It's sad how relatable this book is LOL. At least in terms of the nonsense our MC Clemi has to endure with from higher-ups at work.
Clemi is—she herself admits—naive and a bit of a pushover. She complains about River (her former? flame) getting a book and attributing it to him having it easy because he's handsome and charming, but girl, isn't your mom an agent? Don’t you KNOW people? You can only blame yourself for doing things the hard way. It's noble, sure, but it’s also stupid.
Maybe it’s because she lets her mom boss her around a lot, and she doesn’t need her bossing her around about her book?
Maybe Clemi just lives too much inside her own head? or is she...flighty?
I dunno, but she IS funny.
Speaking of which, there’s an entire subplot with clowns that feels like a fever dream.
After some online digging, I see this is (sort of) a sequel to Bookish People, so I may have to check that out now.
Some of my favorites in this book were Vlad and (NOT!) Malcolm Gladwell, who I feel is the very definition of “true neutral”.
As the story unfolds, we start to see that all the chaos is causing her to clutch onto some agency to make sense of the whirlwind around her, and she grows! Huzzah for a dynamic MC! I’ve been reading too many MCs built to serve as static stand-ins for the reader.

The Literati will be published September 9, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and Susan Coll for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I throughly enjoyed this book. From the first page the main character has you hooked and you can’t wait to find out what happens.

Fun read with a look at the inside of the literary world and nonprofit work in Washington D.C. Some of the scenarios the main character finds herself in are a little hard to believe and some of the characters feel more like filler to add comedic effects more than anything else. Entertaining read and would recommend giving it a try. I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Muse for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Literati is a quirky romp through the chaos of the literary nonprofit world. While the premise is fun and full of potential, the humor occasionally leans too absurd, and some of the characters feel more like caricatures than fully developed people. Still, it’s a breezy, clever read that pokes fun at literary pretensions and the messiness of early adulthood, even if it doesn’t quite stick the landing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found the writing in the first part to be quite tedious as it felt more like an over active stream of consciousness. It made me a bit anxious, to be honest. The second half was far more entertaining, felt more like story telling than inner thoughts, and had some funny moments. Really cute premise, but took a bit to get into it.

A zany read. Clemi has a new job at a literary nonprofit but soon discovers that her dream job is not what she envisioned at all. Her boss is missing, the nonprofit is embroiled in several scandals, and she seems to be the only employee in the office. The annual fundraising gala is in only three days but can Clemi pull off a miracle?

I enjoyed the first half of the novel but I mostly wanted Clemi to get a grip and extricate herself from a situation she did not need to be in! I think readers looking for a fast-paced, antics-filled story may enjoy.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this absolutely delightful book. The book tells the story of a week in the life of Clemi, a 26-year-old new hire at a Washington literary non-profit who finds that her boss has disappeared and she is left alone to deal with all the issues he left behind, including an unflappable cat named after Immanuel Kant, an irate wife, an mistrustful caterer, and a diva-like author and her enfant terrible offspring (who gave me teaching-related PTSD until I fell in love with him).

The book moves at a lightening pace as Clemi ricochets from issue to issue while also trying to juggle (no clown pun intended) her worries about her future, her family, and why her life suddenly seems like a waking LSAT practice problem.

The writing is funny and light-hearted. If you are a fan of Connie Willis’s screwball comedy stories, you will love this book.

This book is fast paced and chaotic but in the most fun way! Clemi is a recent hire at a non profit book organization. All of a sudden, her boss disappears and she’s left to basically run the business herself, including an upcoming event to give an author award. The characters are lovable and this book goes so fast. Loved it!

Susan Coll's The Literati is a delightfully chaotic comedy about Clemi, a broke twenty-something who lands her dream job at a literary nonprofit just as everything falls apart—missing director, empty accounts, FBI investigations, and an allergenic cat.

Coll has a sharp eye for literary pretension, skewering pompous board members and disappointing literary heroes who prove far less impressive in person than on the page. Clemi makes an engaging protagonist, earnest and self-aware as she navigates absurd situations while questioning whether her bookish dreams are worth pursuing.

The mystery subplot adds intrigue, but the real pleasure lies in watching Clemi's quarter-life crisis unfold amid the madcap circumstances. Her romantic disasters and career confusion feel authentic, and her gradual disillusionment rings true.

