Continuing on with this series of short stories by Faber, this week I’ve read two more during my lunch breaks at work. Some brief thoughts on each: Mrs Fox by Sarah Hall – This one was unexpectedly odd in the direction it moved, yet strangely compelling. I’m still not sure what to make of it. … Continue reading Faber Stories: Two Brief Reviews| Theresa Smith Writes
About the Book: An interpreter has come to The Hague to escape New York and work at the International Court. She’s drawn into simmering personal dramas. Her lover, Adriaan, is separated from his wife but still entangled in his marriage. Her friend Jana witnesses a seemingly random act of violence, a crime the interpreter becomes … Continue reading Book Review: Intimacies by Katie Kitamura| Theresa Smith Writes
About the Book: A rich historical novel about the aftermath of betrayal, from the Booker prize-winner. Isabel Osmond, a spirited, intelligent young heiress, flees to London after being betrayed by her husband, to be with her beloved cousin Ralph on his deathbed. After a sombre, silent existence at her husband’s Roman palazzo, Isabel’s daring escape … Continue reading Book Review: Mrs Osmond by John Banville| Theresa Smith Writes
Where Dark Meets Light In the 20th century, José Saramago cemented his legacy as one of the most respected writers in Portuguese literature. The path to literary greatness, however, was not an easy…| The Pine-Scented Chronicles
Where Dark Meets Light Revolution and change are integral concepts in the literary sphere. Over time, literature has undergone exponential transformation, thanks in part to a select group of writer…| The Pine-Scented Chronicles
by David Serafino Yasmin and Alex have booked the Platinum Villa for the five-day, four-night honeymoon package: a seaside cottage in a fruit grove at the end of a peninsula surrounded by reefs, ideal for snorkeling and fencing out the man-eating sharks in the deep water. The driver slides back the van door and the […]| The Lit Nerds
The Descent Into Chaos Hungarian literature is slowly proving itself to be one of the most compelling in the world. While there is no written evidence of its earliest forms, Hungarian literature’s oral tradition—comprised of folktales and folk songs—can be traced back to pre-Christian times and has been passed down from one generation to another. […]| The Pine-Scented Chronicles
The Cornish Trilogy by Robertson Davies. Penguin Books, 2011 (1991). ‘Be not another, if you can be yourself.’ — Epigram by Paracelsus. Consisting of three related titles – The Rebel Angels (1981), What’s Bred in the Bone (1985), and The Lyre of Orpheus (1988) – the Cornish trilogy joined two other completed series from Robertson … Continue reading Games of Let’s pretend: #ReadingRobertsonDavies| Calmgrove Books
2023 has been a busy year! I think I tried to get in a lot of the traveling I missed over the last couple of years. I traveled to Greece and Turkey in the spring, then France and England in June. Both trips were wonderful and we had absolutely perfect weather, mid 70’s the whole... The post BEST BOOKS of 2023 appeared first on Novel Visits.| Novel Visits
I know November is long gone, but things have been a little hectic lately! I’d originally thought I’d do a combined post on my favorite November AND December books, but turns out my December reading has been mostly backlist or 2024 books. When I finally sat down to do this post, I realized the four... The post Favorite Books of November 2023 appeared first on Novel Visits.| Novel Visits
Fall is most definitely in full swing and before we know it we’ll be facing winter and then a new year. I’ll never get over how quickly time flies and I had to chuckle recently when my 7-year old granddaughter was making the same observation. I told her she didn’t know the half of it,... The post Favorite Books of October 2023 appeared first on Novel Visits.| Novel Visits
When I was teaching, September was my most dreaded month of the year, but now? I LOVE September. The weather is great, nothing is crowded. It’s amazing. I just returned from spending two weeks in Sunriver, Oregon (one of my very favorite places), and it was bliss. Sunny days with long walks and/or long bike... The post Favorite Books of September 2023 appeared first on Novel Visits.| Novel Visits
