Real Characters: "Candy Darling" by Cynthia Carr, and "To Anyone Who Ever Asks" by Howard Fishman

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review new biographies about two women who led mysterious lives in the glamorous, gloriously seedy New York cultural scene in the 1960s and 70s: Candy Darling, by Cynthia Carr, and To Anyone Who Ever Asks, by Howard Fishman.

Sloane Crosley Special: "Grief is for People," "The Clasp," and "I Was Told There Would Be Cake"

American author Sloane Crosley is best known for her humorous essays and stories, but her new book takes a different tack. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review some of her earlier work, The Clasp and I was Told There Would be Cake,  and her latest, a memoir called Grief is for People. 

The World of Work: "Help Wanted" by Adelle Waldman and "Burn Book: A Tech Love Story" by Kara Swisher

On this edition of The Weekly Reader we review two new books that take us behind the scenes of two very different and oddly intriguing work environments: Help Wanted, by Adelle Waldman, and Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, by Kara Swisher.

Funny Women: "Worry" by Alexandra Tanner and "Sylvia's Second Act" by Hillary Yablon

There are many good reasons to read a book: to study history, learn a new skill, practice our empathy, have a good cry, or, perhaps, a good laugh. On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about funny women doing some pretty crazy things: Worry, by Alexandra Tanner, and Sylvia's…

Black American Fiction: "James" by Percival Everett and "Neighbors and Other Stories" by Diane Oliver

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review a novel and a collection of short fiction from two important black American writers finally getting their due: James, by Percival Everett, and Neighbors and Other Stories, by Diane Oliver. 

On Immigration: "The Prince of Los Cocuyos" by Richard Blanco, "Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here" by Jonathan Blitzer and "A Map of Future Ruins" by Lauren Markham

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik recommends three books that just might help you make some sense of the crisis at our southern border and the increase in global migration: The Prince of Los Cocuyos, by Richard Blanco, , Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here, by Jonathan Bli…

Fabulous Fables: "The Bullet Swallower" by Elizabeth Gonzalez James and "The Fox Wife" by Yangsee Choo

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new fabulous books that blend folklore and family history into tantalizing tales: The Bullet Swallower, by Elizabeth Gonzalez James and The Fox Wife, by Yangsee Choo. All titles available at your favorite local bookst…

Mental Illness: "The Best Minds" by Jonathan Rosen and :"While You Were Out" by Meg Kissinger

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new memoirs about mental illness that are even more moving when you listen to them as audio books: "While You Were Out" by Meg Kissinger, and "The Best Minds" by Jonathan Rosen.  All titles available at your favorite local bookstore and online at…

The Art World: "Get the Picture" by Bianca Bosker and "The Art Thief" by Michael Finkel

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review two new books about the people and forces that determine the ups and downs  international art market: Get the Picture, by Bianca Bosker, and The Art Thief, by Michael Finkel.  All titles available at your favorite local bookstore or online at booksho…

People With Causes: "Martyr" by Kaveh Akbar and "Birnam Wood" by Eleanor Catton

What motivates someone to get involved in a movement or devote themselves to a cause? On this edition of The Weekly Reader, our book critic Marion Winik reviews two new novels about art, activism, and the paths that sometimes lead to radicalism.