The Wrong Girl

From the award-winning author of Anywhere but Here and Commitment comes a rich and deeply moving novel about an ambitious young journalist who agrees to take in her troubled cousin for one pivotal New York summer.

At twenty-five years old, our narrator understands nothing about the New York City housing market—only that she can’t afford it. Still, between her salary at a women’s magazine she hopes to quit, the freelance money she makes on the side, and long afternoons she spends tutoring her landlord’s granddaughter, she can almost make ends meet. From her pre-war apartment on West End Avenue, she begins to build a grownup life: hosting dinner parties until 2 in the morning, selling the occasional story to the Village Voice, going on dates with a serious lawyer she can only refer to as “Trusts and Estates.”

But when her Michigan cousin—a fifteen-year-old girl she barely knows—arrives on her doorstep for a two-week visit, she is suddenly thrust into the role of caretaker. Ellen is dangerously thin and seems to survive entirely on cigarettes. She takes over the bedroom and talks on the phone late into the night, she monopolizes the bathroom, smoking and putting on makeup. The two-week visit stretches to three, then four, and slowly our narrator begins to understand the true nature of Ellen’s
troubles. But family bonds are often fluid, and she soon finds herself powerless to change Ellen’s situation. As the years go by, she makes a choice that will alter both of their lives forever.

A surprising, affecting novel that spans decades, The Wrong Girl, is a fascinating story of family and obligation, class and sexuality, ambition and identity from one of our most celebrated storytellers.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs