Well-Read: Elke Steen
An artist's good recs and easy reads.
Well-Read is back! It’s the series where I invite people I admire from far, wide and super close-by to share their book thoughts/dreams with you. For the first instalment my friend and writer/editor, Noelle Faulkner chatted humble piles and languishing lit. Now, artist and ferocious reader, Elke Steen (who I’ve known since I was 10ish) shares her recommendations.
Tell me a little about yourself and what you like to read.
I have loved reading since I was a little girl, and although I had the compulsory lag in my late teens, overall I have always had a book on the go. I am your classic "easy read" fan; they come in lots of shapes and sizes and it doesn’t mean they aren’t great books! Now that I am working full-time with a wild toddler this is even more important—I need to keep up momentum. My #1 rule is to always pick up a book that has been recommended. I have a note in my phone where I add any recommendations I come across—I keep my ears to the ground and get recommendations from friends (ONLY ones who I know have similar taste), podcasts (RIP The High Low), Substacks (Pandora Sykes’s one is great for book recommendations), Better Read Than Dead (my fave book shop which posts weekly best sellers) and Have A Nice Book.
What are your must-read books?
New Animal by Ella Baxter
Ella Baxter's writing is outrageous; this book is funny, dry and chaotic. I have never read a book about grief like this before and I loved the way it explored unconventional ways of coping which were both shocking and deeply relatable.
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
Sometimes you just want to be entertained and this book was IT. I’m sure we will all watch once it inevitably becomes a TV show. In fact, it gave me the same feeling as watching RHONY. It’s all about privilege, class and becoming less of an asshole. I loved this, it is perfect to get back into reading for anyone feeling uninspired.
Chai Time At Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran
This was so immersive, you could just imagine the old house converted into the nursing home and smell of the kitchen. This book explores the intricacies of the families who own and run the nursing home and some of its residents, mostly Sri Lankan immigrants. This book was eye opening, heartbreaking and fun all at the same time.
Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang
You’ll never look at pancakes the same way... this was a crazy book. I don’t want to give too much away but I would say this was my favourite for 2023 so far. I don’t think there has been anything like it, and the way it satirised the publishing industry was very clever. This is a very "now" book and it felt very real.
What are you reading next?
Demon Copperfield by Barbara Kingsolver, I’m halfway through and it’s giving Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart vibes.
Next: What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt, Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados and Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel.
Enjoy!