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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

New Gay Comic Novels from Stephen Rowley and Stephen McCauley

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two hot new, hotly anticipated gay comic novels: The Guncle Abroad , by Stephen Rowley, and You Only Call When You're In Trouble , by Stephen McCauley. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

May 30, 20243 min

New Memoirs from Salmon Rushdie and Daniel Handler

Sometimes, you think you know a lot about a favorite author, and then, they write a memoir. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new, revealing memoirs from a pair of famous writers: And Then? And Then? What Else? , by Daniel Handler and Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder , by Salman Rushdie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

May 21, 20244 min

Eat the Rich: Wives Like Us, by Plum Sykes, and Lies and Weddings, by Kevin Kwan

The extreme lifestyles of the rich and famous can be somewhat fascinating. On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new books about the ultra wealthy and their unique challenges: Wives Like Us , by Plum Sykes, and Lies and Weddings , by Kevin Kwan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

May 15, 20244 min

Funny Women: "Worry" by Alexandra Tanner and "Sylvia's Second Act" by Hillary Yablon

There are many good reasons to read a book: to study history, learn a new skill, practice our empathy, have a good cry, or, perhaps, a good laugh. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about funny women doing some pretty crazy things: Worry , by Alexandra Tanner, and Sylvia's Second Act , by Hillary Yablon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 03, 20244 min

On Immigration: "The Prince of Los Cocuyos" by Richard Blanco, "Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here" by Jonathan Blitzer and "A Map of Future Ruins" by Lauren Markham

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik recommends three books that just might help you make some sense of the crisis at our southern border and the increase in global migration: The Prince of Los Cocuyos , by Richard Blanco, , Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here , by Jonathan Blitzer and A Map of Future Ruins , by Lauren Markham. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 22, 20244 min

Fabulous Fables: "The Bullet Swallower" by Elizabeth Gonzalez James and "The Fox Wife" by Yangsee Choo

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new fabulous books that blend folklore and family history into tantalizing tales: The Bullet Swallower , by Elizabeth Gonzalez James and The Fox Wife , by Yangsee Choo. All titles available at your favorite local bookstore and online at bookshop.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 13, 20244 min

Mental Illness: "The Best Minds" by Jonathan Rosen and :"While You Were Out" by Meg Kissinger

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new memoirs about mental illness that are even more moving when you listen to them as audio books: "While You Were Out" by Meg Kissinger, and "The Best Minds" by Jonathan Rosen. All titles available at your favorite local bookstore and online at bookshop.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 07, 20244 min

The Art World: "Get the Picture" by Bianca Bosker and "The Art Thief" by Michael Finkel

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about the people and forces that determine the ups and downs international art market: Get the Picture , by Bianca Bosker, and The Art Thief , by Michael Finkel. All titles available at your favorite local bookstore or online at bookshop.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 29, 20244 min

People With Causes: "Martyr" by Kaveh Akbar and "Birnam Wood" by Eleanor Catton

What motivates someone to get involved in a movement or devote themselves to a cause? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels about art, activism, and the paths that sometimes lead to radicalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 21, 20244 min

Christmas in Nantucket with Elin Hilderbrand

Perhaps you are familiar with the charming Nordic custom of exchanging books on Christmas eve, to be read cozily by the fire with your best mates and your finest pajamas. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we have a late holiday gift for you! Get comfy and get ready for Christmas in Nantucket with Elin Hilderbrand: Winter Street , Winter Stroll , Winter Storms , and Winter Solstice . All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Jan 03, 20244 min

Adventure Time: "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey and "Airplane Mode" Shahnaz Habib

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about travel, exploration, and how where we come from often determines where we go, and how we get there: "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey, and "Airplane Mode" Shahnaz Habi. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 28, 20234 min

Historical Fiction from Ariel Lawhon and Paulette Jiles

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review two new historical novels that explore hard times in the American past: Chenneville , by Paulette Jiles and The Frozen River , by Ariel Lawhon. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 12, 20234 min

Texas Size: "The Madstone" by Elizabeth Crook and "Mr. Texas" by Lawrence Wright

Texas is a big land of legends and lore, heroes and villains unlike any other state in the nation. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two Texas-sized tales from The Lone Star State: The Madstone by Elizabeth Crook, and Mr. Texas by Lawrence Wright. All title available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 11, 20234 min

Great Reporting: "The Times" by Adam Nagourney, and "Gator Country" by Rebecca Renner

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new examples of deeply researched journalism, proving once again that truth is often stranger than fiction: The Times , by Adam Nagourney, and Gator Country , by Rebecca Renner. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 06, 20234 min

"My Name is Barbra"

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, Marion Winik gives her take on Barbra Streisand's fascinating new memoir "My Name is Barbra." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 29, 20234 min

Dispatches from Southeast Asia: Alice McDermott and Vanessa Chan

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new historic novels, one set in Malaysia, the other in Vietnam: Absolution , by Alice McDermott, and The Storm We Made , by Veronica Chan. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Nov 14, 20234 min

When in Rome: "Roman Stories" Jhumpa Lahiri, and "The Helsinki Affair" by Anna Pitoniak

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or at least, watch what they do. I’m Lisa Morgan and today on The Weekly Reader, our book ciritic Marion Winik reviews two very different books with one thing in common: the city of Rome. Roman Stories , Jhumpa Lahiri, and The Helsinki Affair , by Anna Pitoniak. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Nov 02, 20234 min

Non-fiction Update: Nathan Thrall, Alexandra Robbins, and Claire Dederer

On this edition of The Weekly Reader , we review three new non-fiction takes on various aspects of the human condition and how we think about, and, perhaps more importantly, how we value and treat one another: A Day in the Life of Abed Salama , by Nathan Thrall, The Teachers , by Alexandra Robbins, and Monsters , by Claire Dederer. All titles available at The Ivy Bookshop and other fine local retailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 25, 20234 min
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