On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about navigating life with mom as a grownup: Flores and Miss Paula, by Melissa Rivero, and The Underburn, by Bill Gaythwaite.

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On this edition of TheWeekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels about messy families and their pursuit of happiness:" Mercury, by Amy Jo Burns, and Welcome Home, Stranger, by Kate Christensen.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that tackle taboos, fetishes, and other transgressive topics: The Fetishist, by Katherine Min, and Alice Sadie Celine, by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, Marion Winik gives her take on Barbra Streisand's fascinating new memoir "My Name is Barbra." 

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What does your social circle say about you? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels featuring central figures surrounded by rather influential casts of characters:  Ana Turns, by Lisa Gornick, and The Children's Bach, by Helen Garner.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about women pushed to their limits, and beyond, by forces they don’t quite understand:"Breaking and Entering" by Don Gillmor and "Search History" by Amy Taylor. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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."

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On this edition The Weekly Reader, we review two fascinatingly personal and candid memoirs:"Everything/Nothing/Someone" by Alice Carrière and "Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City" by Jane Wong. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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. 

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, unexpected consequences follow the untimely deaths of two rather bad husbands. Marion Winik reviews The Five Star Weekend, by Elin Hilderbrand, and You Can't Stay Here Forever, by Katharine Lin. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Mother-daughter relationships can be very good, or very complicated, but rarely boring. On this edition of The 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. 

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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. 

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On The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about romantic entanglements and their attending highs and lows: "Romantic Comedy" by Curtis Sittenfeld and "How to Fall Out of Love Madly" by Jan Casales. 

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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.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels that explore life’s larger issues in small town America:"Big Swiss" by Jen Beagin, and "Take What You Need" by Idra Novey.  

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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.  

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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.

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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. 

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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." 

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review a pair of novels that look at a nonfictional genre through fiction: “I Have Some Questions For You” by Rebecca Makkai and “More Than You'll Ever Know” by Katie Gutierrez. 

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Can a sentence be “delicious?” On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we  review "The Last Animal" by Ramona Ausubel and "The Angel of Rome" by Jess Walter.

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