Episode · The Book Review · 2025-07-18
Books mentioned on The Best Books of the Year (So Far)
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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King of Ashes
King of Ashes by S.
Recommended“This book is King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby.”
Where to get it
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The Director
The Director by Daniel Kehlmann is a compelling historical fiction novel translated by Ross Benjamin that explores the dramatic life and complex moral compromises of renowned Austrian filmmaker G.W.
Recommended“This is the director by Daniel Kelman and translated by Ross Benjamin.”
Where to get it
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Matrimonio en Alta Mar / a Marriage at Sea
Matrimonio en Alta Mar / A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst is a captivating and tragic true story of love, obsession, and shipwreck that follows a British couple who abandon their conventional life on land to sail across the ocean, ultimately meeting a fatal end.
Recommended“So, I don't think I need to say too much about A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhurst since all of our listeners listen to every single episode of the book review podcast.”
Where to get it
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Careless People
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams is a tell-all memoir and cautionary tale exploring power, greed, and lost idealism within the technology industry.
Discussed“And this one is called Careless People, a cautionary tale of power, greed, and lost idealism by Sarah Win Williams.”
Where to get it
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Daughters of the Bamboo Grove
Discussed“And this one is called Daughters of the Bamboo Grove from China to America, a true story of abduction, adoption, and separated twins by Barbara Demick.”
Where to get it
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The Sisters
The Sisters by Jonas Hassen Khemiri is a contemporary novel that explores complex family relationships, cultural identity, and personal histories.
Recommended“So, this is The Sisters by Yonas Hassan Hamiri.”
Where to get it
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Wild Thing
Wild Thing by Sue Prideaux is an evocative, meticulously researched biography examining the complex life and artistic evolution of the post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin.
Recommended“Okay, so this is a biography that I really liked called Wild Thing by Sue Purau.”
Where to get it
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Fate of the Day
Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson is a comprehensive military history chronicling the pivotal campaigns of the American Revolution from Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston between 1777 and 1780.
Recommended“This is called The Fate of the Day, The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777 to 1780 by Rick Atkinson.”
Where to get it
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Flesh
Flesh by David Szalay is a sprawling, contemporary novel following its protagonist across various international locations.
Recommended“This is Flesh by David Soloy.”
Where to get it
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Things in Nature Merely Grow
Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li is a deeply emotional memoir that explores profound personal grief, examining the devastating suicides of the author's two sons and her subsequent journey toward emotional endurance and survival.
Discussed“This one is called Things in Nature Merely Grow. This is by Yun Lee.”
Where to get it
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These Summer Storms
These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean is a contemporary romance novel set against a scenic Rhode Island backdrop, blending emotional depth with engaging romantic conflict.
Recommended“So, this is called These Summer Storms by Sarah McClean.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (3) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“This one is Raising Hair by Chloe Dalton.”
“and titles such as Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood”
“Sunrise on the Reaping, the latest in the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins”