Books Update: Come Together

Daniel Mendelsohn on David Mitchell's "Utopia Avenue"

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story July 10, 2020 Jim Stoten Dear Reader, When we asked the classicist and critic Daniel Mendelsohn to review “Utopia Avenue,” the new novel by David Mitchell, we were thrilled that he wanted the opportunity to consider not only this latest book but all of Mitchell’s work, from his first novel, “Ghostwritten,” to “Cloud Atlas” to “The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.” Mendelsohn is the author of many books, including “The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million,” “An Odyssey: A Father, a Son, and an Epic” and “Ecstasy and Terror: From the Greeks to ‘Game of Thrones.’” This issue brings news of several first-person stories that illuminate larger issues: Susan Burton’s memoir, “Empty,” is not only about Burton’s own eating disorders but also about the challenges facing many teenage girls. “Big Friendship” not only describes the personal and professional relationship between the co-authors Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, but also looks at the importance and challenges of friendship in general. And “The Biggest Bluff” is Maria Konnikova’s foray into the world of poker. Sarah Broom, whose memoir, “The Yellow House,” was one of our 10 Best Books of 2019 — it covers race, class, family, home ownership, Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans East — answers our By the Book questions. Please stay in touch and let us know what you think — whether it’s about this newsletter, our reviews, our podcast, our literary calendar, our Instagram or what you’re reading. We read and ponder all of it. I even write back, albeit belatedly. You can email me at books@nytimes.com. Pamela Paul Editor of The New York Times Book Review @PamelaPaulNYT Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Like this email? Sign-up here or forward it to your friends. Have a suggestion or two on how we can improve it? Let us know at newsletters@nytimes.com. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. THE BOOK REVIEW PODCAST David Mitchell’s Vast and Tangled Universe Daniel Mendelsohn discusses Mitchell’s career and new novel, “Utopia Avenue,” and Maria Konnikova talks about “The Biggest Bluff.” FICTION David Mitchell Brings His Novelistic High Jinks to the Swinging ’60s “Utopia Avenue,” by the British master of intricate literary puzzles, features a band on the make, lots of inside jokes and references to the author’s previous works. By Daniel Mendelsohn crime Murder, Murder, Everywhere In Marilyn Stasio’s new column, the bodies pile up so fast it’s hard to keep count. By Marilyn Stasio fiction A Search for U.F.O.s Leads to Utopian Dreams in This Debut Novel In Brian Castleberry’s “Nine Shiny Objects,” a broad cast of characters seek a different way of life in 20th-century America. By Eleanor Henderson fiction Jeff VanderMeer’s Young Adult Novel Is a Madcap Magical Mash-Up Fans of his Borne trilogy, whether young or old, will find much to enjoy in “A Peculiar Peril.” By Laird Hunt fiction A Novel About 3 Generations of Cherokee Women (and No-Good Men) “Crooked Hallelujah,” by Kelli Jo Ford, spans decades and follows hardscrabble lives in Oklahoma. By Julia Scheeres the shortlist Modern Mothers and Daughters, in Three Novels From long-lost friends, to a woman caring for her aging mom, to a biologist struggling with her maternal identity, these protagonists reveal facets of contemporary womanhood. By Lynn Steger Strong Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NONFICTION nonfiction Behind the Legend of Butch Cassidy Charles Leerhsen’s biography gives readers the real man and not the Hollywood icon. By Christopher Knowlton nonfiction Keep Your Friends Close, and Keep Holding Them Closer In their new book, “Big Friendship,” Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman make the case that platonic relationships deserve as much effort and tending as romantic ones. By Trish Hall nonfiction She Ate and Ate, and Never Felt Satisfied Susan Burton’s memoir, “Empty,” plumbs the depths of her adolescent anorexia and bingeing. By Claire Dederer nonfiction How a Writer With a Ph.D. in Psychology Became a Poker Champ In “The Biggest Bluff,” Maria Konnikova uses her own experience learning to beat the odds at poker to examine how much of life is chance and how much self-determined. By Michael Paterniti CHILDREN’S BOOKS children’s books 8 Picture Books That Let Young Minds Wonder and Wander on Their Own These journeys of the imagination explore what it means to be human. By Jennifer Krauss FEATURES by the book The Very Sweet Way Sarah Broom’s Mother Showed Her Love With Books “My mother used to buy me any and every book with the word ‘Sarah’ in the title.” group text Who Saves an Emergency Room Doctor? Her Patients Michele Harper’s memoir could not be more timely. Also, if you think your job is stressful, take a walk in this author’s white coat. By Elisabeth Egan essay The Baby-Sitters Club Taught Me Everything I Needed to Know About Literary Fiction The wildly popular series was marketed to girls. But its nuanced depiction of friendship provided a 9-year-old boy with an education that “boy books” did not. By Gal Beckerman sketchbook What Is the Hardest Part of Writing? A cartoonist gets down to the crux of what makes putting pen to paper so difficult. By Grant Snider Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT New & Noteworthy, From Craigslist Confessions to Toxic Outrage A selection of recent books of note; plus, a peek at what our colleagues around the newsroom are reading. Letters to the Editor Readers respond to recent issues of the Sunday Book Review. editors’ choice 9 New Books We Recommend This Week Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times. inside the list Elin Hilderbrand Will See You Now, From a Safe Distance Coronavirus can’t keep this prolific author from her fans. By Elisabeth Egan New in Paperback: ‘How We Fight for Our Lives’ and ‘Exhalation’ Six new paperbacks to check out this week. By Jennifer Krauss Best Sellers Combined Print & E-Book Fiction Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction Hardcover Fiction Hardcover Nonfiction Paperback Trade Fiction Paperback Nonfiction All Lists New International Books Illustration by Thoka Maer Your sneak preview of books coming out in 2020 from around the world. Get globetrotting. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Books from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018