Book Recs: 2021 Releases Based off of Your Favorite Schitt’s Creek Character

Just like everyone else we know, Caitlyn and I have rewatched Schitt’s Creek over quarantine (maybe even a couple times), and it’s really helped us cope during this time. In celebration of Schitt’s Creek first premiering on this day in 2015, we’ve teamed up again to bring you all a book recommendations post, based off of your favorite Schitt’s Creek character. Without further ado, here’s what 2021 release we think some of our favorite Schitt’s characters would pick up! 

Alexis Rose

Shipped by Angie Hockman (January 19th, 2021) 

When brainstorming what 2021 release Alexis would love, we instantly thought of Shipped. 

At the beginning of Schitt’s, Alexis can be a little quick to judge, and wrapped up in her own world and initial assumptions. Alexis later comes to realize her initial assumptions might not always be correct, which is a central theme in Shipped. Alexis can also be competitive in nature at times, and near the end of Schitt’s, comes to value herself, her career, as well as those she loves – just like Henley. 

Between taking night classes for her MBA and her demanding day job at a cruise line, marketing manager Henley Evans barely has time for herself, let alone family, friends, or dating. But when she’s shortlisted for the promotion of her dreams, all her sacrifices finally seem worth it.

The only problem? Graeme Crawford-Collins, the remote social media manager and the bane of her existence, is also up for the position. Although they’ve never met in person, their epic email battles are the stuff of office legend.

Their boss tasks each of them with drafting a proposal on how to boost bookings in the Galápagos—best proposal wins the promotion. There’s just one catch: they have to go on a company cruise to the Galápagos Islands…together. But when the two meet on the ship, Henley is shocked to discover that the real Graeme is nothing like she imagined. As they explore the Islands together, she soon finds the line between loathing and liking thinner than a postcard.

With her career dreams in her sights and a growing attraction to the competition, Henley begins questioning her life choices. Because what’s the point of working all the time if you never actually live?

Links for Shipped: Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Bookshop | IndieBound

David Rose

Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala (January 5, 2021) 

David and Be Dazzled was another easy pairing — After all, a huge part of David’s character arc is coming into his own and discovering who he truly is and Raffy is going through the same thing. Besides having a central theme of self-discovery, Raffy also feels as though he has something to prove, David goes through a similar situation and ultimately proves that he can do anything he sets his mind to.

Who’s ready to sparkle??

Project Runway goes to Comic Con in an epic queer love story about creativity, passion, and finding the courage to be your most authentic self.

Raffy has a passion for bedazzling. Not just bedazzling, but sewing, stitching, draping, pattern making–for creation. He’s always chosen his art over everything–and everyone–else and is determined to make his mark at this year’s biggest cosplay competition. If he can wow there, it could lead to sponsorship, then art school, and finally earning real respect for his work. There’s only one small problem… Raffy’s ex-boyfriend, Luca, is his main competition.

Raffy tried to make it work with Luca. They almost made the perfect team last year after serendipitously meeting in the rhinestone aisle at the local craft store–or at least Raffy thought they did. But Luca’s insecurities and Raffy’s insistence on crafting perfection caused their relationship to crash and burn. Now, Raffy is after the perfect comeback, one that Luca can’t ruin.

But when Raffy is forced to partner with Luca on his most ambitious build yet, he’ll have to juggle unresolved feelings for the boy who broke his heart, and his own intense self-doubt, to get everything he’s ever wanted: choosing his art, his way.

Links for Be Dazzled: Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Bookshop | IndieBound

Johnny Rose

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (May 25 2021) 

While Malibu Rising might not be a book that most people associate with Johnny, we actually thought that Johnny would be a not-so-secret fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books. While it probably started out as a way for him to relate to Moira, we could easily see Johnny keeping up with TJR’s very own Hollywood universe. And once you take into account that Malibu Rising focuses on Mick Riva’s family and his children? You just know Malibu Rising would be one of Johnny’s most anticipated reads.

Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.

Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over–especially as the offspring of the legendary singer Mick Riva.

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud–because it is long past time for him to confess something to the brother from whom he’s been inseparable since birth.

Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can’t stop thinking about promised she’ll be there.

And Kit has a couple secrets of her own–including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface.

Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.

Links for Malibu Rising: Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Bookshop | IndieBound

Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto  (April 27 2021)

For Moira, we wanted to go with something that was simply so outlandish, and Dial A for Aunties was one that quickly came to mind. Given Moira’s dramatics, we could absolutely see her assisting either of her children with hiding a dead body, no questions asked. David on the other hand would probably be freaking out and Moria would tell him to stop acting like a disgruntled pelican. 

1 (accidental) murder

2 thousand wedding guests

3 (maybe) cursed generations

4 meddling Asian aunties to the rescue!

When Meddelin Chan ends up accidentally killing her blind date, her meddlesome mother calls for her even more meddlesome aunties to help get rid of the body. Unfortunately, a dead body proves to be a lot more challenging to dispose of than one might anticipate, especially when it is accidentally shipped in a cake cooler to the over-the-top billionaire wedding Meddy, her Ma, and aunties are working, at an island resort on the California coastline. It’s the biggest job yet for their family wedding business—“Don’t leave your big day to chance, leave it to the Chans!”—and nothing, not even an unsavory corpse, will get in the way of her auntie’s perfect buttercream cake flowers.

