I notice that I trend towards books that take place in modern-day "happening" cities, where the characters are largely upper middle class/filthy rich, and the main protagonist(s) is/are in their twenties.
Some examples:
1. Free Food For Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
2. Everyone Worth Knowing and The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
3. The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
4. Super Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (newer)
Does anyone have any books that have the same sort of setting that they'd recommend for myself (and others that also like this 'environment')?
I'm interested in that. I like reading writing that has echoes of (or is centered around) critiquing those self-absorbed (typically, anyway) characters. Thanks!
Bret Easton Ellis' bread and butter is hip, rich twenty-somethings with too much free time. He wrote Less Than Zero and Rules Of Attraction, as well as American Psycho. Right up your alley if you felt at all cynical while reading The Devil Wears Prada.
I did. I don't think I can eloquently describe it, but reading these kinds of books makes me feel like I'm a detached observer scoffing at their lifestyle all the while getting caught up in the trappings of it. You're right on the nose with what I'm going for, by the way: >bread and butter is hip, rich twenty-somethings with too much free time. Thanks.
You're welcome. His books more or less predicted exactly that mentality you describe, or at least hook you in based on same. His characters are (beautiful) train wrecks, even (or especially) Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. As a result, Ellis has become sort of a go-to voice on celebrity / tabloid / Hollywood culture. Glamorama is the penultimate book on that tip, but I've yet to read it. Perhaps a lighter suggestion for the #hubskibookclub?
Ellis sounds like an essential, and that genre has caught my eye over the past few years. It'd be great to build up a foundation of serious, devoted authors with a knack for voicing opinions on that sort of writing. Are celebrity-culture/fashion-related books (well-written ones, that's to say) generally not found in the #hubskibookclub? I'm new to Hubski, and that tag sounds intriguing (if a little bit intimidating).
I wasn't actually involved in the #hubskibookclub in its prior incarnation. We've reset with 2666, which might be an intimidating read but the discussion should be helpful and engaging, if early returns are to be counted. I don't think anything would be out of bounds for the book club, and anyone's welcome to submit suggestions.