12 Comments
May 20·edited May 20Liked by Emma Straub

I love this book too, and it's one of the rare books my husband and I agree on. I had already read it and loved it when I picked it for a book club years ago. I served lobster bisque at the meeting and other delicious snacks. Some people in the group scarfed down the food and then proceeded to ruthlessly tear apart the book. Needless to say, I quit that book club.

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May 20Liked by Emma Straub

I, too have recommended this book so many times. It is a rare, perfect slice of life novel. My new favorite work novel: You Are Here by Karin Lin-Greenberg which is about the closure of a mall. They match, in a way.

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May 20Liked by Emma Straub

One more Kate chiming in to say that I also love work novels and will definitely check out You Are Here. Thanks for the rec!

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May 20Liked by Emma Straub

That sounds great

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May 20Liked by Emma Straub

I love work novels and Last Night at the Lobster—I will definitely check out your recommendation! Thank you!

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author

Ok not sure why everyone who reads my newsletter is named Kate but I love it

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Here's a homely, perfect sentence from LNATTL that I often cite re: the power of naming names and close observation:

With oven mitts he delivers the pots to Leron, who dumps them steaming into the gurgling InSinkErator.

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May 20Liked by Emma Straub

After I read Last Night at the Lobster a few years ago, I was obsessed with Red Lobster, always choosing it when it was my turn to pick the restaurant, and going on and on about the kitchen procedures. I'm sure my husband is glad that phase is over, lol. Stewart is so good. I also loved The Good Wife and The Odds.

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May 20Liked by Emma Straub

I haven't thought of this book in ages, but it is so good!

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I also love this. I’ve been a longtime fan of his but I think I’ve lost track. Your timely endorsement will send me to his book list, and I’m betting I’ll buy a couple to read, in order to catch up.

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May 20Liked by Emma Straub

This looks good. I will check it out.

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May 20Liked by Emma Straub

One of my all-time favorites (and recommendations). I couldn’t believe how much it brought me back to working as a server in a different mid-range restaurant. And the details! For some reason, the particular detail of the lighthouse-shaped glasses (part of a giveaway promo) in the back of the closet blew me away. Every detail in that book is perfect. Thank you for the invitation and reminder to reread it.

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