Monica Comas
Author Interview - Monica Comas
Author of Recipe for Joy
Belle Sutton flees New York City for quaint Gates Mills, Ohio, with her world in tatters. Back home with her beloved grandmother, she finds her footing and a sense of belonging she’s craved. But when tragedy strikes, Belle returns to New York, more rudderless than before.
There, a book of cherished family recipes mysteriously arrives in the mail, along with a letter urging Belle to read the cookbook with her younger sister, Alexis. The two, inseparable as children, are now estranged, mirroring the family rupture no one talks about—the lifelong rift between Gran and her sister, Grace.
Endeavoring to get her life together and all-too aware how the passage of time has complicated matters, Belle reluctantly reconnects with Alexis while poignant letters and photos inexplicably keep arriving. A meaningful piece of Belle’s life falls into place—until longstanding resentments ruin the sisters’ détente. When the reason behind Gran and Grace’s fracture is revealed, along with who’s been sending the letters, Belle and Alexis face a reckoning: Can they learn from the older generation’s mistakes, and rekindle the closeness each desperately needs?
RECIPE FOR JOY is a story about belonging, about coming of age when you’re middle-aged, and how flavors passed down through generations hold the sweet promise of reconnection—no matter how much time has passed.
Author Interview - Monica Comas
Author I draw inspiration from:
I’ve always loved Ann Leary’s books, and honestly, it’s hard to pick a top title (The Good House! I’ve Tried Being Nice!). But The Children ranks as one of my favorites. It’s a riveting story about adult siblings—the complications, secrets, and resentments they face as a milestone approaches. I adore stories about adult siblings, and how knee-jerk childhood reactions always seem to work their way to the fore. I’ve recommended this book to countless people (women and men) and everyone loved it as much as I did.
Author Interview - Monica Comas | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
I have two favorite places. The first is curled up on the couch with a big knit throw on my lap where the puppy likes to curl up with me. And the second is in bed—but on top of the covers. This is somehow important to me, making my bed a completely different place from where I sleep. Oh, the things we apartment dwellers do to differentiate our small spaces!
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I’m going to have to say Nancy Drew, since I absolutely cherished Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew books in my childhood. I envision us solving a mystery together and figuring out how to get out of the elevator, but not before we’ve had a talk about her fetching frock…and a likely longer discussion about why I’m wearing leggings, running shoes, and an unflattering long sweater.
Author Interview - Monica Comas | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I was fortunate enough to have a creative writing teacher in high school who encouraged me to write. Getting lost in stories I created was everything to teenage me…and the desire to keep doing so lodged itself in the back of my mind. At The Ohio State University, I majored in English and one day, while walking back to my dorm, a military helicopter landed on a nearby field. The sight, sound, the force of the air all around was so consuming I did the only thing I could to document the moment: I pulled out my notebook and a pen and wrote about it (this was before cell phones!). Realizing after I graduated that I wanted a job writing, I got a master’s degree in journalism, then was a journalist for a decade. And it was after that, when I was doing financial writing and editing for a bank, that that long-buried notion to create a story migrated from the back of my mind to the front. It itched. Screamed at me—in a kind way, of course, but the urgency was unmistakable. So I started setting my alarm for 4 a.m. to get up early so I could write creatively before I went to work. And here I am, many years later, with my debut novel coming out. I think the most striking thing about the moment I knew I wanted to be an author is that it happened when I was so young. But it was a quiet thought, a whisper, something tucked away within myself. Not to sound precious, but my writing needed time. Mostly, I needed time. I needed to have an entire career before I could turn my sights to the dream of being an author. That notion that lodged at the back of my mind as a teenager? It was a thoughtful creative-writing teacher in a public school system who made that possible. Teachers are everything, and their greatest contributions to a child’s development might not reveal themselves for decades. All I can say is, what a gift that teacher gave me.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
How neat that we live in a time when you can get stories in so many different formats, right? I love them all but use each in different ways and at specific times. For my weekend and evening reading, I like to read hardback and paperback books—I adore falling into a book and turning the pages. However, at night, I read exclusively on my Kindle. Because while I might love reading a physical book and all that page-turning business during the day, I do not love that when I’m trying to fall asleep. Then there’s the whole reading light situation. It’s too much with a physical book (if that isn’t modern life for ya, I don’t know what is!). With my Kindle, I have a lovely built-in light, an easy page turn, and before you know it…zzzzzzzzz. Now, when I’m out and about on a walk or in the car, I love an audiobook. Every format has a well-loved place in my reading life!
The last book I read:
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans—I devoured this book. What a masterful, compelling story! Told entirely through letters, the reader is taken on a page-turner of a journey that is both quiet and contemplative, as well as funny and wry. This is a tender story, one where the characters are revealed little by little, their personalities, their shortcomings, their regrets, their desires. It’s lovely and hopeful, also real. Utterly beautiful.
