There isn’t a lot that can be done about the mountain of reading material which sits around my reading desk. Well, that’s a lie. I can start reading. I have a piranha’s appetite when it comes to books, and I only read fiction.
Emily St. John Mandel suggested The Man Who Killed, by Fraser Nixon, from Douglas & McIntyre. I take Emily’s advice seriously, and the book so far is tasty OJ, with pulp.
If you’ve been reading the blog of late, you can see that I’m a huge fan of I Am An Executioner, the story collection by Rajesh Parameswaran, Knopf – April. The stories are highly magnetic, and stunningly vivid.
Sitting along on the corner of my desk is, Richard Ford’s new novel Canada, the story has a crime angle and I hear Jeffery Eugenides helped with the research and I worship at the Ford altar.
Sean McDonald, editor at FSG has been pushing By Blood on me, by Ellen Ullman, and so far it remains unread, which is to say, I want to read it.
Screenwriter and author Joe Gangemi who penned the novel Inamorata, has been bending my ear about Tom Drury’s first book The End of Vandalism, which is a strange Coen Brothers like example of American suburban insanity.
Rumor has it that Karen Russell and Ann Packer will be paying us a visit here at the blog, so I’ve gotten my hands on Packer’s Swim Back to Me. If you pick this book up, read the jacket copy, it is compelling, (which is rarely the case).
The book that never leaves my side, Inside by Alix Ohlin, on sale June. This novel is so good, hard to ignore, searing, funny, impressively slick, that I can’t believe I’ve never read her books. If you poke around the blog you will see my reviews of her collection, Signs and Wonders, which goes on sale at the same time as Inside. Ms. Ohlin will also be doing a little blog work, keep your eyes peeled.
Lola Quartet, (my review/interview forthcoming) from Emily St. John Mandel, on sale May. I can’t say enough nice things about this book, plus Emily will be appearing from time to time here on the blog. She is a true voice, her writing is both profound and magnetic, and I am willing to part with my advance reading copy to the first person who can tell me why they love her writing so much. Email me here at the blog and I will send it out to you.
One more thing. I just got a copy of Care to Make Love in That Gross Little Space Between Cars? A Believer Book of Advice, with writing from Louis C.K., Amy Sedaris, Zach Galifianakis, Nick Hornby, Weird AL, and many more. Introduction by Judd Apatow, and a second attempt at an introduction by Patton Oswalt. I have been a big fan of Vintage for years, and think they might just have the right platform for the future of book publishing.
One last thing, I promise. I have a copy of Stephen King’s latest, and yes, I am willing and able to read it. It is mercilessly heavy, and prevents the wall in my room from caving in on my. If I move it, things go sideways.
Great alerts on some titles which weren’t on my radar. I have “Canada” and “The Lola Quartet” perched near the top of my TBR pile, but I’ll take a look at the others. Thanks for the heads up.
Dear Mr Rice, You are so lyrical this morning. It must be all those good books you are reading. Best “upcoming releases” article I have read in a while.
Thank you for the kind words, lots of good books everywhere I look.