Read a novel about a reality TV family keeping secrets behind the cameras
The Book of Essie — Meghan MacLean Weir
What to Read This Week
The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir
What It’s About
Imagine if the Kardashians were also an infamously strict religious family, and you have the family at the center of The Book of Essie. Essie Hicks is the youngest of the Hicks family, who are documented daily for their reality show Six of Hicks. Whether audiences watch because they worship the outspoken evangelical fire-and-brimstone family or watch because they hate them, the country is riveted by the Hicks family.
But behind the scenes, when Essie’s mother discovers Essie is pregnant, their carefully constructed worldview comes crashing down. There’s emergency meetings with producers to decide whether they sneak her away for an abortion, ship her abroad to a convent, or something else, but one thing is clear—the Hicks are desperate to keep their public image pristine.
But as Essie makes her own friends and begins to find her own story amid all the lies, she begins to wonder what would happen if she told the truth. If she told the country what happened and what she really believed.
Who Will Like It
A few years ago, there was a slew of novels that came out right as the TV adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale was taking off, and these were all about women reclaiming power: Red Clocks by Leni Zumas and The Power by Naomi Alderman, to name a couple (both of which I’ve read and highly recommend). They were also about what happens when unchecked power goes too far, something I think we are now realizing is happening much quicker in real life than any of us ever thought possible.
It’s not always easy to read about these topics in the news (or anywhere), but novels can provide us new insights and beliefs while giving us new contexts to process what is happening. The Book of Essie takes something many of us are obsessed with—reality TV—and introduces important religious and political discussions right into the middle of it. It’s an engaging story of fundamentally flawed characters whose actions were tough to swallow, but that’s what makes it a more powerful story.
Next Up
I picked The Finalists by David Bell up on a whim, looking for a good fast-paced read during a super hectic week when I wouldn’t have a lot of time to spare, and wow, did I pick the right (or wrong?) book. I can’t put it down, which is not great because I’m super busy, but super great because it’s a thrilling book.
It’s set at a prestigious Kentucky university (my home stomping grounds!), so in addition to some fun familiar setting, it’s also set around a scholarship competition, with six students competing for their debts to be erased and full tuition paid—something more and more of us would do a lot for. And I’m not very far into the book, but it seems like someone might kill for the chance to win, and I cannot wait to find out what happens next. It’s got short chapters that propel you through the story, so definitely one to pick up if you’re looking for a suspenseful fall-time academia story. (Last week’s recommendation is another one that fits that category!)
What dark academia books are your favorites to pick up this time of year?
Congrats!
Congrats to Colleen and Christine, the winners of the big mystery summer giveaway! They’ve both kindly sent me photos of their stacks of books I sent, so you can see what they got. Don’t forget to stay subscribed for giveaways like this all year long, and thanks to everyone for entering!
More Books
Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations:
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Definitely adding The Book of Essie to my tbr!
“It’s not always easy to read about these topics in the news (or anywhere), but novels can provide us new insights and beliefs while giving us new contexts to process what is happening.”
^ this is the exact reason I have been so gravitated toward reading. I find that visual and audio inputs are way too realistic and overstimulating for my expansive imagination. I will be affected by some action scene that took place in 10 seconds for a few days after and even then it lingers.
I love what you wrote and will be writing that down as an affirmation to keep reading :-) Thank you!!
The Book Of Essie sounds like an interesting read. I do enjoy reading if the ways of others. Thank you