The Weekly Reader

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new fabulous books that blend folklore and family history into tantalizing tales:  The Bullet Swallower , by Elizabeth Gonzalez James and The Fox Wife , by Yangsee Choo.   All titles available at your favorite local bookstore and online at bookshop.org.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new memoirs about mental illness that are even more moving when you listen to them as audio books: "While You Were Out" by Meg Kissinger, and "The Best Minds" by Jonathan Rosen.  All titles available at your favorite local bookstore and online at bookshop.org    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about the people and forces that determine the ups and downs  international art market:  Get the Picture , by Bianca Bosker, and The Art Thief , by Michael Finkel.  All titles available at your favorite local bookstore or online at bookshop.org  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What motivates someone to get involved in a movement or devote themselves to a cause? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels about art, activism, and the paths that sometimes lead to radicalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about the game of love and some of its greatest joys, surprises, and challenges: "Leaving" by Roxana Robinson and "Interesting Facts About Space" by Emily Austin.    All titles available at your favorite local bookstore or online at bookshop.org   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review tow new books, one novel, and a collection of stories, about life during Covid 19: Joan is Okay , by Weike Wang, and Fourteen Days , edited by Margaret Atwood and Douglas Preston. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about navigating life with mom as a grownup: Flores and Miss Paula , by Melissa Rivero, and The Underburn , by Bill Gaythwaite.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of TheWeekly Reader , our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels about messy families and their pursuit of happiness:" Mercury , by Amy Jo Burns, and Welcome Home, Stranger , by Kate Christensen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that tackle taboos, fetishes, and other transgressive topics:  The Fetishist , by Katherine Min, and Alice Sadie Celine , by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perhaps you are familiar with the charming Nordic custom of exchanging books on Christmas eve, to be read cozily by the fire with your best mates and your finest pajamas. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we have a late holiday gift for you! Get comfy and get ready for Christmas in Nantucket with Elin Hilderbrand: Winter Street , Winter Stroll , Winter Storms , and Winter Solstice .  All title...

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about travel, exploration, and how where we come from often determines where we go, and how we get there: "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey, and "Airplane Mode" Shahnaz Habi. 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 historical novels that explore hard times in the American past: Chenneville , by Paulette Jiles and The Frozen River , by Ariel Lawhon. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Texas is a big land of legends and lore, heroes and villains unlike any other state in the nation. On this edition of  The Weekly Reader, we review two Texas-sized tales from The Lone Star State: The Madstone  by Elizabeth Crook, and Mr. Texas  by Lawrence Wright. All title 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 examples of deeply researched journalism, proving once again that truth is often stranger than fiction:  The Times , by Adam Nagourney, and Gator Country , by Rebecca Renner. 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, 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.