It’s been a minute! Last time I posted was the end of June when I shared that month’s favorites. I fully intended to do the same with my July favorites, but things just got away from me. To be fair, I was in Tahoe at a long overdue family reunion from July 25th – 31st.... The post Favorite Books of Summer 2023 appeared first on Novel Visits.| Novel Visits
It’s been a busy spring and summer isn’t looking much slower. By the time this posts, I’ll be arriving in France. It’s a short girls’ trip all centered around a wedding reception one of my friends really wanted to attend. Over the course of our 11 day trip we’ll be in Paris, Bordeaux, and London.... The post Favorite Books of June 2023 appeared first on Novel Visits.| Novel Visits
So sorry to have been absent for an April post. I’ve been traveling a lot and some of that spanned the end of April. Plus being on the go did not work for getting my usual reading numbers in, but it was worth it! The big trip to Greece and Turkey with my sister was... The post Favorite Books of April & May 2023 appeared first on Novel Visits.| Novel Visits
Thank goodness for spring and for light! Here in Washington we’ve had some sunshine, but it’s still pretty darn cold. Staying light into the evenings and getting lighter earlier and earlier are always welcome balms to my soul. March has been a busy month, so I’ve not read as many books as usual, but the... The post Favorite Books of March 2023 appeared first on Novel Visits.| Novel Visits
A new season means new books! My Spring Preview 2023 includes 20 upcoming releases, including 11 debuts and 5 by tried and true authors.| Novel Visits
Author Amber Sparks shares her love of dark humor and how it featured in her youth and adulthood as a writer (and consumer of media). The post On Being an Unreformed Writer of Dark Humor appeared first on Writer's Digest.| Writer's Digest
Work is very busy at the moment, so I decided to do some quick-fire reviews: Kate Folk, Sky Daddy. Yep, it’s the novel about the woman who is sexually attracted to planes! I was a big fan of …| Laura Tisdall
About the Book: Rarely have the foundations upon which our ideas of motherhood and womanhood rest been so candidly questioned. This compelling novel tells the story of one woman’s headlong descent …| Theresa Smith Writes
Over 40 million copies of German born, Mexican naturalised author B. Traven’s books have been sold around the world, with 1,500 editions in more than 40 languages. They have been adapted for film and TV since the breakthrough movie of Treasure of the Sierra Madre starring Humphrey Bogart, which won three Oscars in 1949. More […]| New Books in German
Kim de l’Horizon’s award-winning debut Blutbuch was published in English this August as Blood Book in the UK (Sceptre), and as Sea, Mothers, Swallow, Tongues in the US (FSG). In this conversation, Kim discusses language, translation and creative rituals with their English translator, Jamie Lee Searle. Firstly, congratulations on Blood Book’s English-language publication! Thank you for taking the time to do […]| New Books in German
This regular page brings you a selection of German-language titles that have just been, or are soon to be, published in English. We cover fiction , crime, nonfiction, children’s and YA, short stories, poetry and essays. Clicking the ‘Enjoy in English’ tag above or here will bring up older editions of this page. Fiction Arson by Laura Freudenthaler Translated by Tess Lewis […]| New Books in German
by Ken Pisani Jack Williams was a New York sportswriter for thirty years before Hollywood beckoned. Actually, it didn’t so much “beckon” as merely exist on the other side of the country and, upon his arrival, disappear, like Brigadoon. Several of Jack’s articles had been optioned by Hollywood producers for significant sums of money—sums that […]| The Lit Nerds
Christine Murphy, Notes on Surviving The Fire. Sarah is trying to finish her PhD in religious studies at a university in southern California, considering the threefold nature of Buddhist justifications for violence. Her fellow student and best friend Nathan has spent time in a Catholic monastery in the Dolomites and been celibate for over a … Continue reading Reading Diary, September 12th to 23rd, 2025| Laura Tisdall
Lisa of ANZ Lit Lovers is hosting Short Story September this year, and it fits beautifully with the upcoming Novellas in November, hosted by Rebecca and Cathy, and the new challenge I’m hosting this year, Doorstoppers in December. Lisa has prompted us to focus on one story from each collection we review, but I’m also giving … Continue reading #ShortStorySeptember: Graham Swift & Leone Ross| Laura Tisdall
