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Washington Post
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
15 new paperbacks to read in June
Porter has managed to write a novel about the early days of the covid pandemic that is both challenging and delightful. She fits a remarkable number of compelling individual stories into an examination of the ways that the emergency illuminated social and racial divisions in American life. In Book World, Ron Charles wrote: 'I've never read a novel that pinballs so confidently from character to character, story to story.' Porter has managed to write a novel about the early days of the covid pandemic that is both challenging and delightful. She fits a remarkable number of compelling individual stories into an examination of the ways that the emergency illuminated social and racial divisions in American life. In Book World, Ron Charles wrote: 'I've never read a novel that pinballs so confidently from character to character, story to story.' Barry's first novel to be set in America is an Irish-flavored western fraught with danger and the story of a romance filled with caustic humor and pathos. It features a rogues' gallery of characters and is written in the author's trademark lyrical, surprising prose. In Book World, Malcolm Forbes wrote: 'What starts as a gritty depiction of one man going nowhere soon becomes a gripping tale of two lovers on the run.' Barry's first novel to be set in America is an Irish-flavored western fraught with danger and the story of a romance filled with caustic humor and pathos. It features a rogues' gallery of characters and is written in the author's trademark lyrical, surprising prose. In Book World, Malcolm Forbes wrote: 'What starts as a gritty depiction of one man going nowhere soon becomes a gripping tale of two lovers on the run.' When his relationship ends, Kalu visits a sex party in a fictional Nigerian city in this novel by the author of 'Freshwater' and 'You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty.' Over the course of the weekend after, Kalu's life collides with those of others in the city's demimonde, and breakups threaten to slide into breakdowns. When his relationship ends, Kalu visits a sex party in a fictional Nigerian city in this novel by the author of 'Freshwater' and 'You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty.' Over the course of the weekend after, Kalu's life collides with those of others in the city's demimonde, and breakups threaten to slide into breakdowns. In this best-selling debut, Read introduces us to Victoria when she's a teenager in the 1940s and a budding love begins to change her life. The novel takes her through the ensuing decades as she attempts to find her place in the world, attentive to the wild landscapes of Read's native Colorado. In this best-selling debut, Read introduces us to Victoria when she's a teenager in the 1940s and a budding love begins to change her life. The novel takes her through the ensuing decades as she attempts to find her place in the world, attentive to the wild landscapes of Read's native Colorado. Perry writes old-fashioned prose that has a sumptuous, almost embroidered feel. Her latest novel follows a friendship between Thomas Hart, a small-town newspaper columnist and amateur astronomer, and Grace Macauley, a willful teenager, who first met at their church when Grace was a baby. Both are tugged between their faith and earthly desires: Thomas's for men; Grace's for a boy named Nathan. Perry writes old-fashioned prose that has a sumptuous, almost embroidered feel. Her latest novel follows a friendship between Thomas Hart, a small-town newspaper columnist and amateur astronomer, and Grace Macauley, a willful teenager, who first met at their church when Grace was a baby. Both are tugged between their faith and earthly desires: Thomas's for men; Grace's for a boy named Nathan. In 1992, Artie Anderson is thriving in New York: newly 30, surrounded by friends, writing a novel and beginning a promising romance with the handsomest man he's ever seen. Three decades later, he's living entirely on his own, weighed down by grief until an accident throws him into the embrace of a new community. As Artie pulls back the curtains to let the light in, Finger (co-host of the popular podcast 'Who? Weekly') movingly captures the long struggle for queer survival in the wake of the AIDS crisis, ultimately offering a sweetly unsentimental lesson in the rediscovery of joy. In 1992, Artie Anderson is thriving in New York: newly 30, surrounded by friends, writing a novel and beginning a promising romance with the handsomest man he's ever seen. Three decades later, he's living entirely on his own, weighed down by grief until an accident throws him into the embrace of a new community. As Artie pulls back the curtains to let the light in, Finger (co-host of the popular podcast 