A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

I've been on an Ashley Poston kick lately, as seen by my previous post on The Seven Year Slip. I've also been reading the Once Upon a Con series - I read Geekerella back in 2016, but wanted to re-read it and then finish the series. I also have a post on The Dead Romantics coming soon.

But I think A Novel Love Story kind of ruined me. In the best way! This book sucked me in immediately, probably because I love escaping into fiction, and that literally happens in this story. Plus there are some books and shows I love so much that I'd kill to "live" in that town for a few days. (I kept thinking of the Gilmore Girls tours and Friends experiences as I read this book.) I started reading this book one evening and couldn't put it down - I even dreamed about it that night! I woke up excited to finish it, and did finish it that day, though I wanted it to stretch on forever.

I think what struck me most about this book was that Poston wasn't just writing the story she wanted to write, but also created this back story of another author and her series! It was really engaging and, as a writer myself, I can just imagine all the ideas and characters she was juggling and how they tangled together.

I love how the story came together, though the resolution kind of bothered me a bit. Soft spoilers...

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson

I love Kevin Wilson’s books and was lucky to get to see him at a bookstore talking about this latest novel. He has such a unique approach to his story ideas and fleshing them out. And then such an amazing way of putting these concepts into words.

I kept flagging certain lines that opened my eyes to how and why I (or other people) think and feel certain ways. It made me feel like I was getting to know these new people on such a deep level - not just the kids, but also their mothers. And then the dad… wow.

When the overall story concept was introduced, I had no idea how it would be resolved. Would they never make it to the dad? Would he be impossible to find? Would he be a jerk? Would he run away? I thought of everything except what actually happened, and it was perfect. It didn’t feel like a rip-off.

I think this might be my favorite Kevin Wilson novel yet, and that’s saying a lot. I think I'm actually going to re-read all of his books this summer.

Check out other posts about Kevin Wilson from the blog:

Favorite Adult Books of 2015

Best Adult Fiction Read in 2019

Kevin Wilson

Skellig by David Almond

Skellig by David Almond

My mom read this book because it was recommended in an author's newsletter. The book won a Printz Award from YALSA, and my mom remembered that I used to be involved with YALSA when I was a librarian, so she thought I'd enjoy this book. I went in without knowing anything about it and I honestly think that was for the best because every page took me by surprise.

Michael's newborn sister has health issues and his parents are worried and distracted. They just moved to a ramshackle house with a falling-down garage which draws Michael in. There, he finds a man seemingly stuck in place, eating bugs. The man hardly talks but Michael is determined to help him. When Michael meets his new neighbor, Mina, he starts to trust her enough to let her in on the secret living in his garage.

The man introduces himself as Skellig... but he's not quite a man. He has wings, which make Michael question what he's learning in school about evolution. The kindness and curiosity Michael and Mina have was really touching and provided brightness in a story that's pretty dark overall.

The story itself is compelling, but the writing really drew me in. At times it seemed dry and timeless in a way, like reading a classic written 75 years ago. But then it would be so poignant and emotional, enough to bring tears to my eyes. I was almost bawling at the end of the book, not because the resolution was overly sentimental, but because it was just right. Even thinking of it now hits me because it was absolutely perfect.

There's a prequel about Mina that I'll read next, along with more of Almond's work because I think his writing style and ideas are so unique.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

A friend recommended this book when I said the most “fantasy” I really read was parallel universes and time travel. This book was perfect for me!

I loved the magical apartment and how it pulled Clementine and Iwan together. I love that the threads of how they encountered each other were clear right from the beginning because it really helped up the tension of what would happen between them in the end.

The writing was so descriptive that it totally pulled me from reality - one of my favorite things about reading fiction, but not every author can pull it off. I also really loved how Poston wrote about the foods Iwan prepared and what they meant to him and Clementine. I think she really nailed the friendships you develop with coworkers, too.

Soft spoiler potential ahead...

The only thing... just to be nitpicky... is that I wish there was some hint of what Clementine was going to do next. Not everyone is defined by their career but it was so important to her throughout the book that I wish she'd even thought of an option or two isntead of making it seem like she was just going to be with Iwan and travel. Although, maybe there will be a sequel and I'll get my answer.

I read Geekerella years ago and will definitely be reading more Poston soon!

Library Haul

 

This is what happens when I go to the library to return books, but don't have any holds to pick up. Because I can't leave empty-handed!

