Some reading opportunities to be aware of, arriving soon. One (a thriller), already published in hardbound is being released in paperback; a non-fiction treasure from the well-known essayist, Pico Iyer, might just become a best-seller; and a literary novel, from a Canadian author, promises to be an engaging story.
Category: Literature
Chasing Martin Amis, then and now
When "The Zone of Interest" came out last month, I jumped in once again to read Martin Amis, after a long hiatus. It seems, however, that I keep jumping without getting hooked. Here's what's going on.
A longlist that’s a great reading list
Nominees for the National Book Award are out. First up, the longlists of 10 contenders each in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and young people's literature. In two weeks, these lists will be shortened to the five finalists. Here's a look at the fiction longlist, with brief summaries.
He was stronger, faster, better
Australian author Christos Tsiolkas received worldwide attention for his best-selling novel "The Slap" not only for its literary quality but also for what many took to be a misogynistic viewpoint. He follows "The Slap" (soon to be a TV miniseries on NBC) with another gripping story, albeit less controversial, the novel "Barracuda." Here's what it's about.
Anticipating September’s new novels
Fall is the time readers can expect to see big-name authors release new novels. Here's a handful to look forward to this coming month.
Rippling reflections in grief
"Ancient Oceans of Central Kentucky" by David Connerley Nahm is a deeply involving story about a boy who disappears and the sister who never forgets him. It's also, for me, a book of special significance.
Which Man Booker nominee to read?
Thirteen novels on the 2014 Man Booker Prize Longlist present great reading selections. Here are brief descriptions, availability and what reviews have said about some of them.
Books about Nixon, Ulysses and Mexico City
Here are three non-fiction books, released this summer, that caught my attention. Briefly noted.
Reading the second novel before the first
This is a review of Bruce Holbert's new, second novel, "The Hour of Lead," and why I wish I'd read his debut, "Lonesome Animals," first.
What I’m reading this summer
Something I love to do during the summertime is catch up on classics. The desire is connected to the memory of the required summer reading lists I used to get for school when I was a young reader. Here's what I've "assigned" to myself this summer.
Ordinary Germans and World War II
Audrey Magee's novel "The Undertaking" is about newlyweds caught up in Berlin society and the Eastern Front during World War II. Stark, moving and intelligent, this is Magee’s fictional debut.
Getting on with one’s life ambitions
"Play it Again: An Amateur Against the Impossible" is about mastering Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G minor for the piano, as well as the ever-present overtaxed schedule that keeps us from doing the things we love. It reminded me of my own journey with the piano.
The book list on the napkin
This blog post could've been titled "the power of book cover illustrations" or "why carrying a print book (versus an e-reader) matters". That's because it shows what happens when people see the book you're reading.
Bootlegging in the Carolinas
Here's an involving story set during Prohibition in a working-class mill town, where the sheriff turns a blind eye to the underground liquor business going on right in front of him. "The Whiskey Baron" is atmospheric, suspenseful and well-written.
My picks from The Edgars® “Bests”
"Ordinary Grace" is one of the most enjoyable books I've read this year. Of note, it just won the the Edgar Award for best novel, announced last week. Two other winners appear here, as well as a link to the full list of nominees and winners in all the categories for the Mystery Writers of America 2014 Edgar Allan Poe Awards.
The Longest Chapter 