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The Weekly Reader

WYPR Baltimorewypr.org
----What should I read next?---- Book critic and longtime NPR commentator Marion Winik answers this question in four opinionated, book-loving minutes. With reviews of new releases and older titles you may have missed, it’s like having a new best friend with very good taste to guide you in your literary adventures. The Weekly Reader is produced by WYPR and hosted by Lisa Morgan.
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Episodes

Social Satire: "Wellness" by Nathan Hill and "The Book of Ayn" by Lexi Freiman

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews a pair of cheeky novels dripping with parody, sarcasm, and wit: Wellness , by Nathan Hill, and The Book of Ayn , by Lexi Freiman. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 18, 20234 min

Book Award Finalists: "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray and "How to Say Babylon" by Safiya Sinclair

Fall is book award season, and your friends here at The Weekly Reader have our eyes on a few great contenders. Today on the show, our book critic Marion winik reviews a finalist for the Booker Prize and one for the Kirkus Prize: "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray, and "How to Say Babylon" by Safiya Sinclair. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 11, 20234 min

Ben Fountain Special: "Devil Makes Three" and "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk"

Sometimes the release of a new title by a great author is a welcome excuse to explore their previous work. On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review Ben Fountain’s latest novel, Devil Makes Three and an earlier, well-loved work Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. Marion Winikwill be in conversation with Ben Fountain on Monday October 9 at 7 pm, at Politics and Prose in DC. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 05, 20234 min

Dramatic Interpretation: "Speech Team" by Tim Murphy, and "Sugarless" by James Magruder

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , our book critic Marion Winik takes us back to school with a pair of novels about navigating complex teenage terrain and finding your tribe: "Speech Team" by Tim Murphy, and "Sugarless" by James Magruder. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 24, 20234 min

New books from old favorites: Ann Patchett and Angie Kim

Everybody has a few favorite authors, and it's a thrill when they release a new book. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels from old friends: "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett and "Happiness Falls" by Angie Kim. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 15, 20234 min

Cristina Garcia Special

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review " Vanishing Maps " by Cuban-born American Christina Garcia, and revisit another title from her back catalog, " Dreaming in Cuban." All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 06, 20234 min

On the Road: American Ramble, by Neil King, and White Sands, by Geoff Dyer

Late summer is a great time to travel, but if you find yourself between adventures, we are here to help. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new “travel books” to enjoy in the comfort of your own home whilst dreaming about your next trip: "American Ramble" by Neil King, and "White Sands" by Geoff Dyer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 24, 20234 min

Sequels from the Masters: New books by Colson Whitehead and Richard Russo

Saying goodbye to a favorite character or location can be one of the hardest parts of finishing a great read. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books that give us the chance to revisit some familiar faces and well-loved places: Crook Manifesto , by Colson Whitehead, and Somebody's Fool , by Richard Russo. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 22, 20234 min

Great Memoirs from Mary Rodgers and Frieda Hughes

It’s nice to know that there are still times when the apple falls close to the creative tree. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new memoirs from a pair of impressive offspring: Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers , by Mary Rodgers and Jesse Green, and George: A Magpie Memoir , by Frieda Hughes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 16, 20234 min

DC Authors: Mary Kay Zuravleff, Michelle Brafman and Paul Goldberg

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review three books from authors from the District of Columbia: American Ending , by Mary Kay Zuravleff, Swimming With Ghosts , by Michelle Brafman and The Dissident , by Paul Goldberg. The Weekly Reader Book Club returns next Thursday, August 10th, at Bird in Hand with author Rebecca Makkai and her new book, “I Have Some Questions for You.” We’re very excited and hope you can join us! All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers...

