The Weekly Reader

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, Marion Winik gives her take on Barbra Streisand's fascinating new memoir "My Name is Barbra."    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does your social circle say about you? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels featuring central figures surrounded by rather influential casts of characters:   Ana Turns , by Lisa Gornick, and The Children's Bach , by Helen Garner.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new historic novels, one set in Malaysia, the other in Vietnam: Absolution , by Alice McDermott, and The Storm We Made , by Veronica Chan. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or at least, watch what they do. I’m Lisa Morgan and today on The Weekly Reader, our book ciritic Marion Winik reviews two very different books with one thing in common: the city of Rome.  Roman Stories , Jhumpa Lahiri, and The Helsinki Affair , by Anna Pitoniak. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener...

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review three new non-fiction takes on various aspects of the human condition and how we think about, and, perhaps more importantly, how we value and treat one another: A Day in the Life of Abed Salama , by Nathan Thrall, The Teachers , by Alexandra Robbins, and Monsters , by Claire Dederer.  All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local ret...

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews a pair of cheeky novels dripping with parody, sarcasm, and wit: Wellness , by Nathan Hill, and The Book of Ayn , by Lexi Freiman. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fall is book award season, and your friends here at The Weekly Reader have our eyes on a few great contenders. Today on the show, our book critic Marion winik reviews a finalist for the Booker Prize and one for the Kirkus Prize: "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray, and "How to Say Babylon" by Safiya Sinclair.  All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.    See omnystudio.co...

Sometimes the release of a new title by a great author is a welcome excuse to explore their previous work. On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review Ben Fountain’s latest novel, Devil Makes Three and an earlier, well-loved work  Lynn's Long Halftime Walk.  Marion Winikwill be in conversation with Ben Fountain on Monday October 9 at 7 pm, at Politics and Prose in DC. All titles available at...

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about women pushed to their limits, and beyond, by forces they don’t quite understand:"Breaking and Entering" by Don Gillmor and "Search History" by Amy Taylor.    All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , our book critic Marion Winik takes us back to school with a pair of novels about navigating complex teenage terrain and finding your tribe: "Speech Team" by Tim Murphy, and "Sugarless" by James Magruder.  All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everybody has a few favorite authors, and it's a thrill when they release a new book. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels from old friends: "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett and "Happiness Falls" by Angie Kim.  All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review " Vanishing Maps " by Cuban-born American Christina Garcia, and revisit another title from her back catalog, " Dreaming in Cuban." All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition The Weekly Reader , we review two fascinatingly personal and candid memoirs:"Everything/Nothing/Someone" by Alice Carrière and "Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City" by Jane Wong.    All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Late summer is a great time to travel, but if you find yourself between adventures, we are here to help. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new “travel books” to enjoy in the comfort of your own home whilst dreaming about your next trip: "American Ramble" by Neil King, and "White Sands" by Geoff Dyer.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saying goodbye to a favorite character or location can be one of the hardest parts of finishing a great read. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books that give us the chance to revisit some familiar faces and well-loved places: Crook Manifesto , by Colson Whitehead, and Somebody's Fool , by Richard Russo. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers...

It’s nice to know that there are still times when the apple falls close to the creative tree.  On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new memoirs from a pair of impressive offspring: Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers , by Mary Rodgers and Jesse Green, and George: A Magpie Memoir , by Frieda Hughes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review three books from authors from the District of Columbia:  American Ending , by Mary Kay Zuravleff, Swimming With Ghosts , by Michelle Brafman and The Dissident , by Paul Goldberg. The Weekly Reader Book Club returns next Thursday, August 10th, at Bird in Hand with author Rebecca Makkai and her new book, “I Have Some Questions for You.” We’re very exci...

College can be a life altering experience, especially for the more “inexperienced” students for whom this is a first taste of freedom, independence, even love. Today on The Weekly Reader, two new novels about seeking (and finding) much more than a degree at university: The Rachel Incident , by Caroline O’Donoghue, and Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style , by Paul Rudnick.  All titles availab...

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , unexpected consequences follow the untimely deaths of two rather bad husbands. Marion Winik reviews The Five Star Weekend , by Elin Hilderbrand, and You Can't Stay Here Forever , by Katharine Lin.  All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that are perfect to enjoy at the seaside: Beach Week , by Susan Coll, and Silver Alert , by Lee Smith. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On each edition of The Weekly Reader, we try to review the very best books from all around the world – but what about all the great books written right here in our own back yard? This week, we turn the spotlight on some local talent, featuring three new books from Baltimore-based authors:  Hedge , by Jane Delury, Hestia Strikes a Match , by Chris Grillo, and Charm City Rocks , by Matt Norman. All...

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion winik reviews two new novels that take us from the scorching city sidewalks of New York to the wind-swept beaches of the Hamptons: " Friends Like These" by Meg Rosoff, and " The Guest"  by Emma Cline. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relationships can be difficult to navigate, and when hot button issues like race and sex, and politics are present, things can get complicated quickly. On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new novels about a pair of intriguing, complex interracial relationships: " Everything's Fine" by Cecilia Rabess, and " Wade in the Water"  by Nyani Nkrumah. All titles available at The Ivy Books...

Sometimes, knowing what a book is “about” gives us few clues as to what the book will be “like.” On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new books that are even more interesting than their intriguing plots suggest:  Lucky Dogs  by Helen Schulman, and Fireworks Every Night  by Beth Raymer. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/list...

Mother-daughter relationships can be very good, or very complicated, but rarely boring. On this edition of T he Weekly Reader , we review three new memoirs about this most delicate, complicated family dynamic: Oh My Mother  by Connie Wang, Honey Baby Mine  by Laura Dern and Diane Ladd and Don't Call Me Home Alexandra Auder.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.