I love libraries, but mostly I place holds for books and go pick them up when a stack is ready. That's because I often need books for my writing projects and don't want to drive all over the city to find what I need. (We have 18 branches of the library here in Memphis!) Plus, I know and love the librarians at my local branch and like to give them the stats they need to stay open and serve the neighborhood. But that means that I often don't browse...

I compare it to doing a grocery pickup. (Except I hate grocery shopping almost more than anything else and I love libraries completely.) But I'd rather someone else do the work while I get to reap the benefits. Food for my body, food for my brain... very similar. And clearly after seeing what happens when I brose at the library and accumulate a stack like this... again, I'm reminded of how many random things jump into my cart at the grocery store.

The biggest difference? These books are FREE! Take that, groceries! Libraries win yet again.

Have you read any of the books in this stack? Based on these titles, is there anything you'd recommend me to read next?

Magic Can’t Save Us: 18 Tales of Likely Failure by Josh Denslow

Magic Can’t Save Us: 18 Tales of Likely Failure by Josh Denslow

I reviewed Josh Denslow's latest collection for MicroLit Almanac - read it here!

In Magic Can’t Save Us: 18 Tales of Likely Failure, Josh Denslow delivers a sharp, genre-blurring short story collection that’s equal parts funny, heartbreaking, and weirdly tender. Through eighteen inventive tales, Denslow injects magical realism into the messy, intimate spaces of human relationships. He uses dragons, harpies, and zombie apocalypses not as escapes from emotional conflict, but as magnifying glasses that reveal what’s already broken or breaking.

Vox by Christina Dalcher

Vox by Christina Dalcher

This was definitely a fascinating and all-too-real premise. It was a quick read, but some parts seemed a little cobbled together or glossed over. I felt like things cropped up that almost seemed too simple. With this seeming closer and closer to our reality here in the United States, I thought the ending was a bit too clean. However, as I got closer and closer to the end, I really wondered how the author was going to wrap it up, so I guess some quick action had to be taken regardless.

I also thought it was a letdown that basically, men saved things in the end, after being focused on women for so much of the book. I also thought the focus on Jean's affair was a bit much. It kept things very man-centric, which I think took away from the power of the book. I understand that, even when oppressed this way, some women might still seek out men, and "not all men" are bad, but it felt like she was depending on him and his escape (in more ways than one) too heavily, and left a bad taste in my mouth.

Not to be petty, but on a similar note, one line in particular ripped me from the story and made me go back to the title page to double-check it was written by a woman: “Lin’s breasts and ass make me look like a Peter Paul Rubens model.” Like, I get what she’s conveying, but… why? I’m a woman and can’t recall ever comparing myself to someone in that way. It just seemed like a literary man trying to duck under the usual way male writers describe women’s bodies.

That said, I have to be fair and mention there were some really thoughtful sentences as well. Also, as a flash fiction writer myself, I loved the author's note about how the idea started as a flash fiction piece, then morphed into a short story, and finally became a novel.

Most of all, this book will stick with me because it was written in 2018, which I realize was during Tr*mp's first term and things were bad then as well, but it seems even closer to happening at this point. At a time when so many things are aging like milk, this one seems more like it's predicting the future.

Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

This book came onto my radar in October and I've been excitedly waiting for it ever since! Which might have been a bad thing, since my expectations were so high... 

The best part about this book was how well-written the characters were. I felt like I was watching an episode of Golden Girls while I read it. In fact, I stopped reading several times to go watch an episode! I do think the most important part of bringing existing shows/movies/characters to life is nailing their personalities... *Blanche smirk*. And that was done here, so that's very satisfying. If the girls hadn't seemed like themselves, this would have been impossible to get through.

The mystery, however, was very lacking to me. It wasn't compelling. The stakes felt low at the beginning until Dorothy became more of a prime suspect. But her link to the crime felt very weak and it was hard to feel invested. Too much focus was given to the wedding and the St. Olaf traditions as well. While I know there needs to be a B story for a novel, it felt like that was often the main focus and the mystery was just something to hook you in.

By the time the mystery was solved, it was tough to keep up with all the loose ends. They were explained away by the very end, but I don't think it's possible for readers to solve this along with the girls - and solving mysteries with the sleuth is my favorite aspect of cozy mysteries, so that was a disappointment.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to any Golden Girls fan because the characters truly come to life and it's great in that regard. If you're wanting a satisfying cozy mystery, though, I can't promise this will deliver.

