July’s 'It Chooses You' is like eavesdropping on a series of deeply human, sometimes hilarious conversations. I adored how she finds poetry in the ordinary—like the guy who’s obsessed with his parrot’s love life or the woman selling a 'lightly used' wedding dress. It’s less about the answers she gets and more about the questions she asks, revealing how creativity thrives in awkwardness and uncertainty. The book’s pacing is deliberately uneven, mimicking real-life interactions, which might frustrate some readers. But for me, that unpredictability was the charm. Perfect for fans of 'Humans of New York' but with a weirder, more artistic bent.
I picked up 'It Chooses You' on a whim after seeing it recommended in a indie bookstore newsletter, and wow—what a hidden gem! Miranda July’s approach is so uniquely intimate; it feels like she’s pulling back the curtain on these strangers’ lives with such tenderness and curiosity. The way she blends interviews with everyday people into a meditation on creativity and human connection totally stuck with me. It’s not a traditional narrative, so if you’re expecting a plot-driven book, this might feel slow. But for anyone who loves slice-of-life storytelling or documentary-style depth, it’s mesmerizing. I found myself thinking about her subjects for weeks afterward, especially the guy who collected Garfield phones—such an oddly poignant detail.
What really elevates it is July’s voice. She’s self-aware without being cynical, and her reflections on her own creative blocks add this meta layer that artists or writers will relate to hard. The photos of the interviewees and their homes add texture too; it’s like a time capsule of pre-smartphone-era loneliness and charm. Definitely a book that rewards patience—more vibe than velocity, but in the best way.
If you’re into quirky, introspective reads that linger in your brain like a half-remembered dream, 'It Chooses You' delivers. I stumbled upon it during a phase where I was obsessed with experimental nonfiction, and July’s mix of vulnerability and wit hit just right. The premise—her interviewing random people from classified ads while procrastinating on a screenplay—sounds gimmicky, but she turns it into something profound. There’s this one interview with a woman selling her late husband’s belongings that wrecked me; July captures these tiny, aching human moments without melodrama.
It’s not for everyone, though. A friend of mine who prefers fast-paced memoirs bounced off it hard, calling it 'meandering.' But if you enjoy authors like Sheila Heti or Olivier Sacks, where the magic is in the mundane observations, you’ll adore this. The paperback edition’s tactile design (those matte pages!) makes it feel like a personal artifact, which suits the content perfectly. I still flip through my dog-eared copy when I need writing inspiration.
2026-03-28 14:47:45
28
View All Answers
Scan code to download App
Related Books
Torn Between Monsters
Night Owl
9.1
28.9K
After being expelled from college for a violent outburst, I was sent to a school for monsters by my mom.
Now I’m trapped between three dangerous monster boys:
Raven, the cold, hypnotic vampire prince.
Thorne, the wild, possessive Alpha heir.
And Lucien, the dangerously charming incubus who watches me like he knows a secret I don’t.
They hate each other.
They confuse me.
They want me.
And no matter how hard I try to stay away… I keep falling for all three.
But when strange things start happening—inhuman strength, sharpened senses, and cravings I can’t explain, I realize there’s something inside me. Something I can’t control.
Something that doesn’t belong in their world... or mine.
I've crushed on Ethan McKay since the moment I laid eyes on him. After a year and a half of going to the same college, he still has no clue I exist. Aside from my best friend, I'm practically invisible since I've spent the last seven years of my life purposefully living in the shadows, just waiting for my life to begin. Not that it matters. He's got his own life to live anyway. Parties to attend. Girls to see. And a father to impress so he can regain his trust, and earn back his rightful place in the family business. So, how is it that one night, one party, changes everything for the both of us?
Step 1: Go to college. Check.
Step 2: Find a job. No luck.
Step 3: Start a family. Whoa, one thing at a time.
