The Book Review The Books We're Excited About in Early 2026
Get ready for a flood of new reads! Exciting titles discussed include George Saunders' inventive 'Vigil' and Daniyal Mueenuddin's exploration of class in 'Where the Serpent Lives.' Heather Ann Thompson's 'Fear and Fury' connects a historical subway shooting to themes of vigilante justice. Jennette McCurdy's debut novel dives into a teacher-student relationship, while Michael Pollan explores consciousness in 'A World Appears.' Expect humor in Emily Nemens's 'Clutch' and dark comedy in Madeline Cash's 'Lost Lambs.' Tana French wraps up her series with 'The Keeper,' ensuring a compelling start to 2026!
45:45
Revisit Classics With Critical Context
- Read classics you never finished to gain new perspective as an adult.
- Slow down and supplement reading with essays and criticism to deepen understanding.
George Saunders' Ghostly Moral Inquiry
- George Saunders returns with Vigil, a concise novel about a ghostly doula guiding dying souls.
- He combines strange humor and meticulous craft to humanize a morally odious character.
A Bizarre Saunders Scene
- M.J. Franklin recounts a grotesque comic scene from Vigil that involves a ghost reproducing via their butt.
- The anecdote highlights Saunders's weird, inventive humor.
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Intro
00:00 • 38sec
New-year reading goals and classics
00:38 • 3min
George Saunders returns with Vigil
04:01 • 5min
This Is Where the Serpent Lives
09:03 • 4min
Fear and Fury and the Bernhard Goetz case
12:46 • 2min
Two books on the same subway shooting
14:49 • 33sec
Lost Lambs: a debut dark comedy
15:22 • 2min
Half His Age: McCurdy's first novel
17:22 • 2min
Ad break
19:33 • 1min
Michael Pollan on consciousness
20:44 • 4min
On Morrison and Toni Morrison lectures
25:03 • 4min
Clutch: millennial friendship novel
28:46 • 3min
Murder Bimbo's shifting truths
31:42 • 3min
Kin by Tayari Jones
34:21 • 3min
Cave Mountain: a personal true crime
36:56 • 2min
Lake Effect: frothy family drama
39:05 • 2min
Alvaro Enrigue's Now I Surrender
40:56 • 2min
Tana French concludes Cal Hooper series
42:49 • 2min
Quick mentions of other upcoming titles
45:19 • 2min
Outro
46:56 • 4sec
#50341
On Morrison
Namwali Serpell
#33893
Language as Liberation
Reflections on the American Canon
Toni Morrison
#65503
Fear and Fury
The Reagan Eighties, the Bernie Goetz Shootings and the Rebirth of White Rage
Heather Ann Thompson
#39222
A World Appears
A Journey into Consciousness
Michael Pollan
#58619
Murder Bimbo
Rebecca Novack
#91715
We Should Never Forget
George Saunders
#83375
This Is Where the Serpent Lives
Daniyal Mueenuddin
#73647
Lost Lambs
Madeline Cash
#7295
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Creation Lake
Rachel Kushner
#2392
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
I'm Glad My Mom Died
Jannettte Mcury
In this memoir, Jennette McCurdy recounts her life as a successful child actress on Nickelodeon, her brief career in country music, and the troubled and controlling relationship she had with her mother, Debra, who died from cancer in 2013.
The book is divided into two sections, 'Before' and 'After', detailing events before and after her mother's death.
McCurdy discusses her struggles with eating disorders, addiction, and the systemic issues of the child star system.
The memoir is praised for its raw honesty, dark humor, and McCurdy's unique voice, which makes the book both heartbreaking and engaging.
#80436
An American Marriage
Tayari Jones
Sean Crisden
Eisa Davis
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones tells the story of Roy and Celestial, a young African-American couple living in Atlanta.
Their lives are torn apart when Roy is wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit.
The novel explores the complexities of marriage, racial injustice, and personal identity through their experiences.
It is a powerful exploration of love, loyalty, and the human impact of systemic injustices.
#830
• Mentioned in 38 episodes
The Omnivore's Dilemma
A Natural History of Four Meals
Michael Pollan
In 'The Omnivore's Dilemma', Michael Pollan investigates the American food system by tracing the origins of four meals: one from McDonald's (representing industrial food), one from Whole Foods (representing industrial organic food), one from Polyface Farm (a sustainable farm), and one that he hunts, gathers, and grows himself.