From the Countryside to the City Chinese writer Xuē Xīnrán (薛欣然) was born on July 19, 1958, in Beijing, China, to an affluent family. Affluence, however, did not spare her family from being touched…| The Pine-Scented Chronicles
The Hour of the Star is a book that climbed onto this year’s TBR by the Read Harder Challenge. One of this year’s tasks is to read a work of literary fiction by a BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or disabled author. So, I went to books already on my radar to see if any fit the bill […]| faintingviolet
The time has come for our shortlist predictions. We’ve spent the last few months reading all the longlist books and rating the nominees. Keep reading to see which books topped our collective list and what panelists picked as their personal predictions. Each year the panel reviews books and scores them on the following categories: writing, […]| The Reader's Room
“We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place, we stay there, even though we go away. And there are things in us that we can find again only by going back there.”Pascal Mercier, Nig…| Rebecca's Reading Room
Introduced by Susan Wyndham Published in HEAT 21 – Giramondo Publishing Previously unpublished, The Last Days was discovered by Susan Wyndham among Elizabeth Harrower’s papers in the Na…| Theresa Smith Writes
About the Book: Winter 1962. As Britain becomes engulfed in one the coldest and longest winters on record, the lives of two newly married couples are changed in surprising and irrevocable ways. LON…| Theresa Smith Writes
As the official English language media partner for the German Book Prize 2025, we are delighted to announce the shortlist of six outstanding books. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and their publishers. The jury has shortlisted the following six novels for the German Book Prize 2025: • Dorothee Elmiger: Die […]| New Books in German
This "Vera, or Faith" book review provides a synopsis and analysis for key reasons why author Gary Shteyngart's dark comedy novel succeeds.| Broke by Books
In this entertaining satire on conceptual art, one woman becomes increasingly unhinged in the lead-up to her exhibition opening.| Reading Matters
About the Book: In the heart-aching new novel from the author of the award–winning Golden Child, a mother searches for the daughter she left behind a lifetime ago. Trinidad, 1980: Dawn Bishop, aged…| Theresa Smith Writes
About the Book: Internationally acclaimed for her five brilliant novels, Elizabeth Harrower is also the author of a small body of short fiction. A Few Days in the Country brings together …| Theresa Smith Writes
Tenderfoot by Toni Jordan is an exquisite and bittersweet read that brought back so many memories of growing up in Australia in the 1970s.| Debbish
Our Autumn 2025 selection features book titles from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, handpicked by our expert jury as particularly suitable for an international audience. We’re delighted to share our Autumn 2025 selection with you. From nearly one hundred publisher submissions, our expert jury handpicked these titles for their excellence, relevance, and appeal to English-speaking readers. […]| New Books in German
We spoke to Ulrike Draesner about her 2019 novel, Kanalschwimmer, newly translated as Channel Swimmer by Rebecca Braun and published by Upper West Side Philosophers, Inc. Sheridan Marshall: So today is actually the publication day for your newest book, penelopes sch( )iff? Congratulations! Can you tell us a little bit about this latest book? Ulrike […]| New Books in German
NBG presents the German Book Prize nominations| New Books in German
About the Book: It is the late 1960s in Ireland. Nora Webster is living in a small town, looking after her four children, trying to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. She is fiercely …| Theresa Smith Writes
About the Book: Two people meet for lunch in a Manhattan restaurant. She’s an accomplished actress in rehearsals for an upcoming premiere. He’s attractive, troubling, young – young enough to be her…| Theresa Smith Writes
The Long Prospect is Elizabeth Harrower’s second novel, published in 1958. It is set in a fictional town called Ballowra, which is loosely based on Newcastle. I didn’t get quite the sam…| Theresa Smith Writes
by Allison Bradley I’m pretty sure it was the $40 bottle of wine. Of all the miscellaneous Saturday afternoon items on my section of the grocery conveyor belt, it was when she scanned the wine that…| The Lit Nerds