What Have You Done by Shari Lapena

What Have You Done by Shari Lapena

I usually like Lapena’s books because they’re quick, engrossing reads, and to be fair, this one was too. The only disappointing thing was I felt like the murderer was SO obvious the entire time. That was a bummer because the three main suspects had great reasons to be accused but I could never get caught up in the suspense of their questioning because I knew it was this other character the whole time.

SPOILERS!

Gatsby Link Round-Up

I covered a LOT of ground in six short weeks. In case you missed out on any of the Gatsby love, here's a link round-up.

Gatsby's Girl by Caroline Preston

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by K. Woodman-Maynard

Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore

The Great Gatsby: The Limits of Wonder by Richard Lehan

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Annotated Great Gatsby - 100th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle

The Great Gatsby: A Party Primer by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Alison Oliver

Gatsby The Cultural History of the Great American Novel by Bob Batchelor

Gatsby on Screen

BONUS! Make your own blackout poetry HERE

Gatsby on Screen

I watched all the Gatsby movies (except the now-lost silent film from 1926) so you don't have to! Just kidding, I'm not a movie reviewer and find it difficult to sit through movies (even though I can sit and read a book in a day, go figure) so I'm often very grumpy and narrow-minded with my interpretations. Still... here they are! Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment!

2013

Over the top. The cinematic swoops, overly bright lighting, and cartoonish sharpness made me think of David LaChapelle photographs, which I know have their fans but just look garish and AI-generated to me.

I think the music was too much and the dancing was so jerky that it should have just gone all out as a musical.

I grew up watching the Robert Redford and Sam Waterston version, so I'm biased, and I also don't like Tobey Maguire or Leonardo DiCaprio, so that furthers my bias, but I just don't like this version. That said, I'm glad it was made since it showed a different take on things, and it brought the book back into the spotlight (more than it being required reading for most high schoolers does). Tobey Maguire as Nick just seems so... empty. He seems like the most clueless, sheltered man ever. I got sick of his blank, dumbfounded stares by the first Gatsby party. I have always been intrigued by Nick as a narrator but this movie makes me hate him and question his intelligence in every way. He's intolerable.

2002

I didn't know what to expect with this interpretation... mostly since it's just 97 minutes, and the previous Gatsby flicks I've seen (1974 and 2013) seem entirely too long. Honestly, I was excited to see how the story would unfold when there was a time constraint.

I think this was actually a good movie. I say actually because, in reading reviews, I see criticism for it not being Gatsby enough and not being hip-hop enough. I can agree with both of those takes, but it was pretty refreshing in my mind. There were some nice liberties taken (I mean, there's a homeowner's association involved!) and a good twist regarding the death at the end that kept me interested.

2000

Janet and I watched this and posted reactions on Bluesky on April 12th. I'd previously seen the first half hour or so... yes, that's all, despite owning the DVD. I can't focus on movies for some reason, even if they do include Paul Rudd. This one was well done and concise and I enjoyed all of the actors, so it became my first place Gatsby version after our watch party.

1974

This is the version I grew up with. I remember watching this and The Natural and developing the biggest crush on Robert Redford - what a dreamboat! I thought Sam Waterston was the best Nick until I saw the Paul Rudd version, but I think they capture the same essence. That said, I can't stand how Mia Farrow acts as Daisy, though I do think she's very Daisy-like. Overall, the movie just seems a bit too long to me, so after seeing the 2000 A&E version, that became my new favorite and this was demoted to second place. Still a solid offering, though.

If I could mix and match them to make my own all-star movie, I would choose:

Joel Edgerton - Tom Buchanan

Mira Sorvino - Daisy Buchanan

Paul Rudd - Nick Carraway

Robert Redford - Jay Gatsby

Elizabeth Debicki - Jordan Baker (a bit Zoey Deschanel though)

Isla Fisher - Myrtle Wilson

Gatsby The Cultural History of the Great American Novel by Bob Batchelor

 Gatsby: The Cultural History of the Great American Novel by Bob Batchelor

This book was published in 2014 (by Rowman & Littlefield, I have to shamelessly announce because they also published my first book), so a lot of it focuses on The Great Gatsby 2013 movie, which is... not my favorite, but I'll address the movie specifically later.