The book delves into the politics, perils, and pleasures of eating, highlighting the profound consequences of everyday food choices on health, the environment, and society.
Pollan's narrative takes readers from Iowa cornfields to food-science laboratories, from feedlots to organic farms and hunting grounds, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between humans and the food they consume.
#21643
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Kin
Paul Carmichael
#23868
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Five Bullets
The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive '80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation
Elliot Williams
In 'Five Bullets', Elliot Williams examines the infamous case of Bernie Goetz, who shot four teenagers on a New York subway in 1984.
The book delves into the racial tensions and societal divides of the era, highlighting figures like Al Sharpton and Rudy Giuliani.
Drawing on archives and interviews, Williams presents a vivid tale that illuminates American divides.
#7196
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
The Furrows
Namwali Serpell
Namwali Serpell's "The Furrows" is a novel that delves into themes of grief, memory, and the complexities of human relationships.
The narrative explores the emotional aftermath of loss and its impact on individuals and communities.
Serpell's writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose and intricate storytelling.
The novel examines how the past shapes the present and the ways in which individuals grapple with unresolved trauma.
"The Furrows" is a powerful and moving exploration of the human condition.
#14361
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The group
Mary McCarthy
#22164
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Fates and Furies
Lauren Groff
Fates and Furies is a deeply satisfying novel about love, art, creativity, and power.
It tells the story of a marriage over twenty-four years, revealing the intricate dynamics between Lotto, a failed actor turned playwright, and Mathilde, his wife.
The novel is divided into two parts: 'Fates' explores the marriage from Lotto's perspective, while 'Furies' delves into Mathilde's, exposing the secrets and complexities that underlie their relationship.
#21045
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Bar Brawler
David Lee Abbott
#17658
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Drift
Kevin A. Hassett
#192
• Mentioned in 107 episodes
How to Change Your Mind
What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence
Michael Pollan
In this book, Michael Pollan delves into the history of psychedelic drugs, from their rise in the 1960s to their current resurgence in medical research.
He combines historical and scientific analysis with personal narratives of his own experiences with psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin.
The book explores how these substances are being used to treat conditions like depression, addiction, and anxiety, and discusses their potential to revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and consciousness.
Pollan's work is a blend of science, memoir, and travel writing, offering a nuanced and engaging look at the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of psychedelics.
#6418
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Liberation Day
George Saunders
In 'Liberation Day', George Saunders presents a diverse collection of stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships, societal structures, and the dynamics of power.
The titular story introduces a dystopian scenario where enslaved performers are controlled by an affluent owner, raising questions about autonomy and exploitation.
Through these narratives, Saunders challenges readers to reflect on their roles within societal mechanisms of power.
#54743
Clutch
Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don’t
Paul Sullivan
#25587
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Half His Age
Jennette McCurdy
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of I'm Glad My Mom Died comes Half His Age, a startlingly perceptive, mordantly funny, and keenly poignant rich character study of a yearning seventeen-year-old girl who disregards all obstacles in her effort to be seen, desired, and loved.
Waldo is a ravenous, blunt, naïve yet wise, impulsive, and angry seventeen-year-old who desperately wants her creative writing teacher, Mr. Korgy, despite his wife, kid, and life circumstances.
McCurdy expertly captures the dichotomy of feeling mature at 17 while remaining young and naïve.
#24181
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The 10th of December
George Saunders
In 'Tenth of December', George Saunders presents a collection of darkly humorous and deeply poignant short stories that explore the complexities of human nature.
Set in a near-future America, the stories delve into themes of consumerism, class disparity, and the search for meaning in a world filled with absurdity.
Saunders's distinctive voice combines satire with empathy, creating characters who grapple with moral dilemmas and existential questions.
The collection showcases Saunders's talent for blending the surreal with the mundane, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and society.
With its innovative narrative techniques and compassionate insights, 'Tenth of December' offers a compelling vision of the human condition in the modern age.
#24463
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Blood in the Water
Joan Mellen
#12960
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Civil War Land in Bad Decline
George Saunders
#1933
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Lincoln in the Bardo
Yannick Garcia Porres
George Saunders
Javier Calvo Perales
The novel is set in 1862 during the American Civil War and revolves around the death of Willie Lincoln, the 11-year-old son of President Abraham Lincoln.