A Swedish journalist in Madrid is drawn into a dark web of confession, punishment and twisted morality in this bold and unforgettable novel.| Reading Matters
Quick-fire reviews of some more books that are not included in my 20 Books of Summer challenge! Antonia Hodgson, The Raven Scholar. In the walled capital city of Orrun, seven contenders arrive to c…| Laura Tisdall
I’ve been racing through my 20 Books of Summer partly because I went on a holiday with lots of long bus journeys and partly because a lot of them were NetGalley ARCs that publish in June or J…| Laura Tisdall
It’s A Lonely World It cannot be denied that Korean literature is currently enjoying a surge. While it has always been a prominent voice, Korean literature has largely been obscured by its ne…| The Pine-Scented Chronicles
China Court is my second Godden book and my fifth review for 10 Books of Summer. Black Narcissus by the same author was a psychological drama concerning loss of faith and deteriorating mental and …| Volatile Rune
Our review of Stephanie Wambugu's new book, "Lonely Crowds."| Chicago Review of Books
Down in the City is Elizabeth Harrower’s first novel, published in 1957. It tells the story of Esther Prescott, a sheltered woman who has grown up wealthy and motherless, who marries a man af…| Theresa Smith Writes
The trauma plot and the slut-shaming dossier are actually parallel formations, reveals “The Guest.”| Public Books
NBG interviews Dr Maha El Hissy| New Books in German
I have so many questions, but I’ll whittle them down to two.| Query Shark
In this post, I am introducing you to Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, a compelling novel that explores identity, family secrets, and the complexities of gender through multiple generations of a Greek-American family. First, we’ll talk about the novel’s plot, recounting the remarkable journey of Calliope Stephanides, who becomes Cal. Next, we’ll explore the key characters…| Selected Reads
If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere wellIt were done quickly. Miranda is a college theatre director working on a production of All’s Well That Ends Well, one of Shakespear…| Laura Tisdall
The Short: I read or attempted to read, the contents of the first Shirley Jackson collection, The Lottery, or, The Adventures of James Harris, 1949 Farrar, Straus. My favorite is the classic short …| A Deep Look by Dave Hook
Richly humorous and thoughtful summer reading here with Helen Schulman's new book, Nell Stevens' "The Original," and Linn Ullmann's "Girl, 1983."| The Longest Chapter
You'll find novels, essays, and more here, including Jess Walter's delightful new fiction and Honorée Fanonne Jeffers highly anticipated first nonfiction. Six books in all, five published in June, an unusual mix.| The Longest Chapter
This new novel is a long read, not because of page count but of keeping steady during the times when you think nothing's happening. The payoff will be something you'll not soon forget.| The Longest Chapter
Here are good books for readers of rich literature and memoirs: Shirley Hazzard's classic; John Gregory Dunne's Las Vegas adventure now back in print; and bestselling author Fredrik Backman's new novel, which is publishing this week.| The Longest Chapter
Colum McCann’s new novel Twist hinges on a major break in underwater cables that carry the world’s information. Early on, there’s a scenario that’s chillingly real: the internet down, no cell phone service, no ATM service, and stores accepting cash only. “We were like stunned birds,” the book’s narrator tells us. He’s Anthony Fennell, an … Continue reading Cable breakage and darkness of the soul| The Longest Chapter
I introduced Jeremy Cooper’s novel Brian a while ago here on The Longest Chapter, eager to read it then but, as happens, left it waiting among the reading table stacks. But I believe some books “know” when the time is right to be read, as if stepping forward just when we need that one story … Continue reading What I’m reading and new books| The Longest Chapter
New nonfiction took me down a rabbit hole of additional books, shared here. (Think elephants and pianos.) Also, a new novel "Old Romantics" coming soon, and true crime.| The Longest Chapter
Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s novel "Heaven and Hell" takes place in a remote part of Iceland among fishermen who make their living on the Arctic’s ocean water. It's deeply moving for its spare, lyric style. Here's a review.| The Longest Chapter
