Why read New People?

Book cover of New People

Book description

Named a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW, VOGUE, TIME MAGAZINE, NPR and THE ROOT

Named A 2017 BEST SUMMER READ BY

Vogue • Elle • Harper's Bazaar • Glamour • Buzzfeed • In Style • Men's Journal • Bustle • Ms. Magazine •…

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Why read it?

1 author picked New People as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Chantal Aida Gordon

Author

I love a gloriously self-destructive woman protagonist. Maria has, as they say, “everything,” a perfect fiancé, a comfortable Brooklyn life, and an almost-finished dissertation. So why does she become obsessed with a poet she barely knows, to the point of stalking?

While reading this book, I kept saying, “Don’t do it,” while also thinking, “Yes, open the door, yes, get on the train.” Maria’s escalating acts made me gasp. Searing satire about 1990s biracial culture, vivid flashbacks to Stanford, and heartbreaking revelations about the Jonestown massacre only add to this story’s richness.

But what makes it so meaningful to…

From Chantal's 3 favorite reads in 2023.