But this book isn't about the movie - it puts Gatsby in context throughout history, academia, and more. It starts by covering Fitzgerald's life and the process of writing this classic, and then covers eras as the book went in and out of popularity. Batchelor relates the book to the American Dream in different iterations, dives into the romantic aspect, and addresses greed.

Like the novel itself, this is a book I could come back to time and time again and find something new. I already maxed out the library holds (on my card and my son's!) just to spend enough time with it for an initial read. It could be a textbook for a course studying the cultural context of Gatsby... and you know I'd take that class!

Here's the official blurb from the publisher, which explains it more concisely than I can:

In Gatsby: The Cultural History of the Great American Novel, Bob Batchelor explores the birth, life, and enduring influence of The Great Gatsby—from the book’s publication in 1925 through today’s headlines filled with celebrity intrigue, corporate greed, and a roller-coaster economy. A cultural historian, Batchelor explains why and how the novel has become part of the fiber of the American ethos and an important tool in helping readers to better comprehend their lives and the broader world around them.

A “biography” of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, this book examines The Great Gatsby’s evolution from a nearly-forgotten 1920s time capsule to a revered cultural touchstone. Batchelor explores how this embodiment of the American Dream has become an iconic part of our national folklore, how the central themes and ideas emerging from the book—from the fulfillment of the American Dream to the role of wealth in society—resonate with contemporary readers who struggle with similar uncertainties today. By exploring the timeless elements of reinvention, romanticism, and relentless pursuit of the unattainable, Batchelor confirms the novel’s status as “The Great American Novel” and, more importantly, explains to students, scholars, and fans alike what makes Gatsby so great.

The Great Gatsby: A Party Primer by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Alison Oliver

 

The Great Gatsby: A Party Primer by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Alison Oliver

I've been a big fan of BabyLit books since my son was a baby. We had several: Frankenstein, Alice in Wonderland, and Jabberwocky.

I was so excited to see a version for The Great Gatsby even though my son is way too old for them, now! Honestly, I still enjoy them. I love seeing what lines or ideas Adams picks for the books, and the way Oliver illustrates them to convey the meaning of the original text, while making it interesting for younger eyes.

Frankenstein is about body parts, so can you guess what The Great Gatsby is about? Planning and hosting a party! It's so cute and I think it's a fun way to share the story with little kids. They can read the real book later and have their eyes opened, ha!

Countess of Harleigh Mystery Series by Diane Freeman

A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder

Read for Cozy Mystery Book Club and really drawn in by the sassy, independent heroine. I’m picky about historical fiction and wasn’t sure how this one was going to hit me but I think the historical elements were just enough to keep the story in a specific place in time while letting the characters and mystery shine. Looking forward to reading more of this series.

A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder

I read the first book in this series for Cozy Mystery Book Club and was hooked! I’m picky about historical fiction, but this is… very gently historical, I would say. It’s so easy to slip into the past and join Frances in this world. I thought this was a great second installment with a very interesting case and loved seeing how Frances rose to the challenges.

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder

Book three was a bit slow for me at the start, but the last fourth was fascinating. In my opinion, there were too many minor characters introduced in passing that ended up being suspects. Because of this, it was hard to keep them straight and try to figure out what was going on re: the crime. However, it didn't really matter because there was no way the reader could have solved the crime along with Frances, which was kind of disappointing because that's my favorite part of cozy mysteries. However, the ending was good enough that I'll definitely keep reading the series and hope this was a lull.

A Fiancee's Guide to First Wives and Murder

After a lackluster third installment, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the progression of the relationship between George and Frances, and liked seeing more of Aunt Hetty. It was also nice that Alicia Stoke-Whitney made a reappearance and developed her character a bit more. I got a bit of Irena’s backstory and family confused throughout the first part of the book, but overall it was a good story and great mystery.

A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder

This might have been my favorite book in the series yet! I love seeing more of Frances’s family - they’re all really unique characters. After some of the suspects blending together in the previous two books, this crime and everyone involved really stood out and had me hooked. There were lots of potential suspects yet the reader was able to solve things along with Frances and George.

A Newlywed's Guide to Fortune and Murder

I like that Frances and George are growing together and I like seeing how they work together, but this book was a miss for me. I think all the side characters being a previously unknown family made it harder for me to feel invested in the mystery. I did like how Aunt Hetty stepped up again - she's possibly my favorite character!

