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The world of smut is vast and varied, ranging from mainstream porn to erotic novels to audio erotica to fan fiction to that one sports-team mascot that just does it for you, for some reason.

You know how things go on a mainstream porn website: Want to get choked by your imaginary stepdad? Want to watch the most horrifying sex imaginable take place in an old warehouse? Want to constantly lose track of the narrative because you’re wondering if the actors are being paid competitive and fair wages? Of course there is ethical, enthusiastic, consensual female-gaze porn out there, but it’s not always easy to find.

On the other hand…welcome to Spicy BookTok, the TikTok community focused on erotic novels and stories where a woman in flattering glasses will talk in a calming voice about genres called fae porn and praise kink. They got jokes. They got feelings. They got ultra-specific scenarios. What if you teamed up with your enemy to overthrow an evil regime and then you had to take shelter from passing guards in a cave and in the darkness he stumbled and cut his thigh on a sharp rock and you had to dress his wound but your only spare scrap of fabric was your corset? What then??? Spicy BookTok is the sister kingdom to the smut queens of Bookstagram. Both realms are woman-dominated. And both tend to celebrate queerness, fatness, and people of color with less tokenization than other erotic communities.

Yes, it feels odd to call women publicly describing their post-reading underwear as “glopping and gloopy” a sign of radical progress. But this is a phenomenon of women forming networks to tell each other what turns them on. Kimiya, a.k.a. KKTReads, even argues that darker erotic novels can feel therapeutic “for those who have experienced sexual assault in their life, or those who may have darker sexual appetites and want to learn about them and explore them in a safe, controlled environment.” Says Ayman, who commands a BookTok audience of over half a million, “Reading romance and anything smutty has taught me way more about myself and my sexuality than any textbook or sex-ed class ever could.”

Smutty books roll their eyes at the cult of sanctity around literature. In the world of erotic books and romance novels, there’s room for every fantasy on the page. Commas and ellipses contort on the page, and ink serves as lingerie. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Glamour asked nine devoted smut readers on TikTok and Instagram to recommend their favorite erotic novels, romance novels, and written smut. Happy reading!

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

Romance books allow me to vicariously live through characters that have way more interesting lives than I do. I’m currently reading Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma, and this book has single-handedly proven why I like fictional men better than real-life men. —Ayman of AymansBooks

Gifting Me to His Best Friend (A Touch of Taboo) by Katee Robert

Katee Robert’s A Touch of Taboo series has got to be the smuttiest, horniest books I’ve read in the past two years, and they are so great because of the diversity in them. Every book explores a specific nonconventional (or taboo) relationship and different sexual appetites in a healthy, consensual environment. What’s not to love?! For dark romance, Hooked by Emily McIntire and The Cat and Mouse Duet by H.D. Carlton are both amazing books. (I always advise everyone to check the trigger warnings and content warnings before reading dark romance!) —Kimiya of KKTReads 

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

I recommend It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey. It is the first book I read by her, and oh, my gosh, it was amazing. It’s a cute yet very hot romantic story about an L.A. wild child named Piper who is sent to a fisherman’s town called Westport to run her late father’s dive bar and learn how to be independent. She is greeted with not the warmest of welcomes by none other than a grumpy young fisherman named Brendan. This book gave me butterflies. The banter between them was unbelievably cute. For example, Piper only knew how to cook pasta, and she cooked that for Brendan for like three days straight. He was tired of it, obviously, but he would eat it every day for the rest of his life if it made her happy. Tell me that isn’t cute?? I was this close to moving to a small town myself to try and find a young fisherman after reading this book. Plus, the spicy scenes that happened between them? Oof, I was definitely blushing when reading them. This book is an easy read, swoon-worthy, and super hot and steamy. —Jayde of JaydeClément 

The Original Sinners Series by Tiffany Reisz

If you want a mix of romance, Catholicism, BDSM, polyamory, queer characters, and mystery all in a long series, well, look no further than The Original Sinners series by Tiffany Reisz. It’s about a Catholic bishop and his erotic novelist lover. You may need to take time off work or school, because this series will have you bound, gagged, and on your knees begging for more. —Beatrice of BeatriceBPhan

