'The Kissing List' examines friendships, jobs of 20-somethings

Stephanie Reents’ debut book “The Kissing List” (Hogarth), hit shelves on May 22. According to a Herald News review: “In the book, friendships fall apart over boyfriends, roommates turn into problems and temp jobs stand in for a career path. In short, it’s the 20s — not the decade, but the age group in which enlightenment comes into focus along with the dissolution of expectations.” 

As an assistant professor of English at the College of the Holy Cross, Reents “is familiar with both having lived through some of the elements in the book, and now, teaching writing and literature to students who will soon face those years for themselves.” 

“After graduation, I remember packing up my room and I realized I wasn’t who I thought I was,” she told the Herald News. “The book follows a group of female characters as they navigate jobs and relationships.”

 Herald News (June 9, 2012) 'The Kissing List' examines friendships, jobs of 20-somethings The New Yorker (June 18, 2012) (Need subscription) The Kissing List

This “Holy Cross in the News” item by Cristal Steuer.