'Who? Weekly') movingly captures the long struggle for queer survival in the wake of the AIDS crisis, ultimately offering a sweetly unsentimental lesson in the rediscovery of joy. As this novel begins, Canadian teenagers Teddy and Adam drive north without a definite destination — but not before one of them purchases a rifle. Khurana shadows them as they speed toward their fate, shifting between their perspectives as they spar with each other and begin to break free from the conditions that have always defined their young lives. As this novel begins, Canadian teenagers Teddy and Adam drive north without a definite destination — but not before one of them purchases a rifle. Khurana shadows them as they speed toward their fate, shifting between their perspectives as they spar with each other and begin to break free from the conditions that have always defined their young lives. Sanchez's first novel follows a young boy from Colombia to the United States and back again as he struggles with abandonment issues, acclimates to a new homeland and grapples with his sexual awakening. With a 'father-shaped hole' in his heart, he pushes away from his single mother in a raucous attempt to define his own life. But accompanying her back to Colombia as an adult allows him to reconsider the childhood images he had of his parents. Sanchez's first novel follows a young boy from Colombia to the United States and back again as he struggles with abandonment issues, acclimates to a new homeland and grapples with his sexual awakening. With a 'father-shaped hole' in his heart, he pushes away from his single mother in a raucous attempt to define his own life. But accompanying her back to Colombia as an adult allows him to reconsider the childhood images he had of his parents. When Mosley introduced readers to Easy Rawlins in 'Devil in a Blue Dress,' it was just a few years after World War II, and Rawlins had not yet established himself as a detective. Now, more than a dozen books later, 'Farewell, Amethystine' catches up with the veteran P.I. in the 1970s as he works to solve a mystery brought to him by a woman who summons up difficult memories from his past. As E.A. Aymar wrote in Book World, Mosley 'is still at the top of a genre he helped to pioneer.' When Mosley introduced readers to Easy Rawlins in 'Devil in a Blue Dress,' it was just a few years after World War II, and Rawlins had not yet established himself as a detective. Now, more than a dozen books later, 'Farewell, Amethystine' catches up with the veteran P.I. in the 1970s as he works to solve a mystery brought to him by a woman who summons up difficult memories from his past. As E.A. Aymar wrote in Book World, Mosley 'is still at the top of a genre he helped to pioneer.' Wise won the Edgar Award for best first novel by an American author for this thriller about Will Seems, a deputy sheriff in southern Virginia who is thrown together with a private detective when the authorities arrest an innocent man in the murder of Will's old friend. The two investigators butt heads as they delve into the history of the region — and attempt to find the real killer — over the course of a story that has earned comparisons to the work of S.A. Cosby. Wise won the Edgar Award for best first novel by an American author for this thriller about Will Seems, a deputy sheriff in southern Virginia who is thrown together with a private detective when the authorities arrest an innocent man in the murder of Will's old friend. The two investigators butt heads as they delve into the history of the region — and attempt to find the real killer — over the course of a story that has earned comparisons to the work of S.A. Cosby. In 1960s and '70s Beverly Hills, Dunne's family mingled with Tinseltown's A-list. In this memoir, the accomplished actor, producer and director mainly occupies the role of son and brother — a bit player in his own story. In Book World, Leigh Haber wrote that Dunne 'uses his authorial gifts — a filmmaker's eye, photographic memory and way with a quip — to great effect, exploring how the seemingly charmed lives of the Dunnes unraveled.' In 1960s and '70s Beverly Hills, Dunne's family mingled with Tinseltown's A-list. In this memoir, the accomplished actor, producer and director mainly occupies the role of son and brother — a bit player in his own story. In Book World, Leigh Haber wrote that Dunne 'uses his authorial gifts — a filmmaker's eye, photographic memory and way with a quip — to great effect, exploring how the seemingly charmed lives of the Dunnes unraveled.' In this memoir, novelist Ciment reconsiders her long marriage to a much older man whom she started dating when she was a teenager. Early in the book, Ciment asks whether her marriage was all 'fruit from the poisonous tree.' In Book World, Becca Rothfeld wrote, 'It is a daring question, and she is unsentimental and unflinching enough to