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The Longest Chapter

The Longest Chapter

Literary fiction, poetry, first editions, classics…

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Category: New Books

The enduring significance of ordinary life

February 2, 2021 ~ The Longest Chapter

“Zorrie” follows the magnetic spirit of an Indiana woman in the mid-20th century. This exceptional, lyric novel captures her resilience and profound sense of belonging to the land and the people. A character hard to forget and literary talent at its best.

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 author’s volunteer experience in Greece: “Reaching Mithymna” by Steven Heighton

December 8, 2020December 8, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

What if you wanted to do something useful during a crisis? This Canadian author resisted his doubt and acted, traveling to the island of Lesvos in 2015 to help thousands of refugees pouring onto its shores. Here’s a review of his new book.

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.

New this month, a major award finalist: “How to Make a Slave and Other Essays”

November 7, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter

An essay collection written with singular insight, humor and irony. A finalist for the 2020 National Book Award in Nonfiction and the first essay collection I’ve ever described as a page-turner. Published by The Ohio State University Press.

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.

New novels coming in September 2020

August 21, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

We've got lots of good books to look forward to this fall season. Several are by big name authors who publish next month, such as Elena Ferrante and Marilynne Robinson.

“Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell: the death of Shakespeare’s son, and the famous play

August 5, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

Hamnet died in 1596 when he was just a boy. His father immortalized his name in one of the most celebrated plays of all time. Maggie O’Farrell, in her stunning new novel, imagines what happened.

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.

A discerning novel of ethnic identity

June 5, 2020 ~ The Longest Chapter

In "Days of Distraction," Alexandra Chang skillfully evokes the world of her Chinese American narrator, exploring themes of discrimination, self-perception and inter-racial relationships to poignant effect.

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.

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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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