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The Longest Chapter

The Longest Chapter

Literary fiction, poetry, first editions, classics…

  • 54 Books, 54 Favorites
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Category: Favorite Books

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.

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.

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Recent Posts

  • My 10 favorite books of 2020 December 30, 2020
  • 2020 Christmas books: presents for myself December 17, 2020
  • An author’s volunteer experience in Greece: “Reaching Mithymna” by Steven Heighton December 8, 2020
  • Book award winners announced this week November 20, 2020
  • New this month, a major award finalist: “How to Make a Slave and Other Essays” November 7, 2020
  • An old man contemplates his life with music: “Self-Portrait With Russian Piano” September 30, 2020
  • Three new story collections you want to ignore, but I recommend you don’t. September 3, 2020

Top Posts

  • Which one Faulkner novel should you read?
    Which one Faulkner novel should you read?
  • A milkman and slow horses: Mick Herron's brilliant British intelligence series
    A milkman and slow horses: Mick Herron's brilliant British intelligence series
  • A man sees a shark in a swimming pool...
    A man sees a shark in a swimming pool...
  • Is Rusty Sabich innocent again?
    Is Rusty Sabich innocent again?
  • 2020 Christmas books: presents for myself
    2020 Christmas books: presents for myself
  • My 10 favorite books of 2020
    My 10 favorite books of 2020
  • Andreï Makine and the Soviet experience
    Andreï Makine and the Soviet experience

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