The Weekly Reader

On this edition of The Weekly REader, we review two new books steeped in back-of-the house tales of intrigue, drugs, general excess, and of course, mind-blowing International travel and cuisine: California Soul , by Keith Corbin and Kevin Alexander, and The Lemon , by S. E. Boyd.  All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

When you think of the future, what do you imagine? On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new novels with a decidedly dystopian view of things to come: "Vigil Harbor" by Julia Glass, and "The Displacements" by Bruce Holsinger.  All books available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Move over, Oliver Twist! Step aside, Lil Orphan Annie! I’m Lisa Morgan and today on The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new books that remind us that be it the Victorian Era, the roaring twenties, or the present day, “coming of age” can be tricky business. Hi, Marion! "Coming of Age" can be a tricky business. Just look at Oliver Twist and Little Orphan Annie! On this editio...

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , scary stories just in time for Halloween! Our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new frighteningly good books: "Bliss Montage" by Ling Ma, and "Motherthing" by Ainslie Hogarth.  All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 21st century, the American Dream comes in a lot of flavors. On this edition of  The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about fitting in, making friends, and staying true to yourself while finding your way: "American Fever" by Dur e Aziz Amna and "The Life and Times of Hoodie Rosen" by Isaac Blum.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh, Hollywood! So much glamour, so much power, so many stars ! On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that remind us once again that not all that glitters is gold: Mercury Pictures Presents  by Anthony Marra, and Mr. Wilder and Me  by Jonathan Coe.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we praise funny books and the women who write them: our reviews of "Bookish People" by Susan Coll and "The Means" by Amy Fusselman.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is it about rich people? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about fabulous people leading glamorous lives, but things aren't quite what they seem: "The Work Wife" by Allison B. Hart and "The Club" by Ellery Lloyd.  All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop or other fine local retailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we explore the back catalogue of a new favorite author, Jean Hanff Korelitz. We talk about "The White Rose" and "The Devil and Webster."  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How big a role does technology play in our daily lives? Is it a good, or a bad, thing? On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new novels that that aim to answer that heady question, and a few other big ones, too: "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin, and "The Mutual Friend" by Carter Bays.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Given the obvious risks, why write a revealing memoir? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books that reveal the radical power of personal narrative: "Body Work" by Melissa Febos and "Normal Family" by Chrysta Bilton.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.