REQUIRED READING

The Latecomer

Jean Hanff Korelitz (f iction, Celadon Books) Meet the New York City Oppenheimer family: Salo, Johanna, and their triplets, born in the early days of IVF. Despite their kinship, Harrison, Lewyn, and Sally share no special connection, and they each seem determined to go their own way — prompting their mother to have a 4th child.

Cult Classic

Sloane Crosley (f iction, MCD) One night after a work dinner in Chinatown, recently engaged Lola runs into an old boyfriend — and then another. And another. Soon, the entire city appears to be teeming with old loves.

Happy Go Lucky

David Sedaris (essays, Little, Brown) The hilarious author returns with his first collection of essays since “Calypso,” — and yes, (spoiler alert) they will make you laugh out loud in public.

How to Be Eaten

Maria Adelmann (f iction, Little, Brown) In modern-day NYC, five women meet at group therapy each week to process their various traumas. One is recovering from her marriage to a crazed bluebearded billionaire. Gretel was once held captive in a house made of candy. A clever spin on age-old fairy tales.

James Patterson

James Patterson (nonf iction, Little, Brown) The super-prolific author — who as an ad man coined the famous slogan “I’m a Toys R Us kid” — has led a fascinating life which he recounts in the pages of this book, from the day of his birth — when he nearly died — to the time Dolly Parton once sang “Happy Birthday” to him on the phone, and much more.

The Vet at Noah’s Ark

Doug Mader (nonf iction, Apollo Publishers) Dogs, cats, emus, skunks, snakes, foxes, and monkeys: All are welcome at Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital in inner city LA, where the book recounts the daily travails of Dr. Mader and staff during a single year.