Eliza Moss’s What It’s Like in Words is one of those books that feels like it was written specifically for the part of your soul you didn’t even realize needed to be seen. It’s introspective, raw, and deeply emotional in a way that lingers long after you’ve finished. 

 

The story follows Enola, an almost-thirty writer who’s caught in the grip of a toxic relationship while wrestling with her identity, creativity, and the shadow of unresolved childhood trauma. Moss doesn’t sugarcoat anything here—she takes you into the messy, uncertain parts of life and relationships with a clarity that feels both poetic and painfully real. 

 

Enola’s relationship is a slow-motion car crash you can’t look away from, and her journey feels universal in its portrayal of how love can heal and destroy at the same time. It’s a book about finding your voice, both as a writer and as a person, and the delicate balance of holding on to what matters while letting go of what doesn’t. 

 

There’s a vulnerability in Moss’s writing that’s rare, the kind of honesty that makes you stop and reread sentences because they hit so close to home. The way she explores art and its role in both breaking us apart and piecing us back together is stunning.