Welcome to The Author As A Reader, where your favourite authors reveal the books that shaped them. In this series, we dive into their reading lives, from the stories that bring them comfort to the books they can’t stop recommending. They’ll share the novels they’d love to see on screen, the covers they can’t resist, and even the book that made them believe in the power of words. It’s a cozy, behind-the-scenes look at the books that have left a mark and who knows, you might just find your next memorable read.
Breanne Mc Ivor is a Trinidadian storyteller who first gained attention with her short‑story collection Where There Are Monsters (2019). In summer 2023, she debuted her novel titled, The God of Good Looks, a story set in the high-gloss fashion world of modern Trinidad. It explores class, crime, patriarchy, and identity through dynamic characters like a beauty mogul and a disgraced writer.
The Indulgent Bibliophile book club devoured it in December 2024, so if you haven’t read it, this is your sign to do so. It’s a really good read.
In this edition of The Author as a Reader, Breanne invites us into the reading life that shaped her voice, books that challenged her, and the stories that still echo in her imagination. Spoiler: her answers are just as unforgettable as her writing.
The Author As A Reader | Breanne Mc Ivor
My earliest reading memory: When my brother and I were little kids, our mom would read us bedtime stories every night. One of our favourites was The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone. Grover from Sesame Street was terrified because he’d heard that there was a monster at the end of the book and so he begged readers not to finish. And Grover would try to prevent you from turning the pages – I remember he built a wall – but every time you turned a page you destroyed his obstacle and got closer to the monster. My brother and I would take turns flipping the pages. In the end… Grover finds out that he’s the monster and there’s no need to be afraid.
A book I’d like to see adapted to the screen is: Anything Caribbean! I think The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat would be amazing as a limited series, with each short story being its own episode. Also, incredibly selfishly, I’d love to see my book The God of Good Looks adapted too.
A book I return to for comfort is: Blue Horses by Mary Oliver. ‘I Woke’ must be the poem I’ve read and re-read the most in my life.
The most recent book I’ve seen with the most gorgeous cover: I love the cover of Kai Thomas’s In The Upper Country. It’s this striking red, yellow, and black that draws the eye. The silhouette of a woman contains another person’s face and you just know that means it’s going to be a multigenerational epic about the interconnectedness of characters’ lives.
The book I think is most underrated: I love The Dreaming by Andre Bagoo. It’s such a beautiful, nuanced portrayal of queer Caribbean life and the dry humour makes it even better!
If my book had a soundtrack, the first song would be… Savannah Grass by Kes. It speaks to the bacchanalist, Carnival culture of The God of Good Looks and Trinidad and Tobago in general. Also, it’s a banger.
The last book I purchased: The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. I am such a big fan of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and I didn’t even know he had a new novel out. While I was on vacation in Miami, I saw the book in a Target; literature hadn’t been on my mind but – of course – I snatched it up.
A book that made me recognize the power of words: It would have to be a book I read as a child. I’d say The Giver by Lois Lowry. It showed me how a narrator can grapple with the limitations of language, even as the words suck you in and break your heart.
A book whose author I’d like to go to lunch with: I’d love to have lunch with Kei Miller, who wrote many books I’ve loved including In Nearby Bushes, Things I Have Withheld, and Augustown. And, of course, I’m always happy to go to lunch with my writer friends!
A book with the best opening line: I recently read City of Thieves by David Benioff and the opening line blew my mind: “My grandfather, the knife fighter, killed two Germans before he was eighteen.”
The book I’m most ashamed not to have read: I’m not ashamed about the books I haven’t read. I used to feel as if I should try to read as many ‘important’ books as possible because I studied literature and I’m a writer. But now I know that (1) you can’t possibly read them all and (2) the literary canon often privileges certain types of authors and I don’t necessarily want to spend my reading time checking ‘classic’ books off an imaginary list.
If I could recommend one book to my younger self, it would be: If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura. I know that my younger self will have some hard moments and big losses coming and younger me will imagine how things could have been different if only I had made other choices or if luck had allowed for another outcome. If Cats Disappeared from the World would have been great for me to read back then. It’s wonderful on family, relationships, coping, love and loss and it’s got one of the biggest hearts of any book I’ve ever read.
Something Bookish Curators are always on the lookout for the next great read to add to your #TBR. Whether it’s a backlist gem, a breakout debut, the book everyone will be talking about next, or a beloved classic, we’ve got recommendations you won’t want to miss. Join the conversation and read along with us on social!