answer it convincingly, which is to say, complexly.' In this memoir, novelist Ciment reconsiders her long marriage to a much older man whom she started dating when she was a teenager. Early in the book, Ciment asks whether her marriage was all 'fruit from the poisonous tree.' In Book World, Becca Rothfeld wrote, 'It is a daring question, and she is unsentimental and unflinching enough to answer it convincingly, which is to say, complexly.' Threatened by the German advance in the Ardennes and with Allied planes grounded by inclement weather, Gen. George Patton turned to a higher power, seeking out a prayer for divine intervention in the conflict. In telling this story, Kershaw (the author of several other World War II bestsellers, including 'The Longest Winter') captures how Patton inspired his men and led them through the Battle of the Bulge. Threatened by the German advance in the Ardennes and with Allied planes grounded by inclement weather, Gen. George Patton turned to a higher power, seeking out a prayer for divine intervention in the conflict. In telling this story, Kershaw (the author of several other World War II bestsellers, including 'The Longest Winter') captures how Patton inspired his men and led them through the Battle of the Bulge. Haberman, a White House correspondent for the New York Times, here tells the story of Donald Trump's ascent in late-1970s and 1980s New York among hustlers, mobsters, political bosses, compliant prosecutors and tabloid scandalmongers. 'The dynamics that defined New York City in the 1980s,' Haberman writes, 'stayed with Trump for decades; he often seemed frozen there.' This paperback edition includes new reporting through the 2024 election. Haberman, a White House correspondent for the New York Times, here tells the story of Donald Trump's ascent in late-1970s and 1980s New York among hustlers, mobsters, political bosses, compliant prosecutors and tabloid scandalmongers. 'The dynamics that defined New York City in the 1980s,' Haberman writes, 'stayed with Trump for decades; he often seemed frozen there.' This paperback edition includes new reporting through the 2024 election. Science journalist Boyle's history of our knowledge of the moon and its influence on life on Earth was longlisted for the National Book Award for nonfiction in 2024. The New York Review of Books called it a 'compact, sparkling, fact-filled work of popular science.' Science journalist Boyle's history of our knowledge of the moon and its influence on life on Earth was longlisted for the National Book Award for nonfiction in 2024. The New York Review of Books called it a 'compact, sparkling, fact-filled work of popular science.'
Washington Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
What to read this summer
Summer is the perfect time to dive into a new book, and the Post's Book World section has compiled recommendations for every type of reader. Today, Book World editors Jacob Brogan and John Williams talk to host Elahe Izadi about the new releases and old titles they suggest digging into this summer. Here's the list of books mentioned in today's episode: 'The Death and Life of August Sweeney' by Samuel Ashworth 'Bleak House' by Charles Dickens 'Mark Twain' by Ron Chernow 'Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America' by Sam Tanenhaus 'Is a River Alive?' by Robert MacFarlane 'King of Ashes' by S.A. Cosby 'Spent' by Alison Bechdel 'Crush' by Ada Calhoun 'The Book of Records' by Madeleine Thien 'The Dry Season' by Melissa Febos 'Sloppy' by Rax King 'Flashlight' by Susan Choi 'Second Life' by Amanda Hess 'Mood Machine' by Liz Pelly Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Lucas Trevor. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick, and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
Washington Post
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Mario Vargas Llosa was a daring truth-teller. He was also my friend.
Marie Arana is the author, most recently, of 'LatinoLand: A Portrait of America's Largest and Least Understood Minority.' She was literary director of the Library of Congress and editor of The Post's Book World. The first time I telephoned Mario Vargas Llosa, it was to tell him that a man with a gruff voice, who identified himself only as working for the Peruvian Consulate in New York, had called to ask exactly where Mario would be sitting at a prize ceremony that evening. It was the spring of 1997, the National Book Critics Circle was about to give him an award for his essay collection 'Making Waves,' and it struck me as an odd question. Why hadn't the consulate called Mario directly? Why wouldn't the man give me his name? And why in the world did he want to know the exact seat where Mario would be found?
Washington Post
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Hardcovers are heavy and expensive. Here are 15 new paperbacks worth reading.