An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder

This book was so fun! Frances and George finally get to go to France... but not for the wedding trip they expected. I loved getting more of George's family involved and thought the case and its surrounding drama was probably the best yet in this series. I can't wait for the next installment since this book will most likely change a lot of what happens in the future.

Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle is OUT!

I'm thrilled to announce that my hybrid chapbook, written with Janet Dale, is out today!

Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle offers a striking reimagination of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, told as a collaborative chapbook of found poetry and flash fiction. Using only the first page of each chapter from the novel, Dale and Renner craft a fresh meditation on the classic story—one that explores a boy’s struggle to break free from the place that made him, questioning the very notion of the American Dream.

The authors create a seamless dialogue with Fitzgerald’s work, transforming familiar passages into something entirely new. Each flash fiction piece and poem reflects themes of ambition, yearning, and the pursuit of freedom, while offering a thoughtful exploration of the literary masterpiece.

You can buy a copy directly from me and get it delivered in a shiny green mailer along with a book cover postcard and sticker. 

In the meantime, add it as "Want to Read" on Goodreads and The StoryGraph, then share your thoughts when you've read it.

The Annotated Great Gatsby - 100th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

 

The Annotated Great Gatsby - 100th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

I couldn't resist this gorgeous book. It's the original story, commentary, and almost a textbook, all in one. Okay, textbook might not sound appealing, and I don't really mean it that way. But there's so much information to help put the story and the writing process in context.

There's so much in this book that I haven't even made it all the way through yet, but check out the details from Penguin Random House:

• A new introduction by Amor Towles, bestselling author of Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow
• A corrected text of Gatsby based on Fitzgerald’s composite manuscript, working galleys, and personal copies 

• Restored American spellings and emendations made by Fitzgerald throughout the book’s life 
• 13 annotated letters between Fitzgerald and Gatsby’s star editor Maxwell Perkins 
• A detailed chronology of Fitzgerald’s life and career, plus extensive explanatory and textual notes 

Here's just a sample of the page layouts, with the original text there to read, but also sidebars about F. Scott himself or details about that time, things he mentioned in the book, etc.

I think this is a must-have for any Gatsby fan, or anyone who loves history, or anyone who loves reading classics and putting them in context. Above all, it's also a gorgeous book.

I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell

I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell

Alex Marks moves to New York City hoping for a fresh start—just a quiet life with her copywriting job. But when she hears about the murder of her childhood hero, Francis Keen, everything changes. Keen wasn’t just any journalist; she was the beloved voice behind Dear Constance, a famous advice column. Her death shocks everyone, but the killer was never caught.

On a whim, Alex applies to take over the column, never thinking she’ll actually land the job. But once she does, strange letters start showing up at the office, making her wonder—why hasn’t the murderer been found? And could her new boss, the powerful editor-in-chief Howard Dimitri, have something to do with it?

As Alex digs deeper, she realizes she’s not just uncovering Keen’s secrets—she’s stirring up ghosts from her own past. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous things become. Can she solve the mystery before she ends up just like Francis Keen?

I loved the premise of this book. It felt almost comfortable and literary at first, before unsettling things came into play. One slight pet peeve was that I felt like Lucy was too obvious - not who she was necessarily, but how she fit in. I think that reveal came a bit too early and was too heavy-handed. 

Overall the book was a page-turner and I wasn’t sure who did what until the end.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I have never reviewed this one because I read it before Goodreads existed and never thought to go back and cover my bases. This was required reading my junior year, and is one of the few required books I actually read. (I have always been a bookworm but argue that there's a difference between reading what I want and required reading, so I often skipped out on anything beyond CliffsNotes for schoolwork.)

When I read this in high school, I loved the language. It was gorgeous, so descriptive I could picture it all. After struggling through dry, long books, this felt refreshingly contemporary. Since that initial reading, I've re-read it several times and always find something new to appreciate. Even now, reading critiques of the book along with spins and retellings, I keep noticing qualities I never noticed on my own.

I'm proud to have my own version of this story (in a way, since it uses some of the original language) out in the world. At least, it's coming soon - on April 10, 2025, the 100th anniversary of the original.

Want a signed book?

I'm excited to have a limited stock of books ready to send to YOU!

This page has direct links to buy copies of my books through PayPal. 

You can request a personalization, or I'll just sign it with my name... or try to be witty like David Sedaris, if you're lucky!

Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle orders include a book cover sticker and postcard!

