The Weekly Reader

On this episode of The Weekly Reader, two new coming of age stories that also happen to be great reads.

On this episode of The Weekly Reader, we review a pair of new novels that redefine the concept of a "quiet" retirement.

If the word “essay” doesn’t trigger panic attacks and terrible memories of high school or college exams, have we got a pair of books for you! On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we feature new work from Tim Kreider and Carina Chocano.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, two books that take us behind the scenes at a pair of workplaces that might make you want to keep your day job.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we feature two very different novels that start the same way: with a funeral.

*"The House of Broken Angels" was selected for WYPR's Holiday Reading List 2018. 

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels about women who seem to lack the maternal instinct.

Today, our book critic Marion Winik shares two poetry collections that she says everyone needs to have around the house for moments that call for the perfect poem.

What makes a great dog book? Marion Winik shares a trio of classic dog tales and a new one to add to the canine canon. 

"The Friend" was selected for WYPR's Holiday Reading List 2018.  

 Anyone who lists Dr. Seuss, Dylan Thomas, Walt Whitman and Jimi Hendrix as their major influences is alright in my book. Today on The Weekly Reader, we talk about the late, great Denis Johnson.

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review three new books that explore the idea of immortality. Who doesn't want to live forever?

On today's episode, we review two new novels that put the "wild" in the Alaska wilderness.

With today's episode we start our second year of the Weekly Reader... which means there are now 52 shows archived on our website. Today, we add to those recommendations with a couple of fascinating new memoirs. 

On this episode, Marion reviews three new books that feature rather unstable female protagonists. 

This week, a trio of books that feaure big stories in small packages. 

This week, we take a break from reviewing the latest fiction releases and delve into the world of nonfiction.

Today on The Weekly Reader, we unlock the mystery of what make a great audio book!

When you think about India, the word “boring” rarely comes to mind. Here are three new books that take you there. 

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, some essential cookbooks for everyone, including kitchen novices as well as experts.  

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, a selection of great gift books for everyone on your holiday list.

You may be familiar with the old saying, “There’s a lid for every pot.” On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we celebrate Odd Couples.

What does it mean when a book is a “best seller?” This week, we look behind the scenes at just how a title makes the cut. 

Great stories take place in great cities. On today’s edition of The Weekly Reader, we have two novels set in New York, perhaps one of the greatest cities of them all.

Alice Hoffman’s "Practical Magic" is one of the most beloved depictions of modern-day witchcraft around. Fans will be delighted to learn about "The Rules of Magic," the just-released prequel to the tale of sisters Sally and Gillian Owens.  

On this edition of "The Weekly Reader," book critic Marion Winik takes us inside the world of small town politics, with Jonathan Dee’s new novel "The Locals" and J.K. Rowling’s "The Casual Vacancy." 

There are a lot of great quotes out there about “writing what you know.” On the edition of "The Weekly Reader," our book critic Marion Winik reviews three novels about women writers. 

James McBride won the 2013 National Book Award for his novel The Good Lord Bird about the abolitionist John Brown. On this edition of "The Weekly Reader," we’ll talk about his latest release, Five Carat Soul, and we’ll revisit some of his earlier work, many of which are considered American classics.

If you have ever been to New Orleans, you know that there is something special, almost magical, about the city. On this edition of "The Weekly Reader," we feature two novels that capture the unique physical and emotional landscape of The Big Easy, Margaret Wilkerson Sexton’s "A Kind of Freedom" and C. Morgan's "The Floating World." 

Almost every Irish Catholic friend I can think of has a “crazy nun story.” On this edition of "The Weekly Reader," we feature books about nuns, including Alice McDermott’s latest, "The Ninth Hour" and "Saints for All Occasions," the fourth novel by J. Courtney Sullivan. 

Click on the image for the list.