My wife and my son both read McBride’s memoir and loved it and I read his study of James Brown and loved that, but we were not aware of his fiction until Deacon King Kong, which we heard about from many sources, including in a sermon by a guest preacher at church. My wife and I read that book together and were so impressed we read The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store as soon as we could get our hands on it.
The History of Democracy Has Yet To Be Written, Thomas Geoghegan.
I will read anything by this guy. His Which Side Are You On? from 1991 gave shape to my own experiences and thoughts about being a union member. As a sometimes-homesick Midwesterner living in NYC, I follow Rust Belt releases. In The Watershed by Ryan Schnurr is a favorite.
A Fabulous Failure, Nelson Lichtenstein and Judith Stein.
I saw this book on display once at a Barnes and Noble in midtown Manhattan and then couldn’t find it anywhere and ended up ordering it. I have never read a book by Lichtenstein but have heard him talk at labor union conventions and liked what he had to say. Stein died before finishing this book but wrote a great history of the 1970s that I continue to reread, Pivotal Decade. This is a book I am saving to read along with some other histories of the Clinton years.
Books We Don’t Like. My wife and I have a dear friend who touts and often gifts popular novels that we never enjoy and don’t finish. The friendship endures but we know to avoid the recommendations.
Three of the last books I've enjoyed are written by people I've met on Substack. I also find books I like at the public library (in person on the "new book" shelf or online by browsing for other authors I like), or in bibliographies (academic books). Before COVID, I usually bought a couple at conferences from display tables. So I have many regular sources.
Last book I read/loved (Becca Rothfeld, “All Things Are Too Small”) I found because I was sent an unsolicited ARC, a rarity for me as an on-again, off-again reviewer. Ditto for the book I am reading and loving now— Marcia Bjornerud “Turning to Stone”— her publicist emailed me with a digital galley. So I guess since I’m a part-time reviewer as well as a reader I’m probably not typical in where I find new books. But also: just through the literary Twitter/X community (if we’re still calling it that). I, too, found Elisa Gabbert’s most recent collection because I follow her on X, and also Emily Ogden “on Not Knowing.”
I recently read and enjoyed three books. Two of them were gifts from my husband because he thought I'd like them. He was right. I think he heard one, Hamnet, mentioned in a podcast. The other was Victory City by Rushdie. My husband heard about it because of the attempt on Rushdie's life. The third book, Black Milk, was a gift from a student (I teach adults). Based on things I'd said in class, he thought I'd like it.
My most recent one was a random pick-up at the library, not a newly published book. (I'd heard of the author because of Instagram.)
Before that was a classic that I picked up while browsing at a bookstore. (The author was someone I was aware of already, but was prompted to read them 'some time soon' because of conversations on Instagram.)
Before that, I bought a relatively newly published book after seeing the author interviewed about her novel, because it was longlisted for the Giller Prize. I've also bought (but not yet read) books because of a couple of podcasts I listened to.
Before that was a book a friend loved and gave me, not newly published.
Before that was a non-fiction book I saw on Instagram, relatively newly published.
I also discover newly published books from publishers' emails. For non-new books, I get recommendations from Instagram and a couple of Facebook groups, and also find books via BookBub emails.
I have two answers to this as my reading life has changed now that I’ve become a writer. Before I was a writer— I enjoyed browsing bookstores, but I could not afford to buy new books, so would always pick things up and be like that sounds interesting, maybe I’ll see it at the library. And almost never went to look for it— this was in the days before iphones, so I never had a place to write titles down, and never carried around a notebook to write notes down. Anyway, I began shopping for books at thrift stores— which I loved— because I could afford to buy just about every book I came across. I loved the variety, old books, new books, all genres. And occasionally I’d come across a familiar title I saw at the bookstore, but more often than not, it was stuff I’d never heard of, would never have heard of. And it was always a fun surprise.