Won't Be By Your Side orders include a custom book plate!

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

My mom recommended this book after she read it, so I went in not knowing what it was about and didn’t read the blurb to know what to expect. All my mom said was that she liked how the POV jumped around. I’m hit or miss with that type of storytelling, so I kind of wanted to keep my expectations blank beyond knowing that.

I’m not sure if knowing what it was about would have made a difference at all, but I loved this book. The different POVs absolutely worked, and I loved getting to peek into everyone’s mindset. Being able to get into the mother’s head—and her past—kept the story moving more than it would have just “listening” to the recordings. Can’t wait to read the author’s next book - and watch this series on Hulu!

The Great Gatsby: The Limits of Wonder by Richard Lehan

The Great Gatsby: The Limits of Wonder by Richard Lehan

I don't think I've ever read a critical book that wasn't for school, and I wasn't sure what to expect from this one, nor did I know what I'd get out of it. But it was amazing, and a lot of it opened my eyes to new layers in the classic text.

My favorite section was Chapter 12, Seeing and Misseeing: Narrative Unfolding, which breaks down the book's timeline. I also appreciated the chapters breaking down characters, including George and Myrtle Wilson. After reading Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor, applying those women's backstories to these straightforward interpretations was incredibly interesting.

While the book does focus on The Great Gatsby, the author also draws parallels between that and Fitzgerald's other works when there are common themes or character traits, so it gives you a broad scope of his writing. I took notes to create a suggested reading list as well.

I knew a fair amount about Fitzgerald's inspiration for the story, which this book addresses, but it also discusses some of his influences and, again, that helped me create a suggested reading list. I think it will be fun to check out some of these other authors (some I've read, some I haven't) and see if I can notice the commonalities myself.

There is also more general information, like this, from Chapter 3, Critical Reception:

It is hard for a reader today to realize that when F. Scott Fitzgerald died in December 1940, all of his books were out of print, including the fourth printing of The Great Gatsby, the 1934 Modern Library edition, which Random House had let go out of print because it was not selling well. Today The Great Gatsby sells over three hundred thousand copies a year, and over three hundred critical essays have been written about it since Fitzgerald's death.

(This book was published in 1990, for context.)

I'd be interested in seeing how many copies are sold annually now, how many more critical essays (and books) have been written, and, in the spirit of my upcoming chapbook, Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle, how many books and retellings it has inspired. 

Perhaps it's time for me to dive into a rabbit hole...

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book. I hadn’t read any of the remixes in this series (by different authors), but I love retellings and spins on the classics, so I was excited to see what happened. 

I was really impressed with how this interpretation stayed true to the original in so many ways, especially considering both Gatsby and Nick are trans, many characters are LGBTQIA+, and it’s written for young adult readers. That meant some of the relationships were toned down, and of course the violence at the end of the book is different. 

It doesn’t detract though; it helps this book standalone, though I would recommend reading it after the original for older readers, and would hope that younger readers would feel inspired to read the original after they finish this one.

Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor

Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor

This book might now be one of my all-time favorites. WOW. I love anything Gatsby, and I’m always intrigued by retellings, whether it’s something inspired by a book or from a different point of view. 

Cantor reimagines The Great Gatsby from the women’s points of view: Daisy, Jordan, and Catherine, Myrtle Wilson’s sister. There’s also a detective thrown into the mix, a new addition since the book focuses on trying to solve Jay Gatsby’s murder. 

It stands alone (I would compare it to Big Little Lies and books along those lines, honestly), but it’s fun to see the little mentions of things that were in Fitzgerald’s original - whether they’re used as-is or seen through a different lens considering the POV of this book. 

There was also a nod to Harold Bloom that made me smile. I can’t recommend this one enough.

I do have one nitpicky remark that I'll hide under a spoiler tag...

The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by K. Woodman-Maynard

The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by K. Woodman-Maynard

This graphic novel adaptation is a stunning way to revisit The Great Gatsby. Woodman-Maynard’s watercolor illustrations seamlessly blend with Fitzgerald’s words, capturing both the extravagance and the eerie, dreamlike quality of the original. 

The imagery takes on a life of its own—sometimes literally—which adds a fresh layer to the classic. 

That said, it’s an adaptation, so while it beautifully distills the novel’s essence, it’s best enjoyed alongside the full text. The author’s note explains this well, but if you’re just looking for a visually rich Gatsby experience, this one’s a treat.