At BookTrib, it’s become pretty clear that we are big fans of combining the world of music and literature together. Perhaps you got your latest book recommendation from our Lit Girl Summer list, or maybe you’re still working on finishing reading our recommendations for books that feel like your favorite Chappell Roan song. If you’ve been loving these types of book recommendations, you’re in for a treat!
On August 23, singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter is releasing her sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet. Sabrina has already released two singles off this long-anticipated album: “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” which instantly became hits — “Espresso” has even hit “Billions Club” status on Spotify.
The title of this album instantly made us think of some Short n’ (not all so) Sweet books, with options for every type of reader. While we can’t promise that all these titles will match the vibe of Short n’ Sweet, we knew that we had to share our love for Sabrina, and we even think she would like a few of these books herself!
The Most by Jessica Anthony
When a 1950s housewife decides to take a swim on an unseasonably warm November day, she realizes she never wants to get out. Set over the course of eight hours, The Most uncovers the truth of a seemingly idyllic mid-century marriage.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Keiko has never really fit in – not with friends, family, or in school. All that changes when, at the age of eighteen, she begins working at “Smile Mart,” where she finds peace and purpose in her life. Despite finding contentment and happiness in this job, pressures from Keiko’s family, friends, and society to conform to a more traditional lifestyle loom.
Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand
Sophia Othonos hasn’t had an easy dating experience, but she finally hit the jackpot when she met a nice guy, who suggests they go on a romantic getaway together. Everything seems too good to be true, and that’s because it is: Sophia’s boyfriend cancels, and she’s on the trip all alone. Eight days on an unexpected solo trip will bring Sophia realizations she could’ve never imagined.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
There’s a cafe in Tokyo known for serving carefully brewed coffee for more than a hundred years. But there’s something else this cafe offers its customers: the opportunity to travel back in time. In Before the Coffee Gets Cold, readers meet four visitors, all looking to travel back in time for important reasons. However, this does not come without many risks.
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
When the Queen of England’s corgis lead her to a mobile library outside of Buckingham Palace, she feels compelled to borrow a book. But, quickly realizes the joy of reading, and finds that her viewpoint on the world moves drastically. The queen becomes obsessed with reading, and loses patience with her rules as a monarch.
So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan
After an uneventful day of work, Cathal takes the bus home for the long weekend. During the trip, his mind fixates on a woman called Sabine whom he could’ve been with forever, had he done things differently.
Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? by Lorrie Moore
At fifteen years young, Brie spent her summer working alongside her best friend, Sils, at Storyland in Upstate New York, where she sold tickets to customers to watch Sils dress up in a beautiful evening gown and portray Cinderella. After work, the girls follow their own reckless rules, escaping danger, until Brie realizes that Sils needs her help, and everything changes.
The Anthropologists by Aysegül Savas
Asya and Manu are apartment searching, envisioning their future in a foreign city. As the young couple dreams about the possibility of scoring an apartment and building a future in a new city, life in their respective home countries continues: parents age, grandparents get sick, and people grow up. But the new life they are starting here is also growing – what will they hold onto, and what will they release?
Looking for more quick reads? Check out Lit Picks, BookTrib’s collection of first chapters from the hottest books.