Author Interview - Monica Comas | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
As someone who started writing as a kid with pen and paper, it’s no surprise that I still do so, along with a computer. I’m a PC lady, so all my writing is in Microsoft word. However, there’s always loads of paper and pen work as well. Brainstorming, composing character sketches, free writing to get to the kernel of what I’m trying to say, keeping track of timelines, all of this is done in notebooks. I use colored pens because I like seeing the rainbow of color and thought on a page. LePen and Sakura brands are my favorites, but I’m always trying out new ones. I just read in Rebecca Makkai’s recent newsletter that she likes TUL pens aaaaaaaaand now I need to try those. I don’t have a pen problem! I don’t!
(Sigh…I do…I really do.)
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Rather than go far back in time, I’m picking a character from 2025’s Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess. I absolutely loved this novel, which is packed with so much whimsy and heart. The protagonist, Cath, is gifted a trip to a pretend murder-week event in England and the entire setup is shrouded in mystery and emotion. This is a character who is a bit adrift, although not admitting it, who is grieving something, although not overtly. She’s complicated, yet tender. She has questions, but is being brave and opening herself up to a new experience and to her surprise, making some lovely friends and having a terrific time in the process. I found this character to be utterly relatable—the way she played it safe, then grew curious, and ultimately, got honest with herself. I think we all feel adrift at points in our lives. And the great searching through life, be it for answers or deeper meaning, is something we all have in common. I’m certain Cath and I would have quite a bit to chat about.
Author Interview - Monica Comas | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
I’d probably still be a journalist or a financial editor/ghostwriter. And then I’d be writing creatively in my free time just because I love it. But! Pastry chef would be a close second, and a fairly dangerous profession, because oh, how I love dessert.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I am decidedly not an expert on fashion, but I love the look of clothes from the 1950s. The poofy skirts that were somehow still tailored, the swingy coats, the pumps, the whole aesthetic. My affinity for ’50s fashion is patently hilarious when you consider that on most days you’ll find me in leggings, running shoes, and an oversized comfy sweater. I contain multitudes.
Place I’d most like to travel:
I’ve always wanted to go to Vienna in December to experience the Christmas markets. Christmas is my favorite holiday and from what I’ve read, Vienna really goes all-in on it. I’d love to stroll the markets, eat the food, devour the desserts (especially the chocolate!), and be surrounded with seasonal cheer.
My signature drink:
I love love love Canada Dry lemon-lime seltzer. It’s the Dom Perignon of seltzer water! And, interesting fact: You can’t get it everywhere. I like it straight out of the can, and in the summertime, I mix it with orange juice. Perfection!
My other two favorite beverages are Kicking Horse coffee (organic, dark, and roasty—divine!) that I brew in the morning, and Nespresso cappuccino (Ristretto Italiano—2 shots, please) that I make with frothed oat milk for an afternoon treat.
Favorite artist:
Two artists immediately jump to mind here. The first is Frida Kahlo, an artist I became captivated with while studying in Mexico freshman year of college. Her paintings reflected her life—they’re deeply visceral, revealing her pain and struggles, as well as lighter moments, in the rawest way possible. The second is Andrew Wyeth, whose art couldn’t be more opposite from Kahlo’s. I love his quiet scenes, the colors that are muted, yet deep and evocative, wonderfully moody. I find his work so soothing.
Number one on my bucket list:
I’ve run marathons. I’ve stood at the top of the Chrysler Building (as in, literally on scaffolding thousands of feet in the air where I got to place my hands on the shiny chrome cap). I have two dream trips that I’d love to take one day. One is to go on a long hike somewhere in another country, one that wends itself through history and nature, leaving room for both contemplation and adventure. I’d love to do this with my sister, who lives in Chicago and I know would love a getaway like this as much as I would. The other, and more dear to my heart, is to go on a week-long cooking trip in Italy, maybe in an old palazzo somewhere, to cook and eat, shop locally, and revel in authentic cuisine. Like my big hike, I’d love to take this trip with my sister as well— more than anything, really, for she’s the one I love to cook with.
Find more from the author:
https://www.instagram.com/monicacomaswrites/
https://www.facebook.com/people/monica-comas-author/61561844457796/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57880231.Monica_Comas
About Monica Comas:
Monica Comas
Monica Comas was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from The Ohio State University and a master’s in journalism from New York University. She’s worked as a newspaper reporter, a journalist covering stocks and the economy, and a financial editor. But fiction has always been her true love. Monica lives in New York with her husband, John, and their tiny shih tzu, Poirot.
