Episode · The Book Review · 2024-08-09
Books mentioned on What We're Reading This Summer
Joumana Khatib recommended Talk by Linda Rosenkrantz and The Neapolitan Novels : My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante and others, and discussed Transactions in a foreign currency by Deborah Eisenberg, Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday, and Out by Natsuo Kirino. Anna Dubenko discussed Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen, Veronica by Mary Gaitskill, and Spy hook by Len Deighton, and criticized Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Gilbert Cruz recommended You Like It Darker by Stephen King, The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur by Lev Grossman, and All Fours by Miranda July, and discussed The God of the Woods by Liz Moore.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Talk
Talk by Linda Rosenkrantz is a unique experimental novel composed entirely of transcripts from tape-recorded conversations among three young friends living in Los Angeles in the summer of 1965, capturing the unfiltered mundanity and intimacy of their daily lives.
Recommended“so one thing that I've been dipping into all summer has been Linda Rosen cr's book called talk”
Where to get it
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Crossroads
Jonathan Franzen's novel "Crossroads" is a sprawling domestic drama set during the early 1970s that delves deep into the moral crises and religious yearnings of a suburban Chicago family.
Discussed“I decided to go back to an author I had totally written off who I had first read in high school which is one Jonathan Franzen I read the corrections in high school and then I decided to pick up Crossroads which I absolutely loved”
Where to get it
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Freedom
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen is a sweeping contemporary novel that examines the complex dynamics of a modern American family alongside broader themes of political and environmental disillusionment.
Critiqued“I thought it would be ponderous I had to read freedom for school and hated it”
Where to get it
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You Like It Darker
You Like It Darker by Stephen King is a chilling collection of short fiction and masterfully crafted horror tales that delve into the darker facets of human nature and the supernatural.
Recommended“so I read a Stephen King book you like him right who's surprised crickets I read his new short Story collection which is called you like a darker”
Where to get it
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Transactions in a foreign currency
Transactions in a foreign currency is the debut short story collection by Deborah Eisenberg, showcasing her sharp wit and remarkable command of narrative voice.
Discussed“so I ransacked them so I read deborah eisenberg's first Story collection i didn't know she started out as a playwright before she started writing fiction but this was hysterical it's called transactions in a foreign currency”
Where to get it
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Veronica
Discussed“this is Veronica by mary gateskill that's right that's right published in what 2004 five”
Where to get it
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The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur
The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur by Lev Grossman is an expansive fantasy epic that reimagines the traditional Arthurian legend through a fresh lens focused on the lesser-known knights of the Round Table.
Recommended“and i finished a book called The brightsword it's by L Grossman it's a fantasy book right”
Where to get it
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Asymmetry
Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday is a structurally innovative and critically acclaimed novel exploring power dynamics, ambition, and global politics through two seemingly distinct narratives that ultimately interconnect.
Discussed“so i reread asymmetry by lisa halliday”
Where to get it
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Out
Discussed“a friend recommended a Japanese crime Thriller called out by natsuo Corino it was originally published in 97”
Where to get it
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The God of the Woods
Liz Moore's bestselling novel The God of the Woods is a suspenseful mystery set in the Adirondack mountains during the 1970s, revolving around a wealthy dynastic family whose daughter disappears from a summer camp they founded.
Discussed“it's called the god of the woods it's by Liz Moore i know a lot of people are reading this one because it's been a a bestseller for several weeks”
Where to get it
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The Neapolitan Novels : My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child
The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante form a gripping literary tetralogy comprising My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child, tracing the lifelong friendship of two women in Naples.
Recommended“and What's the title of that one it's called those who leave and those who stay”
Where to get it
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Spy hook
Discussed“it's Len Dayton it's i i believe the beginning of a Trilogy it's called spy hook”
Where to get it
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All Fours
Miranda July's novel All Fours explores relationships, midlife, and identity in a deeply unconventional way.
Recommended“so i feel like i have been uh bullied honestly into reading all fours by Miranda July by someone possibly in this room it's a great book”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (3) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“and Anna dueno The times's Newsroom head of audience who previously appeared on our book club episode discussing Barbara King Silver's demon Copperhead”
“I read the corrections in high school”
“have either of you read Kujo I feel like I'm asking questions and both of you are looking at me blankly do you know what Kujo is”