Alicia Chambers was stuck on Step 2. No matter how many resumes she sent out, she couldn’t find a job in her dream field: phone app development. It seemed like most successful apps were started by a single inspired person in their basement, including the most recent craze, Monster Go.
If only Alicia could find her own inspiration for an app…
Drawn into the game (research, she told herself), she meets a mysterious stranger who also plays. He’s perfect for her: rich, handsome, and nerdy. However, despite formerly being in app development himself, Jacob seems to have left it all behind.
Between romantic dates and catching monsters, Alicia finds herself growing closer to the mysterious man. But when she learns something that he deliberately kept hidden, will she flee his secretive life?
Will she let him know her own secret- that she’s carrying a little gift from all their time “playing” together?
I Choose You is a standalone romance novel. If you like new adult stories, you’ll enjoy this story of two people finding love over a phone app.
Zachary gave himself one rule before he died.
Love someone. Just once. Just enough to know what it feels like.
He chose her on purpose. She never chose this at all. And somewhere between his cold silence and everything he is hiding from her — Isla starts to feel things a dying man was never supposed to make her feel.
He has a plan. She doesn't know she's in it. And the clock is already running.
What happens when the man who chose to love you never planned to let you find out why he has to let you go?
When Serena learns that the new investor at her design firm is Ethan Cole, her husband, she already knows she is about to lose.
Not because her work is weak, but because her rival Yvonne is Ethan's unforgettable first love.
For years, Serena has fought Yvonne over everything: family, status, love, and now career. But after one more public humiliation, Serena finally stops competing.
This time, she gives up Ethan and chooses herself.
Ezra’s never been wanted.
An omega with no pack, no rank, and a mouth that gets him in trouble, he’s spent most of his life just trying to stay invisible. In a world where alphas rule and omegas are expected to kneel, Ezra has learned one thing: keep your head down, and maybe you’ll survive.
Then Kael chose him.
Kael—powerful, cursed, and heir to a crumbling legacy—was supposed to pick the perfect mate. Someone noble. Obedient. Safe.
But under the moonlight, in front of the entire shifter council, he broke every law and claimed Ezra—the outcast nobody.
Now Ezra’s caught in a bond he never asked for, tethered to an alpha who’s barely holding back the monster inside him. Their connection is dangerous. Their enemies are gathering. And as Ezra starts to feel something real for Kael…
He can’t help but wonder:
What if the wolf who chose him is the one who will destroy him?
I picked up 'Choosing Me' on a whim after seeing it recommended in a book club, and it surprised me with how raw and relatable the protagonist’s journey felt. The story dives into self-discovery and breaking free from societal expectations, which hit close to home—especially the way the author captures the messy, nonlinear process of growth. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, and there’s this one scene where the main character confronts their past that had me clutching the pages. It’s not a perfect book—some side characters feel underdeveloped—but the emotional core is so strong that I forgave its flaws. If you’re into stories that feel like heart-to-heart conversations with a friend, this might just stick with you.
What I adore is how the book balances heavy themes with moments of quiet humor. The protagonist’s inner monologue had me laughing at the most unexpected times, which kept the tone from becoming too grim. The pacing stumbles a bit in the middle, but the last third pulls everything together beautifully. Fair warning: it’s the kind of read that’ll make you pause and reflect on your own choices. I finished it last week and still catch myself thinking about certain lines.
I totally get the urge to find free reads online, especially for something as intriguing as 'It Chooses You'—Miranda July’s work always has this quirky, heartfelt vibe that makes you want to dive in immediately. Unfortunately, I haven’t stumbled upon a legit free version floating around. Most of her books are under copyright, so platforms like Project Gutenberg or Open Library probably won’t have it.
That said, checking your local library’s digital catalog (like Libby or OverDrive) might be a lifesaver! I’ve borrowed so many gems that way. If you’re tight on cash, used bookstores or ebook sales are also worth stalking. The hunt can be half the fun, though I admit it’s frustrating when you just wanna read now.