Close Modal
Elaine Castillo, author portrait
© Elaine Castillo

Elaine Castillo

Named one of “30 of the Planet’s Most Exciting Young People” by the Financial Times, Elaine Castillo was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her most recent novel, Moderation, has been currently longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize in Fiction, is currently a finalist for the California Book Award in Fiction, and was named one of the Top Ten Books of 2025 by The Atlantic, Slate, and a Best Book of 2025 by The New Yorker, TIME, Kirkus Reviews, and more. She is also the author of the award-winning debut novel America is Not the Heart and the acclaimed book of essays How to Read Now. She is a 2026 Whiting Award winner, a two-time San Francisco Public Library Laureate, a Berkeley Public Library Laureate, and was also recently longlisted for the 2026 Joyce Carol Oates Prize. In the tradition of diasporic mothers everywhere, she works primarily so her rescue German shepherd Vincent can live a better life.
Moderation
How to Read Now
America Is Not the Heart

Books

Moderation
How to Read Now
America Is Not the Heart

Live Inspired with Compendium: Now Available from PRH!

Exciting news! Compendium has joined the Penguin Random House family, bringing a proven line of bestselling, sentiment-driven gifts to our extensive and ever-growing catalog. Since 1985, Compendium has been creating meaningful moments with beautiful, thoughtfully made gifts that center connection and celebrate occasions both big and small. From greeting cards to inspirational books to impulse-friendly add-ons, Compendium

Read more