A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn

If you have not read A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn—what are you doing with your life? This is a Pretty Woman–inspired book with fake dating, hilarious banter that brings tears to your eyes, and sexual tension like no other. One of the best rom-coms I have ever read! Highly recommend! —Tess of Bookedupchick

Fall From India Place by Samantha Young

If there’s one book a hopeless romantic has to read before they die, it’s this book—Fall From India Place by Samantha Young. It has the best romantic scenes I have ever read in a book as well as the best spicy scenes. It will tug on your heartstrings and occasionally make you want to rip your heart out to give to the Marco (the lead male). —Anita H of AnitasLibrary

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

A book that I absolutely love is The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas. It’s a book filled with romance that makes you scream at 2 a.m. because it’s that good; spice that leaves you breathless for a second or two; and characters that will forever stay with you. I loved it so much. —Youssra of Youssra Reads

Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark

The queen of the mafia romance subgenre is easily Sophie Lark. Each of her books features a different romance trope and a different kink, so there is a little something for everyone. Trust me, her books are not only utterly addictive and super spicy, but they feature badass women who bring strong men to their knees! Start with Brutal Prince, which is an enemies-to-lovers arranged marriage romance.

Honestly, it’s strange how people forget that historical romances can be smutty! The Secret by Julie Garwood was written back in 1992, but the swoony bickering in this will have any Outlander and Bridgerton fan melting on the spot. This romance is about a grumpy Scottish laird falling for a feisty English lady, and trust me, this man knows how to pleasure his woman. But be warned, after finishing this book I was tempted to spend all the money I don’t have on a plane ticket to Scotland. —Madison of PrincessofPaperback 

Jenny Singer is a staff writer for Glamour. You can follow her on Twitter. 

Foodies unite! This end-of-the-year round-up of the best cookbooks 2021 had to offer was written just for you and your ever-growing collection. We asked 22 of our favorite chefs, food influencers, celebrity foodies, restaurant owners, and snack creators their picks for the best cookbooks of the year.

From a dedicated recipe book all about pizza to the cookbook recipes that made new parents’ lives easier to the best baking cookbooks, these selections are truly the best of the best (and make great last-minute holiday gifts). 

And don’t worry, there are plenty of cookbooks for beginners, as well as the best vegan cookbooks, the best healthy cookbooks, and a couple of Amazon best sellers that will have your stomach thanking you for your purchase. Warning: These are not the books to read when you’re super hungry. They will, however, help you minimize time at the cutting board. 

So continue reading for the best cookbooks 2021 gave us. You’ll leave with a host of new recipe inspiration from masters of the crafts themselves.

1. Mooncakes & Milk Bread by Kristina Cho

“In every page of Mooncakes & Milk Bread, Kristina Cho has taught me something new about Chinese baking while seamlessly weaving in her personal stories. After baking her Goong Goong’s delicately aromatic almond cookies, I feel like part of the family. Detailed step-by-step illustrations and photos make me feel confident about forming her marbled milk bread and ruffled wheat flour buns. Kristina even demystifies the most intricate mooncake—a pastry her pau pau said could ‘only be made by a true master.’ This book is the first to entirely focus on traditional Chinese baking while giving readers the confidence to make it their own. I know I’ll be inspired by it for years.” —Sohla El-Waylly, Culinary Creator

2. Mother Grains: Recipes for the Grain Revolution by Roxana Jullapat

“One of my favorite books released in 2021 was Mother Grains: Recipes for the Grain Revolution by Roxana Jullapat. When I began my obsession with bread and viennoiserie I made connections with a lot of local young bakers, one of which was Roxanna. She’s been a staple of the baking community in L.A. for as long as I can remember. Her commitment to the education of whole grains and regenerative farming is clear and very inspirational.” —Neidy Venegas, pastry chef at Barndiva, which was recently awarded one Michelin star in the guide’s most recent California selection

3. Everyone’s Table by Gregory Gourdet

“This one is easy for me—since having a baby in January, we’ve been awake at ridiculous hours and have heavily leaned on this cookbook to help with fast and nourishing recipes. We’ve been cooking at least once a week from Gregory Gourdet’s new cookbook, Everyone’s Table. The recipes somehow balance beautifully between being ornately thoughtful while also being incredibly accessible and fun; easily my favorite cookbook of 2021!” —Tyler Malek, head ice cream maker at Salt & Straw