Now that I’m a writer— I still peruse the thrift store for titles— but it is much more intentional. I have a running list of books on the notes app on my phone. The titles now come from the myriad blogs/newsletters and writing publications that I subscribe to. I also write down recommendations from writing friends, and if something seems intriguing on social media. I’m almost inundated with books! I have holds at the library, both physical books and audiobooks, and a stack of unread books from my list found at the thrift store! I also will buy new books from authors that I want to support or once I’ve read a book for my writing— if I really liked it and want my own copy!
Joan Chase, During the Reign of the Queen of Persia: had this one in my tbr pile for years and I can't remember how it got there. I know I bought it in one of the NYRB sales, but not why. (Excellent tho.)
Amy Pease, Northwoods: No idea! Surely someone on twitter tho
Guy Gavriel Kay, Lord of Emperors: Read because I've been making my way through these, and the reason I'm doing that is because Levi Stahl tweeted about about him a few years ago and I always listen to his recs
Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R Weaver: I received it as a PR gift from a publisher
A romantasy book, I forget the title, that I got from Fairy Loot - I enjoy trusting a third party to curate my reading for me so I don't have to think about it sometimes
And a romance ebook that I've also forgotten the name of (I'm terrible at this) - I saw it offered for free in a Bookbub newsletter
Last books I didn't enjoy: let's skip pretending I know the names haha, but there was a Fairy Loot titles I found disappointing, a PR gifted book that wasn't my cup of tea, and (oh, I know one!) The Essex Serpent, which I picked up because of all the buzz from a few years ago when I saw it in a free book swap shelf.
I guess I sort of get all my recommendations, good or bad, from PR gifts; book box services; free download newsletters; and awards/bestseller buzz.
I keep a master document of the major fiction awards and end-of-year lists in which the winner/finalists of each are assigned points & anything that gets 6 or more points makes the list of to-be-read fiction. Then, any time I'm at a Goodwill or a used bookstore or a new bookstore with deals or that I want to support – I search my list to see if they have anything. This has the added benefit that I can go into every novel nearly "blind" which is my strong preference – even just the information of knowing who recommended a book to me will often bias me towards that book in ways I find distracting. List can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Zsw89iYslKzyN03lHbuKI8KCShQf4VxdUPcDRXkX34/
Besides, I guess, that it’s “acclaimed literary fiction” which is not REALLY nothing but is exactly what I need to know and no more. I read no reviews until I’ve finished. I have a system for EVERYTHING because it sparks joy & reduces choice anxiety, but this is definitely one of my sillier and more convoluted systems! I also read novels two-at-a-time and alternate chapters!
two at a time and alternating chapters is more insanity from you, Sam, who I used to think sane (but was absolutely disappointed that you didn’t eviserate those pretentious Birds in that Nathan Heller piece about attention, so maybe I’ve been wrong all along)
Hahaha! I called it "twee cosplay," I don't think I was exactly kind! They're annoying, but also – staring at art for a long time and then discussing it with people is an excellent practice, and I can excuse some frippery in service of that. It's not as though they were expecting to be written up – they're notably press-shy! And I think part of the reason (though definitely not the whole reason) they seem so pretentious is that Heller assigns them an importance they didn't necessarily ask for.
"The Samaritan" by Richard Price (current read) - picked based on the recommendation blurb written at Lost City Books in Washington, D.C. ... "Caboose #14: My Canadian Boyfriend" by Liza Mason (previous read) - written by a new friend, picked up at the zine bookstore they work at in Chicago ... "Stories in the Worst Way" by Gary Lutz (sitting atop the stack, likely next read) - picked based on The Paris Review write-up bouncing around Threads
Fun question! Choosing a book to read is like intentional serendipity. I feel like everyone who love books eventually develops their own sort of mycelial network of inputs to guide what they want to read. For me, a major one is noting whenever a book is referenced in a piece of writing that interests me. I like following the breadcrumbs : ) The credits for THE MANIAC led me to TURING'S CATHEDRAL, which I deeply enjoyed (it also freaked me out). But I also recently read and was blown away by Adalbert Stifter's MOTLEY STONES, which I picked solely for the title and because it was an NYRB publication (I tend to pay closer attention to any book from certain presses). I picked up Elizabeth Bowen's THE LAST SEPTEMBER because I was in Ireland and they have amazing bookshops with wonderful displays, and it felt like the right time to read something by her at last. I am always paying attention to any mention of books that sound interesting and slotting them away in my mind until they turn up again in a different context, like a used book sale or on a library or shop shelf. I don't find most IRL recommendations from fellow readers useful, though. My friends like to read in different ways and directions than I do!
