What To Read

Every month, we share the books we can't wait to read. Our April staff picks include: Pulitzer finalist Lydia Millet's new story collection, must-reads for fans of the Beatles and Sopranos, and Katie Kitamura's novel about the relationship between a middle-aged actress and much younger man.

FICTION

Audition by Katie Kitamura (April 8)

Selected by Lynda Hammes

Reading Katie Kitamura's books is like walking a tightrope in fog. You feel the slow-burning tension of being suspended in moral ambiguity...but the view is haunting and lovely. I'm already sad for this book to be over and I haven't started it.

Atavists by Lydia Millet (April 22)

Selected by Emmanuel Hidalgo-Wohlleben

Anybody else here overwhelmed? This book, by the author of acclaimed books such the pandemic hit A Children's Bible, is billed as a mirror of the "joy and alienation between generations and classes in the era of mass overwhelm." 🙋

I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney (April 1)

Selected by Fernanda Gorgulho

I added this dark satire to my TBR list after the hilarious title caught my eye - but it only gets better from there. Written by John Kenney, who's humor pieces I've read in The New Yorker, it’s about a down-and-out obituary writer who drunkenly publishes his own obituary, and suddenly finds himself listed as "dead" in the company system. Since they can’t fire someone who’s dead, he’s thrust into a sort of corporate purgatory state, which somehow leads to him attending random funerals to figure out what makes life worth living. It feels like the kind of read you finish and think, maybe I should be living a little differently myself.

Gabriële by Anne Berest and Claire Berest (April 22)

This historical novel about Gabriële Buffet-Picabia, a key figure in the French Resistance and a prominent art critic, quickly became a must-read for me after hearing the book’s acquiring editor, Michael Reynolds, discuss how French readers called it life-changing in our First Dibs Editors' Salon. Authored by her great-granddaughters, the Berest sisters, the novel sheds light on her often overlooked impact, presenting a narrative as daring and transformative as the woman at its heart.

NONFICTION

Gandolfini by Jason Bailey (April 22)

Selected by Fernanda Gorgulho

The Sopranos is my all-time fave, and James Gandolfini is without a doubt the heart and soul of the show. Sadly, the fascinating actor who brought Tony Soprano to life passed away too soon. I’m thankful for this film historian’s new and deeply researched biography that gives fans like me another chance to spend some quality time with Gandolfini. Even though he’s become synonymous with the famous North Jersey mob boss, this book also dives into other aspects of Gandolfini's complex life and acting career, exploring his rise from working-class roots to TV star. Am I excited to read this one? Fuhggedaboutit!

Matriarch: A Memoir by Tina Knowles (April 22)

Selected by Iliyah Coles

Tina Knowles is the woman behind the scenes of one of the most successful and talented singers of all time. She curated and fostered an empire for not just her own children but her children's children. I'm interested to know how the fame has impacted her family over the years, and how she's been able to stay true to her values in the midst of the chaos of celebrity. And of course, I want more tea on Queen Bey.

John & Paul by Ian Leslie (April 8)

Selected by Emmanuel Hidalgo-Wohlleben

If I could only listen to one music group for the rest of my life, it would be The Beatles. No other band produced genius albums as consistently as the Fab Four. At the core of that excellence was the partnership between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Drawing from recently released footage and recordings, the book probes into their near mythic relationship to provide new insights into their collaboration and creative process. I am always looking for a reason to jump back into their discography and this book provides the perfect excuse.

Strangers in the Land by Michael Luo (April 29)

Selected by Romina Raimundo

Strangers in the Land is a riveting history of Chinese exclusion in America and its lasting impact on Asian American identity. Going back to the arrival of Chinese laborers in the 19th century, Luo uncovers a history of resilience and injustices through the lenses of activists, victims, and leaders. Today, when the immigration policy debate is at a fever pitch, understanding the legacy of exclusion faced by Chinese Americans offers insight into the broader immigrant experience—and serves as an urgent reminder of how history informs the present.

Say Yes by Kwame Alexander (April 29)

Selected by Iliyah Coles

There was a time where all the self-help gurus were telling us to say 'no' to more things, which definitely has it's own benefits and I put it into practice almost immediately. However, there's something to be said about a 'yes' as well. Kwame Alexander is challenging us to say 'yes' to the things that maybe we can't see clearly but could end up being transformative opportunities for us. It seems the older we get, the harder it is to envision ourselves taking paths that aren't certain. I think we could all use a little reminder that our lives are our own to live.

The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad (April 22)

Selected by Lynda Hammes

OK this book sounds like the literary love child of a writing workshop, a therapy sesh, and a late-night philosophical chat with cultural icons like Gloria Steinem, Geroge Suanders, Salman Rushdie and Lena Dunham! I've failed miserably at keeping up my "morning pages" so thinking that this book might give me new inspiration to take time out of life's beautiful chaos to write again.