Zibby Mag

Amy Poeppel

Happy Galentine’s Day to all who celebrate! As Jane Fonda once said, “Women’s friendships are like a renewable source of power.” I could not agree more. In my novel The Sweet Spot, I wanted to highlight the value I place on friendship, a gift that becomes more and more important to me the older I get. I have always cherished my friends, but never as much as when I became a novelist. I was fortunate early in my writing career to meet and read the works of some amazing women whom I respect and admire more than I can say. A group of those writers (plus book blogger Suzy Leopold) and I became very close friends, and during the Covid lockdown in 2020, we began Zooming every Thursday, just to keep in touch. We would share our writing progress as well as our publishing ups and downs, and in doing so, we maintained our sense of community. These women and I—we call ourselves The Thursday Authors—are still Zooming most Thursdays, and from time to time we even open up our conversations to the wider reader and writer community. (You can follow our adventures on Instagram @thethursdayauthors.)

So, here are five book recommendations written by my writer BFFs. I know you will love them as much as I do! What do these books have in common? At least part, if not all, of the action takes place right where the six of us became friends: New York City!

Gilt by Jamie Brenner

My amazing friend Jamie Brenner is one of the first writers I ever met in New York, and I remember being awed by her when I read Forever Summer. She writes sweeping, multi-generational stories in beautiful settings, often highlighting the complicated but loving relationships in families. Her latest book Gilt takes us from New York City to the beaches of Provincetown, where three women struggle to come to terms with an old family rift. The Pavlin jewelry business has created sibling rivalry and resentments that have trickled all the way down to a granddaughter who is hell-bent on discovering their secrets and reclaiming what is hers. You will not want this book to end! The good news is Jamie has another novel coming out this summer!

Galentine Fun Fact: Jamie rocks red lipstick and a string of pearls like nobody else.

The Magnolia Place by Fiona Davis

When you read a novel by my lovely friend Fiona Davis, you are in the very best of hands. Whether they’re roaming the dark halls of the Dakota, getting ready for a night out at The Barbizon Hotel, or exploring the superintendent’s apartment in the New York Public Library, Fiona’s characters will show you architectural gems along with marvelous moments in New York City history. Her most recent book, The Magnolia Palace, stars Lillian in the early 20th century and Veronica fifty years later as they find intrigue and answers in the rooms of the Frick, once a residence and now a world-renowned museum. I feel smarter every time I read one of Fiona’s books! And in truly spectacular news, Fiona’s next novel The Spectacular will be out in June 2023.

Galentine Fun Fact: As a former actress, Fiona is very serious theater buff.

The Show Girl by Nicola Harrison

I love historical fiction, and my friend Nicola’s book The Show Girl takes place during one of my favorite eras: The Roaring Twenties. Meet Olive, our spunky main character, as she fights her way onto the stage as a star of the Ziegfeld Follies. This is the kind of novel that makes you feel as though you’re right there in the action, drinking cocktails in New York City speakeasies and taking the train up to the fancy camps for the wealthy in the Adirondacks. Such a fun ride! And be on the lookout for Nicola’s next novel! Hotel Laguna is coming June 2023. I got an early copy, and it’s wonderful.

Galentine Fun Fact: Nicola can snowboard like a pro!

The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman

My friend Lynda is just plain brilliant, and I keep recommending her latest novel The Matchmaker’s Gift to everyone I know; it was one of my favorite books of 2022. Lynda tells the story of Sara, a matchmaker working in a man’s world on the Lower East Side, and her granddaughter Abby, a hard-working divorce attorney. It’s a perfect set-up! This book will make you consider the existence of magic, soulmates, and true love. It’s a smart-as-hell, feel-good book, and—bonus!—you’ll learn some fascinating New York City history along the way.

Galentine Fun Fact: Lynda has the cutest dog IN THE WORLD named Winston.

We Came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall

How lucky am I to be friends with Susie Schnall? Not only is she a super fun travel buddy on book tour, she’s also a fantastic writer. In her most recent book, We Came Here to Shine, Vivi and Max, her wonderfully ambitious main characters, made a lasting impression on me. I knew next to nothing about the 1939 World’s Fair, but I felt like an expert by the time I finished reading Susie’s book. I can now boast that I know all about the Aquacade, the food, the sights, and the happenings of this iconic event. And here’s a juicy tidbit: Susie is working on a new novel that is going to be a BIG hit! Stay tuned…

Galentine Fun Fact: Susie kills it on Canva and has the greatest energy of anyone I know.

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Amy Poeppel is the award-winning author of the novels The Sweet Spot, Musical Chairs, Limelight, and Small Admissions. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Rumpus, Literary Hub, and Working Mother. She and her husband have three sons and split their time between New York City, Germany, and Connecticut. She would love to hear from you on Twitter or Instagram: @AmyPoeppel.