I think it's cool that you know you don't like to read the same things as your friends do, but have an independent method for finding stuff you will like. (I think I may be the same)
As for myself, I seem to find some good gems via a daily BookBub promotional email. It often offers e-books at a discount and I'll either take advantage of the promo or put it on my library list.
Also, I have discovered some books via podcasts (especially Charlotte Readers Podcast) and a few from authors' newsletters that I subscribe to (mainly Wiley Cash and Tommy Tomlinson).
Hi Anne, This is a great question! Thanks for asking us. I am currently reading several books (the usual haphazard pile), which I'll track: 1. Peter Levine's In An Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness - heard about this one when Dan Harris interviewed Levine on Harris' podcast, Ten Percent Happier. 2. Margaret Renkl's The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year - Renkl's a local Nashville author whose name is always mentioned in literary circles here, and I read a review of this book in Chapter 16, the publication of Tennessee Humanities. 3. Aimee Nezhukumatathil's Bite By Bite - I went to Parnassus Books (of Ann Patchett fame) for Margaret Renkl's interview with Nezhukumatathil and walked out with the book. 4. Elaine Scarry's On Beauty and Being Just - recommended by Ross Gay when he was in town on a book tour. And 5. & 6. Peter Levitt's One Hundred Butterflies and his Fingerpainting on the Moon - I learned about both of these while doing a haiku workshop with Roshi Joan Halifax's Upaya Zen Center on a weekend a couple of months ago; Levitt was one of the guest teachers at the workshop. I'm curious to know what turns up as a result of your inquiry since I'm interested in helping folks get their books into the right hands AND want to get mine out there once it's done! All best to you - Shan
I hear about new books from bookish news essentially- emails from bookstores, newsletters, news coverage of new books, and word of mouth from author friends or readers. btw, i did a statistical analysis on whether or not an author's own social media has any impact on sales (it doesn't.) *other people* talking about it on social media may, but clearly that's not something the author can control. my concern is too many authors wasting time on social media hoping it sells books, when actually it's more up to their publisher's sales department.
- Elisa Gabbert’s ANY PERSON IS THE ONLY SELF, which I heard about from her twitter (it’s an ARC, but the only reason I asked for it is because I follow her)
- NINTH STREET WOMEN, one of those books I heard about from multiple people over the years, especially newsletter readers, but picked up because I was interested in Elaine de Kooning. (Hilariously, it was the book Anne Hathaway claimed she wasn’t going to read in her new Netflix movie)
- THE WORK OF ART by Adam Moss — Meg heard his interview on Ezra Klein’s show and the description of the book was an instant purchase
What I see that all of these have in common is that I pick up books, usually, based on PEOPLE. Individuals who recommend them. Good ol’ word of mouth
family, friends and my favourite newsletters! Some are author newsletters where they recommend their favourite reads, some are aggregator type newsletters, and some are short story magazines where I can find books by the authors in the magazine
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride.
My wife and my son both read McBride’s memoir and loved it and I read his study of James Brown and loved that, but we were not aware of his fiction until Deacon King Kong, which we heard about from many sources, including in a sermon by a guest preacher at church. My wife and I read that book together and were so impressed we read The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store as soon as we could get our hands on it.
The History of Democracy Has Yet To Be Written, Thomas Geoghegan.
I will read anything by this guy. His Which Side Are You On? from 1991 gave shape to my own experiences and thoughts about being a union member. As a sometimes-homesick Midwesterner living in NYC, I follow Rust Belt releases. In The Watershed by Ryan Schnurr is a favorite.