After Willie's death from typhoid fever, his spirit finds itself in a limbo known as the bardo, a concept borrowed from Tibetan Buddhism.
Here, he encounters a diverse group of ghosts who are also trapped between the world of the living and the afterlife.
The story delves into themes of grief, both personal and national, as Lincoln grapples with the loss of his son amidst the broader context of the Civil War. The novel is characterized by its unique narrative style, which includes a multitude of voices and historical quotes, and its exploration of the human experience of suffering and love.
#10588
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Vigil
Jeffrey Wasserstrom
Vigil: Hong Kong on the Brink provides a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong's political landscape, from its post-war boom to the recent protests.
The book delves into the context leading to the Umbrella Movement and the 2019 protests, offering insights into the city's unique political system and key figures involved.
Wasserstrom's narrative brings readers to the forefront of the battle for democracy in Hong Kong.
#477
• Mentioned in 56 episodes
Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë
Published in 1847, 'Wuthering Heights' is a novel that tells the story of the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and the foundling Heathcliff, whom her father brings home to Wuthering Heights.
The narrative, framed by the visitor Lockwood and the housekeeper Nelly Dean, explores themes of love, revenge, and the cyclical nature of life.
Heathcliff's bitter vengeance against those who wronged him drives the plot, which spans generations and delves into the dark, passionate, and often destructive aspects of human nature.
The novel is renowned for its dramatic and poetic presentation, its unique structure, and its vivid depiction of the Yorkshire moors as a reflection of the characters' inner lives.
#114
• Mentioned in 143 episodes
Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy
Published in 1878, 'Anna Karenina' is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that delves into the complexities of Russian society in the late 19th century.
The story centers around the extramarital affair between Anna Karenina, a married socialite, and Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, which scandalizes the social circles of Saint Petersburg.
The novel also follows the parallel story of Konstantin Levin, a wealthy landowner, and his struggles with marriage, faith, and managing his estate.
Tolstoy explores a wide range of themes including love, loyalty, betrayal, hypocrisy, and the differences between rural and urban life.
The novel is known for its detailed character development and its profound commentary on the human condition.
#346
• Mentioned in 71 episodes
Middlemarch
George Eliot
Middlemarch, written by George Eliot, is a novel that delves into the complexities of provincial life in 19th-century England.
The story revolves around the intersecting lives of its characters, particularly Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, as they navigate marriage, vocation, and social class.
Eliot critiques the conventional romance narratives of her time by portraying marriage as a complex and often problematic institution.
The novel also explores themes of idealism, self-interest, hypocrisy, and the constraints on women's lives.
Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch between 1829 and 1832, the novel incorporates historical events such as the Great Reform Act of 1832 and early developments in medicine.
Eliot's realistic portrayal of ordinary human life, with its quiet tragedies and small triumphs, has made 'Middlemarch' a masterpiece of English literature.
A new year means new books are on the way! So many new books. On this week’s episode, host Gilbert Cruz talks with fellow Book Review editors Joumana Khatib and MJ Franklin about the upcoming fiction and nonfiction titles they’re most anticipating between now and April.
Here are the books discussed in this week’s episode:
- “Vigil,” by George Saunders
- “Where the Serpent Lives,” by Daniyal Mueenuddin
- “Fear and Fury: The Reagan Eighties, the Bernie Goetz Shootings and the Rebirth of White Rage,” by Heather Ann Thompson
- “Five Bullets,” by Elliot Williams
- “Lost Lambs,” by Madeline Cash
- ”Half His Age,” by Jennette McCurdy
- “A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness,” by Michael Pollan
- “On Morrison,” by Namwali Serpell
- “Language as Liberation: Reflections on the American Canon,” by Toni Morrison
- “Clutch,” by Emily Nemens
- “Murder Bimbo,” by Rebecca Novack
- “Kin,” by Tayari Jones
- “Cave Mountain: A Disappearance and a Reckoning in the Ozarks,” by Benjamin Hale
- “Lake Effect,” by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
- “Now I Surrender,” by Alvaro Enrigue
- “The Keeper,” by Tana French
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