By Washington Post book critic Ron Charles
Here are four new books to check out this spring.
Viking
In 2016, the world fell in love with an immensely charming novel by Amor Towles called 'A Gentleman in Moscow'. And now that the adaptation starring Ewan McGregor is streaming on Showtime, expectations are high for Towles' next book.
Step this way: “Table for two” is an irresistible collection of short stories and a novella split between New York and Los Angeles. Seasoned with humor, intrigue and a touch of bitter fate, 'Table for Two' shows that Towles is as masterful at preparing a full literary meal as he is at a tart dessert.
Read an excerpt: “Table for two”
“Table for two” by Amor Towles (Viking), in hardcover, eBook and audio formats, available at Amazon, Barnes & Edel And Bookstore.org
Amor Towles on “A Gentleman in Moscow” (“Sunday Morning”)
Book fragment: “A Gentleman in Moscow”
Book fragment: “The Lincoln Freeway”
Gross press
Leif Enger's debut novel, “Peace Like a River,” was published more than twenty years ago, but I have never forgotten its vibrant optimism. Well, things heat up in Enger's dystopian new novel, “I cheerfully decline.”
It's about a man on Lake Superior who is happy and hopeful even though the government and climate have been destroyed. However, when violence strikes at home, he is forced to flee and sails around the Great Lake looking for a place to dock in a world on fire and going mad. How he succeeds is just one of many wonders in this strange, alluring novel.
Read an excerpt: “I cheerfully refuse”
“I cheerfully refuse” by Leif Enger (Grove Press), in hardcover, eBook and audio formats, available at Amazon, Barnes & Edel And Bookstore.org
Viking
So far, American readers haven't paid enough attention to Sunjeev Sahota, but in England he has been nominated twice for the Booker Prize.
His brilliant new novel, “The Pampered Heart”, is about an ambitious, well-liked man named Nayan who runs to become the leader of his union. He is widely expected to win the election, but then a young woman announces her candidacy, and devastating secrets from Nayan's past begin to emerge and cracks appear in his campaign – until he finds himself at odds. with the culture he once advocated.
Read an excerpt: “The spoiled heart”
“The Spoiled Heart” by Sunjeev Sahota (Viking), in hardcover, eBook and audio formats, available at Amazon, Barnes & Edel And Bookstore.org
Macmillan
Judi Dench, master of film, television and stage, has been bringing Shakespeare's plays to life for more than 60 years.
And now, at the age of 89, Dench steals the show again with a beautiful new memoir called “Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent.”
Compiled from conversations with her friend, actor Brendan O'Hea, this is a wealth of humor and wisdom about a unique relationship between an incomparable actress and the immortal playwright who continues to set her heart on fire.
Read an excerpt: “Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent”
“Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent” by Judi Dench and Brendan O'Hea (Macmillan), in hardcover, eBook and audio formats, available from Amazon, Barnes & Edel And
For more suggestions on what to read, contact your librarian or local bookseller.
That's it for the Book Report. I'm Ron Charles. Until next time, read on!
For more information:
For more reading recommendations, check out these previous book reports by Ron Charles:
Produced by Robin Sanders and Roman Feeser.
