The Slice: EJ Johnson
reading with a Diet Coke + long books for winter
Writing a book Substack is so much fun because it gives me the chance to connect with readers I really admire, like Philly-based editor
.EJ’s newsletter
was an immediate “subscribe” for me when I saw her Reading Goals That Don’t Suck. In it, she shares ideas to help you expand your horizons as a reader and break out of your comfort zone, rather than focusing solely on the quantity of books you’ve read. As a fellow lover of loooong books, I also appreciated her Long Books for Short Days — which is much needed as I strap in for a German winter!
EJ has an infectious love for reading, and you know you’re in good hands with her recommendations because she just loves books so damn much. Case in point: her adorable pup Ponyboy is named after the main character in The Outsiders!
What is your go-to book recommendation?
Oof, man, this is tough. I like to think of myself as a "book pharmacist," where someone will tell me what they're looking for in a read – the genre, what they want to feel, how they want to be impacted; the vibe, if you will – and I will subsequently "prescribe" them the perfect book for their wants and needs. Not to toot my own horn, but I think I'm good at it!
But for an off-the-cuff recommendation, I'm a big fan of The Heart's Invisible Furies, by John Boyne.1 It's a beautiful, heart-wrenching book that is also very funny, with maybe the best sarcastic dialogue I've ever read. I think it's got something for everyone, and I've yet to have one person I've recommended it to say they didn't enjoy it. It's a winner.
I love your series about different bookstores in various cities... What makes a "great" bookstore in your opinion?
Such a great question! I started that series because travel is a big part of my life, and when exploring a new city, I like to do so by walking and just seeing what gems I stumble upon. Bookstores are almost always in a cute area with funky shops, cafes, bakeries, galleries, and other fun things to check out, so you're guaranteed to make some other discoveries along the way.
Indie bookstores have distinct personalities in a way chain bookstores simply do not – and I say that as a Barnes & Noble lover from way back! A great bookstore is intentionally curated; they have more than just "new in fiction" and "Booktok" display tables. A great "staff picks" section is always telling. I also appreciate a focus on smaller publishers, outside of the big 5 publishing houses, and if they carry zines from local writers and artists– these are always good indicators that a bookstore is tapped into their community, and looking to guide people down reading paths that they might not find on their own.
Bonus points if the bookstore has a coffee shop with some snacks inside it! Surefire way to keep me there all day.
What book are you most excited for in 2025?
I don't have my finger on the pulse as much as I should! This is where I turn to other Substackers to tell me what to keep an eye out for.
of Litulla is very good at this, and I always love her recs. Off the top of my head, though, I'm really looking forward to Audition by Katie Kitamura and Stag Dance by Torrey Peters.2Do you have a favorite genre or type of book you gravitate towards?
I am an equal-opportunity employer when it comes to genre; I enjoy branching out. But regarding the type of book, my absolute favorites are emotionally impactful, and/or exceptionally well-written. I find that if the writing is there, the reading experience is almost always rewarding, even if the subject matter isn't my favorite.
Not every book needs to devastate me, but is it weird if I prefer it? I like to be moved by a work of fiction, to find myself engrossed in the characters' lives, affected by their struggles, sorrows, triumphs, and joys. This "being affected," as it were, I think in part is only possible with great writing, so I guess the two go hand in hand.
What's a book you wanted to love -- but just didn't?
This one is a bit silly, but I love to read old horror books– Frankenstein, Dracula, etc. I recently read The Exorcist, and I was excited for some fun old-school spookiness, but it was just such a disappointment. Poorly written, over-written, and weirdly patronizing? The lore it's inspired is massive but turns out it's just not a very good book.
️🔥️🔥️🔥 Rapid fire! Book to…
Make you fall back in love with reading and feel ALIVE:
Cloud Cuckoo Land By Anthony Doerr or The World According to Garp by John Irving.
For the depths of winter:
I love a long book with a sweeping storyline for the depths of winter. I gotta go with Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. It'll pull you right out of the winter doldrums.
To stay up all night, I have to finish this energy:
For SURE Hot Springs Drive by Lindsay Hunter.
What's your ideal reading set up?
Curled up on the couch with a coffee or seltzer or Diet Coke. I will read whenever I can, but I love a long stretch of a few hours to totally lose myself in a book. Ideally on a weekend, when it feels like such a luxury.
Huge thanks to EJ for being so generous with her answers! Be sure to follow her ah-mazing book newsletter Point of Departure for more ✨
Do you have a book lover I should interview? Send me an email and I’ll be in touch! 💌
📚 On my shelf
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar blew me away with its inventiveness. The structure is pretty unusual, but the writing is just so good. I want to say it’s the best book I’ve read all year, but this year has just begun! Expect a whole post on this soon.
I’m toggling between In The Garden of Beasts and Catalina on my Kindle. I don’t like to read two books at the same time, but one is fiction and the other feels more like research. More to come on these!
📚 Links and Things
Oof. I finally read (and listened to) Rachel Aviv’s investigative feature, Alice Munro’s Passive Voice. In it, she reports on the acclaimed Canadian author’s failure to leave her predatory husband despite him sexually abusing her daughter as a child. Aviv doesn’t hold back, and by the end of the piece, I was left gutted by the Nobel Prize Winner’s failures both as a parent and as a human being.
🍜 I want to make this creamy, spicy bean recipe for a winter weeknight dinner.
Loving this “gentle January” post from
!Kyra just arrived and has me SALIVATING to see The Brutalist. I wish it was out here!
🎧 I’ve been in a good music groove recently, especially enjoying “Fable” by Gigi Perez, “Conceited” by Lola Young (listen to this if you, like me, are addicted to her earworm “Messy”), and “AWARD SEASON” by Bon Iver.
Happy reading! 💛
XOX
Alli
Ah! This is one of my go-to recommendations as well, especially for fans of Shuggy Bain or Conversations with Friends.
Definitely adding these to my list of most anticipated 2025 releases!
I loved reading this interview!! Thank you for the sweet shoutout EJ and thank you Ali!
Loved this. Also loved Martyr! Looking forward to your post about it :)