4. Treasures of the Mexican Table by Pati Jinich

“I am in love with this cookbook because it’s a pure take on classic recipes in a very approachable way. The book is so enthusiastic and friendly that I feel like Pati’s energy flows right into the food. The love and energy are translated beautifully from cook to audience. Pati knows what’s up.” —Ellen Marie Bennett, founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett

5. Life Is What You Bake It by Vallery Lomas

“If I had to choose a favorite, I would say Life Is What You Bake It by Vallery Lomas. It’s a beautiful and inspiring cookbook. Vallery’s personal story throughout the book is so fascinating that I couldn’t put it down until I had read all the way through it. Each recipe feels personal to Vallery and perfected. I look forward to trying all of the delicious recipes throughout this cookbook for years to come.” —Maegan Brown, cookbook author and food blogger who runs @TheBakerMama on Instagram

6. The Joy of Pizza: Everything You Need to Know by Dan Richer

“I could eat these pizzas for every meal. I enjoyed how in depth it was in teaching the intricate components that go into making a truly great pizza. From start to finish, each recipe was so fun to make and the perfect date-night activity!” —Kelsey Lynch, author of Cooking Through Trader Joe’s and mastermind behind @TraderJoesFoodReviews

7. My Shanghai by Betty Liu

“My favorite cookbook released in 2021 is My Shanghai by Betty Liu. I was working on the opening team of a large Asian-inspired, multilevel restaurant in Hudson Yards where most of my research and development went into making nostalgia-inducing small bites, and Liu does a very good job of modernizing these types of flavors. My goal was to be able to recreate things you’d find at your favorite dim sum restaurant or things you grew up eating at home, and I felt that she was an extremely knowledgeable guide to me. Liu inspired recipes that I’d love to share with all of my patrons, family, and friends.” —Ross Philip Pineda, sous chef at Thai Diner, Soho, NYC

8. Black Food by Bryant Terry

“There are so many to choose from, but I’d have to say Black Food by Bryant Terry. Bryant is so thoughtful about his approach to this cookbook, featuring so many different voices and stories in addition to incredible recipes. It is always a pleasure to crack it open and let the pages drift between my hands, because his book is truly an immersive experience.” —Joanne Molinaro, YouTube creator, writer, and author of The Korean Vegan Cookbook

9. Let’s Make Dumplings!: A Comic Book Cookbook by Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan

“If you’ve ever attempted to replicate those delicious dumplings from your favorite dim sum spot, you know that it’s not as easy as it looks. This book takes something that is labor intensive and technique driven and transforms it into a beautifully illustrated step-by-step guide that is fun, engaging, and enjoyable from start to finish. Let’s Make Dumplings! is a perfect book for spending an afternoon with friends or family and learning how to make dumplings.” —Steve Valentine, associate creative director at Grillo’s Pickles

10. The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes From Omma’s Kitchen by Joanne Molinaro

“My favorite cookbook released in 2021 is the Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes From Omma’s Kitchen. You get the whole package…stunning visuals, rich storytelling, and simple-to-read recipes. The author, Joanne Molinaro, takes us into her life as she presents each vegan dish. I love how every recipe has a story somehow tied to her experiences. Also as a beginner cook myself, I appreciate the bonus tips that accompanied some of the ingredient introductions. My favorite thing about the book is that it’s unintimidating. I felt empowered to try cooking all the recipes because of how simple Joanne laid it all out.” —Lisa Nguyen, YouTuber and content creator

11. The Modern Tiffin by Priyanka Naik

“The Modern Tiffin by Priyanka Naik, a first-generation self-taught Indian vegan cook, showcases her take on original vegan dishes with an Indian influence, infused with Naik’s global travel memories from having visited nearly 40 countries. The recipes are designed to be carried in a tiffin, a segmented lunch box popular throughout India. Standout dishes include bucatini à la pumpkin with pink peppercorn & pistachio and green chutney quesadillas.” —Marisel Salazar, food writer, recipe developer, and host

“I’m a fan of Joshua and his energy, and I think he brings that to the book. It’s fun, funny, and has lots of recipes (some that are basic) that work well with my kids, coincidentally!” —Mohan Kumar, co-owner of Oddfellow’s Ice Cream Co.

