“It’s not a story you can kiss better, but he kisses him all the same, wrapping both arms around his slender waist.” I’ve mentioned before that my ten before the end was derailed by library holds – the most recent was Olivia Laing’s The Silver Book ( Farrar, Straus and Giroux 2025). The slender volume hasContinue reading “THE SILVER BOOK – Olivia Laing”
Tag Archives: Farrar Straus and Giroux
PALAVER – Bryan Washington
My ten before the end got hijacked by library holds, so who knows what the last few days of 2025 will bring reading wise. I just finished another National Book Award finalist – Bryan Washington’s Palaver (Farrar, Straus and Giroux 2025). This is my first Washington; Memorial has been on my “to be put onContinue reading “PALAVER – Bryan Washington”
THE SISTERS – Jonas Hassen Khemiri
Booker season may be over, but the awards season continues! I’m not doing the entire NBA longlist for fiction, but I’m hitting a bit of them. Up this week is Jonas Hassen Khemeiri’s The Sisters. (Farrar 2025) It’s fitting I read the 638-page chunker during Booker week as this family saga fits beautifully with thatContinue reading “THE SISTERS – Jonas Hassen Khemiri”
MR. POTTER – Jamaica Kincaid
In my ever-constant desire to devour the world, I’ve decided to commit myself to reading a work from every country. I anticipate the journey to take several years as I intend to only read a couple from the list (which I’m slowly curating!) each month. I’m starting with the As. Country: Antigua and BarbudaTitle: Mr.Continue reading “MR. POTTER – Jamaica Kincaid”
THE BEE STING – Paul Murray
Booker season continues with Paul Murray’s The Bee Sting Western Lane (Farrar, Straus & Giroux 2023 – thanks for the advanced copy!) – a chunky tragicomic family saga set in post-crash Ireland that boosts a unique approach to storytelling. The first section of the novel is divided into four parts – one for each family memberContinue reading “THE BEE STING – Paul Murray”
WESTERN LANE – Chetna Maroo
Booker season continues with Chetna Maroo’s Western Lane (Farrar, Straus & Giroux 2023). This slim novella packs both a powerful punch and a tender hug – all with a backdrop of squash. Eleven-year-old Gopi has been playing squash for as long as she can remember, but when her mother dies, her father’s grief leads toContinue reading “WESTERN LANE – Chetna Maroo”
IF I SURVIVE YOU – Jonathan Escoffery
“Tell him – across the expanse of time and distance, as I am telling you now – all that I can’t say to him. Start with the resentment and the feelings of neglect and your resulting recklessness. Recount every injury, every scar you carve into each other. And when you’re finished, and you are certainContinue reading “IF I SURVIVE YOU – Jonathan Escoffery”
THE COLONY – Audrey Magee
My second read of the 2022 Booker Prize longlist was Audrey Magee’s The Colony (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2022). While it clearly drips with Booker-type, it didn’t work for me because of an intense hatred or general indifference for the characters (excluding James and his mother). During the summer of 1979, while Ireland is rockedContinue reading “THE COLONY – Audrey Magee”
SECOND PLACE – Rachel Cusk
In January, I resolved to read the 2021 Booker Prize longlist. The list was released last week, and I immediately put in my requests at the local library. (That was another resolution – to use the library more.) Three of the books haven’t been released in the US yet or have limited distribution, which isContinue reading “SECOND PLACE – Rachel Cusk”
A Girl Named Tommi 