Hello book-lovers and welcome back. I don’t know about all of you and where you’re tuning in from, but this week has been especially cold in New York. I woke up to a frosted car everyday, I even saw our first flurry… so as if we really need any more of a reason to stay inside, here are this week’s picks. Of course, please check out the full video at the link below as well!
HOT PICK
The Last Interview: A Novel
By Eshkol Nevo
Synopsis:
The Last Interview is about a writer trying to answer a set of interview questions sent to him by a website editor. They’re pretty standard – Did you always know you would be a writer? How autobiographical are your books? Have you written any stories you would never publish? Normally his answers are calculated and professional, but this time, as his life feels as though it is in shambles, he finds himself telling every funny, sad, naked, scandalous, and politically incorrect truth of his life. At the same time, though, each of his answers reveals that at the heart of every truth there is a lie, and vice versa.
Why:
For me, this requires a two-pronged response. On one hand, it’s really exciting to read anything from the direct point of view of a writer. On the other hand, it’s both interesting and relatable to see someone slipping through the cracks when they’re under a lot of stress. I don’t know about you, but I definitely tend to over-share when I’m feeling extra anxious.
COFFEE SHOP READ
Ferdinand, The Man with the Kind Heart: A Novel
by Irmgard Keun and translated by Michael Hofmann
Synopsis:
This 1950 classic offers a delightfully shrewd take on postwar German society. It is about a man named Ferdinand, a recently released prisoner of war who is too kind to break off his engagement; instead going out to find her someone more suitable than himself. This is no easy task, however, as his not-yet-ex fiancé’s father was once a proud middle-ranking Nazi official. This novel encapsulates a very distinct and confusing time of German History, at which point its people were coming to terms with World War II and looking to move forward.
Why:
The change in perspective on this is fascinating, because I feel like it’s easy to fall into reading mostly from Allied perspectives. This doesn’t go for everyone, but this is what I have found from most people I have spoken with. There are also a lot of fun characters at play in this novel, so it takes a very serious time and turns it into a unique blend of that and comedic relief. Also, I just have to re-emphasize that Michael Hofmann always does a phenomenal job with his translations. I can’t read any of the languages he translates from, so I don’t know what the stories would have looked like beforehand, but I always enjoy the end result.
dark horse
What She Found in the Woods
by Josephine Angelini
Synopsis:
What She Found in the Woods is a gripping thriller about Magdalena, who is desperate to get over a scandal at her New York private school. She heads to her grandparents house on the West Coast to stay under the radar for a while, where she meets Bo. He’s wild and free, and he makes Magdalena believe she might actually be able to move on from what happened back in New York. However, when a mutilated body is discovered in the woods, Magdalena realizes she can’t trust anyone; not even herself.
Why:
The great thing about this book is that it has something for so many different people. It’s a mystery/thriller novel, but also includes mental health and romance. It also goes from the big city bustle to a more quiet, cabin-esque life. Angelini does a great job of keeping her readers on the edge of their seats with this one.
See you all next week for your next dose of “Three to Read” …
Check out the full video by clicking here!