13. That Sounds So Good by Carla Lalli Music

“My favorite cookbook of 2021 is That Sounds So Good by Carla Lalli Music. It’s the kind of book you can open in whatever mood you’re in and find a recipe perfect for that occasion. From healthy weeknight meals to long, lazy lunches, the photography, prop styling, and recipes are interesting, always delicious, and fun.” —Emily Schultz, social media manager at BentoBox

14. New Native Kitchen: Celebrating Modern Recipes of the American Indian by Chef Freddie Bitsoie and James O. Fraioli

“As a tea blender, I focus on flavors and cuisines of regional and indigenous peoples in tea-growing locales. For instance, in our Sri Lankan tea gardens, our growers live on a staple of coconut and spices—which inspired one of my blends called Coconut Chai. Like tea blending, cooking with what grows in your neighborhood or region instills a sense of local bounty, as well as demanding a bit more creativity—this cookbook amplifies Native American reverence to living symbiotically with the land and celebrating nature’s bounty through the lens of tribes and family recipes, stories, and legends. What I love most about this book is it is as much a spiritual guide to the wisdom of North American native people as it is a book of delicious, regional, heritage-based recipes.” —Zhena Muzyka, founder and master blender, Magic Hour Teas

15. The Complete Cookbook for Young Scientists: Good Science Makes Great Food by America’s Test Kitchen Kids

“This book turns the kitchen into a welcoming place of wonder and is full of science experiments that you can actually eat! All of the recipes have been tested by real kids and the book is written in an easy way with lots of photos (meant for reading ages 8 through 12). It makes learning STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fun and tasty for the whole family.” —Julia Collins Davison, host of Julia at Home on Pluto TV

16. Mister Jiu’s in Chinatown by Brandon Jew and Tienlon Ho

“Mister Jiu’s is my favorite restaurant in San Francisco. We also had the privilege of working with Brandon on a collaborative aperitif in 2020 for the Restaurant Project. I’ve learned so much from this book, and the sauce recipes alone are worth it.” —Helena Price Hambrecht, CEO and cofounder of Haus

17. Getaway: Food & Drink to Transport You by Renee Erickson

“My go-to cookbook this year has to be Getaway: Food & Drink to Transport You by Renee Erickson, which offers a beautifully curated collection of super simple yet sophisticated recipes. As the Director of Winemaking at SIMI Winery, balance is key to everything we do and this cookbook approaches food with that same mantra in mind, serving not-too-intricate snacks and effortless entrées that are both approachable and aspirational. Plus, it brings Erickson’s vision of easy, everyday escape to life! To us, food is another vehicle for storytelling, and Erickson is able to take us from the page to the plate with her interpretation of relaxed inspiration.

One month before lockdown, the author known as Sophie Kinsella was speaking at a luncheon for fans at an Italian restaurant. During the question-answer portion, one participant raised her hand and asked if Kinsella would ever consider trying a genre other than romantic comedy.

“I said, sort of as a flip remark, ‘Maybe one day I should have a sad ending,’” Kinsella, whose real name is Madeleine Wickham, told Glamour. “And this lady went ‘NO!’ in complete panic. And then the whole audience started going ‘WE WON’T BUY IT!” Kinsella laughs, imitating a crazed mob of readers. “WE’RE NOT HERE FOR IT!”

Kinsella—Oxford graduate, mother of five, one-time beleaguered financial journalist—has been writing romantic comedies for over two decades. She’s written 28 novels, including the celebrated Confessions of a Shopaholic books. A young adult novel and a children’s series number among her accomplishments. Her books have twice been adapted into sparkling, high budget Hollywood movies. A third movie is in development at Amazon, set to star Dakota Fanning, with a screenplay by one of the writers of Legally Blonde.

Over 45 million copies of Sophie Kinsella novels have been sold. And every one of them has a happy ending. For every person who stood up at the fan luncheon, ready to throw profiteroles and prosecco at the mention of tragedy, Kinsella is right there with them. “I root for my characters, I love them, I’m probably too close to them, and I do want life to work out for them,” she says.

Kinsella is not her characters, but they share some commonalities. One is this kind of comment—she’s speaking brightly about love, and then all of a sudden there’s a flash of determination, like a pair of designer boots peeking out of a nondescript carrier bag. “I think: You know what? Let’s just have a slice of life in which it works out,” she says. “Nothing too perfect, just a bit of hope. What’s wrong with that?”

