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You've never encountered a haunted house like this one |
Kerri Miller's Must-Read |
| "Commonwealth" by Ann Patchett Buy this book When Ann Patchett is on book tour, she spends a lot of her time talking about other people's books — which is unusual for an author. But the thing about Ann is that she also owns a bookstore, and she's a die-hard ambassador for other talented writers. When she joined me for Talking Volumes this week, we were halfway through the interview before we even started talking about her own novel, "Commonwealth," because we were too busy discussing other books we love. We talked about why and how books have changed us. We talked about why we're a culture that connects artists and writers so closely with their work, and why we need that biographical element to appreciate it. Then we talked about what it was like to be a woman that few people would deem “nice” — and how we each owned and reveled in that. The night was almost over, and I was feeling pretty guilty that we’d barely discussed the book, but Ann quickly absolved me of that. She reassured me that if the audience had bothered to buy a ticket and show up, they were probably going to read her book. They — and you — should. “Commonwealth” is terrific. It’s a sprawling, messy, absorbing family saga that moves between the Keating and Cousins families over decades — through marriages, divorces, triumphs, tragedies and regrets. Patchett has said "Commonwealth" is her first “autobiographical novel." She said it was a book that would have been difficult to publish while her father was alive. In a review for the The New York Times, Curtis Sittenfeld wrote that Patchett's "observations about people and life are insightful; and her underlying tone is one of compassion and amusement.” Read “Commonwealth” for fresh appreciation of the drama and rewards of family life. -K.M. |
| This Week on The Thread |
| 13 scary books worth the nightmares October is the perfect time to terrify yourself with a good book. Whether you like modern horrors or good, old-fashioned haunted houses, these books are sure to keep you up at night. More |
| How long does it take to write a best-seller? Some writers (looking at you, Stephen King) can churn out two books in a year. Some writers take more than a decade. Here's a look at how long it took to write your favorite book. More |
| Checking back in on the barber who encourages kids to read Our story about the barbershop that takes $2 off haircuts for young readers went viral, so we went back to ask what happened next. More |
| The tale of 2 black albino brothers forced to work for the circus "Truevine" by Beth Macy Buy this book For years, black children around Roanoke, Va., heard the cautionary tale of Willie and George Muse, African-American albino brothers who were kidnapped and forced to perform in a series of circuses. More |
| A Sherlock for South Central Los Angeles "IQ" by Joe Ide Buy this book Joe Ide's debut novel follows Isaiah Quintabe, known as IQ around his Los Angeles neighborhood. IQ solves the crimes police won't touch — even when his clients can only pay him in chickens or tires. More |
| New "American Pastoral" movie is a '60s tale still relevant today The new film, based on Philip Roth's "American Pastoral," tells the story of a father in 1960s New Jersey whose comfortable, suburban life falls apart after his daughter becomes radicalized, commits a crime and disappears. More |
| A gentle guide to Shakespeare's stormy island "Hag-Seed" by Margaret Atwood Buy this book Margaret Atwood's retelling of "The Tempest" follows the exiled director of a Shakespeare festival, now reduced to putting on shows with convicts at an isolated rural prison. More |
| No, really, this is a happy book "The Golden Age" by Joan London Buy this book Tom Nissley says the hardest request he gets as a bookseller is when people say: "I want a happy book." But Joan London's book fits that bill. More |
| What fishing teaches us about being human "Body of Water" by Chris Dombrowski Buy this book Chris Dombrowski's two great passions are fishing and poetry. His new book explores the life of a legendary bonefishing guide in the Bahamas, and the wisdom the man has earned from his time at sea. More |
| A fierce hymn to troubled small towns "The Annie Year" by Stephanie Ash Buy this book A Minnesota writer uses her skill at sharp storytelling to portray life in a place beset by hard times and hard drugs. More |
| Delightfully simple answers to your grown-up problems The new "Fireside Grown-Up Guide" series is a throwback to the brightly-colored life lessons of your childhood. They're dark and dry and surprisingly funny, a pleasant tonic for your grown-up cares. More |
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