books to read for brat summer
inspired by @lbh.reads and my ongoing TikTok addiction !
greetings loved ones.
today i write you from the brand spankin’ new coffee shop in my neighborhood (aka it’s 20 minutes away by car, thank you Los Angeles). it’s 91 degrees and the air is heavy, and i’m apparently going to start all my substack posts with a weather report.
anyways!
i’m hiding in the shade with a thick book and an iced coffee, and in addition to procrastinating on my line edits for my upcoming YA debut KILL THE LAX BRO, i wanted to chat about a subject near and dear to my heart — BookTok!
*air horn sounds, pew pew peeeeeeew*
a few days ago i posted a video inspired by @lbh.reads with my summer reading recs. specifically those in the spirit of Charlie XCX’s new album:
if you are anything like my parents (hi dad), now’s the time you might be wondering: what IS a brat summer? who wants to be a brat anyway? what do coconuts have to do with it!? and is this like the Bratz dolls you wanted in second grade because your friend Lily O. got one every time she aced a spelling test!?
well. like any self-respecting millennial/gen z cusp, i’d be honored to (pause) and explain:
brat summer is a state of mind. a fashion trend. a political revolution. and dare i say: a mental health movement! it’s less about throwing tantrums, more about indulging in what you love and saying f you to the rest.
the books on my list all have this spirit, and although some may seem more obvious than others, i stand by every single one.
so without further ado, and in no apparent order…
1) The Real Deal, Caitlin Devlin
what it’s about: Belle Simon, a former child star and reality TV darling, who is called back to the spotlight for a reunion special where she will have to face the secrets that she left in the past. or so she thought…
why it’s perfect for brats: reality tv! child stars! i mean — c’mon, folks! i found Caitlin on TikTok before she was published, and in addition to posting the cutest videos of her writing endeavors in and around London, she’s already busy working on her second book. i’m sure i’m not the first or last person to call HER the real deal, but she’s fabulous. and her book is too! consider this one for your next poolside read.
2) Eve’s Hollywood, Eve Babitz
what it’s about: a collection of sharp vignettes about life and love and lust in California.
why it’s perfect for brats: people. it’s EVE BABITZ!!!! and as someone who has lived in Los Angeles for a lucky seven years, i’ll be the first to say that the city she writes about is the one we wish we had. if you’ve never read a Babitz book, consider this divine online intervention. close your laptop! grab a copy! i won’t mind, i’ll be here.
3) Bad Influence, Oenone Forbat
what it’s about: as i Google for a cover photo i’m seeing retailers clutch their pearls and describe this book as “a humorous meditation on digitized life”, so let’s start with that. i’ll also add: Oenone’s memoir is lol/lmao/rotfl funny — but it’s also earnest, personal, and full of freaken heart! reading it felt like reading a dear friend’s long Instagram caption…in the BEST way. follow/subscribe and buy your copy now.
why it’s perfect for brats: i met Oenone over fondue. which i do mean literally — because my friends and i were in a fondue restaurant, in paris, when Oenone expertly navigated her way out of her booth next to us by stepping OVER the table tops. in heels!!! she is a force of nature and an excellent writer, and i can’t wait to see what she does next. you can also find her on Substack if you’re curious!
4) Sweetbitter, Stephanie Danler
what it’s about: an oldie but a goodie — then again, is 2016 that far away?? (*cries*) this is the story of a young woman who moves to New York and gets a job at a restaurant — think, The Bear…but…better? (imo, humble or otherwise). it was also turned into a Starz show in 2018, but i’ve never seen it — because the magic to me is how this book is written.
why it’s perfect for brats: the bathtub. that is all. iykyk.
5) The Woman In Me, Britney Spears
what it’s about: duh! it’s LITERALLY britney, b*tch!
why it’s perfect for brats: i read this book in one afternoon. it was intimate and engaging and un-put-down-able, and far more thought-provoking than i expected (which is on me, bad charlotte). on the brat side of things, Britney helped pave the way for pop music today, and it seems like the least we could do is give credit to the queen and read her story — in her words.
5) Scammer, Caroline Calloway
what it’s about: my favorite internet scammer!!!!!!!
why it’s perfect for brats: Caroline Calloway is the og Instagram brat/influencer/icon. there: i said it. and let me say it again: i love Caroline Calloway and i buy everything she makes!! (books, earrings, snake oil — and yes, literally). if you want to learn about her scandals, go read about them elsewhere. because her prose is slap you in the face gorgeous, and her stories about stories are just….god i can’t even think of the right words, she took them all!!! i will be rereading this book every summer, and it’s your loss if you don’t. but whatever.
6) The Last Boyfriends Rules For Revenge, Matthew Hubbard
what it’s about: a queer coming-of-age about three teenage boys who set out to get sweet sweet revenge on their ex-boyfriends.
why it’s perfect for brats: 1) revenge is VERY healthy, and 2) Matt was the first author to Zoom with me and tell me about his experiences in publishing (in addition to answering about 1000 questions that i had for him about being a debut author). he’s the best, and his boys deserve the best, and haven’t we all wanted to take down an ex before? no? just me…?
7) Financial Feminist, Tori Dunlap
what it’s about: an inclusive guide to all things money from the globally-recognized personal finance educator and social media star behind Her First $100K: Tori Dunlap!
why it’s perfect for brats: of all the books on my list, THIS is probably the one you weren’t expecting. right? but take it from me, babe: there’s nothing brattier than having the financial security to do whatever the heck you want.
in conclusion: read books! be brat! and if you see me practicing the Apple dance on TikTok, i apologize in advance!
more soon xo
Your sister was also wondering about brat….thank you for the explanation, and my TBR pile just got a whole lot bigger ❤️