What is wrong with that? These are the kind of books people call “guilty pleasures,” but I never feel guilty reading a Sophie Kinsella novel any more than I would feel guilty having coffee with a dear friend. They’re not formulaic so much as consistent—a source of dependable cheer, summer-y and Christmas-y at the same time. Kinsella’s new book, The Party Crasher, out this week, takes place over the course of a single party at a sprawling country estate. Kinsella intended it as a “supreme piece of escapism” to help readers get through lockdown. The protagonist spends several very funny scenes hiding from her family in a closet and under a table. “I realized that I had written a book about a claustrophobic family stuck in a house,” Kinsella laughs.

Kinsella’s huge breakthrough was Confessions of Shopaholic—the novel in 2000, the movie in 2009, and nine succeeding books in the series. Like that character, Becky Bloomwood, Kinsella worked as a financial journalist in her early 20s despite a lack of interest, and even less confidence. At 25, she left office life behind to write novels. Now she’s in her fifties. She and her husband have five children. Her career is gigantic, and growing. Most of her protagonists are still single, childless women in their 20s or 30s, early in their careers.

Approximately 95% of published American novels from 1950 to 2018 were written by white authors, even though white people account for only 60% of the population. And in the publishing industry itself, only 6% identify as Latinx across various fields that include executive level positions, editorial staff, sales, and literary agents. The numbers are even lower for people of Black, Indigenous, and Middle Eastern descent.

Even with the push toward more-inclusive hiring practices and concerted efforts across the publishing industry to buy more manuscripts by authors of color, those same writers have been told publishers don’t know how to market their novels. So this Latinx Heritage Month, Glamour urges you to make a concerted effort to support books written by Latinx authors. All are available through large commercial retailers like Amazon—but if you are able to take it a step further, you can also purchase from a Black- or Latinx-owned independent bookstore. 

Classic reads by Latinx authors include One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, any of Elizabeth Acevedo’s best-selling books, and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, to name a few. If you’re a comic book fan, consider reading La Boriqueña by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez. Anthology fans may enjoy Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed edited by Saraciea J. Fennell.

Below, we rounded up 15 more must-read books by Latinx authors, from heart-wrenching memoirs to steamy romances. This is a nonexhaustive list, and more Latinx recommendations can be found on Latinx Reads, an Instagram dedicated to books written by, for, and about Latinxs.

1. Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine

Sabrina & Corina is an award-winning collection of stories about indigenous Latinas in Colorado that delves into hard truths about race, femininity, friendship, and violence against women.

2. Dominicana by Angie Cruz

Inspired by the story of the author’s own mother,  Dominicana follows 15-year-old Ana Cancion as she marries a man twice her age and moves from the Dominican Republic to New York City, exploring the emotional turmoil that follows. Amazon touted the book as a “vital portrait of the immigrant experience and the timeless coming-of-age story of a young woman finding her voice in the world.”

3. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

Nearly 30 years after its publication, In the Time of  the Butterflies remains a must-read thanks to its poignant political commentary and unfiltered look at life in the Dominican Republic under General Rafael Leónidas Trujillo’s dictatorship. The novel follows four sisters, delving into their lives as daughters, lovers, and rebels to reveal the “the human costs of political oppression.” Fans of Alvarez also rave about her highly anticipated novel Afterlife.

4. The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

Brooklyn Brujas series author Zoraida Córdova’s most recent novel, The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, follows the story of a family hunting for the truth behind their secret inheritance before it destroys them. According to The New York Times Book Review, the contemporary fantasy is great for fans of Alice Hoffman, Isabel Allende, and Sarah Addison Allen.

5. The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

Set to release in 2022, Sonora Reyes’s debut novel, The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, is already generating tons of hype—it even has a five-star rating on Goodreads thanks to ARC readers. The YA contemporary novel follows a teen who transfers schools after being outed as queer by her former best friend. At her new school, Yamilet Flores fakes being straight and navigates the intricacies of pretending to be someone you’re not, all while trying to uphold unrealistic parental expectations as a perfect student and daughter. You can preorder now. 

