Latest Headlines in Books
BOOK REVIEW
John Kaag, in ‘American Bloods,’ follows the sprawling branches of a powerful dynasty throughout American history
A manuscript hidden in a secret room in a Concord house yields a tale of astonishing power and influence, in this new book by an affectionate historian of American philosophy.
New England Literary News
Two new poetry collections and a literary journal exploring ‘the pastoral and the passed-over’ in Maine
In this week's New England Literary News, we hear about two exciting new poetry collections — from Diannely Antigua and John Hodgen — and the launch of a new literary journal that will ponder the "pastoral and the passed-over" beauty of Western Maine. Plus, recommendations for new books and a few you might have missed.
BOOKINGS
Author readings around Boston through May 25
Claire Messud, Miranda July, Ramie Targoff, Nicholas Kristof, Grace Lin, and Colm Tóibín are among the authors appearing at local venues this week
THE STORY BEHIND THE BOOK
In ‘The Light Eaters,’ Zoë Schlanger digs into the world of botany
The Atlantic reporter seeds new appreciation for plants, as well as those who study them.
BOOK REVIEW
Michelle T. King’s ‘Chop Fry Watch Learn’ remembers Fu Pei-mei, the woman who brought Chinese food to TV — and the world
When Fu Pei-mei left mainland China for Taiwain in 1949, she was one in a crowd of refugees. Over the next several decades, she became famous, a beloved TV chef teaching her viewers how to cook (and live) with grace and poise. A new book explores Fu's life and legacy.
Globe Magazine
To meet people in her new town, she wanted to start a book club. She got 200 replies.
After moving to Newburyport, Kim Black posted a note on Facebook to see if anyone was interested in forming a book club. The response was overwhelming.
BOOK REVIEW
In the sad and funny ‘We Were the Universe,’ Kimberly King Parsons hits all the right notes
The author explores the painful intersections of grief and parenting in this novel about a young mother mourning the death of her addict sister while trying to raise her preschool-aged daughter. Luckily for readers, Parsons casts an empathetic eye on her characters, finding the moments of humor as life goes on.
BIBLIOPHILES
Mona Awad on reading horror, fairytales, and children’s books
The author talks about the books that influenced her to write about horror from a woman's point of view, and why working in a bookstore was so influential to her reading life.