The Weekly Reader

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review a pair of high-profile memoirs that reveal the complex lives of two vastly different, widely influential people: Patriot, by Alexei Navalny, and Cher: The Memoir, Part One, by Cher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ah, December! On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels to help get you in the mood to celebrate the season, however, and whatever, you choose: Time of the Child, by Niall Williams, and Love You A Latke, by Amanda Elliot.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review a unique collaboration involving the celebrated poet Naomi Shahib Nye, Ann Alejandro, and our own Marion Winik: "I Know About a Thousand Things: The Writings of Ann Alejandro of Uvalde, Texas."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about the complicated ways we share our lives, and love, with others: Intermezzo, by Sallie Rooney, and The Wildes, by Louis Bayard.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that prove, once again, that sometimes, you just need a good road trip to sort yourself out: Goyhood, by Reuven Fenton, and How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Eklund? by Anna Montague.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of our series about celebrity memoirs, we review four more superstar tell-all's that are well worth your time, whether you enjoy them on the page or listen to the audiobooks: Connie, by Connie Chung, Taste by Stanley Tucci, Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, and Sonny Boy, by Al Pacino.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader we review two new engaging memoirs from the entertainment industry: From Here to the Great Unknown, by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough, All I Ever Wanted, by Kathy Valentine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about female practitioners of folk remedies and herbal medicine and the special roll they play in many cultures: The Waters, by Bonnie Jo Campbell, and The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, by Lydia Cohen Loigman.   All titles available at your favorite local bookstore and online at bookshop.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about changing times, changing attitudes, and changing lives: Mona of the Manor, by Armistead Maupin, and Frighten the Horses, by Oliver Radclyffe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two books, one a new novel and the other a re-issue of a somewhat overlooked classic about some of the larger issues facing the denizens of small town America: The Mighty Red, by Louise Erdrich, and Broke Heart Blues, by Joyce Carol Oates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To the casual outside observer, middle class suburbia can look like a fairly boring place, but what's really going on behind those well-tended gardens, long driveways and screened porches?  I'm Lisa Morgan and today on The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels, each with a unique take on sex and drugs and rock-n-roll. But mostly, sex: We Were the Universe, by Kimberly King Parsons, and Olive Days, by Jessica Elisheva Emerson.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader we review two new novels that blur the lines between what's real and what's not: Colored Television, by Danzy Senna, and Small Rain, by Garth Greenwell.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about the powerful, mysterious bonds we form with others throughout our lives and the ways they influence the people we become: Mina's Matchbox, by Yoko Ogawa, and Tell Me Everything, by Elizabeth Strout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that tap into the current media zeitgeist, from true crime podcasts to ghost writers: Listen for the Lie, by Amy Tintera, and I Want You More, by Swan Huntley. All titles available at your favorite local bookstore and at bookshop.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new powerful memoirs about some of the unique challenges women face in the world of politics and power in the United States: One Way Back, by Christine Blasey Ford, and True Gretch, by Gretchen Whitmer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new incredible memoirs about wealth, privilege and its abiding pain: The Friday Afternoon Club, by Griffin Dunne, and Do Something, by Guy Trebay.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this beach-ready edition of The Weekly Reader we review two new novels that take us to the sunny shores of coastal New England: Sandwich, by Catherine Newman, and The Wedding People, Alison Espach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about mysterious visitors and life changing relationships with both two legged and four legged friends: Bear, by Julia Phillips, and The Horse, by Willie Vlautin.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of the Weekly Reader, we review two new novels perfect for a summer read, at home or at the beach: The Same Bright Stars, by Ethan Joella, and Swan Song, by Elin Hilderbrand.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review a novel and a memoir that take us deep into the world of women and sports: Headshot, by Rita Bullwinkel, and Coming Home, by Brittney Griner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about the future effects of climate change, both real and imagined: Pearce Oysters by Joselyn Takacs and Beep by Bill Roorbach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review new work from two American authors that are possibly even better than their debuts: Long Island Compromise, by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, and Familiaris, by David Wrobliewski.