The Weekly Reader

Sure, we’re all out here working hard and trying to live our very best lives, but what if you think the best way to achieve your dreams is under the glare of television lights? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that go behind the scenes (and all that glamour!)  and show us how “real” things truly are: "Small Game" by Blair Braverman, and "Carrie Soto is Back" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. 

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On this edition of The Weekly REader, we review two new books steeped in back-of-the house tales of intrigue, drugs, general excess, and of course, mind-blowing International travel and cuisine: California Soul, by Keith Corbin and Kevin Alexander, and The Lemon, by S. E. Boyd. 

All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. 

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When you think of the future, what do you imagine? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels with a decidedly dystopian view of things to come: "Vigil Harbor" by Julia Glass, and "The Displacements" by Bruce Holsinger. 

All books available at The Ivy Bookshopand other fine local retailers. 

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Move over, Oliver Twist! Step aside, Lil Orphan Annie! I’m Lisa Morgan and today on The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new books that remind us that be it the Victorian Era, the roaring twenties, or the present day, “coming of age” can be tricky business. Hi, Marion!

"Coming of Age" can be a tricky business. Just look at Oliver Twist and Little Orphan Annie! On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books that prove that growing up is as hard today as it was in the Victorian Era and the Roaring Twenties: Barbara Kingsolver's "Demon Copperhead" and Jonathan Escoffery's "If I Survive You." 

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, scary stories just in time for Halloween! Our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new frighteningly good books: "Bliss Montage" by Ling Ma, and "Motherthing" by Ainslie Hogarth. 

All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. 

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In the 21st century, the American Dream comes in a lot of flavors. On this edition of  The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about fitting in, making friends, and staying true to yourself while finding your way: "American Fever" by Dur e Aziz Amna and "The Life and Times of Hoodie Rosen" by Isaac Blum.

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Oh, Hollywood! So much glamour, so much power, so many stars! On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that remind us once again that not all that glitters is gold: Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra, and Mr. Wilder and Me by Jonathan Coe.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we praise funny books and the women who write them: our reviews of "Bookish People" by Susan Coll and "The Means" by Amy Fusselman. 

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On this edition ofThe Weekly Reader, we explore the back catalogue of a new favorite author, Jean Hanff Korelitz. We talk about "The White Rose" and "The Devil and Webster." 

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How big a role does technology play in our daily lives? Is it a good, or a bad, thing? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that that aim to answer that heady question, and a few other big ones, too: "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin, and "The Mutual Friend" by Carter Bays. 

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Given the obvious risks, why write a revealing memoir? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books that reveal the radical power of personal narrative: "Body Work" by Melissa Febos and "Normal Family" by Chrysta Bilton. 

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two books that look at the past and future of reproductive rights in the United States: "Controlling Women" by Kathryn Kolbert and Julie Kay and "The Turnaway Study" by Diana Green Foster .

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If you haven’t lost your taste for all things British folllowing Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee celebration, we’ve got you covered! On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two great new novels from across the pond: "An Olive Grove in Ends" by Moses McKenzie and "One Day I Shall Astonish the World" by Nina Stibbe.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, it's all about Toni Morrison! We review "Recitatif," a newly-published short story from Toni Morrison, plus a new memoir about a longtime friendship with the author, "Miss Chloe" by A.J. Verdelle.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new memoirs distilled from fragments and legends of past generations: Rebecca Donner "All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days" and Maud Newton's "Ancestor Trouble."

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, two novels from authors who understand human nature: Michelle Huneven's Search and Anne Tyler's French Braid.

All titles available atThe Ivy Bookshop and other fine retailers.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, new novels from two of our favorite authors. Our book critic Marion Winik reviews Douglas Stuart's "Young Mungo," his follow-up to his 2020 Booker Prize winning novel "Shuggie Bain," and Jennifer Egan's latest, "The Candy House."

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Springtime brings awards season to The Weekly Reader, and this week we are featuring two finalists for the National Book Critics Award in the Autobiography category. Marion Winik reviews "A Farewell to Gabo and Mercedes" by Rodrigo Garcia, and "A Ghost in the Throat" by Doireann Ni Ghriofa.

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Where would we be without our friends? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that explore the complicated intricacies and intense intimacies of long-time female friendships: "Wildcat" by Amelia Morris and "Fiona and Jane" by Jean Chen Ho.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,we review two new novels about getting by, and trying to get ahead, in New York City: The Harlem Shuffleby Colson Whitehead, and Olga Dies Dreamingby Xochitl Gonzalez.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,we review two new memoirs about growing up under "complicated" circumstances: Sex Cult Nunby Faith Jones, and House of Sticksby Ly Tran.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,big stories from a big country. We review two new American novels: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, and The Love Songs of W.E.B. Dubois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers.

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Hard times make for great novels. On this edition of The Weekly Reader,we review two new novels of the COVID-19 era: Our Country Friendsby Gary Shteyngart and Wish You Were Hereby Jodi Picoult.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,we review These Precious Days,a new collection of essays from Ann Patchett, and we revisit another her first collection, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, two new novels that explore the intricate dance of women's friendships. We review the highly anticipated third book from Sally Rooney, Beautiful World, Where Are You?and We Are Not Like Themby Christina Pride and Jo Piazza.

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Family life has always been great fodder for novels. On this edition of The Weekly Reader,we review two new novels about complicated families. Marion Winik gives us her take on Jonathan Franzen's Crossroads,and Atticus Lish's The War for Gloria.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,we review two new memoirs that explore the heartbreak and triumph of Asian-American identity and assimilation: Beautiful Countryby Qian Julie Wang, and Crying in H-Martby Michele Zauner.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,two new memoirs from a pair of seasoned authors. Marion Winik reviews Nothing Personalby Nancy Jo Sales and The Secret To Superhuman Strength,a graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,we revisit the thriller theme! Our book critic Marion Winik comes out from hiding under the covers to review The Twenty-Two Murders of Madison May by Max Barry, and The Turnout, by Megan Abbott.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,two new thrillers sure to make your summer reading more, well, thrilling! Marion reviews TJ Newman's Fallingand one from the master of the genre, Stephen King's Billy Summers.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels, both thrillers, but in a break with tradition, she is only recommending one of the books. Hear why she thinks you should consider reading Bruce Henderson's Lucky King.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,we feature two new novels that explore the complex terrain of modern marriage. Marion Winik reviews Joshua Henkin's Morningside Heights,and Kristin Arnett's With Teeth.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,our resident book critic Marion Winik shares new work by two of her favorite fiction writers! We review Secrets of Happiness by Joan Silber, and The Blackmailers Guide to Love by Marian Thurm.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, two new memoirs about skeletons in the family closet. Marion Winik reviews Hunter Biden's Beautiful Thingsand Margaret Kimball's And Now I Spill The Family Secrets.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader,we explore three novels that plumb the possibilities -- both good, and bad -- of prep school life. Marion Winik reviews All Girlsby Emily Layden, The Starboard Seaby Amber Dermont, and Old Schoolby Tobias Wolff.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about life lessons learned whilst on the job: Mateo Askaripour's Black Buck and Chang Rae Lee's My Year Abroad.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books that search for meaning by reflecting on the past: Cold Moon: On Love, Life and Responsibility, by Roger Rosenblatt, and A World Out of Reach: Dispatches from Life Under Lockdown, edited by Meghan O'Rourke.

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Today on The Weekly Reader, we are marking four years on the air! To celebrate, we are featuring two very different books about babies: Detransition, Baby,by Torrey Peters, and American Babyby Gabrielle Glaser.

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