6. In the Country We Love by Diane Guerrero

In the Country We Love is an unfiltered and heartbreaking memoir that delves into the life of Orange Is the New Black star Diane Guerrero. While the memoir is ultimately a story of triumph and resilience, it also focuses on the hard truths of what it’s like for a child of undocumented immigrants living in the United States and the flaws of the U.S. immigration system. The memoir is written with Michelle Burford.

7. You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

Telenovela and rom-com fans alike will fall in love with Alexis Daria’s novel You Had Me at Hola. A New York Times Editor’s Choice pick and an O Magazine Best Romance pick, it’s a smart and sexy read that puts Latinx joy (and love!) at the forefront. It’s a must-read for all Jane the Virgin fans.

8. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Cemetery Boys is best-selling author Aiden Thomas’s first novel. The paranormal young adult novel follows the story of Yadriel, a trans brujx who wants to prove himself to his family. After summoning a ghost, he’s forced to help bring the spirit to rest in a quick-paced adventure.

9. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

Touted as one of the most important novels of the 20th century, The House of the Spirits was an instant best seller when it was published in 1982. In Isabel Allende’s debut novel, the cross-generational narrative weaves an intricate political commentary with love and destiny to create an unforgettable story.

10. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Calling all gothic horror fans: Silvia Moreno-Garcia needs to be included in your next book haul. The best-seller and soon-to-be Hulu series follows the story of Mexican socialite Noemí Taboada as she’s sent to the countryside to investigate her cousin’s outlandish, but perhaps truthful, claims about her new husband.

11. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

A coming-of-age story that delves into death, grief, and what it means to be the “perfect” Mexican daughter, Erika L. Sánchez’s best-selling novel takes on stereotypes, unrealistic pressures, and an emphasis, above all, on speaking the truth in this gripping tale.

12. Curse of the Night Witch by Alex Aster

TikTok-famous author Alex Aster’s #BookTok favorite, Curse of the Night Witch, is the first in a middle-grade duology that’s filled with edge-of-your-seat stakes and intricately woven myths based on Colombian mythology.

13. Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez

A Reese Witherspoon book club pick, this contemporary YA novel follows a young Argentine soccer star as she strives to make her athletic dreams come true. The novel is filled with romance, passion, and a tough reminder that you live life for yourself, no one else—not even your parents.

14. Dealing in Dreams by Lilliam Rivera

A YA dystopian novel described by Amazon as “The Outsiders meets Mad Max,” Lilliam Rivera’s action-packed story follows Nalah and her all-girl crew as she navigates the meaning of sisterhood, chosen family, and survival.

15. Halsey Street by Naima Coster

In her debut novel, Naima Coster takes on massive topics like gentrification and immigration as she delves into the life of her main character—an Afro-Latina returning home to her nearly unrecognizable Brooklyn neighborhood after a few years away. It’s a captivating adult novel with family, and what it means to be human, at the core of it all.

Marilyn La Jeunesse is a writer in New York City. Follow her on Instagram @mtlajeunesse.

When news broke on Monday, July 19, that Prince Harry would be writing a memoir about his life as a royal, Twitter couldn’t wait for all the tea to be spilled. But over at Buckingham Palace, the rest of the family is keeping a tight lid on their reactions.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently told People that Prince Harry had spoken privately with his family about the book, due in late 2022 from Penguin Random House, and that asking for permission wasn’t part of that conversation. It was more of a heads-up. When asked to comment on that, Buckingham Palace said only, “Any clarification about the book would be a question for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.” Well, okay, then.

“I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become,” said Prince Harry in a statement announcing the project, which will cover his upbringing in the royal family, military service in Afghanistan, and love story with Meghan Markle. “I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story—the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned—I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.

“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful,” he added. Proceeds from sales of the book will go to charity.

In the publishers’ announcement, the book was described as an “intimate and heartfelt” tome, and the “definitive account” of his fascinating life. The company also promised that the book will “[show] readers that behind everything they think they know lies an inspiring, courageous, and uplifting human story.”

To be fair, that doesn’t sound like a nasty tell-all that would destroy the royal family’s image.

Does anyone know if Queen Elizabeth II has a GoodReads account? We need her thoughts ASAP.

Prince Harry is done letting British tabloids tell his story. 

