What I’ve been reading lately: the new and the notable

Johnson's sophomore historical novel follows up her bestselling 2021 debut The Kindest Lie. In 1959 Nashville, Freda travels from Chicago to study at Nashville's Fisk University and becomes active in the Civil Rights movement, in the process falling a little bit in love with two men—one a hardscrabble activist, the other a doctor-in-training who's acquainted with her well-to-do family back home and as committed as Freda's father to the promise of Black excellence. In 1992 Chicago, Freda's daughter Tulip knows nothing of her mother's history of activism, or about the other man she was in love with long ago. Tulip is working hard to secure a promotion at her PR firm, even though it often feels the deck is stacked against her. But when the Rodney King verdict makes an activist of Tulip, she kicks off a chain of events that alter her romantic relationship, her job, and ultimately expose secrets her mother has been keeping for thirty years. I listened to the audio narrated by Bahni Turpin, who's always a favorite. More info →

Many thanks to Rebecca, whose comment on November Quick Lit reminded me that I wanted to read this slim Australian novel, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and has been often described as one that "sounds quiet but reads as anything but." I do love a deceptively quiet novel, so I tried this on audio (as narrated by Ailsa Piper). This is the story of a Sydney woman who gives in to something akin to despair and leaves her work and her marriage to take up residence at a convent far from home, on the Monaro Plains of New South Wales. After the early days of her arrival, during which she spends many hours literally lying on the floor, she throws herself into the quotidian tasks and peculiar gossip of convent life. But a series of three arrivals disrupts our narrator's piece and calls her to contemplate her past and future life—the mortal remains of departed Sister Jenny, a visit from a climate activist named Helen who our narrator knew as a child, and an overwhelming invasion of mice (the descriptions of which were literally jaw-dropping for me while reading). There's not a clear plot exactly, which I know will be off-putting to some readers, but if you like the sound of a contemplative book about quietly blowing up your whole life, this might be for you. More info →

I haven't read Maeve Binchy in many years, but when Kate Mosesso raved about Evening Class as the first book she loves on Episode 505 of What Should I Read Next? ("Recs for a reader in search of “best in class” books"), I downloaded the audiobook narrated by Maeve Binchy (the author's cousin) immediately. In this 1996 novel, a group of Dublin strangers from all walks of life are brought together by their interest in Italian lessons at a local school's adult education class. They all have their own reasons for taking the class: to further their careers, find a creative outlet, or even serve as a cover for a crime operation, but despite their reasons for first joining, they collectively flourish under the tutelage of "Signora," a Dublin native just returned home after a decades-long sojourn in Italy. And after months of instruction, they journey together to Italy for immersive learning and life-changing revelations. It was a gentle joy to learn these characters' stories and watch them find love and happiness, in no small part because of their Italian lessons. (I am DISMAYED to only realize while putting this post together that my version was abridged—it wasn't marked as such on my audiobook! Do I need to go back and read the whole thing in print?) More info →

I finished this one several months ago but when it comes to neatly describing it in Quick Lit, words have eluded me so far. The story took a sharp, dark turn, and then another, in the third act and I thought time might clarify how I felt about those authorly decisions. I'm not sure that's happened yet, but at this point I am certain it was a memorable reading experience. I'd describe this as a "good yarn" with a feel similar to a William Kent Krueger standalone. It's a tall tale about a man named Gabriel, born to a young mother who fled her Amish community because she was unmarried and wouldn't name the father of her baby. Her baby is remarkable in that he is huge, so big that she dies in childbirth, and Gabriel is subsequently raised by his older brother in rural Wisconsin. Gabriel grows to be a gentle giant—8 feet tall, size 35 shoes—whose unusual size makes for an unusual life, and one marked by tragedy. Though just published in August, with a contemporary setting, the book has an old-fashioned feel to it—partly because of the storytelling style and partly because Gabriel's family is Amish, shunning many of the trappings of modern life. The story follows Gabriel from birth through young adulthood, as told by four distinct narrators (all wonderful on audio): the local vet who delivers Gabriel, Gabriel's Emily Dickinson-loving Amish grandmother, the local bar owner who nurtures Gabriel's love of sports from a young age, and the disgraced college football coach who changes Gabriel's life when he recruits him for the high school team he now leads. I have big feelings regarding some of the reveals, particularly those pertaining to questions of identity and family secrets; this would be a wonderful book to unpack with a group of readers in a book club setting. There's so much to talk about! More info →

I prioritized reading this Swedish novel in translation after reading through the comments on my favorite books of 2025 post. This is the story of an elderly man named Bo, living out the final months of his life in his small village in rural Sweden. Bo is narrating his days and his thoughts about them to his wife Fredrika, though she's not there to here him—she's living in a care home nearby, because of her advanced dementia. In the opening lines, we learn that Bo's son Hans thinks that Bo can no longer care for his beloved dog Sixten, which prompts a reckoning of sorts for Bo—about the reality of his declining physical capabilities and his relationships with his loved ones, particularly his imperfect relationship with Hans and his heartbreaking relationship with his abusive father. Most of the book is from Bo's perspective, but the intercut care log notes from Hans and members of Bo's elder care team made the book for me. Translated from the Swedish by Alice Menzies; I listened to the audio narrated by Ifan Huw Dafydd. More info →

I picked up this cookbook from the library after enjoying an opinion piece by Elsass (linked in the November 26 edition of Links I Love). This was such a fun cookbook! I enjoyed the beautiful photos, the storytelling, and especially the point of view. As the title indicates, this cookbook is focused on great recipes for guests to bring to other's gatherings; there are few mains, just appetizers, salads and sides, drinks, and desserts. As someone who often talks about surprise + delight in the reading life, I loved how Elsass seemed to be aiming for that same combo with many of his recipes, which were often just a little bit quirky: a cheez-it crust for quiche, gochujang in scones, a truly show-stopping Jello concoction. I'm here for it! This was a fun read and a book I look forward to baking from. More info →