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The Longest Chapter

The Longest Chapter

Literary fiction, poetry, first editions, classics…

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Category: Favorite Books

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.

2020 Christmas books: presents for myself

December 17, 2020April 8, 2021 ~ The Longest Chapter

The permission of the holiday season is here. A classic novel, memoirs, confessions, and a search for Joseph Roth are now under my tree.

An exceptional new World War II novel: “The Vanishing Sky” by L. Annette Binder

July 17, 2020July 17, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter

"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

July 3, 2020August 7, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 3 Comments

“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

June 24, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

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.

The books I’ll be reading next

January 23, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter

A list of books coming in February and March that have me excited, including an essay collection, memoir, biography, fable, crime story and assorted novels.

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.

Two summer books not to be overlooked

August 15, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter

So many summer books, so little time. You'll be sorry, though, if you missed these two.

This reading life: finding a book you love

May 22, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

We should allow ourselves more often to wander through the library stacks. Here are two novels I hadn't planned on reading.

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.

How to get your book of the month

February 5, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 3 Comments

Book box subscription services are many, but they’re not my preference. So here are my three choices for getting a monthly book delivery.

A book that left its mark

September 13, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 4 Comments

Brian Evenson’s Bookmarked personal narrative is about Raymond Carver’s short stories. I couldn’t put it down. If you love books about writers, or love to write and edit, you’ll love this, too.

21 good books for the summer

June 21, 2018June 21, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter

On the advent of the longest day of the year and the true beginning of summer, here's a list of books to cherry pick for your summer reading. They are riveting, involving, devastating or simply delightfully satisfying. But if you're looking for new releases, they're not here.

What’s your favorite book?

May 24, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 7 Comments

PBS launched The Great American Read with a list of America’s 100 favorite books compiled from a national survey. You can now vote for your favorites on the list, in this search for the best loved novel.

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

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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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