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The Longest Chapter

The Longest Chapter

Literary fiction, poetry, first editions, classics…

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Category: Best Books of the Year

My 10 favorite books of 2021

December 14, 2021December 17, 2021 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 10 Comments

A surprising mix of novels became my year-end favorites for their morally conflicted and inspiring characters: from scientists to petty thieves, French Algerians to Chilean dictators, an Indiana farm woman to a Black female executive. And then one book, simply put, I didn't want to end.

My 10 favorite books of 2020

December 30, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

Literary novels, a biography, a humorous memoir, a fable, and more. "What I want to tell you about is something quite different," says one character in these unforgettable books on this year-end list.

My year of reading

December 26, 2019December 26, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter

Here at The Longest Chapter, instead of calling out best books of 2019, I've gathered a more personal list.

National Book Awards 2019 Finalists

October 10, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 3 Comments

Twenty-five nominees in five categories made it from the longlist to the shortlist of the National Book Awards. Here's a look at three of them, and also one that didn't make the cut but has an interesting scandal going on in Norway.

Summer prize-winning reads

June 11, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter

This summer, fill the beach bag with 2019 award winners. From the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction to the recently awarded Women's Prize for Fiction, here are seven novels you'll be glad you read.

Top three novels on 2018 year-end lists

December 29, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter

These novels appear the most times on 2018 fiction lists that announce the year's favorites, notables, and bests.

Finalists to talk about – and read

August 6, 2018August 6, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter

The Man Booker 2018 Longlist has produced a baker's dozen of novels readers can get excited about. Finally, they're back to what we want and expect.

Top five fiction books in 2017

December 31, 2017 ~ The Longest Chapter

I cross referenced several 2017 best fiction lists. Here are the results.

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All Sides Weekend Books: Next Show

I’ll be recommending books on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 11 a.m. You can stream the live show online, sign up for the podcast, or listen from the archives at the NPR member station WOSU 89.7 FM. All Sides Weekend Books airs the third Friday every month with occasional exceptions.

Recommended June 17, 2022

Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
Hotel de Dream by Edmund White
Catch the Sparrow by Rachel Rear
The Lunar Housewife by Caroline Woods

Recommended May 20, 2022

Gentleman Overboard by Herbert Clyde Lewis
Uncommon Measure by Natalie Hodges
Five Decembers by James Kestrel

Recommended April 22, 2022

The Impossible Us by Sarah Lotz
The Dolphin House by Audrey Schulman
Where Rivers Change Direction by Mark Spragg
Pyre by Perumal Murugan

Recommended March 18, 2022

In His Own Image by Jérôme Ferrari
The Great Passion by James Runci
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

Recommended February 18, 2022

The Vanished Collection by Pauline Baer de Perignon
Yonder by Jabari Asim
The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning

Recommended January 21. 2022

Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson
The Pages by Hugo Hamilton
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor

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