It’s Valentine’s Day, What Are You Reading? 2-14-22

Currently Reading

Her Last Affair (Mariner, 3/22/22) by John Searles

I described John Searles’ latest, Her Last Affair last week as “sad characters leading sad lives. Something a little bit off about all of them.” Definitely doesn’t make for good Valentine’s Day reading!

Recently Read

The Odds (Penguin, 2012) by Stewart O’Nan

The Odds by Stewart O’Nan turned out to be about a couple whose long marriage would be ending soon with a separation, divorce, and personal bankruptcy but who are celebrating a final anniversary at Niagara Falls over Valentine’s Day. My timing for reading this novel – novella, really – turned out to be perfect!

If you’re looking for an actual romance or something meant to be heartwarming,The Odds wouldn’t be it, despite its subtitle “A Love Story” and despite the author’s obvious sympathy for his two flawed characters.

Here’s Ron Charles on Stewart O’Nan. He says it better than I can.

The Odds is another in his growing body of distinctly trim books. He can write long — “Wish You Were Here” was too long — but his talent shows off best in these careful miniatures. Once again, he’s given us a story line that seems daringly sparse. Even the opening punches — smuggling cash! highway crash! — immediately give way to the small, plain movements of a middle-aged couple in a hotel room. This willfully anti-dramatic structure succeeds only because O’Nan writes well enough to render the choreography of domestic life as captivating as the drama that usually keeps our attention in fiction. If the thrills are low, the stakes are nonetheless high.

Ron Charles, The Washington Post

First You Write a Sentence (Penguin, 2019) by Joe Moran

“Do you want to write clearer, livelier prose? This witty primer will help.” —The New York Times Book Review

Currently Listening To

Animal Farm (Blackstone, 2005) by George Orwell

I decided I wanted to listen to Animal Farm by George Orwell (originally published in 1945) and was happy to discover the Blackstone Audio edition was read by Ralph Cosham, one of my all-time favorite narrators, so of course I chose that one!

Recently Listened To

Morningside Heights (Penguin, 2021) by Joshua Henkin

“What does it really mean: in sickness and in health, till death do us part? Morningside Heights knows the answer. In this tender, wise, and unflinching novel, Joshua Henkin traces the bittersweet arc of a lifelong love, with all its joy and pain.” —Tom Perrotta

Morningside Heights by Joshua Henkin is likely to be in my top ten favorite audiobooks this year. It’s a portrait of a marriage ending (another one!), including step-family dynamics. It’s also a thoroughly New York novel, although it’s not entirely set in the city. A poignant portrayal of the devastating effects of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The audiobook narration by Kathe Mazur and Shane Baker is excellent.

Wayward (Random House, 2021) by Dana Spiotta

This post is linked to “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. Check out the link-up party there for more book lists!