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The Longest Chapter

The Longest Chapter

A book critic's discoveries and recommendations

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Category: Notable Books

Summer prize-winning reads

June 11, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

This summer, fill the beach bag with 2019 award winners. From the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction to the recently awarded Women's Prize for Fiction, here are seven novels you'll be glad you read.

Ocean Vuong’s new novel

June 4, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

Award-winning poet and essayist Ocean Vuong has written an emotionally raw coming of age story with "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous."

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.

It’s fiction, but true.

May 8, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

Two absorbing novels about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Syrian civil war illustrate how the region's politics and trauma affect the daily lives of citizens. One a story of friends, the other a story of family, these memorable novels make the news headlines human.

Reading Miriam Toews

April 10, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

“Women Talking” released this month is getting great reviews. So have previous novels by Canadian author Miriam Toews, whose books are bestsellers up north. Why is she so little known to American readers?

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.

Books I’m talking about

February 20, 2019 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 4 Comments

Here are books I recently recommended on WOSU All Sides Weekend Books.

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.

Top three novels on 2018 year-end lists

December 29, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

These novels appear the most times on 2018 fiction lists that announce the year's favorites, notables, and bests.

A selection of new books

November 7, 2018November 28, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ 2 Comments

Here are a few titles I’ve gathered from my ongoing hunt for good books, including novels to anticipate in 2019, more Lucia Berlin stories, and the 2017 Prix Goncourt winner.

Five fiction finalists: the daring ones?

October 19, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

The National Book Awards released their 2018 finalists. I've listed here those for fiction with brief descriptions. Also, reasons why I've lost my thrill for this annual event.

Learning Hannah Arendt

September 25, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

Ken Krimstein delivers a vivid account of Arendt's life and work in "The Three Escapes of Hannah Arendt." It helped me to better understand this 20th century complex thinker in a graphic (“comics”) treatment that’s creatively on the mark.

Finalists to talk about – and read

August 6, 2018August 6, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

The Man Booker 2018 Longlist has produced a baker's dozen of novels readers can get excited about. Finally, they're back to what we want and expect.

21 good books for the summer

June 21, 2018June 21, 2018 ~ The Longest Chapter ~ Leave a comment

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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The Longest Chapter is written by Kassie Rose, book critic for Ohio NPR member station WOSU.

Enter your email address to follow this blog written by book critic Kassie Rose. Kassie reviews books for NPR member station WOSU, which broadcasts throughout Central Ohio. You will receive notifications of new posts by email. Simply click on the sign-up button below.

Tune in to All Sides Weekend Books, aired on Ohio NPR member station WOSU where I recommend great books to read. This includes books that don't get enough media attention, the good stories readers struggle to find. You can stream the live show online, sign up for the podcast, or listen from the archives at WOSU. All Sides Weekend Books airs the third Friday every month with occasional exceptions.

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