Our contributors have paired up to tell one another about their favorite books of the year so far. You’ll hear these segments over the next few weeks! Today, Renee and Yasi share their top five of 2025. Then Ashley reflects on this year’s Met Gala, the inspiration behind it, and why it matters.

 

Renee and Yasi’s Favorite Books of the Year (so far) (0:21)

Renee and Yasi share their favorite books they’ve read so far this year, from off-beat contemporary fiction to memoirs of women in tech. You’ll want to get your TBRs ready for this segment!

 

A Bookmark in Fashion: Literature and This Year’s Met Gala  (21:42)

Ashley discusses the book Slaves to Fashion by Monica L. Miller, which inspired this year’s Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. She also talks about modern dandies, ways in which literature has inspired Met Gala themes, and better thoughtfulness on criticism of the outfits.  

 

Books/Resources Mentioned: 

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen

I’m Not Done with You Yet by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

Uncanny Valley by Anna Wiener

Tartufo by Kira Jane Buxton

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

Adult’s Play: The Upsides of Growing Up by Yasi Agah

Slaves to Fashion by Monica L. Miller

 

 

Support and follow our hosts!

Follow Renee: Instagram // The StoryGraph

Follow Yasi: Instagram // Website // Adult’s Play by Yasi Agah

Follow Ashley: Instagram

 

Check out our online community here! 

 

This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.

 

Original music by Amarissa

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