July 5th, 2025
Books
Summer Reads
Full disclosure: I read James Frey’s new novel, Next to Heaven — truly a beach book of the lowest form. The setting, a fictional town inspired by New Canaan, Connecticut, the town next door to Bedford, NY where we have a house, was my excuse for picking it up. Let’s move on.
I love nothing more than novellas, short stories, and essays, and I wholeheartedly agree with Heather Clawson, the first novella in André Aciman’s Room on the Sea is excellent. Next in the queue is Life and Art, Richard Russo’s new collection of essays, and Helen Schulman’s stories, Fools For Love. Last up, the novel Among Friends by Hal Ebbott, which has received terrific reviews.
Happy reading!
I have heard great reviews about Wally Lamb’s new novel, “A River is Waiting”, love his storytelling and stays with you! Definitely on my list. Thanks Preston for the wonderful recommendations. Happy reading!
I’ll never get the time back that it took me to read “Next to Heaven”. I just told my husband I gave it one star out of five stars on Goodreads. Now, on to something else! Thank you for your suggestions! I always read (and like) what you suggest!
Helen Schulman was one of my professors in grad school. She is a delightful person and terrific writer. The title story of her new collection was published in The Atlantic last month.https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2025/06/helen-schulman-fools-for-love/683328/
All great recommendations. I’m enjoying “Among Friends”!
I love that you encourage us to support our local stores. I always appreciate all your recommendations, reading and otherwise.
Thank you for the book recommendations! I really enjoyed A Room on the Sea (though the second novella was my favorite), and I’m looking forward to reading the others, which I ordered from my friend who owns the bookstore in Shelter Island.
You will love every moment of the The Correspondent—the best book I’ve read in a long long time. You will laugh, tear up, laugh a little more and end up laughing and crying. An absolutely stunner of a book—and the best book I’ve read in a long time.
KIC Fan