Irene Kaster

Irene Kaster started at HJLit as an intern in 2022. She studied at Emerson College in Boston and holds a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing, and an MA in Writing and Publishing. She has worn various hats in publishing including intern, freelance editor, literary assistant, social media coordinator, bookseller, and ghostwriter—but above all, she is a bookworm. Irene is based in Colorado and spends her free time enjoying the outdoors and searching for the best coffee shops.

What I’m looking for:

My taste is vast and ever-changing as I read widely across several different genres. I’m always looking for books that surprise me, teach me something, introduce me to new sub-genres, subjects, and ideas, and books that make me laugh, cry, or both. Within fiction, I’m most interested in literary and commercial fiction (historical and contemporary), romance, fantasy, and suspenseful or dystopian horror. Within nonfiction, I’m seeking practical nonfiction pertaining to women’s health, psychology, medicine, science, and relationships; I’m interested in narrative nonfiction that reads like fiction and is a deep dive into a historical event, a person or group, a place, or cultural and social phenomena.

What I’m not looking for:

I am not looking for nonfiction books within religion, spirituality, business, diet books, cookbooks, politics, or any book that advocates for the widespread implementation of AI.

In fiction, I am not looking for yet another romance where the main character is an event planner, owns a flower shop, is a singer, or works in publishing. I am not looking for traditional murder mystery, detective fiction, sci-fi set in space, splatterpunk horror, or military romance.

I would love to find:

• Contemporary and historical fiction with razor sharp commentary on class, corruption, and systemic generational oppression of the working class and minorities OR plots situated within tense political climates outside of the US.
• Nonfiction that reads like fiction across a variety of subject matter. I want to feel like I’m being told a story rather than sat down for a lecture.
• Practical or narrative nonfiction with a strong voice and sense of personality diving deep into a topic. I want nonfiction that alters my worldview in profound ways after having read it. Learning can be fun and I love when I can laugh or feel other strong emotions while steeped in historical or scientific facts.
• Narrative nonfiction and travel writing about the outdoors, extreme sports, or uncovering history and culture. I’m always in the mood for gripping tales of triumph, discovery, growth, and loss in relation to the outdoors.
• Fiction set in the rural Midwest, focused on agriculture and/or rural issues. Added bonus if it makes me laugh and cry in the span of 350 pages.
• Fantasy that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel but manages to surprise me and invite new ideas to the genre. Fresh narratives, compelling characters, intricate relationships and politics, and worldbuilding that transports me to land I’ve never known or subverts what I think I know.
• Weird girl fiction: Commercial and literary fiction (sometimes historical, horror, or fantastical) with twisty plots, flawed characters, and themes of female rage, sisterhood, hunger, attraction, beauty, motherhood, violence, ambition, and longing.
• Romance: I’m interested in a wide variety of sub-genres and tropes in romance, but the most important elements to me are: 1. A strong, distinct voice and writing style; 2: Compelling, believable main characters. I’ll read anything from fluffy romcoms, steamy sports romance, emotionally taut relationship arcs, transportive romantasy, dark romance (with the caveat that they do not romanticize abuse in any way), paranormal romance (vampire stories never get old), and romances that are equally invested in character growth as the love story.
• Books that surprise me: I love books that subvert my expectations, reveal shocking truths, and take me on journeys I never anticipated, both within fiction and nonfiction.

TLDR MSWL:

• Fiction with razor-sharp commentary on class
• A fresh voice and distinct writing style in romance
• Fiction set in the rural Midwest or mountain towns
• Nonfiction that alters my worldview
• An art heist
• A love story set in the outdoors
• Fresh, practical ideas across psychology, relationships, health, and science
• Books that subvert my expectations to reveal shocking truths

Guidelines & Details