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that capture the enormous complexities and immense landscapes of India: are The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and Victory City by Salman Rushdie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about women facing incredible uncertainty with grace, power, and fearlessness under staggering circumstances: Daughters of Shandong, by Eve Chung, and The Women, by Kristin Hannah.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ah, summer. when if we are lucky, our work loads gets a little lighter, and our reading gets a little lighter, too. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new, not-so-terribly serious releases sure to help you enjoy a day at the beach or by the pool: Come and Get It, by Kiley Reid, and Margo Has Money Troubles, by Rufi Thorpe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels full of weird events, bizarre coincidences, and almost unbelievable outcomes: Real Life and Other Fictions, by Susan Coll, and The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review three new thrillers: One of Our Kind, by Nicola Yoon, Death in the Air, by Ram Murali, and The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two hot new, hotly anticipated gay comic novels: The Guncle Abroad, by Stephen Rowley, and You Only Call When You're In Trouble, by Stephen McCauley.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, you think you know a lot about a favorite author, and then, they write a memoir. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new, revealing memoirs from a pair of famous writers: And Then? And Then? What Else?, by Daniel Handler and Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, by Salman Rushdie.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The extreme lifestyles of the rich and famous can be somewhat fascinating.  On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about the ultra wealthy and their unique challenges: Wives Like Us, by Plum Sykes, and Lies and Weddings, by Kevin Kwan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about taking a midlife crisis and unexpected adventures: The Lady Waiting, by Magdalena Zyzak, and All Fours, by Miranda July. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new extraordinary memoirs about the exquisite joy of true love and the nearly unbearable pain of losing one we love: Fi, A Memoir of My Son, by Alexandra Fuller and My Beloved Monster, by Caleb Carr.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review new biographies about two women who led mysterious lives in the glamorous, gloriously seedy New York cultural scene in the 1960s and 70s: Candy Darling, by Cynthia Carr, and To Anyone Who Ever Asks, by Howard Fishman.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American author Sloane Crosley is best known for her humorous essays and stories, but her new book takes a different tack. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review some of her earlier work, The Clasp and I was Told There Would be Cake,  and her latest, a memoir called Grief is for People.       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader we review two new books that take us behind the scenes of two very different and oddly intriguing work environments: Help Wanted, by Adelle Waldman, and Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, by Kara Swisher.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are many good reasons to read a book: to study history, learn a new skill, practice our empathy, have a good cry, or, perhaps, a good laugh. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about funny women doing some pretty crazy things: Worry, by Alexandra Tanner, and Sylvia's Second Act, by Hillary Yablon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review a novel and a collection of short fiction from two important black American writers finally getting their due: James, by Percival Everett, and Neighbors and Other Stories, by Diane Oliver.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik recommends three books that just might help you make some sense of the crisis at our southern border and the increase in global migration:  The Prince of Los Cocuyos, by Richard Blanco, , Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here, by Jonathan Blitzer and A Map of Future Ruins, by Lauren Markham. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new fabulous books that blend folklore and family history into tantalizing tales: The Bullet Swallower, by Elizabeth Gonzalez James and The Fox Wife, by Yangsee Choo.   All titles available at your favorite local bookstore and online at bookshop.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new memoirs about mental illness that are even more moving when you listen to them as audio books: "While You Were Out" by Meg Kissinger, and "The Best Minds" by Jonathan Rosen.  All titles available at your favorite local bookstore and online at bookshop.org   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about the people and forces that determine the ups and downs  international art market: Get the Picture, by Bianca Bosker, and The Art Thief, by Michael Finkel.  All titles available at your favorite local bookstore or online at bookshop.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What motivates someone to get involved in a movement or devote themselves to a cause? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels about art, activism, and the paths that sometimes lead to radicalism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.