Remix reads with The Lit List

Otherwise known as @thelitlist__, Rachel Soo Thow has always been a book lover. While other kids were outside playing, she was in the library devouring everything from The Babysitters Club to Goosebumps to the classics. And what started as a way to visually document her reads quickly grew into an engaged online community of fellow book enthusiasts. Now, through her Instagram, she shares thoughtful reviews, recommendations, and insights into the ever-evolving literary world. So if you’re looking for a new book to pore over, these are her ultimate reading recommendations.

Has there been a particular book that changed the way you saw the world?

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami changed the way I saw the world by exploring the complexities of reality, perception, and the intersection of the personal with the metaphysical. It made me reflect on how we perceive our own worlds and the potential for multiple, parallel experiences coexisting in ways we may not fully understand.

What’s a book that every fashion or culture lover should read? 

Down the Drain by Julia Fox is the book to read—it offers an unflinching look into the intersection of fame, fashion, and personal identity. Her prose is raw and candid and delves into the complexities of self-image, resilience, and personal transformation—making it an essential text for discussion over wines and Italian food.

What are your essential recommendations for the year?

The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica is a brilliant literary horror about a woman in a secretive, violent religious order while the outside world descends into chaos. The Lamb by Lucy Rose takes us from folk horror to complex mother-daughter relationships and queer desire—this novel is one to watch. I’ve seen it everywhere and itʼs already on my wishlist! The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong is the most anticipated yet by TikTok sensation and bestselling author Vuong. It’s sure to delight with a novel about a chosen family, unexpected friendship and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.