Staff Picks: Cathy de la Cruz’ Favorites
Hi everyone, my name is Cathy de la Cruz and I am a Metadata Manager working in the Online and Digital Sales group. I primarily focus on Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group titles—so I get exposed to a wide variety of genres ranging from sweeping literary fiction to quirky graphic novels to books called Zen Golf. I’ve joked with friends that I like to read (feminist) fiction and (sad) graphic novels, but listen to (funny) non-fiction audiobooks—it’s just the way that I am! I’m originally from Texas, but have lived in New York City for the last six and a half years. You can find me on Instagram at @CathydelaCruz. Be forewarned that my Instagram account is mostly cat photos, food photos, book photos and selfies aka a photo essay of my life.
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Add to BookshelfQualification
by David Heatley
David Heatley’s Qualification has a lot in common with Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home: both chronicle their author’s childhoods focusing on the complex relationship between father and child. Both graphic memoirs deal with many of the same themes: sexuality, mental health, dysfunctional families—yet are so wildly different. Qualification takes a deep dive into the author’s experiences trying just about every 12-step program there is from AA to ones you’ve probably never heard of like Debtors Anonymous. Qualification is funny and heartbreaking and I absolutely couldn’t put it down. I tore through this memoir on my commute in a few days, stayed up late just to finish it and think about it all the time. This is a special book.
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$26.95Buy from Other Retailers:
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Astrology for Real Relationships
by Jessica Lanyadoo and T. Greenaway
OK I am such a Jessica Lanyadoo fan girl. I used to get astrology readings with her in person in San Francisco when I was in my 20s (spoiler alert: I am definitely not in my 20s anymore) and I also used to get readings from her over the phone before she became so popular you can’t even get on her waiting list! Now in my late 30s (have I told you too much?) I live and die by her astrology podcast, Ghost of a Podcast. If you like astrology, are curious about astrology or know someone kinda sorta into astrology—this is the book for you or them! She’s the best and so is this book. And this book is about all relationships, not just romantic ones.
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$19.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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City of Boys
by Beth Nugent
This is the book that made me want to read more books like it (unfortunately, there are not any!) and a book that made me want to be a writer. My college best friend, Alison recommended it to me about 20 years ago and I re-read it every so often just to be blown away. This is a short story collection that in my opinion should have been as popular as Denis Johnson’s Jesus’ Son. I think a reader in 2020 who likes My Dark Vanessa would love the 1992 classic that is City of Boys.
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Enchantments
by Mya Spalter
I’m not sure how I first heard of Enchantments, the oldest occult store in NYC, but I know that I was ordering custom-carved witchy candles from them at least 15 years ago—so I was very excited to see this book full of very helpful witchy information. Personally, I feel like this is a self-help book more than anything—so if you are someone who rolls your eyes at self-help books, this might be the book for you because it’s different and absolutely magical.
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$17.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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How to Live
by Thich Nhat Hanh
This is the most meaningful, yet also completely adorable boxed set you will ever see. Are you like me and only meditate when you absolutely need to (i.e. when you are stressed, nervous or having some sort of physical ailment?)—then this is a collection for you. Or if you’re someone who considers themselves a mindfulness expert, this is still a collection for you. How could you not want a set of tiny but mighty books called things like: How to Sit, How to Eat, How to Walk, How to Love, and How to Relax? How can you not love when a book begins with: “The first thing to do is stop whatever else you are doing.”
Add to BookshelfBoxed Set
$49.75Buy from Other Retailers:
