Name: Julia Frampton
Where you live: Long Island, NY
Insta handle: juliaframpton
Current read: The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (which she signed at Brooklyn Bookfest!)
What has been your favorite read of the past year?
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. I slept on this book for WAY too long and it ended up being one of my favorites!
What is one book that you think will (or should) become a classic in the next 30 (or 50) years? Why?
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones. There’s serious staying power about this book. Besides the relevant subject matter of wrongful imprisonment, I loved how this book navigated the unknown obligations of marriage. I think Tayari’s message will follow in the footsteps of Zora Neale Hurston and likely (hopefully!) become a classic.
Imagine this. You and a celebrity of your choice are becoming friends. They have asked you for a book rec. Who is the celebrity and what book do you recommend?
Well, my lifelong friendship goal has been Mindy Kaling, who is a hilarious actor AND writer. We’d do wonderful things like watch When Harry Met Sally while discussing the feminist agenda. I’d recommend The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Mindy is an alumnus of Dartmouth, so I feel like it’d be interesting to hear her take on a novel set in a similar New England elite college.
How do you choose your next read?
I love to theme my books whenever possible, so if I find a book similar to the one I’m reading, I try to read that next. I also pick up books that my friends cannot stop raving about. Discussing books is the absolute best, so if a friend loved a book, I try to read it quickly after just in time for a book talk over brunch.
What book meant the most to you as a child?
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by actual goddess Judy Blume. As a child, most of my anxiety sprung out of not understanding the religion I was being taught. It was nice to read about a girl struggling with religion, too. It made things seem a lot less heavy.
What is your favorite adaptation from book to film, theater, or television? What book do you wish would be adapted?
This is for sure a two-way tie! Bride and Prejudice (a bollywood adaptation of Pride and Prejudice) and North and South (based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novel). Both are so different, but depict my two favorite novels beautiful and creatively. (Wow okay, and don’t @ me, but I also loved Ella Enchanted.) I’d love to see The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh made into a film or TV series!
What’s the one book everyone loves that you just cannot stand?
I just didn’t love A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. I struggled to be sympathetic to Ove, even as we learned more of his story. (I found Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman to be a similar, but much more enjoyable read!)
What is your favorite book set in or around the area where you live?
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt! It’s set not too far from me on Long Island and it was interesting to read about a time and place my parents lived in as children.
What is one classic you think is not overrated?
I will FIGHT for Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen until my dying day. It’s hilarious, charming, and so beautifully written.
If you had to declare yourself an expert in one extremely specific genre, what would it be?
My wheelhouse is definitely any steamy romance book which starts with two people disliking or hating each other, yet slowly but surely falling in love – especially in the workplace.
What is your go-to book recommendation?
For my friends who already love books: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. A lesser-known classic which is still so fresh and modern.
For my friends who I’m still converting to books: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. This steamy romance novel is just FUN, while still having a good amount of character depth.
For my poetry friends: No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay. If they love Milk & Honey by Rupi Kaur, I always suggest this one!
What book changed your worldview in some way?
Dumplin by Julie Murphy (AKA my twin – look it up!). There is very little media representation of fat girls who are just fabulously living their life with little to no mention of their fatness. As a fat girl, this has always been disheartening. But this YA gem about a fat girl juggling high school romance was refreshing and so, so welcome. YES PLEASE to more of this!
If you could inhabit the life of one fictional character for a day, who would you choose?
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo is one of my favorite books of all time. As silly as it sounds, I’d love to be the mouse, Despereaux, on a crazy adventure to save a beautiful princess, with a few soup spoons along the way.
Who do you think is the greatest female author?
This is the TOUGHEST question given. To be honest if a female writes it, I’m going to read it.
Why reading?
When I was a child, the world felt full of magic. Even small, mundane things felt extraordinary. As an adult, I’ve found that a lot of things are devoid of that whimsy, but when I do find it, I must chase it. Books are literally magic. Reading takes me on a magnificent journey every time, and I never want to lose sight of that magic.
What’s at the top of your TBR or wish list?
Once my busy season finishes up at work, I am snuggling up with The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. Two of my good friends cannot stop raving about it, and I am ready for a good book cry!