Divisadero
By Michael Ondaatje

The background: This is just how I like a novel—full of big, sweeping landscapes and delicious details. It starts in northern California, horse country, and it follows two sisters. I don't want to give too much away, but an event occurs that sends them on separate paths.

Why she chose it: I'm just obsessed with Michael Ondaatje right now. The women in his books have secrets, yes, but the secrets inform who they become. What I love is that his women are not victims of circumstance. They're courageous; they keep moving forward. He gives them a quiet power, and I like that. The books I'm drawn to are like Ondaatje's—lyrical and adventurous—and they capture the intricacies of human emotions and relationships.