In an announcement on July 19, Prince Harry revealed he’s writing a memoir that is set to hit shelves in late 2022. According to People, proceeds from both the book and audiobook will be donated. 

“I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become,” he said in a statement. “I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story—the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned—I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.”

The Duke of Sussex continued, “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.”

The statement from Penguin Random House described the memoir as “an intimate and heartfelt memoir” spanning the royal’s childhood, military service, up through his marriage to Meghan Markle, and the birth of his two children: two-year-old Archie and one-month-old Lilibet. The publisher promises “the definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him.”

Though Prince Harry has recently been opening up a great deal about his personal life in an Emmy-nominated interview with Oprah Winfrey as well as their mental health series, The Me You Can’t See, people on Twitter are excited to hear even more of the duke’s story without liberties or tabloid spin. 

On Twitter user posted a video of a frantic group writing, “The Crown writing room getting ready for the new seasons now they can use Prince Harry’s memoir for accuracy.”

Basically, everyone is bracing for bombshells that may ruffle even more feathers among the royal family. 

Is it 2022 yet?

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I really wanted to get at those spaces of unspoken subtext and microaggressions. I think of it this way: when I go into small stores or really any store, I always make sure my hands are out of my pockets. I say hi to the shop owner because I don’t want to be seen or assumed that I’m going to steal something. 

Do you feel like there’s a way to better convey that to white people without hitting that defensive wall?

That’s a hard question. I think you need to listen to the person who’s being affected by it. They can’t exactly put into words what it is, but there’s a feeling. There are a lot of things that we can’t put into words. I also struggle with sensitivity readers as an idea because I understand it completely and I do think it’s better in most cases, but I also cringe against the idea of making a certain person be the person who decides this is okay.

That’s interesting that you mention the weight of Blackness because isn’t that essentially what the grease is supposed to lift?

Exactly.

We don’t necessarily know what was going through Nella’s mind when she gave into the grease. Was that a conscious choice of hers?

This is another question I don’t get asked. I wonder if it’s because it’s a spoiler, but I love talking about it because I do think it’s really important. I was revising that scene last summer, which was when I had edits back at my desk. It was George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and COVID-19, obviously. Everything was happening. I was in a particularly not-great space. Mentally, I felt betrayed. I felt hopeless. I felt numb. I felt a lot of feelings about what was going on. So that scene where Hazel is telling Nella, “Don’t you want to be free?” That scene was me taking my own personality and my own perspective of what it was like to work on my book and feel like it mattered when on the other side of it, people that are dying.

I want to talk about the Hulu adaptation for a second. That’s really exciting!

I can’t believe it.

That last Hulu adaptation I saw was Little Fires Everywhere.

So good.

I read that book—by Celeste Ng—and then watched the adaptation. They did a good job at making necessary tweaks. I know you’re a co-writer on the show, too. Are you prepared to sacrifice some parts of the story?

At the beginning I was like, I didn’t do this to get a TV show. I don’t know how this would work. But, the more we talked about it, I could see it. There is a lot I had to cut. And the end—there’s just so many places it could go if the story and the show were to [continue]. We’ve been talking about plans if it were to go past one season. Wagner Books is so rich for storylines.

What’s your dream casting?

I go back and forth. I feel like I give different answers every single time. I could see Keke Palmer. I could see KiKi Lane for both Nella and Hazel. They’re both the same dial turned a slightly different way. Angela Bassett … I feel like it’s clear from the book that I love Angela Bassett. I could see her as [other characters] Diana or Kendra Ray, especially Kendra Ray. She could have any role.

What’s next for you?

I can spread myself a little too thin sometimes with projects, so I really just taking it in and working on the Hulu adaptation and getting to spend more time with the characters in that way. But, definitely planning to write another book and planning for it to be about Black characters in the U.S..

Lastly, between the bidding war and a true taste of financial success, how does it feel to have a bit of a cushion?

It’s a big relief. Money was very, very, very tight before the book, even with my partner sharing the rent. So, the advance was huge. It also allowed my partner and I to move out of our tiny studio and into an apartment that had real rooms and doors. Now we’re owners, whereas two years ago, I would never have imagined ever being able to own anything.

Paulina Jayne Isaac is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. You can follow her on Instagram @paulinajayne15.