In this new recurring feature, Book World editors round up each month's notable paperback releases. This Booker Prize finalist experiments with form, using short vignettes to stitch together a chronology of nearly 120 years, beginning with a World War I soldier lying injured on a battlefield, reminiscing about the love of his life. In his review for The Washington Post, Ron Charles called it 'one of the most romantic books I've ever read.' This Booker Prize finalist experiments with form, using short vignettes to stitch together a chronology of nearly 120 years, beginning with a World War I soldier lying injured on a battlefield, reminiscing about the love of his life. In his review for The Washington Post, Ron Charles called it 'one of the most romantic books I've ever read.' Robinson's latest is a study of the complex joy and pain of late-life love. It follows Sarah, a divorced, 60-year-old art curator, who runs into Warren, a long-married architect who is also 60. The two dated in their youth; when past feelings resurface, complications ensue, conveyed in writing that is unfailingly clear-eyed and packed with psychological insights. Robinson's latest is a study of the complex joy and pain of late-life love. It follows Sarah, a divorced, 60-year-old art curator, who runs into Warren, a long-married architect who is also 60. The two dated in their youth; when past feelings resurface, complications ensue, conveyed in writing that is unfailingly clear-eyed and packed with psychological insights. The debut novel by Gordon, an editor at the Atlantic and a widely published arts journalist, is about a 31-year-old writer who reinvestigates the death many years ago of a high school friend. A podcast ensues. So do thoughts about popular culture and how millennials are handling the march of time. The debut novel by Gordon, an editor at the Atlantic and a widely published arts journalist, is about a 31-year-old writer who reinvestigates the death many years ago of a high school friend. A podcast ensues. So do thoughts about popular culture and how millennials are handling the march of time. In Bertino's third novel, Adina, a girl born in Philadelphia in 1977, is actually an emissary from space, sent to report on the potential habitability of Earth and human behavior — via fax machine. Part science fiction, part coming-of-age tale, the book showcases a singular imagination. In Bertino's third novel, Adina, a girl born in Philadelphia in 1977, is actually an emissary from space, sent to report on the potential habitability of Earth and human behavior — via fax machine. Part science fiction, part coming-of-age tale, the book showcases a singular imagination. This novel by the undersung Welsh writer Davies opens with a flat-broke minister deposited on a remote northern Scottish island to evict a tenant farmer named Ivar. What follows is a story of connection and communication as the two men come to know each other, rendered in deft and visceral prose. This novel by the undersung Welsh writer Davies opens with a flat-broke minister deposited on a remote northern Scottish island to evict a tenant farmer named Ivar. What follows is a story of connection and communication as the two men come to know each other, rendered in deft and visceral prose. Bullwinkel's first novel centers on eight American teens who are competing in Reno, Nevada, to win the Women's Youth Boxing Association title. As the tournament unfolds, readers learn the backstories of each athlete — about their families and personal struggles — and Bullwinkel's spare, evocative prose and eye for unusual details elevate this book beyond a typical sports novel. Bullwinkel's first novel centers on eight American teens who are competing in Reno, Nevada, to win the Women's Youth Boxing Association title. As the tournament unfolds, readers learn the backstories of each athlete — about their families and personal struggles — and Bullwinkel's spare, evocative prose and eye for unusual details elevate this book beyond a typical sports novel. Over a 35-year career, Swisher has become the most recognizable chronicler of the digital revolution. In this breezy memoir, the high-flying journalist intersperses tech industry lore with tidbits of gossip, behind-the-scenes backstories and zesty one-liners. Along the way we encounter, through her eyes, some of the legends of the digital economy, including Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Over a 35-year career, Swisher has become the most recognizable chronicler of the digital revolution. In this breezy memoir, the high-flying journalist intersperses tech industry lore with tidbits of gossip, behind-the-scenes backstories and zesty one-liners. Along the way we encounter, through her eyes, some of the legends of the digital economy, including Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Growing up in Upstate New York, Majors was often teased for having lighter skin than his four siblings and being able to pass as White. His family had lived in this rural town for decades — trapped by poor education, housing discrimination and a lack of jobs. 