Word Salad: A Novel

by Susan Coll

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 15, 2026

About the author

Susan Coll is part of the events team at Politics and Prose bookstore, and the president of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. She is the author of the forthcoming Bookish People (Aug. 2022), as well as The Stager, Beach Week, Acceptance, Rockville Pike, and karlmarx.com. A television adaptation of Acceptance, starring Joan Cusack, aired in 2009.

Reviews

[Mayra Alejandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

- How many stars do I give this book? 1 ⭐ out of 5.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

- Thanks NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read this ARC.

**NOW ONTO THE REVIEW: I had to DNF this book because by 22% nothing was really happening and I grew tired of the constant monologue from Matilda (the main character).

I understand that she is more practical compared to others but also has a passion for colours and painting HOWEVER I could not stand the story not going anywhere and the constant "My coworkers don't like me that much so they don't invite me to their get-togethers" it felt like being inside the mind of an insecure teenager and not in the funny and endearing way.

#NetGalley #WordSalad

[Jess Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book, Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book reads as an unhinged, judgemental voice that maybe we all have to some degree, but we never voice it out loud. It was entertaining for a while until the negativity started to get to me. There's always something bothering her, which is a little funny but it gets a tad tiresome. However, I understand and sympathize with her grief over losing her mom.

The story also comments on how tiring and difficult it is to work a mind-dumbing job without a real creative outlet, which is definitely relatable.

I enjoyed the wordy way that it was written as it added another humorous layer to it. However, I think it was a bit of a miss for me as I grew tired of the narration.

I think it's still well-written and others will enjoy seeing her navigate her struggles and frequent misfortunes. It's an easy read that feels like you're in the mind of an unlucky friend. I think this would've enjoyed it better as a short story.

[Kanzcryahoo.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

When one is recommending a book it is usually done verbally or in writing. I did not, initially, recommend “Word Salad” through either of these traditional methods. Instead, I simply read it while on vacation with my sister and my uncontrolled chortles, guffaws, and snorts did the job.

Marhilde’s story was a wonderful one and while she is sometimes an (self- identified) unreliable narrator that just makes this wonderful slice of life novel all the more wonderful.

Perhaps it is the fact that last year I gave out “Women Holding Things” to all of my dearest friends or perhaps it is my appreciation for rutabagas - whatever it us, as you can tell, I loved “Word Salad” and would, actually, appreciate a sequel. Was Sage successful in her next job? Was Ethan actually Reuben's son? If not, do they get along? I loved the characters and would love to sink back into their world again (hint, hint).

Do yourself a favor- find a cozy chair and enjoy!

[Prashanti Shrestha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5
An easy to read, funny and light-hearted book about Matilda, who feels stuck at her workplace and is navigating her life a year after losing her mother that she had a complicated relationship with.
In many ways, I relate to Matilda, though sometimes in ways that make her a bit unlikable. Still, compared to some of the other characters, she ends up feeling more likable by contrast.
I feel like the reminders of Matilda's synesthesia are a bit awkward, but she's like so many of us that dedicate our days to a mind numbing job with no creativity and repress our artistic side.
The author is very descriptive, and the book felt like catching up with a friend about work drama, which is always fun.

[Donna Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Word Salad by Susan Coll for free from HarperCollins Focus.
This book is about Matilda who works in a bookstore and has synesthesia which means she can see numbers and letters and sometimes sounds as colors.
Matilda has to train and work with Sage who is a new hire and friend of the bookstore owner. Sage is very personable while Matilda is not. Sage also brings her dog, Janet, to work with her and throughout the book often leaves her with Matilda to take care of.
There are many chaotic and humorous events in Sage’s life and also when she and Matilda run an event for a controversial author.
Throughout the book Matilda grows and rediscovers her creative side and becomes more personable.
I enjoyed the antics of the main characters and found the book delightful.

[Hannah gandara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is exactly what the title says: a word salad!!

If you like books such as, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, where the FMC is neurodivergent, then I think you will really like this one! This story almost feels like a fever dream. Absolutely anything and everything goes wrong and it feels as if the FMC will never get her crap together or stand her ground. Honestly parts of this story frustrated me. But overall I was curious as to where this story was even going! Parts did make me smile or laugh so I did appreciate that.
For those that like quirky, silly stories, this is for you.

[she’s a reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was relatable to the working class, humorously worded and an easy read. The book was very descriptive, which is always appreciated but at some points felt like a student trying to reach the required word count. The themes of the book were all very real-life situations that an average person deals with and were narrated like a normal person would think. Some books are very unrealistic, even with everyday scenarios, but this book definitely kept the main character grounded. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quirky love letter to book lovers! Word Salad focuses on bookstore event planner Matilda trying to survive her day to day. Along with dealing with new coworker Sage - Matilda is primed to host Dr Jordan Rutabega, a viral author with a massive fan base she can’t quite understand. We see Matilda and company get up to a number of hi-jinx that would make even the least anxious person swear a little.

Another interesting fact is that Matilda has synesthesia - where words and numbers become colors in her mind. This adds an interesting layer to our main character’s inner monologue and how she goes about her life with the chaos that is the Rutabaga event looming.

This is a quick read with low stakes that is perfect for an end-of-summer beach reach, or your next book club!

Thank you to @harpermusebooks @booksparks and Susan for the opportunity to read this book in advance of release! #wordsaladreviewtour

[Trysta Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC!

As a bookseller and events coordinator I loved reading a story that incorporates elements I encounter and the back end of bookselling and running author events.

However I am not sure how I feel about the message of this book- meaning… what was the point? Lesson? Some thoughts to walk away with? I don’t know if I missed it, but even with all the drama in the end with the big it didn’t feel like a clear “moral of the story”.

I enjoyed it as a quick read and the writing was great. I just wish for a clearer story arc.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC through Publishers Weekly Grab a Galley, courtesy of Harper Collin’s Focus.

This was a fun narrative that takes place in the retail book world. Who doesn’t love a character driven story of the antics of pulling off a large scale author event? Throw in some synesthesia, committing art, and a side of fraud and flirting? This was a fun read reminiscent of Eleanor Oliphant with a side of Noises Off!

[Mary Beth Gormley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I obtained this book, which will be available in September, from the publisher at the NAIBA conference, lucky to meet the author and have it signed.

This is an easy, fun read about the behind the scenes activity at a bookstore, specifically the chaos surrounding planning and holding an author event. Madcap adventure ensues, and quirky characters, including a dog named Janet, keep the reader entertained. Perfect for the beach or travel.

[Stephanie Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was really fun to start, but the main character Matilda just ended up being really hard to completely relate to by the end. She does tend to skew very negative, and maybe some find this endearing in a character, I just struggled! I would recommend it, because maybe it just wasn't for me but could be for someone else!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Coll's books just keep getting better and better. This one, in particular, is particularly amusing if you love bookstores and author events which I happen to. I also loved that it was set in DC. It was tender and sweet and exasperating (I truly wanted to strangle a few of the characters) and the story had a very satisfying ending. You can't go wrong with Word Salad.

[Lyda McCartin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off good, but the main character is rather annoying and then the secondary character is more annoying. I kept reading thinking I’d get closure. But the ending seemed rushed. Some of the middle could have been cut to give the book the ending it needed.

[Paul Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a heartfelt comical gem, one of my favorites of her work. Janet the steals the (dog) show!

[Cathy McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off promising, but failed to deliver in the end and ended rather abruptly. I would have liked to have seen more character development and less chaos.

[Kim Erwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it. I really did. But it was so silly and I didn’t see the point of it. 🫤