lured away by the same woman. I am a Margaret Atwood superfan, and I think this is her most playful novel.
The book that made me want to be an author: “Heartburn” by Nora Ephron. I read it when it came out when I was thirteen. I marveled at her word choices, the way she broke every writing rule I’d just finished learning in Catholic school. It was the way some people felt when they first heard punk rock – like, wait, you can do that?? It opened a world of possibility in my mind.
The book I wish I wrote: “The Wedding People.” I am listening to it now and I was just mumbling under my breath about how much I wish I wrote that book. It’s raw and funny and inspiring all at the same time. Damn you, Alison Espach.
The book I wish #booktok knew about: “Welcome To Murder Week” by
. It’s coming out in June. It’s the story of a woman who discovers tickets her late mother had purchased for a murder mystery simulation in a small British town. She is baffled but goes on her own and meets the most delightful cast of characters, falls in love, and solves the actual mystery about her mother’s past. It’s funny and smart, and I can’t say it loudly enough so please get Booktok on it.If I were trapped on a desert island with three books, they would be: Any book on enneagrams. I’d like to understand that. What is everyone talking about?
“A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles – totally relaxes me
“The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett – weirdly a comfort read
The book I’m embarrassed to share that I loved desperately: “Twilight.” I don’t know what it is about that book, but it sort of sent me into a midlife crisis where I thought I might have a future with a vampire? I’m fine now.
The book in whose world I’d most want to live: The book I’m writing now! A made-up town right next to Newport, RI. There’s a mansion on the water with stables and a small family chapel, and a messy family run fish shop on the other side of town. I am so happy writing in this place.
The last book that made me gasp: I just read Abby Jimenez’s “Say You’ll Remember Me,” and there’s this part where the woman asks her boyfriend, “Would you love me if I were a worm?” or something like that. His answer made me gasp. I had to put the book down and stare into space for a while to digest it. I think it’s the single most romantic thing I’ve ever read in a book. You must go read it.
The book that left me with a million questions: “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah. Here were my questions:
Kristin, are you okay?
I am your biggest fan. Why did you do this to me?
Could we maybe have had the same book, but at some point, there was a garden hose or a nice glass of water?
Do you have any idea how thirsty I was reading this book?
And thank you for the cute guy and the sex toward the end, but did the VERY end have to be that bleak? Could the bullet have just grazed?
The classic I confess I’ve never read: Any Harry Potter. It makes me a terrible person and a terrible mother, but I’m like wizards and no kissing? No thanks.
Most cherished book from childhood: “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett – Her father dotes on her but then loses his fortune and dies, and she must adapt to having very little. She does it with such grace, and this is probably what started my love of any reversal of fortune story – rich to poor, poor to rich, I adore these stories. I find people’s relationship to money fascinating.
My go-to cookbook: “What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking” by
. Every recipe is so delicious and deceptively simple. Start with the turkey burgers and never look back.The book that feels like advice from a friend: “Separation Anxiety” by Laura Zigman. Granted, it feels like advice from a weird friend, but the story is so bighearted and accepting that it completely opened me up as a writer. I read it in March of 2020 and immediately started writing “Nora Goes Off Script.”
The book I gift most often: Anything by
. “Musical Chairs,” “The Sweet Spot.” “Limelight” is my favorite. She has a new book coming in June called “Far and Away,” and it’s pure Amy-Poeppel perfection. If I have your address, you should expect a copy.Start reading my books with this title: I think “Nora Goes Off Script.” People who have never liked romance say it’s a gateway drug to the genre, which cracks me up.
My latest book: “It’s A Love Story” is out May 27!
Just a few more questions…
What was the original kernel of an idea that led you to “It’s a Love Story”?
Two years ago I read Jeanette McCurdy’s book “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” When I finished it, I turned back to the first page and started again. I couldn’t stop thinking about teen stars and how it would feel to go through puberty on TV, to be told what to wear and what to say during a period of time when you are supposed to be experimenting with what to wear and what to say. So I started writing my own much more lighthearted story about Jane Jackson, former teen star, who’s trying to navigate adulthood without any clue as to who she really is.
Which of your characters would you most want to hang out with, and what would you want to do?
I think I’d hang out with Phyllis from “Summer Romance.” We’d sip tea and hate watch Dr. Phil.
What is the strangest part of your writing process?
The strangest part is that it ever works out at all. I start with a tiny idea and I write and write and then I start over again until there’s this moment that it comes together. It’s all a lot of hard work and sweating, but there’s definitely some magic that happens too. I am writing like crazy right now, hoping the magic is coming soon.
THANK YOU, Annabel!! Be sure to follow Annabel on Instagram for more recs, check out her book tour schedule, subscribe to her Nora-Ephron-like Substack, Love Bites, and support the launch of her new novel!
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Thank you for reading and being part of this community!
P.S. For real though, we can’t mess this up!! If we want to more authors to spill their book recs, we’ve got to show the love. 🫶🏻
P.P.S. You can save this post if you want to come back to it as a resource.
Nora Goes Off Script is 100000% a gateway drug!! I had only read thrillers before that. Read that book as a rec by Katie (BR&B 🥂) and my life has been forever changed!!🥰💞✨ I also sleep so much better at night now??
Brilliant! I love hearing about Annabel's favorite books, and I love the idea of this series in general!