Naomi Xu Elegant Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Naomi Xu Elegant is an American published author, editor, and freelance journalist. She lives in New York City.

Gingko Season was her first novel to come out. It was published in 2025 and was picked as a New York Times Editors’ Choice, and was also selected to be one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Must-Read Books of 2025.

Elegant’s writing has been featured in a variety of different publications. These include Fortune, Monocle, Atlas Obscura, and more. She has been involved in different projects as well, including a Tibetan Dance project and a gallery exhibition on Wellington Street. She has a wonderful way with storytelling that allows her to engage with audiences.

Naomi co-edits Gully, which is an independent literary magazines. She also writes a monthly newsletter that is sent out that goes by ‘luanqibazao’.

Gingko Season is a 2025 novel by Naomi Xu Elegant. It has been received well by the public, with TIME magazine picking it as one of their 100 Must-Read Books of 2025. It’s also one of the New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2025 so far!

This is a debut novel that is all about finding yourself after heartbreak. If you are a fan of Sally Rooney or Elif Batuman, you’ll most likely really enjoy this book.

Main character Penelope Lin went through one of the worst seasons of heartbreak in her life two years earlier when she got her heart broken for the first time. Since then, she has adjusted to not being in a relationship. She has made a quiet life for herself and is free from being entangled romantically with anyone.

Penelope spends her days going through the huge collection at the museum of the Qing Dynasty bound-foot shoes and cataloging everything. When she’s not busy doing that she’s spending time with her close friends sharing their social company.

One day she meets Hoang, and he confesses that he has released mice from the cancer research lab where he is employed. He’s very open with her, and Penelope is caught off guard by it. From that moment on, it appears that everything in her carefully crafted life is starting to unravel.

This story is told in Penelope’s witty and endearing voice and goes into the nature of our deepest friendships just as much as it does the thrill of falling in love as well as how difficult it can sometimes be to try and live the type of life that lines up with your ideals.

Gingko Season follows along with three different seasons of challenges, reawakening, and transformation. Will Penelope be able to gather herself together, and can she find love again? Or will she find something even more special? Read Gingko Season by Naomi Xu Elegant to find out!