Episode · The Book Review · 2026-07-24
Books mentioned on Let’s Talk About the Best Books of the Year (So Far)
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Whistler
Whistler by Ann Patchett is a compelling contemporary novel that follows a fifty-something English teacher whose life shifts unexpectedly when she encounters her former stepfather at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Recommended“I'm going to start however with a book that we've only mentioned once or twice. A book called Whistler, thank you, by Ann Patchett.”
Where to get it
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Bel Canto
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett is a critically acclaimed, high-drama novel known for its sophisticated premise and emotional resonance.
Discussed“Like she started with these very high concept or maybe not high concept but high drama books like um Bel Canto.”
Where to get it
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State of wonder
Discussed“Bel Canto and State of Wonder. And now she is in a phase in which the stories are very personal or delicate.”
Where to get it
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Tom Lake
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett is a poignant novel that explores family dynamics and personal history during the first year of the pandemic as an adult family gathers on a Michigan cherry orchard.
Discussed“I'm thinking of Tom Lake, her last book as well. Loved Tom Lake.”
Where to get it
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Transcription
Transcription by Ben Lerner is a slim, intellectual novel spanning roughly 120 pages that explores complex ideas through a sharp narrative style.
Recommended“And the one that I want to talk about next, one of my favorite books of the year, is so slim. Like 120 pages. It is, you guessed it, Transcription by Ben Lerner.”
Where to get it
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The Keeper
The Keeper by Tana French is a suspenseful mystery novel that delivers a thrilling narrative experience.
Recommended“I have a book that is also a swerve from transcription. This is The Keeper by Tana French.”
Where to get it
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The Searcher
The Searcher by Tana French is a compelling mystery novel set in rural Western Ireland where a retired Chicago police detective purchases a rundown cottage in hopes of finding peace and quiet, only to become entangled in a local disappearance.
Discussed“He was debuted in Tana's 2020 book called The Searcher, and then soon after came The Hunter, which is the middle volume, and now we're at The Keeper.”
Where to get it
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The Hunter
The Hunter is a contemporary mystery novel by Tana French that is set in the same fictional Irish town as her previous book, The Searcher.
Discussed“The Searcher, and then soon after came The Hunter, which is the middle volume, and now we're at The Keeper.”
Where to get it
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Kin
Kin by Tayari Jones is an engaging novel that has earned enthusiastic praise from critics and readers alike.
Recommended“I have a book that I've been stumping for hard this year, and that book is Kin by T Ari Jones.”
Where to get it
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An American Marriage
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones is an acclaimed contemporary novel that explores the devastating impact of a wrongful conviction on a newlywed couple in the American South.
Discussed“So, Kin is T Ari Jones' latest. You may remember T Ari Jones from her book An American Marriage.”
Where to get it
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Modern Lovers
Emma Straub's novel Modern Lovers follows a group of longtime friends navigating the complexities of middle age and changing life stages.
Discussed“Years and years ago I was talking to the author Emma Straub about her book Modern Lovers at the time and that's also about like a group of friends”
Where to get it
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Fear and Fury
Fear and Fury by Heather Ann Thompson is a compelling non-fiction book that explores historical events surrounding figures like Bernie Goetz.
Recommended“So that is Fear and Fury by Heather Ann Thompson.”
Where to get it
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London Falling
London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe is a true-crime narrative and investigative work by the acclaimed New Yorker reporter.
Recommended“This is London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe. Patrick Radden Keefe is back.”
Where to get it
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Days of Love and Rage
Days of Love and Rage by Anand Gopal is a powerful work of reportage and a compelling portrait of the Syrian revolution.
Recommended“This is Days of Love and Rage by Anand Gopal.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“One of them is a title that MJ just hosted a book club episode about that is Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke.”