Our Blog

[Photo by Thought Catalog from Pexels]

One never needs an excuse to compile read-alike book lists, but August 31st is National Matchmaker Day, which got us thinking: what non-Quirk reads would be the perfect match for our books?

Like how individuals in a couple can share similar interests and personalities but have their own uniqueness, these book pairings feature titles with thematic and narrative similarities, while managing to separate themselves in their genre. So if you find yourself fond of one of these Quirk titles, try giving their Matchmaker Day buddy a chance for a familiar but fresh read!

[Photo by Min An from Pexels]

This past Sunday was National Roller Coaster Day (whee!!), and we have literary roller coasters on the brain. We love books that send us on a journey, digging into our emotions and taking us through the protagonist’s ups and downs in a way that feels like we’ve been dropped right into their life, their body. It’s a beautiful and exhausting experience – and by the end it’s hard to imagine any other book will measure up. To celebrate this silly and momentous holiday, here are some of our favorite books that send readers on emotional roller coasters. Just remember: if you must scream, scream inside your heart.

[TV still from Queer Eye, Netflix]

Since the makeover show got a revamp in 2018, fans have been laughing, crying, and loving the new Fab Five and the lives they change. From Tan’s style tips (and his love of a good French tuck), to Antoni’s delightful cooking (and hilarious responses to smelly fridges), to Karamo’s kindness and caring, to Bobby’s miracle-working interior design, and of course, Jonathan Van Ness’s inimitable style, these men turn the lives of their targets upside down––in the best possible way.

But when they aren’t working tear-jerking miracles, we assume that the guys love to curl up with a good book (and hopefully a snack that Antoni made!), so we’ve got some great recommendations for them this summer––and one for fans of the show!

[Photo by Helena Lopes from Pexels]

National Picnic Month is coming to a close, but we’ve still got over a month of summer left, which hopefully means we’ve got at least another month of warm weather and perfect picnicking conditions. That got us thinking, like it always does, about some of our favorite literary characters and their optimal picnic spreads and locations. Would they opt for a day in the park or a blanket on the beach? Snackable hors d'oeuvres or full-course meals? Keep reading to find out.

(Photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels)

A favorite doughnut is like a good book: exciting, dependable, and absolutely delicious. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, as cakey or as doughy as you desire – and okay, now we’re just talking about doughnuts. But can you blame us? Doughnuts are the best! Which is why,we’re bringing you a host of book recommendations, inspired by your favorite doughnut. Let’s dig in!

Jelly Filled

If you have a hankering for a jelly filled doughnut, chances are you’re not afraid to get a little messy. Which is why we’re recommending The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix to pair with that oozing strawberry jelly. Once you sink your teeth into that jelly, it’ll be hard to tell if you’re on team vampire or team vampire slayer. Make sure you’re on the right side of the fight because once you dive into Hendrix’s world – the subsequent doughnut sugar coma – it’ll be difficult to know fact from fiction.

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop

Old Fashioned

If your doughnut of choice is an old fashioned, we know diving into the world of Jane Austen will be a real treat, especially if her heroines are familiar. We recommend keeping it super classic with Pride & Prejudice, pairing the world of balls and long walks across the moors and botched proposals with this steady and reliable doughnut. You might even find yourself wondering: how would the Lizzie/Darcy story be different if they knew about the wonder of doughnuts?

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop

Frosted with Sprinkles

We’re here to tell you that doughnuts that are frosted with sprinkles are more complex than they seem. But of course, we’re not ignoring the sprinkles of it all. These doughnuts are incredibly sweet and fun. They remind us of childhood, but we’re not afraid to eat them as fully-grown adults. Which is why we’re recommending pairing this book with a comforting and addicting young adult novel like Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston. It’s as familiar as a fairy tale, with some modern surprises – just like this delicious doughnut!

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop

Cream Filled

If you’re a fan of cream filled doughnuts, chances are you’re a lover all things sweet. Fingers crossed that extends right down to your reading material because we think that a sweet and chewy romance novel, like Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, is just the ticket. And just like reading a romance novel, with its wealth of frustrating obstacles to keep the leads apart, eating a cream filled doughnut can be a messy experience. But we’ll be right here with a stack of napkins – and maybe a tissue or two, for the happy tears.

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop

Doughnut Holes

If you’re always reaching for doughnut holes for the variety and bite sized satisfaction, we know you’re going to love the short stories in Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties. These stories range from retellings of campfire tales to meditations on the state of Law and Order: SVU – and everything in between. It’s a wild ride and you never know what you’re going to get, much like in a delicious mixed dozen of doughnut holes.

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop

[Photo by mentatdgt from Pexels]

Let’s face it: our friends are the best thing in our lives right now. They’re the best thing in our lives always, but with all the distractions of commuting and commerce and “normalcy” (whatever that means, right?) pushed to the side over these past few months, our friends have remained a constant – like the co-protagonists of our lives that they are. Today we’re celebrating unlikely friendships in literature and pop culture. Because all of our truly favorite people IRL started out as our own unlikely companions.