bookfare

We discuss what we read over the season break, the news the Shook the Book World (looking at you, Goodreads), and Emma Cline's new novel, Switzy.

Break reads: Helen of Nowhere by Makenna Goodman (Katherine), The Vivisectors by Missouri Williams (Katherine), The End of Everything by M. John Harrison (Katherine), The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (Katherine), May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry (Katherine), Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal (Katherine), The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yukanvitch (Katherine), In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad #1) by Tana French (Katherine), All Them Dogs by Djamel White (Ashley), Sandwich by Catherine Newman (Ashley) Good People by Patmeena Sabit (Ashley), Good News by Alexa Yasemin Brahme (Ashley), Lake Effect by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (Ashley) Life of M by Rachel Cusk (Ashley), Python’s Kiss by Louise Erdrich (Ashley)

Up Next: The Disappearers by Marlon James

We discuss Ann Patchett's latest novel, Whistler, Katherine's inaugural book club on Daniel Mason's Country People, and whether "happy" books can be taken seriously.

Also in the reading roundup: All Them Dogs by Djamel White (Katherine), Helen of Nowhere by Makenna Goodman (Katherine), and Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka (Ashley).

Next up: Bookfare break! See you in October!

We discuss Carson's memory-haunted novel, Few and Far Between, with special guest and Northern Ireland expert Dr. Kelsey!

This episode, Katherine and Ashley discuss Carson's novel, honoring vs. clinging to the past, and what a chunky Kit Kat actually is. Also in the roundup, Hooked by Sutton Foster (Katherine), The Bat by Jo Nesbo (Katherine), Country People by Daniel Mason (Katherine), The Snowman by Jo Nesbo (Ashley), My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein by Deborah Levy (Ashley), Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer (Ashley), The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade (Kelsey), Vilhelm's Room by Tove Ditlevsen (Kelsey) and Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 9 by Kamome Shirahama (Kelsey).

Up Next: The Whistler by Ann Patchett

Katherine and Ashley discuss Maggie O'Farrell's latest novel, Land.

Katherine read:

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Ashley read:

Killing Moon by Jo Nesbo

Angel Down by Daniel Kraus

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

Katherine and Ashley discuss Stuart's highly anticipated third novel, John of John.

Katherine Reads:

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

She Who Remains by Rene Karabash

Ashley Reads:

Down Time by Andrew Martin

The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout

Katherine and Ashley discuss International Booker Prize Winner, Taiwan Travelogue, plus Transcription by Ben LernerThis episode, Katherine and Ashley dig into Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi, Translated by Lin King.Also in the reading round-up: Riders by Jilly Cooper (Katherine), Angel Down by Daniel Kraus (Katherine), Transcription by Ben Lerner (Ashley), Down Time by Andrew Martin (Ashley).

Katherine's note: Katherine is obsessed with the Jilly Cooper Cinematic Universe. Book news: Hum by Helen Philips won the Climate Fiction Prize.Up Next: John of John by Douglas Stuart

Katherine and Ashley read two books from their guilt lists, discuss what makes a truly great memoir, and go down a minor rabbit hole into some of Ashley's greatest fears.This episode, Katherine and Ashley dig into Guilt List: The Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward & The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson.Also in the reading round-up: Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively (Katherine), Riders by Jilly Cooper (Katherine), Angel Down by Daniel Kraus (Katherine), Sex & Rage by Eve Babitz (Ashley).Book news: International Booker Winner has been announced: Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and translated by Lin King. Yesteryear is being adapted by Anne Hathaway.Up next: Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ

We discuss the new Patrick Radden Keefe book, why people hated Lena Dunham so violently, and Katherine's teenage obsession with New England old money.This episode, Katherine and Ashley dig into London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe and Famesick by Lena Dunham. Katherine rates it 5/5; Ashley gives it 5/5. No one writes narrative non-fiction like Patrick Radden Keefe!Also in the reading round-up: Transcription by Ben Lerner (Katherine), Small Comforts by Ia Genberg (Katherine), Famesick by Lena Dunham (Katherine), Upward Bound by Wood Brown (Katherine), This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin (Ashley), Famesick by Lena Dunham (Ashley), Sex & Rage by Eve Babitz (Ashley). Book news: The Women's Prize for Fiction Short List and The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and Nonfiction have been announced..Up Next: Guilt List Pick: The Men We Reaped and The Argonauts

We discuss two books off the Women's Fiction Longlist and make our shortlist predictions!This episode, Katherine and Ashley dig into Women's Fiction Longlist: Paradiso 17 & The Others. Katherine and Ashley read two books off the Women's Fiction Prize Longlist and pitched the books to each other.Also in the reading round-up: Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly (Katherine), The Others by Sheena Kalayil (Katherine), Small Comfort by Ia Genberg (Katherine), Transcription by Ben Lerner (Katherine), Wedding People by Alison Espach (Ashley), Paradiso 17 by Hannah Lillith Assadi (Ashley), This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin (Ashley). Katherine's pick: Kat is not pushing for Kingfisher on the shortlist. Wedding People was a huge skip for Ashley (but did spark some existential thoughts for her as a reader)Book news: The Correspondent is being adapted ; Frieda McFadden reveals true identity.Next Time: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

Katherine and Ashley discuss Lauren Groff's latest short story collection: Brawler.

Katherine reads:

• Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
• The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine
• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
• Dominion by Addie Citchens

Ashley reads:

• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
• Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion