Et cetera : What we're reading: Ghosts

'Ghosts' by Dolly Alderton is my latest find on the Libby App, and I may or may not have developed a little crush on Alderton herself. The novel follows Nina Dean, a food writer in her 30s, who has spent the last few years rebuilding her life and career, buying her own home, and moving on from a long-term relationship that ended amicably.

Then come the dating apps. Having met my husband through one, I know firsthand the strange complications of choosing potential partners based on a tagline and a carefully curated photo. For Nina, what begins as a whirlwind romance soon ends with her being ghosted—an all-too-common experience in the modern dating world.

What struck me most, however, was Alderton’s tenderness in exploring themes of aging: the sting of realizing you will never be a child again, and the heartache of watching your parents slowly disappear into age. Those moments were bittersweet, grounding the humor and wit that run throughout the story.

I found 'Ghosts' very funny, deeply relatable, and ultimately moving. It’s a story that lingers—both in its sharp observations about dating and in its poignant reflections on family and time.

Happy reading, friends.

~Heather