You Celebrated the "Pride and Prejudice" Movie Anniversary

Love "The Westing Game" or Are Considering Cutting Your Plastic Use

Hi friends,

I hope those of you celebrated who had a joyful Easter. Here is my dog Ellie taking in the day:

Unfortunately, life intervened with my writing time this weekend, so I’m spotlighting three picks from my archives this week. I’ll be back next Monday with three new recommendations.

And, now what to read if …

You Caught a “Pride and Prejudice” Screening this Weekend

Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne

The 2005 film adaptation of the Jane Austen classic was re-released last week to celebrate its 20^th anniversary and fans nationwide flocked to theaters for the occasion. NBC released merch to go along the occasion and what’s surprising is that it’s … actually good. (I’m debating if I’m too old for the “I’m 27 years old, I have no money and no prospects. I’m already a burden to my parents. And I’m frightened.” crop top because I’m not 27 and it’s a crop top.) Anyway, if you’d like to mark the anniversary with a Pride and Prejudice retelling, check out Nikki Payne’s Pride and Protest.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that I am a sucker for a Pride and Prejudice retelling. I’ve lost track of how many I’ve highlighted here, but it’s at least four (and it appears I’ve made the truth universally acknowledged joke before). All that is to say, I’ve read a lot of adaptations of the Austen classic, so I can confidently say Pride and Protest is one of the best out there.

In this version of the tale, Liza B.— the only DJ who gives a jam — is leading an effort to block the construction of even more soulless luxury condos in her D.C. neighborhood. Her protest, though, goes off the rails when she mistakes the CEO of the property development company, Dorsey Fitzgerald, as a waiter. The beleaguered executive, the adopted Filipino son of white parents, is convinced Liza’s protests are performative. But as their arguments over politics and real estate sizzle with tension, their hatred for each other transforms into a different kind of passion.

How good is this Pride and Protest? D.C. selected it as its “Great Read” for the National Book Festival last year, an honor that’s rarely (if ever?) bestowed on a romance. I also know multiple people who have become converts to the genre after reading it.

You Want an Adult Westing Game

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia

A few months ago, when I recommended fans of Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game check out Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson, I heard from a bunch of you saying that you too loved the middle-grade classic. I also received multiple recommendations for Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts, and after reading it, I’m excited to pass along the suggestion.

The titular Tuesday Mooney is a bit of a loner who throws herself into her job as a researcher in the development office of a hospital and watches reruns of “The X-Files,” until a mysterious Bostonian dies and promises a fortune to those who complete his treasure hunt. Tuesday, who has a knack for solving puzzles, quickly becomes a leader in the city-wide contest. She’s joined on her quest by a snarky friend, a sharp teenager and a mysterious, handsome and wealthy stranger.

Tuesday is a great heroine, loveable and pop-culture obsessed, who is working hard to accept the disappearance of her childhood best friend. She’s the type of character you root for, not just to win the contest, but to grow into a stronger, happier person. As the title implies, there’s a bit of a supernatural element to the book, but nothing that will turn off those who hate ghost stories or Westing Game fans. I’m so glad you all shared this book with me and am looking forward to reading Kate Racculia’s other books.

Earth Day has You Thinking About Your Plastic Use

Moby-Duck by Donovan Hohn

By 2050, there will be more plastics by weight than fish in the ocean, according to a new study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The same institute estimates there are 44 million metric tons — 97 billion pounds — of plastic waste sitting in landfills in the United States.

In 2005, journalist Donovan Hohn became obsessed with the story of 28,000 rubber ducks that fell off a shipping container after leaving Hong Kong for the U.S., and began washing up on shores across the globe. What he thought would be a quick story reported from his desk at home took him to Alaska, Hawaii and China, as he sought to understand how the ducks were made and then traveled worldwide. Ultimately, he produced an important piece of environmental journalism, showing the harmful effect the influx of cheap plastic goods has had on birds, fish and the ocean.

Moby-Duck is also a great adventure story and includes entertaining asides about the history of Sesame Street’s “Rubber Duckie” song and an exploration of polymer chemistry. Hohn is a writer’s writer, taking the time to describe small details that others might ignore but that he makes feel essential. It’s a book that will entertain you and enrage you and keep you turning pages.

---

What to Read If is a free weekly book recommendation newsletter. Need a rec? Want to gush about a book? Reply to this email, leave a comment or find me on Instagram or Threads.

If you’re reading this on Substack or were forwarded this email, and you’d like to subscribe, click the button below.

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.