Big Books of Spring
Jennifer S. Brown
307 ratings | 757 reviews | avg rating:4.18

Jennifer’s Year In Books

year in books
Jennifer’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Jennifer’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
Go to Jennifer’s 2025 Year in Books

Jennifer S. Brown’s Followers (494)

member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo

Jennifer’s Bookshelves

to-read (127)
currently-reading (2)
read (927)
did-not-finish (0)
will-get-to-eventually (14)
alt-historical-fiction (8)
anti-racist-reading-list (13)
audio-book (65)
climate (2)
contemporary-fiction (236)
See all bookshelves »

Jennifer’s Friends (401)

R.L. Ma...
R.L. Maizes
849 books | 760 friends

Karen K...
Karen Kirsten
843 books | 93 friends

Rae | T...
Rae | The Finer Things Club CA
632 books | 2,758 friends

Terri
Terri
2,584 books | 232 friends

Eileen
Eileen
1,173 books | 24 friends

Leah De...
Leah DeCesare
1,918 books | 1,241 friends

Amie's ...
Amie's Book Reviews
52,611 books | 1,772 friends

Phillip...
Phillip Senderowitz
131 books | 42 friends

More friends…

Jennifer S. Brown

Goodreads Author


Website

Twitter
j_s_brown

Genre
Fiction, Historical Fiction

Member Since
January 2008

URL


Jennifer S. Brown’s debut novel, Modern Girls , was a USA Today bestseller, a Massachusetts Book Award “Must Read,” and a 2016 Goodreads Choice semifinalist for Historical Fiction. Her writing has been published in Fiction Southeast, McSweeney’s, The Best Women’s Travel Writing, The Southeast Review, and Bellevue Literary Review, among other places. She teaches writing, both in-person in the Boston area and online through the Loft Literary Center. The Whisper Sister is her second novel. Jennifer lives with two beagles and a husband who pretends not to hear her when she says she wants to adopt more dogs.

She's happy to visit your book club via Zoom. You can reach her at jennifer@jennifersbrown.com. ...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

Jennifer S. Brown is currently not accepting new questions.

Popular Answered Questions

What do you do when you're not writing?
Jennifer S. Brown Besides drinking bourbon? (Actually, I'm not supposed to say that. The drinking references worry my mom. I'm fine, Mom!)

I'm a former runner who now is…moreBesides drinking bourbon? (Actually, I'm not supposed to say that. The drinking references worry my mom. I'm fine, Mom!)

I'm a former runner who now is a walker (knee issues. Boo!), which I rely on when I'm stuck on plot points. I find fresh air and movement gets the brain going and it's almost always while exercising that I've solved major novel problems. I've also recently discovered yoga, which is less for the brain and more for working out my sore shoulders after being hunched over the computer. I'm an avid amateur genealogist (which I also as research in my fiction and creative nonfiction) and I truly excel at wasting time on social media.

Oh, and I should probably mention caring for my kids, but as one's a tween and the other a teen, my main job for them these days is chauffeuring.

But most of my days I spend thinking about writing, avoiding writing, worrying about writing, and, every now and then, writing. :-)

Thanks for asking, Cynthia!!(less)
flag
Jennifer: First, congratulations on publishing your 1st book and past awards you've received for your writing. Looks A+ but I won't be reading it anytime soon because of your publisher. First, they've priced the kindle e-book higher than the paperback. Second, very few people who read on kindle are willing to pay $10 for a new author. Third, there currently isn't even a sample on kindle that I can download. Grrr?
Jennifer S. Brown Hi Jon: I sympathize with you! As you are probably aware, book pricing is completely out of my control. However, I would like to make sure you know th…moreHi Jon: I sympathize with you! As you are probably aware, book pricing is completely out of my control. However, I would like to make sure you know that you can read the beginning of the book on Amazon's "Look Inside the Book" feature to see if it would interest you. Then, if it does, many libraries around the country are carrying MODERN GIRLS (to my delight!). If you'd like to read it, I'd suggest seeing if your local library carries it. If they don't, many libraries are open to requests from patrons. Book pricing can seem crazy--I don't understand all the nuances--and I wish it were something I could do something about. But I hope you will find another way to read and enjoy the book. (less)
flag
See all 18 answers from Jennifer S. Brown…

Combine Editions

Average rating: 4.04 · 6,504 ratings · 810 reviews · 2 distinct works • Similar authors
Modern Girls
3.90 avg rating — 4,753 ratings — published 2016 — 10 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
The Whisper Sister
4.41 avg rating — 1,751 ratings — published 2024 — 5 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

Jennifer is Currently Reading

Aurora
Jennifer S. Brown is currently reading
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

 
Mar 01, 2026 02:20PM
The Nix
Jennifer S. Brown is currently reading
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