'Their wounds just festered and their sins multiplied,' Majors writes. His book is a plainspoken, heartfelt chronicle of his attempt to both escape and understand his past — and to forge his own identity. Growing up in Upstate New York, Majors was often teased for having lighter skin than his four siblings and being able to pass as White. His family had lived in this rural town for decades — trapped by poor education, housing discrimination and a lack of jobs. 'Their wounds just festered and their sins multiplied,' Majors writes. His book is a plainspoken, heartfelt chronicle of his attempt to both escape and understand his past — and to forge his own identity. This wide-ranging and delightful survey by journalist Green is packed with fascinating facts. With infectious humor and enthusiasm, she introduces us to ideas from exobiology (the study of life on other worlds) and researchers who study exoplanets (worlds beyond our solar system), pointing out that these fields rely as heavily on science fiction as on mathematical probabilities. This wide-ranging and delightful survey by journalist Green is packed with fascinating facts. With infectious humor and enthusiasm, she introduces us to ideas from exobiology (the study of life on other worlds) and researchers who study exoplanets (worlds beyond our solar system), pointing out that these fields rely as heavily on science fiction as on mathematical probabilities. Manne, a philosopher, argues that fatphobia is a form of structural oppression. She wrote this book, a finalist for a National Book Award, after losing nearly 50 pounds in one year, largely through brutal bouts of self-starvation. After this wake-up call, she decided she wouldn't let her beloved daughter grow up in a home — in a world — where being thin was valued far above physical and mental well-being. Manne, a philosopher, argues that fatphobia is a form of structural oppression. She wrote this book, a finalist for a National Book Award, after losing nearly 50 pounds in one year, largely through brutal bouts of self-starvation. After this wake-up call, she decided she wouldn't let her beloved daughter grow up in a home — in a world — where being thin was valued far above physical and mental well-being. In this thorough and sensitive work, historian Geroulanos shows that both wistful and disdainful depictions of the past have been used to justify atrocities in the present, and he complicates the increasingly widespread belief that pining for the past is an exclusively conservative pastime. In this thorough and sensitive work, historian Geroulanos shows that both wistful and disdainful depictions of the past have been used to justify atrocities in the present, and he complicates the increasingly widespread belief that pining for the past is an exclusively conservative pastime. Kaplan, the author of a two-volume biography of Frank Sinatra, here offers a compelling biography of Davis, Coltrane and Evans before, during and after their recording sessions for Davis's revolutionary classic 'Kind of Blue.' Kaplan, the author of a two-volume biography of Frank Sinatra, here offers a compelling biography of Davis, Coltrane and Evans before, during and after their recording sessions for Davis's revolutionary classic 'Kind of Blue.' Alexander structures this biography around Holiday's final year, flashing back to other periods in her life. He charts how an exceedingly difficult life was transformed into heartbreakingly beautiful, timelessly classic songs. Alexander structures this biography around Holiday's final year, flashing back to other periods in her life. He charts how an exceedingly difficult life was transformed into heartbreakingly beautiful, timelessly classic songs. In this novel, a smash hit in Norlin's native Sweden and currently being adapted for TV, an exhausted journalist heads to the woods for rejuvenation. There she finds seven people living in a commune of sorts, though they defy New Age stereotypes. ('Their bodies like a cross-section of bus passengers, they looked like anyone at all. They might as well have been a group of computer programmers.') As she gets to know them, we learn of the group's eventful history. In this novel, a smash hit in Norlin's native Sweden and currently being adapted for TV, an exhausted journalist heads to the woods for rejuvenation. There she finds seven people living in a commune of sorts, though they defy New Age stereotypes. ('Their bodies like a cross-section of bus passengers, they looked like anyone at all. They might as well have been a group of computer programmers.') As she gets to know them, we learn of the group's eventful history. Midway across the Atlantic Ocean, a cargo ship with a highly organized female captain stops so its crew of 20 men can enjoy a leisurely swim. When the boat continues on its way, the crew is 21. How that could be true is the slowly approached mystery of this unnerving novel by a French playwright. Midway across the Atlantic Ocean, a cargo ship with a highly organized female captain stops so its crew of 20 men can enjoy a leisurely swim. When the boat continues on its way, the crew is 21. How that could be true is the slowly approached mystery of this unnerving novel by a French playwright.
