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The titles that bookstores just can't keep in stock |
Kerri Miller's Must-Read: What I Read When I'm Not Reading For Work |
| “How to Be Both" by Ali Smith Buy this book Last week I told you about a drug-addicted cop I’ve fallen for in David Swinson’s “The Second Girl.” This week, I’m writing about a book that was handed to me by a friend, and has been sitting on my nightstand stack for months. Now, to be honest, I feel torn when friends recommend books. On the one hand, it’s meaningful to me that Patty Simmons wants me to experience what she discovered in reading “How to be Both,” by Ali Smith. And I admire and trust her literary sensibility. Besides, the book was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2014. Patty has good taste! But I also realized last weekend that I’ve avoided reading this book so far because it feels like another novel that I have to bring some critical thinking to: I have this sense of preparing for the eventual discussion we’ll have about it and knowing that “I liked it” won’t be enough. It's a hard-to-categorize novel about the meaning and impact of art. Still, the best part of being among kindred book-loving spirits is talking about what moves us and that’s a two-way street. So, this weekend I’ll be reading “How To Be Both.” I’ll let you know what I think! -K.M. |
| This Week on The Thread |
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| A journey to emotional deep space "The Dream Life of Astronauts" by Patrick Ryan Buy this book Patrick Ryan's book of short stories is set around Cape Canaveral, Fla., during the 1960s and '70s. Critic Maureen Corrigan says it's the best new short story collection she's read in light years. More |
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| In search of the truth of a kidnapped father "The Return" by Hisham Matar Buy this book After the fall of Qaddafi, Hisham Matar returned to his Libyan homeland after more than two decades to see if he could find his father. More |
| "I write about awful people," says Gay Talese "The Voyeur's Motel" by Gay Talese Buy this book "I'm a little bit drawn to what is forbidden," Talese adds, and he draws readers along with him in his latest book, "The Voyeur's Motel," based on the journals of an innkeeper who spied on his guests. More |
| Where darkness and magic abound "A Natural History of Hell" by Jeffrey Ford Buy this book Jeffrey Ford's new story collection is packed with fairies, demons, historical figures and death personified: not always the freshest concepts, but when the stories work, they're enthrallingly eerie. More |
| Stuck inside with the AC on? Try these five cool YA reads Summer can seem slow for eager readers — not much on the shelves, and not much coming. But we've got some recommendations for great young adult reads to while away the long hot days. More |
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