📖 Overview
Emma Straub is an American novelist and bookstore owner based in Brooklyn, New York. She has written multiple bestselling contemporary fiction books including "Modern Lovers," "All Adults Here," and "This Time Tomorrow."
Straub's work often explores family dynamics, relationships, and the complexities of modern life in urban settings, particularly New York City. Her novels frequently incorporate elements of humor while examining serious themes of identity, marriage, parenthood, and aging.
Before becoming a novelist, Straub worked at the independent Brooklyn bookstore BookCourt, which influenced her decision to open Books Are Magic in 2017 with her husband. The bookstore has become a significant literary hub in Brooklyn's Cobble Hill neighborhood.
Straub's writing has appeared in Vogue, New York Magazine, The New York Times, and other publications. She holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has taught fiction writing at various institutions.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently note Staub's ability to write complex family dynamics and interpersonal relationships. Her books receive particular praise for realistic dialogue and relatable characters dealing with everyday situations.
Positive reviews highlight:
- Beach read pacing that remains thoughtful
- Multi-generational family portrayals
- Blend of humor with serious themes
- Strong sense of place (especially New York settings)
Common criticisms include:
- Predictable plots
- Privileged/wealthy character focus
- Slow story development
- Some characters coming across as unlikeable
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads averages:
- This Time Tomorrow: 3.9/5 (136,000+ ratings)
- All Adults Here: 3.7/5 (68,000+ ratings)
- Modern Lovers: 3.3/5 (30,000+ ratings)
Amazon reviews trend slightly higher, with most books averaging 4.1-4.3/5
Reader quote: "She captures family messiness without making it melodramatic" - Goodreads reviewer
📚 Books by Emma Staub
Modern Lovers (2016)
Following three former college bandmates now living in Brooklyn as they navigate middle age, marriage, and watching their children come of age.
All Adults Here (2020) A multigenerational story about a widow in a Hudson Valley town reassessing her parenting choices while her adult children face their own life challenges.
This Time Tomorrow (2022) A 40-year-old woman mysteriously travels back to her sixteenth birthday in 1996, gaining new perspectives on her relationship with her dying father.
Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures (2012) Chronicles the transformation of a small-town Wisconsin girl into a Hollywood actress in the Golden Age of cinema.
The Vacationers (2014) Follows the Post family during a two-week vacation in Mallorca, where long-held secrets and tensions surface among family members and friends.
Other People We Married (2012) A collection of short stories exploring relationships, marriage, and life changes across various settings and characters.
All Adults Here (2020) A multigenerational story about a widow in a Hudson Valley town reassessing her parenting choices while her adult children face their own life challenges.
This Time Tomorrow (2022) A 40-year-old woman mysteriously travels back to her sixteenth birthday in 1996, gaining new perspectives on her relationship with her dying father.
Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures (2012) Chronicles the transformation of a small-town Wisconsin girl into a Hollywood actress in the Golden Age of cinema.
The Vacationers (2014) Follows the Post family during a two-week vacation in Mallorca, where long-held secrets and tensions surface among family members and friends.
Other People We Married (2012) A collection of short stories exploring relationships, marriage, and life changes across various settings and characters.
👥 Similar authors
Jennifer Weiner writes multi-generational family stories set in East Coast locations with sharp dialogue and complex female relationships. Her books deal with similar themes of family bonds, marriage, and identity that appear in Straub's work.
Meg Wolitzer explores contemporary family life and relationships in urban settings, particularly New York City. Her focus on parents, children, and creative professionals mirrors Straub's storytelling interests.
Ann Patchett writes about family connections and the ways people build unconventional households and relationships. Her work examines how characters navigate life changes and family obligations across different time periods.
Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney focuses on family dynamics and inheritance in New York City settings with multiple character perspectives. She writes about adult siblings, marriage, and money in ways that echo Straub's examination of modern urban life.
Curtis Sittenfeld crafts stories about privileged communities and family relationships with social commentary. Her work explores marriage, class, and identity while maintaining focus on character development and interpersonal dynamics.
Meg Wolitzer explores contemporary family life and relationships in urban settings, particularly New York City. Her focus on parents, children, and creative professionals mirrors Straub's storytelling interests.
Ann Patchett writes about family connections and the ways people build unconventional households and relationships. Her work examines how characters navigate life changes and family obligations across different time periods.
Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney focuses on family dynamics and inheritance in New York City settings with multiple character perspectives. She writes about adult siblings, marriage, and money in ways that echo Straub's examination of modern urban life.
Curtis Sittenfeld crafts stories about privileged communities and family relationships with social commentary. Her work explores marriage, class, and identity while maintaining focus on character development and interpersonal dynamics.