While some plot points feel convenient and the satirical targets occasionally easy, The Literati succeeds as both escapist entertainment and a thoughtful look at artistic ambition versus practical necessity. It's perfect for anyone who's wondered whether their literary dreams can survive reality—or who enjoys watching privileged literary types get their comeuppance.

Loved the premise and writing of th book. Especially the beginning is captivating.
I would recommend the book for ppl looking for bookish content.

However I felt a littl list in the chaos, like the main character was.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The premise of this book really interested me, which is why I requested an ARC of The Literati. In the end, though, I didn’t feel like this book was particularly memorable, and I couldn’t stay engaged in the story.

The positives: mysterious clowns and cats appearing everywhere, Vlad, and the last ~15% of the book had some funny moments.

The negatives: the main character was intentionally naive (I have to believe Clemi was choosing this, otherwise I would scream), and it felt like nothing happened during the whole book until around the 70% mark.

I was so interested in the mystery that was set up (slowly) in the first few chapters, and that’s what kept me reading: the idea that eventually pieces would be put together and I’d have explanations. But the getting there was slow and uneventful, in my opinion, that the solving of the mystery just wasn’t worth it.

I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this book and that I had to give it a negative review.

This one is not for me, though other readers may love it. For those who enjoy light hearted, kind of predictable beachy-reads, this might be a sure thing. Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for the ARC!

Yaaass queen of chaos Clemi! Haha sometimes this felt all over the place in really funny ways. As someone with ADHD it kinda felt like me 😅

Loved it! Tbf maybe that’s why I loved it? I Can see how some people could be overwhelmed and rather not read this.

“You’ve been served.”

4/5
📖 Contemporary Fiction
💓A chaotic literary adventure
💬 Try to keep up with Clemi as she navigates week two in her new literary non-profit job!

💓 Read if you like💓:
Women’s Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Novels about bookish people/jobs
Fast-paced books with lots of details

The Literati is my first Susan Coll book. I had no idea what to expect, and only read a small blurb before diving in.

The female main character is a solid girl with a good head on her shoulders who is trying to step out from under her mother’s shadow. She is entering week two at her new job, when she arrives to the office and finds her boss missing, his cat suddenly present, and the contents of the shelves and drawers are everywhere.

She knows that she should probably call the authorities, because something most definitely is not right, but suddenly one thing after another happens and she can barely breathe, let alone think logically.

Clemi spends the entire novel responding to fires, which sends her into a tailspin of questioning what she wants to do with her life.

The cat keeps getting lost, there are clowns everywhere, she’s nannying an 8-year-old boy genius, and there is absolutely no money to pay all of the vendors involved in the big gala she is now in charge of throwing. And yet- this girl keeps her cool. I am blown away by her even-keeled temper!

This book was funny and crazy and at no time did I have any idea where it was headed next!

Daughter of a literary agent and a poet, Clemi has absorbed bookishness by osmosis. In her mid twenties and casting around for a direction, Clemi accepts what should be a dream job at a literary non profit. The ensuing chaos - her boss has disappeared, the prize winner is demanding upgrades and baby sitting services and the bank accounts have been drained - sees Clemi planning a new career path in the law. The Literati is an entertaining screwball comedy although I found myself anxious for Clemi in all that chaos. Clemi is a likeable lead character- her honesty and persistence make you enjoy being inside her head. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

This is such a fun, zany, heartfelt read!! It’s original and kept my attention throughout. I loved all the underside of the literary life and of course the characters, especially Clemi and Vlad.. Such a humorous book with human truths throughout! I wish it never ended!!

One word is enough to describe the plot of this book: chaos. From the very beginning, the main character, Clemi, is running around trying to simultaneously take care of herself and organize a gala evening without the help of her boss, who disappeared without a trace, leaving only his cat behind.

I didn't like that the book was a bit repetitive and a bit boring, the gala evening was described too much, there was really no need to describe it that much.

I especially liked Immanuel the Cat.

Overall, I give this book 3 stars.

4,5⭐️ What an amazing book I've loved every page and super fast pace.
The story is super interesting and the characters development shows very well what a real relationship and development can someone could suffer.

This book was very funny, but I expected something completely different. I hated River's character so much, it made me sick.

This was such a fun and chaotic (in the best way) read! The ending was exactly what I needed. Couldn’t put it down. I loved getting to know Clemi - and the cat, lol!