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18 new books to get you excited about reading again.

Katie Yee

October 13, 2021, 4:49am

If you’re in a reading rut, fear not! There are some glorious books coming into the world today, guaranteed to get you back in the groove of things. We’ve got life wisdom from Nick Offerman and Sutton Foster! A thriller from Hillary Clinton! New stories from Diane Williams! Jeanette Winterson’s ruminations on technology! The latest Alice Hoffman and John Le Carré! There’s a little something for everyone here.

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The Loneliest Americans

Jay Caspian Kang, The Loneliest Americans
(Crown)

“This excellent commentary on the Asian American experience radiates with nuance and emotion.”
–Publishers Weekly

Diane Williams, How High? — That High

Diane Williams, How High? – That High
(Soho Press)

“Williams’ small gems are as dense and beautiful as diamonds, compressed from the carbon of daily life.”
–Kirkus

empty wardrobes_maria judite de carvalho

Maria Judite de Carvalho, tr. Margaret Jull Costa, Empty Wardrobes
(Two Lines Press)

“Gracefully translated by Margaret Jull Costa, Dora’s story is illuminating, inspiring, and heartbreaking in equal measures.”
–Booklist

When two feathers fell from the sky_margaret verble

Margaret Verble, When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky
(Mariner)

“Themes of death, belonging, and our distance from the past make this a good choice for book groups who like historical fiction. This utterly memorable, beautifully written story will linger with readers.”
–Booklist

The Book of Magic

Alice Hoffman, The Book of Magic
(Simon & Schuster)

“…the story brims with bewitching encounters and suspenseful conflicts revolving around good magic versus bad magic. Hoffman brings satisfying closure to the Owens saga.”
–Publishers Weekly

Victoria Chang, Dear Memory: Letters on Writing, Silence, and Grief

Victoria Chang, Dear Memory
(Milkweed)

“Chang’s work is excavation, a digging through the muck of society for an existential clarity, a cultural clarity and a general clarity of self.”
–The New York Times Book Review

Jeanette Winterson, 12 Bytes: How We Got Here. Where We Might Go Next

Jeanette Winterson, 12 Bytes
(Grove Press)

“[An] unusual and entertaining read, the book is inflected with the same delightful, dry humour as the rest of her work. In each essay, Winterson holds AI up to the light, contemplating it from different angles.”
–New Scientist

Where the Deer and the Antelope Play

Nick Offerman, Where the Deer and the Antelope Play
(Dutton)

“The genially sardonic actor and comedian recounts occasionally misbegotten, always laugh-inducing travels … A hoot and a half for fans of sometimes-hapless wandering.”
–Kirkus

John Le Carre_Silverview

John Le Carré, Silverview
(Viking)

“In many ways Silverview is a fitting conclusion to the long career of a writer who redefined an entire genre with the deceptive ease of pure genius.”
–The Irish Times

On Animals, Susan Orlean

Susan Orlean, On Animals
(Avid Reader Press)

“Every essay in the book is magnificent …  It’s no surprise that a writer whose mind throws out similes like favors from a Mardi Gras parade is a writer who sees crucial connections between animals and people.”
–The New York Times Book Review

Ron Howard and Clint Howard_The Boys

Ron Howard and Clint Howard, The Boys
(William Morrow)

“In an age when Hollywood’s highest-profile parent-child relationship is that between Britney Spears and her father, what could be more refreshing than the homespun horse sense of the Howard boys?”
–The Wall Street Journal

Concepcion

Albert Samaha, Concepcion
(Riverhead)

“An edifying, well-written narrative that provides an intimate perspective on the legacy of colonialism.”
–Kirkus

Douglas Wolk, All of the Marvels: A Journey to the Ends of the Biggest Story Ever Told

Douglas Wolk, All of the Marvels
(Penguin Press)

“Wolk’s light and humorous style appeals. . . . [All of the Marvels] will likely become a bible for serious comics fans and a useful introduction and reference guide for all others. Highly recommended.”
–Library Journal

Those We Throw Away

Mondiont Dogon and Jenna Krajeski, Those We Throw Away Are Diamonds
(Penguin Press)

“…he delivers effectively vivid details of his life and culture, and it’s clear that he is dedicated to helping others in similar terrible circumstances. An eloquent and necessary plea for compassion for war refugees everywhere.”
–Kirkus

Donald Antrim, One Friday in April

Donald Antrim, One Friday in April
(W. W. Norton)

“Readers looking to better understand the nuances of mental illness would do well start with this profoundly affecting account.”
–Publishers Weekly

We Were There, Patricia Romney

Patricia Romney, We Were There
(Feminist Press)

“This richly documented account rescues a critical chapter in the history of the feminist movement from obscurity.”
–Publishers Weekly

Louise Penny and Hillary Rodham Clinton, State of Terror
(St. Martin’s Press)

“Possessed of both head and heart, State of Terror‘s layering of ethical tradeoffs, political intrigue, high-level espionage and pure evil perfectly melds Clinton’s intimate knowledge of the State Department and foreign policy with Penny’s mastery of genre mechanics.”
–Los Angeles Times

hooked_sutton foster

Sutton Foster, Hooked
(Grand Central)

“Foster’s tale is laced with self-deprecating humor, detailed childhood memories and insight about the many challenges of becoming a stage and television actor.”
–The Washington Post

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