A Fabulous Failure, Nelson Lichtenstein and Judith Stein.
I saw this book on display once at a Barnes and Noble in midtown Manhattan and then couldn’t find it anywhere and ended up ordering it. I have never read a book by Lichtenstein but have heard him talk at labor union conventions and liked what he had to say. Stein died before finishing this book but wrote a great history of the 1970s that I continue to reread, Pivotal Decade. This is a book I am saving to read along with some other histories of the Clinton years.
Books We Don’t Like. My wife and I have a dear friend who touts and often gifts popular novels that we never enjoy and don’t finish. The friendship endures but we know to avoid the recommendations.
Three of the last books I've enjoyed are written by people I've met on Substack. I also find books I like at the public library (in person on the "new book" shelf or online by browsing for other authors I like), or in bibliographies (academic books). Before COVID, I usually bought a couple at conferences from display tables. So I have many regular sources.
Last book I read/loved (Becca Rothfeld, “All Things Are Too Small”) I found because I was sent an unsolicited ARC, a rarity for me as an on-again, off-again reviewer. Ditto for the book I am reading and loving now— Marcia Bjornerud “Turning to Stone”— her publicist emailed me with a digital galley. So I guess since I’m a part-time reviewer as well as a reader I’m probably not typical in where I find new books. But also: just through the literary Twitter/X community (if we’re still calling it that). I, too, found Elisa Gabbert’s most recent collection because I follow her on X, and also Emily Ogden “on Not Knowing.”
I recently read and enjoyed three books. Two of them were gifts from my husband because he thought I'd like them. He was right. I think he heard one, Hamnet, mentioned in a podcast. The other was Victory City by Rushdie. My husband heard about it because of the attempt on Rushdie's life. The third book, Black Milk, was a gift from a student (I teach adults). Based on things I'd said in class, he thought I'd like it.
My most recent one was a random pick-up at the library, not a newly published book. (I'd heard of the author because of Instagram.)
Before that was a classic that I picked up while browsing at a bookstore. (The author was someone I was aware of already, but was prompted to read them 'some time soon' because of conversations on Instagram.)
Before that, I bought a relatively newly published book after seeing the author interviewed about her novel, because it was longlisted for the Giller Prize. I've also bought (but not yet read) books because of a couple of podcasts I listened to.
Before that was a book a friend loved and gave me, not newly published.
Before that was a non-fiction book I saw on Instagram, relatively newly published.
I also discover newly published books from publishers' emails. For non-new books, I get recommendations from Instagram and a couple of Facebook groups, and also find books via BookBub emails.
I have two answers to this as my reading life has changed now that I’ve become a writer. Before I was a writer— I enjoyed browsing bookstores, but I could not afford to buy new books, so would always pick things up and be like that sounds interesting, maybe I’ll see it at the library. And almost never went to look for it— this was in the days before iphones, so I never had a place to write titles down, and never carried around a notebook to write notes down. Anyway, I began shopping for books at thrift stores— which I loved— because I could afford to buy just about every book I came across. I loved the variety, old books, new books, all genres. And occasionally I’d come across a familiar title I saw at the bookstore, but more often than not, it was stuff I’d never heard of, would never have heard of. And it was always a fun surprise.
Now that I’m a writer— I still peruse the thrift store for titles— but it is much more intentional. I have a running list of books on the notes app on my phone. The titles now come from the myriad blogs/newsletters and writing publications that I subscribe to. I also write down recommendations from writing friends, and if something seems intriguing on social media. I’m almost inundated with books! I have holds at the library, both physical books and audiobooks, and a stack of unread books from my list found at the thrift store! I also will buy new books from authors that I want to support or once I’ve read a book for my writing— if I really liked it and want my own copy!
Joan Chase, During the Reign of the Queen of Persia: had this one in my tbr pile for years and I can't remember how it got there. I know I bought it in one of the NYRB sales, but not why. (Excellent tho.)