 
Mar 01, 2026 02:19PM

rss
Jennifer’s Recent Updates

Jennifer S. Brown is currently reading
Aurora by David Koepp
Aurora
by David Koepp
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Mar 01, 2026 02:20PM  · 1 like · 
Jennifer S. Brown is currently reading
The Nix by Nathan Hill
The Nix
by Nathan Hill
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Mar 01, 2026 02:19PM  · 2 likes ·   ·  preview book
Jennifer S. Brown has read
This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman
This Is Not About Us
by Allegra Goodman (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Linked short stories about a Jewish family feeling the fall out of a feud between sisters.
Mar 01, 2026 02:19PM  · 1 like ·   · see review ·  preview book
Jennifer S. Brown has read
The Life Experiment by Jess Kitching
The Life Experiment
by Jess Kitching (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
I not a romance novel person, but I found this one to be pleasant. A good distraction while dog walking. Definitely a different take: two people participate in an experiment where they are told when they will die. While I predicted some of it (and th ...more
Mar 01, 2026 02:17PM  ·   · see review ·  preview book
Jennifer S. Brown has read
The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abe
The Second Mrs. Astor
by Shana Abe (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
I didn't think a novel about the Titanic would be that interesting to me, but I am fascinated by the NYC upper crust and wanted to learn about the Astors. I was surprised at how gripping it was. Abe does an amazing job capturing the wreck without spe ...more
Mar 01, 2026 02:15PM  ·   · see review ·  preview book
Jennifer S. Brown has read
The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abe
The Second Mrs. Astor
by Shana Abe (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Mar 01, 2026 02:14PM  ·   ·  preview book
Jennifer S. Brown rated a book it was amazing
Murder Your Darlings by Jenna Blum
Murder Your Darlings
by Jenna Blum (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Writers! Writer's block! Sex! Dead bodies! Twisty plot! What's not to love? ...more
Mar 01, 2026 02:12PM  ·   · see review ·  preview book
Jennifer S. Brown rated a book it was amazing
Murder Your Darlings by Jenna Blum
Murder Your Darlings
by Jenna Blum (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Writers! Writer's block! Sex! Dead bodies! Twisty plot! What's not to love? ...more
Mar 01, 2026 02:12PM  ·   · see review ·  preview book
Jennifer S. Brown has read
It Had to Be You by Georgia Clark
It Had to Be You
by Georgia Clark (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Mar 01, 2026 02:10PM  ·   ·  preview book
Jennifer S. Brown has read
The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle
The Paris Widow
by Kimberly Belle (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Mar 01, 2026 02:09PM  · 1 like ·   ·  preview book
More of Jennifer's books…
Quotes by Jennifer S. Brown  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“It was possible, I found, to both mourn a loss and yet be grateful it happened.”
― Jennifer S. Brown, Modern Girls
tags: grief, loss, mourning
3 likes
Like

“slipped away fast, and so far I had nothing to show for it except a bigger debt”
― Jennifer S. Brown, The Whisper Sister
0 likes
Like

“Shame is for the Old World,” Sylvia said. “Flappers do as they please.”
― Jennifer S. Brown, The Whisper Sister
0 likes
Like

Polls

More...

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
Around the Year i...: Lyndi's 2016 52 Books Plan 4 45 Dec 10, 2015 06:53PM  
The Seasonal Read...: This topic has been closed to new comments. Spring Challenge 2016: Completed Tasks:PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS IN THIS THREAD 2923 530 May 31, 2016 09:02PM  
Around the Year i...: 36: An identity book - a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation 67 269 Dec 27, 2016 01:18PM  
Tales & Teacups B...: April 2017 | Book of the Month 2 13 Apr 26, 2017 10:56AM  
Bright Young Things: New Discoveries 872 322 Feb 06, 2019 04:45PM  
The Seasonal Read...: This topic has been closed to new comments. Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD 3799 357 Feb 28, 2019 09:00PM  

Jennifer’s Quotes

“In the morning there was a big wind blowing and the waves were running high up on the beach and he was awake a long time before he remembered that his heart was broken.”
― Ernest Hemingway, The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway
99 likes
Like

“People think they have to physically die before going to heaven or starting new lives, depending on their religions. The truth is that you can start a new life anytime you choose, as easily as waking from a dream.”
― Holly Robinson, Folly Cove
tags: inspirational
2 likes
Like

“It seems like there is no way to just write your story without becoming someone's poster child. You are not just your own voice, your own history--rather you carry the expectations of both extremes.”
― Lara Lillibridge, Girlish: Growing Up in a Lesbian Home
tags: memoir, writing
1 likes
Like

recent posts
Jennifer’s Groups

22454 Historical Fictionistas — 16062 members — last activity 1 hour, 6 min ago
Welcome to Historical Fictionistas! We want to experience all different kinds of HF with all different kinds of people. The more diverse, the better. ...more
220 Goodreads Librarians Group — 316491 members — last activity 2 minutes ago
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more
152441 Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge — 26895 members — last activity 12 hours, 27 min ago
An annual reading challenge to to help you stretch your reading limits and explore new voices, worlds, and genres! The challenge begins in January, bu ...more
88633 Vintage Book Group — 113 members — last activity Mar 23, 2015 04:46AM
This group is for lovers of vintage fashion, and vintage books, as well as girls who just love a really good read. To find out what we're reading ne ...more
80345 Historical Fiction Readers — 1597 members — last activity Feb 25, 2026 07:12AM
This group is for readers of Historical Fiction and History from across all genres, eras, and time periods.
More of Jennifer’s groups…

Jennifer’s Friend Comments

No comments have been added yet.