Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney's 2026 Picks
*The Lake Effect* author Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney offered her book recommendations for 2026 in a new Elle feature. Her curated picks span genres and moods, providing a useful guide for readers looking to refresh their reading lists with the year's most memorable reads.
Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney's debut novel, *The Nest*, was a breakout success, landing on the *New York Times* bestseller list in 2016. The book, which explores the dynamics of four adult siblings and their shared inheritance, was also named a best book of the year by NPR, *People*, and *The Washington Post*. The film and television rights for *The Nest* have been optioned, and it is in development as a limited series with AMC Studios. Sweeney, who holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars, published her debut novel in her 50s after a career as a nonfiction writer. Her second novel, *Good Company*, was a "Read with Jenna" selection and continued her exploration of long-term relationships and family secrets. Sweeney's work has been translated into more than 28 languages. Her latest book, *Lake Effect*, is set in 1970s Rochester, New York, and examines the fallout of an affair between two neighbors on their families over several decades. The novel delves into themes of love, desire, and the complex duties within family life.