Amy Pease, Northwoods: No idea! Surely someone on twitter tho
Guy Gavriel Kay, Lord of Emperors: Read because I've been making my way through these, and the reason I'm doing that is because Levi Stahl tweeted about about him a few years ago and I always listen to his recs
Levi is also one of my go to recommenders!
Last books I loved:
Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R Weaver: I received it as a PR gift from a publisher
A romantasy book, I forget the title, that I got from Fairy Loot - I enjoy trusting a third party to curate my reading for me so I don't have to think about it sometimes
And a romance ebook that I've also forgotten the name of (I'm terrible at this) - I saw it offered for free in a Bookbub newsletter
Last books I didn't enjoy: let's skip pretending I know the names haha, but there was a Fairy Loot titles I found disappointing, a PR gifted book that wasn't my cup of tea, and (oh, I know one!) The Essex Serpent, which I picked up because of all the buzz from a few years ago when I saw it in a free book swap shelf.
I guess I sort of get all my recommendations, good or bad, from PR gifts; book box services; free download newsletters; and awards/bestseller buzz.
I keep a master document of the major fiction awards and end-of-year lists in which the winner/finalists of each are assigned points & anything that gets 6 or more points makes the list of to-be-read fiction. Then, any time I'm at a Goodwill or a used bookstore or a new bookstore with deals or that I want to support – I search my list to see if they have anything. This has the added benefit that I can go into every novel nearly "blind" which is my strong preference – even just the information of knowing who recommended a book to me will often bias me towards that book in ways I find distracting. List can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Zsw89iYslKzyN03lHbuKI8KCShQf4VxdUPcDRXkX34/
This is INSANE, Sam. I think we need to have a conversation about this.
But seriously: why is a NYT review by a person "unbiased"? (I did not like Trust, which means I was set to protest your method from the jump)
Oh it’s not unbiased it’s just content-free, like, it doesn’t tell me anything about the book!
Besides, I guess, that it’s “acclaimed literary fiction” which is not REALLY nothing but is exactly what I need to know and no more. I read no reviews until I’ve finished. I have a system for EVERYTHING because it sparks joy & reduces choice anxiety, but this is definitely one of my sillier and more convoluted systems! I also read novels two-at-a-time and alternate chapters!
two at a time and alternating chapters is more insanity from you, Sam, who I used to think sane (but was absolutely disappointed that you didn’t eviserate those pretentious Birds in that Nathan Heller piece about attention, so maybe I’ve been wrong all along)
Hahaha! I called it "twee cosplay," I don't think I was exactly kind! They're annoying, but also – staring at art for a long time and then discussing it with people is an excellent practice, and I can excuse some frippery in service of that. It's not as though they were expecting to be written up – they're notably press-shy! And I think part of the reason (though definitely not the whole reason) they seem so pretentious is that Heller assigns them an importance they didn't necessarily ask for.
"The Samaritan" by Richard Price (current read) - picked based on the recommendation blurb written at Lost City Books in Washington, D.C. ... "Caboose #14: My Canadian Boyfriend" by Liza Mason (previous read) - written by a new friend, picked up at the zine bookstore they work at in Chicago ... "Stories in the Worst Way" by Gary Lutz (sitting atop the stack, likely next read) - picked based on The Paris Review write-up bouncing around Threads
Fun question! Choosing a book to read is like intentional serendipity. I feel like everyone who love books eventually develops their own sort of mycelial network of inputs to guide what they want to read. For me, a major one is noting whenever a book is referenced in a piece of writing that interests me. I like following the breadcrumbs : ) The credits for THE MANIAC led me to TURING'S CATHEDRAL, which I deeply enjoyed (it also freaked me out). But I also recently read and was blown away by Adalbert Stifter's MOTLEY STONES, which I picked solely for the title and because it was an NYRB publication (I tend to pay closer attention to any book from certain presses). I picked up Elizabeth Bowen's THE LAST SEPTEMBER because I was in Ireland and they have amazing bookshops with wonderful displays, and it felt like the right time to read something by her at last. I am always paying attention to any mention of books that sound interesting and slotting them away in my mind until they turn up again in a different context, like a used book sale or on a library or shop shelf. I don't find most IRL recommendations from fellow readers useful, though. My friends like to read in different ways and directions than I do!
