What does your social circle say about you? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels featuring central figures surrounded by rather influential casts of characters:  Ana Turns, by Lisa Gornick, and The Children's Bach, by Helen Garner.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new historic novels, one set in Malaysia, the other in Vietnam: Absolution, by Alice McDermott, and The Storm We Made, by Veronica Chan.

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When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or at least, watch what they do. I’m Lisa Morgan and today on The Weekly Reader, our book ciritic Marion Winik reviews two very different books with one thing in common: the city of Rome. 

Roman Stories, Jhumpa Lahiri, and The Helsinki Affair, by Anna Pitoniak.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review three new non-fiction takes on various aspects of the human condition and how we think about, and, perhaps more importantly, how we value and treat one another: A Day in the Life of Abed Salama, by Nathan Thrall, The Teachers, by Alexandra Robbins, and Monsters, by Claire Dederer. 

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews a pair of cheeky novels dripping with parody, sarcasm, and wit: Wellness, by Nathan Hill, and The Book of Ayn, by Lexi Freiman.

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Fall is book award season, and your friends here at The Weekly Reader have our eyes on a few great contenders. Today on the show, our book critic Marion winik reviews a finalist for the Booker Prize and one for the Kirkus Prize: "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray, and "How to Say Babylon" by Safiya Sinclair. 

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Sometimes the release of a new title by a great author is a welcome excuse to explore their previous work. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review Ben Fountain’s latest novel, Devil Makes Three and an earlier, well-loved work  Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. 

Marion Winikwill be in conversation with Ben Fountain on Monday October 9 at 7 pm, at Politics and Prose in DC.

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels about women pushed to their limits, and beyond, by forces they don’t quite understand:"Breaking and Entering" by Don Gillmor and "Search History" by Amy Taylor. 

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On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik takes us back to school with a pair of novels about navigating complex teenage terrain and finding your tribe: "Speech Team" by Tim Murphy, and "Sugarless" by James Magruder. 

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Everybody has a few favorite authors, and it's a thrill when they release a new book. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new novels from old friends: "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett and "Happiness Falls" by Angie Kim. 

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