Some of the finest books published this year won the Booker Prize and the National Book Awards. Fiction includes stories about a ghost haunting a train station, an Asian actor aspiring to be Kung Fu Guy, and a boy in 1980's Glasgow. Here are the titles.
New this month, a major award finalist: “How to Make a Slave and Other Essays”
An essay collection written with singular insight, humor and irony. A finalist for the 2020 National Book Award in Nonfiction and the first essay collection I’ve ever described as a page-turner. Published by The Ohio State University Press.
An old man contemplates his life with music: “Self-Portrait With Russian Piano”
Wolf Wondratshek's new novel evocatively explores the life and emotions of a concert pianist. Profoundly enjoyable, especially for classical music enthusiasts.
Three new story collections you want to ignore, but I recommend you don’t.
It's unheard of for me to read not just one but three short story collections in less than a month. I'm typically more into novels, but I couldn't put these down.
New novels coming in September 2020
We've got lots of good books to look forward to this fall season. Several are by big name authors who publish next month, such as Elena Ferrante and Marilynne Robinson.
“Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell: the death of Shakespeare’s son, and the famous play
Hamnet died in 1596 when he was just a boy. His father immortalized his name in one of the most celebrated plays of all time. Maggie O’Farrell, in her stunning new novel, imagines what happened.
An exceptional new World War II novel: “The Vanishing Sky” by L. Annette Binder
"The Vanishing Sky" sings to the heart and gives meaning to the soul by its seductive atmosphere and memorable, resilient characters. A favorite read of mine this summer.
A milkman and slow horses: Mick Herron’s brilliant British intelligence series
“The Catch" is a perfect introduction to Mick Herron’s Slough House series about disgraced British spies. It’s a fast-paced novella and the reason I picked up “Slow Horses." Here’s what to love about these two books.
Recommendations for a book club
Often in conversation someone mentions an upcoming book club meeting, and they say they need help with suggested reading to take with them. Here's a list I created for a recent request.
A discerning novel of ethnic identity
In "Days of Distraction," Alexandra Chang skillfully evokes the world of her Chinese American narrator, exploring themes of discrimination, self-perception and inter-racial relationships to poignant effect.
My impossible list of wants. Then three.
The International Dublin Literary Award is parked indefinitely at its 2020 Longlist due to the pandemic. But wait ‘til you see the nominees, happy hunting ground for readers in search of a good novel. There are many, but I provide a tip to help your search.
The books I’m reading now
Readers looking for new stories, here's a list of five books, all new this year, a mix of fascinating JFK fact/fiction, WWII non-fiction, an "engrossing" biography, and a dark novel that's one of the six finalists for the International Booker Prize. Also, an update about delayed spring releases.
“Whiteout Conditions” by Tariq Shah
In this new novel, the inviting narrator relates a weekend adventure with his friend Vince as they attend the funeral of Vince’s cousin Ray. It's a dark story about friendship and loss with overtones of humor and sparkling weirdness.
“Nobody Will Tell You This But Me”
Funny and heartwarming, Bess Kalb's new book narrated by her grandmother is just what our weary, fearful souls need right now. A must read for Bobby Bell's message of resilience, grace and wit.
Five books in these days of distraction
How to read when my concentration is shot? I'm channeling Anne Lamott. Also, you'll find here novels by Shirley Jackson, TaraShea Nesbit, Alison Moore, Anne Enright, and Mick Herron.
