"Anatomy of a Disappearance" by Hisham Matar is fiction, but it touches the real-life story of the author, whose Libyan father spoke out against the Gaddafi dictatorship and disappeared several decades ago. Here's a look at this memorable novel, Matar's second.
Category: New Books
Swedish crime from Karin Alvtegen
Here's an author to keep your eye on. She has three novels published in the U.S. and a style in the crime novel genre that's smart and captivating. I paid a hefty exchange rate so I could read her newest book "Shadow," and it was worth every British pound sterling.
A sisterhood of lonely hearts
If you're looking for that one final good book to read on the patio or take on vacation these dog days of summer, "Break the Skin" by Lee Martin just might be the one. The gathering of lovelorn, irrational characters in a Midwest small-town setting create the perfect, relaxed page-turning draw.
Hype that doesn’t pan out stateside
Stephen Kelman's "Pigeon English" is getting lots of attention for its unique narrative voice. It's even long-listed for the 2011 Man Booker Prize. But the plot draws from a true British crime, and that affects the success of the story this side of the pond.
Pick a name, write a book
Here's a collection of entertaining short biographies about writers who assumed pseudonyms as protective covers, such as the Brontë sisters, who wrote under the pen names Acton, Currer and Ellis Bell; and Eric Blair, who took the pen name George Orwell. Carmela Ciuraru's "Nom de Plume: A (Secret) History of Pseudonyms" is delightfully engaging.
A man sees a shark in a swimming pool…
Ben Loory's new "Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day" is a paperback collection of magical, fable-like stories that explore our inner-most fears and desires. They're short, enthralling and addictive.
Lies, social climbing and time travel
Here are three books that have many indications they'll be interesting, intriguing and/or entertaining. I've given brief descriptions with links to their publishers' websites for further exploring.
The Devil made them do it
Three years ago, Ohio author Donald Ray Pollock received widespread acclaim for his fictional debut, "Knockemstiff," a collection of short stories some likened to a modern-day Winesburg, Ohio, or what the New York Times quaintly referred to as "Winosburg, Ohio". His new novel is out this month, and it's another fine walk on the dark side of Ohio.
The story that’s changing your life
Here’s a book title I’d normally run from so fast there’d be a wind storm in my wake. "Monoculture" brings to mind dry, academic prose proclaiming huge, important concepts that would put me to sleep, or to quick shame for my inability to grasp them. And yet, when approached by the book’s publisher, I agreed to read it, driven to accept her request by a strong instinct. The result? A satisfying surprise.
“Ex Libris: The Art of Bookplates”
Yale University Press has published a book showcasing bookplates housed at the British Museum. Here's a description of it, plus links to a slide show, for a preview.
A therapy of summer morning
"Give Over, Graymalkin" is Gaylord Brewer's eighth collection of poetry, but it's the first I've read of his work. Here's a glimpse into Brewer's new poems that take us to India, Spain and France, and also celebrate the "dead metaphors" of life.
The story of “Jasper Jones”
Craig Silvey's novel is part murder mystery part coming-of-age story. The book's been winning awards and even got short-listed for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. But is it for teens or adults?
A thirst for fame: John Wilkes Booth
This historical novel about President Lincoln's assassination was published 50 years ago and is newly reissued by the New York Review of Books Classics. It's a great rip of a read that, unlike more contemporary historical novels, sticks close to actual events and people.
A whale of a story shortlisted by IMPAC
Michael Crummey's "Galore" set in Newfoundland made it to the shortlist of the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. It's a terrific novel filled with offbeat, magical realities. Here's a few words about it, plus the other nine novels on that shortlist.
Everything that matters is present
"You Are My Heart and Other Stories" is a new collection by veteran writer Jay Neugeboren. Published this month, the gathering of 11 stories has an unusually powerful effect -- driving us toward self-awareness and recognition of the human condition.
