The Weekly Reader

Imagine being sixteen again! On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new novels that take us back to those heady, often harrowing days of youth, replete with mysterious characters, magical plot twists, and a sprinkling of 90s nostalgia: "This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub, and "Lucky Turtle" by Bill Roorbach.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two books that look at the past and future of reproductive rights in the United States: "Controlling Women" by Kathryn Kolbert and Julie Kay and "The Turnaway Study" by Diana Green Foster . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you haven’t lost your taste for all things British folllowing Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee celebration, we’ve got you covered! On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two great new novels from across the pond: "An Olive Grove in Ends" by Moses McKenzie and "One Day I Shall Astonish the World" by Nina Stibbe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, it's all about Toni Morrison! We review "Recitatif," a newly-published short story from Toni Morrison, plus a new memoir about a longtime friendship with the author, "Miss Chloe" by A.J. Verdelle.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new memoirs distilled from fragments and legends of past generations: Rebecca Donner "All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days" and Maud Newton's "Ancestor Trouble."   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , two novels from authors who understand human nature: Michelle Huneven's Search and Anne Tyler's French Braid .  All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader, new novels from two of our favorite authors. Our book critic Marion Winik reviews Douglas Stuart's "Young Mungo," his follow-up to his 2020 Booker Prize winning novel "Shuggie Bain," and Jennifer Egan's latest, "The Candy House."  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Springtime brings awards season to The Weekly Reader , and this week we are featuring two finalists for the National Book Critics Award in the Autobiography category. Marion Winik reviews "A Farewell to Gabo and Mercedes" by Rodrigo Garcia, and "A Ghost in the Throat" by Doireann Ni Ghriofa .   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where would we be without our friends? On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new novels that explore the complicated intricacies and intense intimacies of long-time female friendships: "Wildcat" by Amelia Morris and "Fiona and Jane" by Jean Chen Ho.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader,  we review two new novels about getting by, and trying to get ahead, in New York City:  The Harlem Shuffle  by Colson Whitehead, and  Olga Dies Dreaming  by Xochitl Gonzalez.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you think there are a lot of great new memoirs coming out these days, you are correct. I’m Lisa Morgan and today on The Weekly Reader , our book critic Marion Winik, a celebrated memoirist herself, reviews two new, fantastic memoirs: Hanif Abdurraqib's A Little Devil in America: Notes on Black Performance, and Deborah Levy's Real Estate .  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader, we review two new memoirs about growing up under "complicated" circumstances:  Sex Cult Nun  by Faith Jones, and  House of Sticks  by Ly Tran.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader,  big stories from a big country. We review two new American novels: The Lincoln Highway  by Amor Towles, and The Love Songs of W.E.B. Dubois  by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hard times make for great novels. On this edition of  The Weekly Reader,  we review two new novels of the COVID-19 era:  Our Country Friends  by Gary Shteyngart and  Wish You Were Here  by Jodi Picoult.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader,  we review These Precious Days, a new collection of essays from Ann Patchett, and we revisit another her first collection,  This is the Story of a Happy Marriage.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 1970s were about more than bell bottoms, wide lapels, Led Zeppelin belt buckles and Vietnam. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels steeped in the feminist zeitgeist of that extraordinary decade: 1979 , by Val McDermid, and The Commune , by Erica Abeel.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader, two new novels that explore the intricate dance of women's friendships. We review the highly anticipated third book from Sally Rooney, Beautiful World, Where Are You?  and  We Are Not Like Them  by Christina Pride and Jo Piazza.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Family life has always been great fodder for novels. On this edition of The Weekly Reader,  we review two new novels about complicated families. Marion Winik gives us her take on Jonathan Franzen's  Crossroads,  and Atticus Lish's  The War for Gloria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, daily life can be a bit much- politics, climate change, the PANDEMIC! It’s a lot. On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review a pair of Historical Novels that promise to take you away from your cares and transport you to another century. At least for a little while.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader,  we review two new memoirs that explore the heartbreak and triumph of Asian-American identity and assimilation:  Beautiful Country  by Qian Julie Wang, and  Crying in H-Mart  by Michele Zauner.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader,  two new memoirs from a pair of seasoned authors. Marion Winik reviews  Nothing Personal  by Nancy Jo Sales and  The Secret To Superhuman Strength,  a graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader,  we revisit the thriller theme! Our book critic Marion Winik comes out from hiding under the covers to review The Twenty-Two Murders of Madison May by Max Barry ,  and The Turnout , by Megan Abbott.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader,  two new thrillers sure to make your summer reading more, well, thrilling! Marion reviews TJ Newman's  Falling  and one from the master of the genre, Stephen King's  Billy Summers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader,  our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels, both thrillers, but in a break with tradition, she is only recommending one of the books. Hear why she thinks you should consider reading Bruce Henderson's  Lucky King.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of  The Weekly Reader, we feature two new novels that explore the complex terrain of modern marriage. Marion Winik reviews Joshua Henkin's  Morningside Heights,  and Kristin Arnett's  With Teeth.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.