January was a month when I swung widely among many types of books, not only in genre but also topic. To start, Ingrained: The Making of a Craftsman, not a topic I’d typically be drawn to. That changed thanks to what I read about the memoir when it published in December. Callum Robinson writes about … Continue reading A few book recommendations| The Longest Chapter
Tuesday is the usual day of the week for new book releases. Of the many novels published this past Tuesday, here are some gems by authors both familiar and new to me that have my attention.| The Longest Chapter
Iris Wolff, Ruth Martin and founder of Moth Books, Monique Charlesworth, speak to New Books in German.| New Books in German
Sarah Moss, Ripeness. Having read all of Moss’s fiction to date (plus her memoir Names for the Sea), I’ve become very familiar with her thought-world, and have started to wonder if she&…| Laura Tisdall
About the Book: It is 1987, and in the aftermath of a great storm, Cora sets out with her nine-year-old daughter to register the birth of her son. Her husband intends for her to follow a long-stand…| Theresa Smith Writes
New Books in German promotes German-language literature for translation into English| New Books in German
About the Book: From the New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake comes a stunningly beautiful tale about love, family and seeking a new life in the aftermath of tragedy …| Theresa Smith Writes
Award-winning translator Jo Heinrich reflects on her career progression since the publication of her first book-length translation.| New Books in German
hello everyone and welcome back!! HAPPY NEW YEAR 🥳🎊 i hope you and your loved ones have been enjoying a restful and joyful holiday season 💞 i did it again—i disappeared off the face of… More| Beyond the Read
Hello friends, happy Monday! Today I’m posting my review of Rajinderpal S. Pal’s novel, However Far Away.| Meghan's Whimsical Explorations & Reviews
If you’ve been tuned into the literary world since, oh, May of 2023, you may have heard of a little novel called Yellowface. It won several awards, including a Goodreads Choice Award for Best…| A Fictional Bookworm
Reflections on translating award-winning Kim de l’Horizon's Blutbuch.| New Books in German
Our spring 2025 selection features book titles from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, handpicked by our expert jury as particularly suitable for an international audience.| New Books in German
NBG interviews Judith Kuckart| New Books in German
NB. I’m still working on my post about three standout novels I read earlier this month – not to say these ones were bad! Andrew McMillan, Pity. This Barnsley-set novella traces both hom…| Laura Tisdall
About the Book: From the author of the multimillion-copy bestseller Normal People, an exquisitely moving story about grief, love and family. Aside from the fact that they are brothers, Pe…| Theresa Smith Writes
NBG interviews Austria's Residenz Verlag| New Books in German
Hiking solo in Boulder, Colorado, November 2024. This felt incredibly appropriate because at the time Tepper published this book, she had lived all her life in Colorado, and, but for the mentions o…| Laura Tisdall
Title: Junction of Earth and Sky Author: Susan Buttenwieser Genre: Historical/Literary Fiction Publisher: Manilla Press Publication Date: 1st August 2024 Rating: 4.5/5 Cover: Summary: Coming of age…| Life With All The Books
New Books in German promotes German-language literature for translation into English| New Books in German
Stefan Tobler talks with Regan Mies about fifteen years of And Other Stories press, translating Lutz Seiler, and what’s exciting in German lit| New Books in German
Not rethinking realism, as in rethinking philosophy’s single, objective reality, hard as rocks and nails. No, I mean rethinking realism in the sense of questioning the elevation of literary realism over the many other forms of fiction. Realism has long been the go-to form in literature for telling a story a certain way. An entire […]| Jim Nelson
Shaun Whiteside looks at how the idea of the German Democratic Republic continues to inspire writers and readers| New Books in German
NBG - Jury choices spring 2024| New Books in German
“Green Frog” is a poignant short story collection by Korean American writer Gina Chung, exploring themes of womanhood, transformation, and survival with equal parts fantasy and realism.| Me & Ink
