Bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid, known for novels like Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, recently shared her current reads, literary influences, and thoughts on storytelling, ambition, and love.
On Her Bedside Table
Reid is currently immersed in multiple titles. She’s listening to Audition by Katie Kitamura, reading Hungerstone by Kat Dunn, and has advanced copies of Emma Straub’s upcoming novel and Saumya Dave’s The Guilt Pill queued up next.
The Perfect Reading Experience
Her ideal reading spot? A patio with a view of water, a mystery or romance novel in hand, and an audiobook—preferably narrated by Julia Whelan—ready to go. “If there’s an iced tea sweating on the table and a good place to put my feet up, all the better,” she said, recalling last summer’s perfect moment reading Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods.
From Reluctant Reader to Literary Devotee
Reid admits she wasn’t much of a reader growing up. It wasn’t until 10th grade that a story captured her attention—Edith Wharton’s “Roman Fever.” “I remember getting to the ending a few seconds before the other students and gasping,” she said.
The Last Great Read
The most recent standout for Reid was James McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.
Emotion Over Intellect—But Keep Her Guessing
Reid enjoys books that challenge her expectations. “My brain is always working to figure out what might be coming next and I absolutely love being wrong,” she explained, citing Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and The Mill House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji. She also seeks emotionally resonant stories, naming Jasmine Guillory, Emily Henry, Celeste Ng, and Ann Patchett as authors who deliver both heartbreak and healing.
A Hidden Gem in Regency Romance
Among her favorite under-the-radar reads are Sophie Irwin’s Regency romances. Reid praises A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting and A Lady’s Guide to Scandal, and eagerly anticipates Irwin’s forthcoming How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days.
Book Signings and Fan Connections
Although she jokes about her long name making for a scribbled signature, Reid values personal interactions during book signings. “I want to make sure [readers] know how much it means to me by saying hi and thanking them for coming.”
No Required Reading Order
New readers can start with any of her books. “I just appreciate when any one of my premises appeals to someone and they pick the book up,” she said.
On Space, NASA, and Her New Novel
Reid’s latest novel, Atmosphere, delves into space exploration and features a love story between two women. Though always intrigued by the concept of weightlessness, it was research for this book that sparked her fascination with NASA and the teamwork behind space missions. “It’s not without great risk, making it that much more impressive to me,” she said.
Writing a queer love story felt both personal and intentional. “No one is going to tell me that love isn’t love,” she said. “I think I wanted to break my own heart, a little bit.”
Casting and Character-Driven Writing
Before becoming a full-time novelist, Reid worked in Hollywood casting. That background continues to shape her writing. “I’m entirely focused on character first,” she said. “I don’t really care what happens, I don’t really care when it happens. I care who it happens to.”
Favorite Characters and Literary Icons
Her favorite fictional hero? Jay Gatsby—“All the more because I’m not sure he fits certain definitions of the word.” And her favorite antihero? Daisy Buchanan—“For the same reason.”
Evolving Ambitions
After the success of Carrie Soto Is Back, Reid says her ambitions have shifted. “My goal, during my time away, was to chill out,” she explained. “There’s no particular achievement I’m looking for here. I’m just trying to spin a good yarn. And it feels good.”
