Welcome to Desert Island Books, a weekly series in which I discuss with writers, writers and journalists the eight books that would take you to a desert island and why.
This week my guest is Iman Hariri-Kia, a writer, editor and writer born and living in New York. Recipient of the Annabelle Bonner Medal and a nationally renowned journalist, relationships, identity and youth. Iman’s work has appeared in Vogue, Teen Vogue, Cosmo, Nylon, Bustle and more. Her first novel One Hundred Other Girls was released in July 2022 with great success.
If you want to buy Iman’s first novel, a hundred other girls, think about it Bookshop.org -an online bookstore platform specially designed for independent bookstores. You can follow Iman on Instagram here, on TikTok here, and you can subscribe to their Newsletter here.
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
The Princess Diaries series made me read and Meg Cabot’s writing style has influenced mine tremendously, from the flow of narration of consciousness to references to pop culture and technology. For me, this series is a timeless classic and a comfortable read.
I feel bad around my neck by Nora Ephron
Nora Ephron is one of my favorite writers of all time. She captures the sheer hilarity of the female condition so simply, and this book of essays perfectly sums up how I feel about my body, writing, New York and more. It also contains one of my favorite quotes: “I’m writing a magazine article about small breasts. I’m a writer now.”
On the way to Bethlehem by Joan Didion
Like Ephron, Joan Didion is always reshaping my worldview and my own experience of femininity. The way she writes, as the ultimate observer who enters and leaves humanity but never interacts directly with it, calms my soul. I also find your essay on keeping a journal a comfortable kick in the butt.
Beach read by Emily Henry
I am a big Fan of Emily Henry’s writing and Beach Read is one of the books that made me pick up reading again after an incredibly long time. Gus Everett is my number one Book friend and I will need him to get through my time on the Island.
Seven days in June by Tia Williams
This might be my favorite Novel read of the year. I love devouring books about writers and love, and this one was so beautifully written, I could feel the aching longing on every page. I can’t recommend it enough.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Right now, the whole world (including me) could benefit from returning to Marjane Satrapi’s revolutionary graphic novel about the Iranian revolution and a young Iranian girl stuck in the Diaspora.