Aug 03, 20234 min

Friends and Lovers: "The Rachel Incident" by Caroline O’Donoghue, and "Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style" by Paul Rudnick

College can be a life altering experience, especially for the more “inexperienced” students for whom this is a first taste of freedom, independence, even love. Today on The Weekly Reader, two new novels about seeking (and finding) much more than a degree at university: The Rachel Incident , by Caroline O’Donoghue, and Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style , by Paul Rudnick. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Jul 31, 20234 min

Seaside Reads: "Beach Week" by Susan Coll and "Silver Alert" by Lee Smith

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that are perfect to enjoy at the seaside: Beach Week , by Susan Coll, and Silver Alert , by Lee Smith. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 12, 20233 min

Local Authors Special: Jane Delury, Christine Grillo, and Matt Norman

On each edition of The Weekly Reader, we try to review the very best books from all around the world – but what about all the great books written right here in our own back yard? This week, we turn the spotlight on some local talent, featuring three new books from Baltimore-based authors: Hedge , by Jane Delury, Hestia Strikes a Match , by Chris Grillo, and Charm City Rocks , by Matt Norman. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for ...

Jul 05, 20234 min

Hot Summer Reads: "Friends Like These" by Meg Rosoff and "The Guest," by Emma Cline

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion winik reviews two new novels that take us from the scorching city sidewalks of New York to the wind-swept beaches of the Hamptons: " Friends Like These" by Meg Rosoff, and " The Guest" by Emma Cline. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 28, 20234 min

Interracial Complications: "Everything is Fine" by Cecilia Rabess and "Wade in the Water" by Nyani Nkrumah

Relationships can be difficult to navigate, and when hot button issues like race and sex, and politics are present, things can get complicated quickly. On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new novels about a pair of intriguing, complex interracial relationships: " Everything's Fine" by Cecilia Rabess, and " Wade in the Water" by Nyani Nkrumah. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 22, 20234 min

New Work from Cool Writers: "Lucky Dogs" by Helen Schulman and "Fireworks Every Night" by Beth Raymer

Sometimes, knowing what a book is “about” gives us few clues as to what the book will be “like.” On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new books that are even more interesting than their intriguing plots suggest: Lucky Dogs by Helen Schulman, and Fireworks Every Night by Beth Raymer. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 14, 20234 min

Mother - Daughter Memoirs

Mother-daughter relationships can be very good, or very complicated, but rarely boring. On this edition of T he Weekly Reader , we review three new memoirs about this most delicate, complicated family dynamic: Oh My Mother by Connie Wang, Honey Baby Mine by Laura Dern and Diane Ladd and Don't Call Me Home Alexandra Auder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 08, 20234 min

it Happened on Twitter: "The Society of Shame"by Jane Roper and "Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang

Social media can be a great way to bring attention to a person, place, or thing, but what happens when the kind of attention it brings is not exactly the type you are looking for? On this edition of The Weekly Reader we review two new novels awash in hashtags, racism, politics and identity crises: " The Society of Shame" by Jane Roper and " Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 01, 20234 min

Back of the House: New Adventures in the Kitchen

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new books steeped in back-of-the house tales of intrigue, drugs, general excess, and of course, mind-blowing International travel and cuisine: "California Soul" by Keith Corbin and Kevin Alexander, and "The Lemon" by S. E. Boyd. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

May 16, 20234 min

London Calling: New books from Ore Agbaje-Williams and Eirinie Carson

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we visit the wonderfully diverse cultural melting pot that is London. Marion Winik reviews "The Three of Us" by Ore Agbaje-Williams and "The Dead Are Gods" by Eirinie Carson. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 26, 20234 min

Southeast Asia Focus: New work from Rachel Heng and Ralph White

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , our book critic Marion Winik turns her focus to Southeast Asia, with reviews of a new novel and a memoir: The Great Reclamation by Rachel Heng, and Getting Out of Saigon by Ralph White. All books available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retialers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 20, 20234 min

Pandemic Possibilities: “Kunstlers in Paradise” by Cathleen Schine and “The Fun Widow's Book Tour” by Zoe Fishman

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new novels by writers who continue to play with the way the COVID-19 lockdown affected our lives: “ Kunstlers in Paradise" by Cathleen Schine and " The Fun Widow's Book Tour" by Zoe Fishman. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 13, 20234 min

Elizabeth McKenzie Special

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review something old, and something new, from Elizabeth McKenzie: "Dog of the North" and "The Portable Veblen." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 05, 20234 min
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