"“[A] joyous ode to finding one’s calling… a funny, tender tale.” —Library Journal (starred)
“Some fans may fear that Garmus can't create another story as tender, captivating, or triumphant as her 2022 hit, Lessons in Chemistry. But good news—she can, in a book both poignant and heartwarming. In this vividly drawn tale, readers will feel all the emotions Gray does and suffer through his confusion, desperation, and finally, his exhilaration, as he discovers and understands who he is. A stunning novel.” —Booklist (starred)
“Tender-hearted… [Garmus] packs the novel with the antic humor and colorful characterizations that drew readers to her debut. There’s much to cherish in this charming tale.” —Publishers Weekly
"Prepare to be charmed.” —Boston Globe
“After Lessons in Chemistry became one of the most successful debuts in recent memory, Garmus introduces another irresistible oddball protagonist. Batter Gray—named after a heroic family dog, raised by a type designer mother, reading Auden in fourth grade—lands a job at Peck & Peck, an illustrious New York literary journal, where he is immediately disliked by everyone who matters, none of whom can ever say his name right. This is a love story, a workplace romp, a satire with a soft heart for fonts, and an ode to poetry and the people who can't live without it.” —Oprah Daily, "Best Books of Fall 2026"
Description
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE, COUNTRY LIVING, AND BOOKPAGE
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of global sensation Lessons in Chemistry returns with an irresistible, delightful, and tender literary novel set in the publishing world of 1980s New York City about a young man whose life turns upside down when he is hired by the most prestigious, secretive, and dysfunctional poetry journal in the world: the renowned Peck & Peck.
Find originality. Reward creativity. Burn the rest.
It’s 1982, New York City. Crime is on the rise, muggings are in the streets, and Batter Gray, recent college graduate with a skill that no one wants—an “ear” for poetry—is worried about his future. While all of his friends have real jobs, he’s folding T-shirts at the Gap. As for love? No. Not unless you count Sallie Mae, the student loan tyrant. He hears from Sallie all the time.
But when Batter gets a dream job at Peck & Peck, the most prestigious poetry quarterly in the world, his life moves into the literary fast lane. Soon Batter is knee-deep in the secret war between the two Editors in Chief, the famous Peck brothers—twins and enemies—as well as being privy to the private affairs of their thirty-nine editors, whose professed mission is the same: Find originality. Reward creativity. Burn the rest.
And by burn, they mean incinerate. Because at Peck & Peck, “good” isn’t good enough, “interesting” doesn’t cut it, plagiarists aren’t tolerated, and parolees run the mailroom. Still want to submit your poem? Go with God.
Welcome to another dazzling and unforgettable novel from Bonnie Garmus. If you loved Lessons in Chemistry, you will love Peck & Peck.
Reviews
“[People are] hungry for another Bonnie Garmus hit. Thankfully Peck & Peck is here to feed those gaping mouths... With the trappings of the literary world, and the heart of a bildungsroman, Peck & Peck vows to fill the void in all our hearts with a needed dash of wit and poignancy." —Literary Hub, Most Anticipated Books of 2026, Part Two
“An absolute delight! Garmus creates a world where poetry is beloved, families are complicated and a dog (once again) saves the day. Fans will be delighted at this creative, enjoyable world.” —Woman's World
“Garmus applies her unique comic sensibility to the story of Batter Gray… charming… with some really lovely things to say about poetry.” —Kirkus
"Magnificent. Captivating, funny, wise and wonderful. Peck and Peck is the book the literary world has been waiting for, and it delivers on every level. I couldn’t love it more." —Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of All the Colors of the Dark
