PODCAST · arts
Book Review
by KMUW
Journalist and book reviewer Suzanne Perez reviews the latest books and such for KMUW on air and right here. Discover new reviews on Mondays.
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20
'Dear Monica Lewinsky' is part comedy, part cultural reckoning
Julia Langbein's new novel, "Dear Monica Lewinsky," is part comedy, part fairy tale, part historical reckoning — a clever and creative work that will have you rethinking much of what you have come to believe.
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19
'Small Boat' inspires readers to examine their own moral failings
"Small Boat" by Vincent Delecroix is a fictionalized account of a real-life tragedy, during which 27 migrants died after their inflatable dinghy capsized in the English Channel. It was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2025.
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18
Live from New York, it’s … a pretty great novel, especially on audio
"The Midnight Show," by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne, tells the story of a 'Saturday Night Live'-style comedy show and the decades-long mystery surrounding the death of its rising star.
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17
Lauren Groff’s ‘Brawler’ is a gut-punch of a story collection
All nine stories in Lauren Groff's new collection, "Brawler," are bold and emotional. Many feature shocking endings. And there’s not a dud in the bunch.
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16
Poet Maggie Smith explores body and mind in her new collection
Maggie Smith is best known for her poem Good Bones, which went viral in 2020. Her new collection, A Suit or a Suitcase, is an emotional, mind-opening study on the relentlessness of time.
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15
'Good People' reveals itself through myriad narrators
Fans of Liz Moore's "The God of the Woods" will love Patmeena Sabit's debut novel, "Good People," which is another literary mystery-thriller that keeps you wondering and guessing until its final pages.
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14
'Evil Genius' is a dark and clever feminist fantasy
Claire Oshetsky's new novel, "Evil Genius," explores complex themes of obsession and desire, with a darkly comic style and a storyline that twists, turns and goes places you never expect.
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13
'Blob: A Love Story' offers a surreal look at love and identity
Maggie Su's debut novel, "Blob: A Love Story," tells the story of a young woman who tries to transform a sentient blob into the man of her dreams.
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12
Jennette McCurdy's debut novel explores misguided yearning
Jennette McCurdy's debut novel, "Half His Age," is the story of a 17-year-old girl who craves a sexual relationship with her high school creative writing teacher.
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11
'Just Watch Me' explores odd corners of the internet
Lior Torenberg’s debut novel, Just Watch Me, follows a 20-something woman who starts a livestream marathon to raise money for her little sister, who is in a coma.
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10
'The Hitch' is a perfect blend of comedy and oddball charm
A new novel by Sara Levine tells the story of a woman whose 6-year-old nephew is possessed by the ghost of a Corgi.
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9
Get ready, readers: There's lots to look forward to in 2026
Great news for book lovers: 2026 is shaping up to be a banger of a year, with several big-name authors returning after long breaks.
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8
Booker Prize-winning 'Flesh' shows a man detached from his own emotions and desires
David Szalay's award-winning novel, "Flesh," follows the life of one Hungarian man from adolescence to old age. And it manages to do a lot with precious few words.
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7
'The Ten Year Affair' recounts a young mother's imaginary tryst
Erin Somers' new novel, "The Ten Year Affair," offers an evocative and emotionally charged look at the realities of marriage and family life, and a meditation on the roads not taken.
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6
John Kenney's new novel explores what makes life worth living
John Kenney's newest novel, "I See You've Called in Dead," tells the story of a middle-aged obituary writer who uses an unplanned leave of absence to explore what life is really about.
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5
Ready for another dystopian nightmare? 'The Merge' explores the dark side of population control
Grace Walker’s debut novel, "The Merge," opens in a world where Earth’s resources have been pushed to a breaking point. That has given rise to a controversial new procedure in which two people’s consciousness can be combined and exist in one body.
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4
Sleeper hit: Debut novel 'The Correspondent' has become a word-of-mouth best-seller
"The Correspondent" was published back in April with little fanfare. But months after its release, the Virginia Evans debut made the New York Times Bestseller list and is a breakout hit, which speaks to the power of human connection.
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3
Aja Gabel's new novel, 'Lightbreakers,' explores the intersection of art and science
Aja Gabel's sophomore novel, "Lightbreakers," explores a wide range of questions ranging from environmental concerns to deep personal loss.
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2
With 'Wreck,' author Catherine Newman revisits some favorite characters and topics
Catherine Newman's new novel, "Wreck," is set two years after her previous best-seller, "Sandwich." It finds main character Rocky back home in western Massachusetts and once again surrounded by family.
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1
'Bog Queen' blends ancient history with modern-day forensics
Anna North's newest novel, "Bog Queen," offers everything fans love about historical fiction: a fascinating look back through time with memorable characters, remarkable settings and a story that moves along at a steady clip.
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0
Rachel Harrison's new novel explores ghosts and childhood trauma
In Rachel Harrison's new novel, "Play Nice," a woman must confront the demons of her past when she tries to fix up her childhood home.
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'Paper Girl' is a comprehensive look at a microcosm of modern America
Beth Macy's new nonfiction narrative, "Paper Girl," is part memoir, part reportage, part oral history, and the result is a comprehensive look at a microcosm of modern America.
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