You’ll never believe … her favorite books.
Kari Ferrell — the famous “Hipster Grifter” who scammed her way through Brooklyn in the aughts — is back with her new book, “You’ll Never Believe Me,” which details moving forward from her past mistakes.
“Over the past 13 years I’ve truly become more than the sum of my parts,” she tells Page Six. “I did a lot of really messed up things I’m not proud of, and, for the first time, I’m ready to talk about them.”
Ferrell, whose book came out Tuesday, adds that since landing herself in prison for forging checks, fraud and theft, she has “put a lot of work” into herself.
“‘You’ll Never Believe Me’ is a way of reflecting on my crazy life, attempting to reconcile what I did, proving that people are capable of real change, and fighting to make sure others are given the same chance.”
Along Ferrell’s journey through life, books have played an integral role.
“They were my escape from an oppressive childhood, they got me through my jail time, and often it was through books that I truly felt seen,” she tells us. “My love of lit continues on, and losing myself in a book is one of the universe’s greatest pleasures (besides maybe cannabis and good head).”
See below for Ferrall’s six top must-reads.
“A book that I can’t believe was part of my elementary curriculum, but am so glad that it was. Suicide, euthanasia, reproductive rights, trauma and carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders are easy breezy topics for an 11-year-old, no? I like to revisit this one every few years.”
“A big inspiration for me while writing my book, Derecka’s memoir is a must for anyone exploring the possibilities of a brighter and more compassionate society. It showcases the author’s journey from skeptic of reform to full-blown abolitionist in an easily digestible and incredibly smart way.”
“A hilarious, irreverent and at times painful exploration of identity. This book truly had me exhibiting the symptoms in the title, and is a tour de force in gallows humor.”
“This novel is all about a woman who makes it big on the internet, and is told in a way that only Patricia Lockwood could — through the most beautiful, twisted and IYKYK prose. It examines what we love-hate about our virtual and IRL existences, and how s—tposters are the new philosophers.”
“Another YA novel that feels very adult. It’s a twisty-turny tale of a girl on a road trip through the twisty-turny landscape of America. This was my favorite book growing up and it showed me the impact of self-discovery through storytelling and what that can look like.”
“‘The Monopolists’ is the history of one of the most beloved board games of all time. It is a cautionary tale of idolizing money, revisionist history (did you know it was invented by a woman?) and how greed ruins everything. After a spate of boring “hail corporate” books and movies, this is a refreshing (if not distressing) critique of why and how those came to be.”
