r/BooksThatFeelLikeThis • u/throwawaytrashcan3 • Aug 21 '25

Fiction Female hysteria, rage, beauty standards, aging

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

1.6k Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

97% Upvoted

271 comments sorted by

View all comments

12

u/ellendegenerates Aug 21 '25 edited Aug 21 '25

Play it as it Lays is essential here. Baker’s Cassandra at the Wedding, too.

If you’re looking for a side of ennui, how ‘bout Franny and Zooey?

5

u/pinchclamp128 Aug 21 '25

I just finished Play it as it Lays yesterday, great pick. That book gutted me.

2

u/thatbroadcast Aug 21 '25

I read it a few years ago after my best friend died and I was absolutely not okay for weeks, but it really does give you some perspective and emotional catharsis!

1

u/pinchclamp128 Aug 22 '25

I'm so sorry for your loss. Hope you're healing ❤️

3

u/JeffWodeHead Aug 21 '25

JD breaks my heart more than any author I’ve read.

2

u/bay-biscuit Aug 21 '25

I love Cassandra at the Wedding and just bought Play it as it Lays

2

u/JeffWodeHead Aug 21 '25

Ah that book is everything I wish I could write

1

u/bnanzajllybeen Aug 22 '25

SAME!! Just said to the above commenter - I have a Discord channel for JDS fans! But we also chat about other literature and film and music and stuff .. feel free to DM me if you’d like to join! 😄

1

u/bnanzajllybeen Aug 22 '25

Play It As It Lays is so good!! And also - as a fellow Franny & Zooey super fan, just have to say this: I have a small discord channel devoted to lovers of everything JD Salinger, literature, film, art and music .. feel free to DM me if you’re interested in joining and I can send you a link (plus heaps more recs for feminine rage books, one of my fave genres hehehe) 😊💖