I think it's cool that you know you don't like to read the same things as your friends do, but have an independent method for finding stuff you will like. (I think I may be the same)
As for myself, I seem to find some good gems via a daily BookBub promotional email. It often offers e-books at a discount and I'll either take advantage of the promo or put it on my library list.
Also, I have discovered some books via podcasts (especially Charlotte Readers Podcast) and a few from authors' newsletters that I subscribe to (mainly Wiley Cash and Tommy Tomlinson).
Hi Anne, This is a great question! Thanks for asking us. I am currently reading several books (the usual haphazard pile), which I'll track: 1. Peter Levine's In An Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness - heard about this one when Dan Harris interviewed Levine on Harris' podcast, Ten Percent Happier. 2. Margaret Renkl's The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year - Renkl's a local Nashville author whose name is always mentioned in literary circles here, and I read a review of this book in Chapter 16, the publication of Tennessee Humanities. 3. Aimee Nezhukumatathil's Bite By Bite - I went to Parnassus Books (of Ann Patchett fame) for Margaret Renkl's interview with Nezhukumatathil and walked out with the book. 4. Elaine Scarry's On Beauty and Being Just - recommended by Ross Gay when he was in town on a book tour. And 5. & 6. Peter Levitt's One Hundred Butterflies and his Fingerpainting on the Moon - I learned about both of these while doing a haiku workshop with Roshi Joan Halifax's Upaya Zen Center on a weekend a couple of months ago; Levitt was one of the guest teachers at the workshop. I'm curious to know what turns up as a result of your inquiry since I'm interested in helping folks get their books into the right hands AND want to get mine out there once it's done! All best to you - Shan
I hear about new books from bookish news essentially- emails from bookstores, newsletters, news coverage of new books, and word of mouth from author friends or readers. btw, i did a statistical analysis on whether or not an author's own social media has any impact on sales (it doesn't.) *other people* talking about it on social media may, but clearly that's not something the author can control. my concern is too many authors wasting time on social media hoping it sells books, when actually it's more up to their publisher's sales department.
I agree, and feel for those authors
Last 3 books I’ve been really into:
- Elisa Gabbert’s ANY PERSON IS THE ONLY SELF, which I heard about from her twitter (it’s an ARC, but the only reason I asked for it is because I follow her)
- NINTH STREET WOMEN, one of those books I heard about from multiple people over the years, especially newsletter readers, but picked up because I was interested in Elaine de Kooning. (Hilariously, it was the book Anne Hathaway claimed she wasn’t going to read in her new Netflix movie)
- THE WORK OF ART by Adam Moss — Meg heard his interview on Ezra Klein’s show and the description of the book was an instant purchase
What I see that all of these have in common is that I pick up books, usually, based on PEOPLE. Individuals who recommend them. Good ol’ word of mouth
Austin--Since your newsletter was mentioned by somebody else, it reminded me that Belt has something coming out in December that I think you will like (Anne, person, not Anne, publisher): Reading Arendt in the Waiting Room: A Philosophy Primer for an Anxious Age: https://beltpublishing.com/products/reading-arendt-in-the-waiting-room-a-philosophy-primer-for-an-anxious-age. From what I know of your reading tastes, you'll like it.
Oooh that looks good thank you
family, friends and my favourite newsletters! Some are author newsletters where they recommend their favourite reads, some are aggregator type newsletters, and some are short story magazines where I can find books by the authors in the magazine
the people would love to know which newsletters!
Today in Books on Substack , Uncanny Magazine's newsletter, Reactor magazine (of Tor books), Charlie Jane Anders' newsletter to name a few!