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The Longest Chapter

The Longest Chapter

A book critic's discoveries and recommendations

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Month: November 2009

Content & design: “Too Much Happiness”

November 28, 2009November 30, 2009 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

Alice Munro's recently released collection of short stories is predictably winning praise. But it's the design of her new book that's initially caught my attention.

This thanks-giving holiday, thank you

November 25, 2009November 22, 2012 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 1 Comment

Some thanks, some poetry, some good wishes and more in this Thanksgiving message originally posted in 2009.

Read me! A collection of American book ads

November 23, 2009November 23, 2009 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

Dwight Garner's new book "Read Me: A Century of Classic American book Advertisements" gathers 300 vintage ads published during the 20th Century -- the century when "The Great Gatsby," "Ulysses," "On the Road," "Lolita," "Silent Spring," "The Joy of Sex," "Gone With the Wind," "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Helter Skelter" and so many other classics hit our bookshelves.

In “A Meaningful Life” everything is all wrong

November 20, 2009November 20, 2009 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

L. J. Davis's 1971 novel “A Meaningful Life” was reissued this year. It's a funny story about a protagonist who gets a wake-up call to do something about his dull life.

2009 National Book Award Winners

November 18, 2009November 18, 2009 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 1 Comment

Awards were announced late Wednesday night. Colum McCann won for fiction. Here are all the winners.

The surprise of “American Salvage”

November 18, 2009November 18, 2009 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

Here's a collection of short stories that's risen to the literary forefront, thanks to its National Book Award nomination. The author of "American Salvage," Bonnie Jo Campbell, writes with unsettling grace.

“The Anatomy of Melancholy”

November 16, 2009May 30, 2011 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

Robert Burton's 17th Century exploration of melancholy is a best seller for The New York Review of Books Classics. But why?

Lost in the coliseum

November 15, 2009November 15, 2009 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 1 Comment

You never know what you'll find at the Dayton Book Fair, and that's the fun of it. It's held this time every year in the Montgomery County Fairgrounds Coliseum. I went and had a blast.

The Prix Goncourt and IMPAC literary prizes

November 13, 2009November 13, 2009 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

France announced its 2009 top literary award winner. Plus, we've got the long list for Dublin's 2010 IMPAC, a great resource for international reading.

The book that got me off the bad news train

November 10, 2009November 10, 2009 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

The fate of books is discussed in several publications I picked up recently. I found relief from the dark clouds in a book on My Reading Table.

Getting Louise Erdrich’s signature

November 8, 2009November 8, 2009 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 1 Comment

I went to Kenyon College Saturday night with my 4 Louise Erdrich novels. Ms. Erdrich was the featured author at the Kenyon Review Literary Festival.

Do these books have future readers?

November 7, 2009March 26, 2010 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

The new issue of "The American Scholar" features a troubling article about the decline of English literature as a college major. It's worthy reading. Plus, 10 books from my college bookshelf. Are they now irrelevant?

Finding “Kaputt”

November 5, 2009February 15, 2011 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

"The New York Review of Books" Classics series publishes great novels of World War II. Here's one of them.

“The Humbling” is Roth at his best

November 2, 2009November 8, 2009 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

"The Humbling" is Philip Roth's 30th book. Here's a review and links to Roth's own thoughts about the book.

The Longest Chapter is written by Kassie Rose, book critic for Ohio NPR member station WOSU.

Enter your email address to follow this blog written by book critic Kassie Rose. Kassie reviews books for NPR member station WOSU, which broadcasts throughout Central Ohio. You will receive notifications of new posts by email. Simply click on the sign-up button below.

Tune in to All Sides Weekend Books, aired on Ohio NPR member station WOSU where I recommend great books to read. This includes books that don't get enough media attention, the good stories readers struggle to find. You can stream the live show online, sign up for the podcast, or listen from the archives at WOSU. All Sides Weekend Books airs the third Friday every month with occasional exceptions.

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