Skip to content
The Longest Chapter

The Longest Chapter

Literary fiction, poetry, first editions, classics…

  • 54 Books, 54 Favorites
  • About This Blog
  • Blogger’s Bio

Category: Books in Translation

My reading life: a few good books

April 8, 2021 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

Here you'll find three novels that will capture your attention for their complex characters, intriguing settings, and heartrending stories. Also, I’ve included the title of an unusual book from Melbourne, Australia, and a new novel coming out next week that takes place during a bloody week in 1871 Paris.

“The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World”

March 11, 2021 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

Laura Imai Messina’s engaging new novel tells the story of Japan's 2011 tsunami survivors and others who talk to their dead loved ones on a disconnected phone. Inspired by true events. Unusual and not to be missed.

My reading life: just finished + coming soon

February 19, 2021 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

A 21st century poet writes about the life of an enslaved 18th century poet, and a psychoanalyst explores that fateful night in Gethsemane in two profound stories far from this century. Plus, March is promising to be a literary month to look forward to – here’s why.

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.

Book award winners announced this week

November 20, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter

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.

An old man contemplates his life with music: “Self-Portrait With Russian Piano”

September 30, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter

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.

September 3, 2020September 3, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter

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.

My impossible list of wants. Then three.

May 19, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 7 Comments

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

April 30, 2020April 30, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

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.

“The Teacher” by Michal Ben-Naftali

February 28, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter

An unnamed narrator imagines the life of her austere high school English teacher, compelled to understand what the Kolozsvár native experienced during the Holocaust and why she took her own life. It's profound storytelling in an intense, moving novel.

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.

An orphan in the family storm

August 30, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

"A Girl Returned" is the English-language debut of Italian author Donatella Di Pietrantonio. This memorable novel captivates readers with its young narrator whose identity and sense of belonging is shattered by her misguided family.

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.

The 100 Best Novels in Translation

March 15, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 6 Comments

We depend on translators to bring us the world's literature. We also depend on them to make the right decisions on how to bring a novel to life, wrestling with fidelity to the original versus comprehension for the reader. This book is not only a list, but a guide to those who do this marvelous work.

Posts navigation

Older posts

Enter your email address to follow this blog written by book critic Kassie Rose. You'll receive notifications of new posts by email. Simply click on the sign-up button below.

Join 2,025 other followers

All Sides Weekend Books

I’ll be on air discussing book recommendations Friday, April 23, at 11 a.m. You can stream the show online, sign up for the podcast, or listen from the archives at the NPR member station WOSU 89.7 FM.

Recent Posts

  • My reading life: a few good books April 8, 2021
  • Coming soon: five new novels by seasoned authors March 18, 2021
  • “The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World” March 11, 2021
  • My reading life: just finished + coming soon February 19, 2021
  • The enduring significance of ordinary life February 2, 2021
  • My 10 favorite books of 2020 December 30, 2020
  • 2020 Christmas books: presents for myself December 17, 2020

Top Posts

  • Which one Faulkner novel should you read?
    Which one Faulkner novel should you read?
  • Two novels to anticipate
    Two novels to anticipate
  • "Hamnet" by Maggie O'Farrell: the death of Shakespeare's son, and the famous play
    "Hamnet" by Maggie O'Farrell: the death of Shakespeare's son, and the famous play
  • Is Rusty Sabich innocent again?
    Is Rusty Sabich innocent again?
  • My reading life: a few good books
    My reading life: a few good books
  • 54 Books, 54 Favorites
    54 Books, 54 Favorites
  • The 100 Best Novels in Translation
    The 100 Best Novels in Translation

Longest Chapter Search

Search by Month

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×