But things go from inconvenient to downright torturous when Meddy’s great college love—and biggest heartbreak—makes a surprise appearance amid the wedding chaos. Is it possible to escape murder charges, charm her ex back into her life, and pull off a stunning wedding all in one weekend?

Links for Dial A for Aunties: Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Bookshop | IndieBound

Patrick Brewer

As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stemper (February 9th, 2021) 

As Far as You’ll Take Me is a journey of self-love, growth, and coming to terms with who you are. When we first meet Patrick, he’s a little unsure of who he is and learning how his identities fit into his life. Like Marty, he develops strong friendships, and soon makes Schitt’s his home. We could so easily picture Patrick reading As Far As You’ll Take Me and tuning out David’s dramatics.

Marty arrives in London with nothing but his oboe and some savings from his summer job, but he’s excited to start his new life–where he’s no longer the closeted, shy kid who slips under the radar and is free to explore his sexuality without his parents’ disapproval.

From the outside, Marty’s life looks like a perfect fantasy: in the span of a few weeks, he’s made new friends, he’s getting closer with his first ever boyfriend, and he’s even traveling around Europe. But Marty knows he can’t keep up the facade. He hasn’t spoken to his parents since he arrived, he’s tearing through his meager savings, his homesickness and anxiety are getting worse and worse, and he hasn’t even come close to landing the job of his dreams. Will Marty be able to find a place that feels like home? 

Links for As Far As You’ll Take Me: Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Bookshop | IndieBound

Stevie Budd

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould (August 3 2021)

It’s no secret that Stevie does not love living in Schitt’s Creek at the beginning of the series, but as the show goes on she learns to love not only her town but the people in it as well. The Dead and the Dark deals with discovering the truth about yourself, your family, and the place that you live. Stevie goes through a journey of self-discovery that sounds similar to what Logan and Ashley go through in The Dead and the Dark.  

The Dark has been waiting for far too long, and it won’t stay hidden any longer.

Something is wrong in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are disappearing, some turning up dead, the weather isn’t normal, and all fingers seem to point to TV’s most popular ghost hunters who have just returned to town. Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of TV’s ParaSpectors, has never been to Snakebite before, but the moment she and her dads arrive, she starts to get the feeling that there’s more secrets buried here than they originally let on.

Ashley Barton’s boyfriend was the first teen to go missing, and she’s felt his presence ever since. But now that the Ortiz-Woodleys are in town, his ghost is following her and the only person Ashley can trust is the mysterious Logan. When Ashley and Logan team up to figure out who—or what—is haunting Snakebite, their investigation reveals truths about the town, their families, and themselves that neither of them are ready for. As the danger intensifies, they realize that their growing feelings for each other could be a light in the darkness.

Links for The Dead and the Dark: Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Bookshop | IndieBound

Ted Mullens

You Have a Match by Emma Lord (January 12, 2021)

Ted and You Have a Match is a perfect match. Ted is just a really great guy. He’s close to his family and will do anything for those that he cares about. You Have a Match is centered around family relationships and the things that we do for those that we love. Also, Leo is the most adorable best friend and hypes up Abby every chance that he gets which is absolutely what Ted does for Alexis.

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby’s growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

Links for You Have a Match: Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Bookshop | IndieBound

Twyla Sands

Like Home by Louisa Onomé (February 25th, 2021) 

It’s no secret that Twyla’s incredibly attached to the town of Schitt’s Creek and its residents, and it looks like the same can be said for Nelo. Without giving away too much of Twyla’s storyline on Schitt’s, Twyla could live anywhere else in the world, and yet she’s incredibly loyal to keeping the spirit of Schitt’s alive, and continuing to be a bright spot in the community. 

Chinelo, or Nelo as her best friend Kate calls her, is all about her neighborhood Ginger East. She loves its chill vibe, ride-or-die sense of community, and her memories of growing up there. Ginger East isn’t what it used to be, though. After a deadly incident at the local arcade, all her closest friends moved away, except for Kate. But as long as they have each other, Nelo’s good.

Only, Kate’s parents’ corner store is vandalized, leaving Nelo shaken to her core. The police and the media are quick to point fingers, and soon more of the outside world descends on Ginger East with promises to “fix” it. Suddenly, Nelo finds herself in the middle of a drama unfolding on a national scale.

Worse yet, Kate is acting strange. She’s pushing Nelo away at the exact moment they need each other most. Nelo’s entire world is morphing into something she hates, and she must figure out how to get things back on track or risk losing everything⁠—and everyone⁠—she loves.

Links for Like Home: Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Bookshop | IndieBound

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It took a remarkable amount of self-restraint not to recommend an Amish book for David! Anyways, if you liked any of our recommendations, or just want to talk about Schitt’s with either Caitlyn or Cossette, let us know in the comments below or on Twitter!