Anjet Daanje’s The Song of Stork and Dromedary, Joby Warrick’s The Jackal, and Dorthe Nors’ Range all feature among the best reviewed books of the week.
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Fiction
1. The Song of Stork and Dromedary by Anjet Daanje
(FSG)
4 Rave • 1 Positive
“Daanje’s stylistic shifts never settle into a formula or predictability. The book may be lengthy and demanding, yet the prose remains quick and dynamic, often presented in a sweeping, breathless cadence. Following Mr. McKay’s excellent translation, the journey feels as if driven by a fierce alpine wind. Within the narrative, the Drayden sisters’ vivid visions become so influential that they alter how reality is perceived by characters and readers alike. By the end, one finishes a sprawling, bustling epic with the sense that a world has been transformed.”
–Sam Sacks (The Wall Street Journal)
2. The Maltese Version by Katy Simpson Smith
(FSG)
3 Rave • 2 Positive
Read an excerpt from The Maltese Version here
“Philosophical and unexpectedly entertaining … The surface of The Maltese Version shines with a breezy caper about two women navigating the waning travel-guide scene, yet the work hides deeper layers beneath. Smith proves herself as an observant and deft writer… A rigorous examination of how fiction is shaped and what such form can reveal. Its ingenuity and linguistic deftness can renew faith in the playful joys and critical power of storytelling.”
–Lucy Ives (The New York Times Book Review)
3. The Book of Chuck by Latoya Watkins
(Tiny Reparations Books)
4 Rave
“Lyrical … Feels like a poetic allegory for both generations’ trauma and healing … We may long for others’ acceptance while neglecting to show ourselves enough respect. Chuck’s troubled family offers space for that self-regard to flourish.”
–Charmaine Wilkerson (The New York Times Book Review)
4. Range by Dorthe Nors
(Graywolf)
2 Rave • 3 Positive
Read an excerpt from Range here
“In an era when language is continually flattened by algorithms, and books are praised for easy comprehension and bland sentiment, Range stands as a rebellious tribute to the uniqueness and mystery of humanity. Nors’s work deserves more readers; let the peculiar and the wondrous authorship flourish.”
–Charlotte Wood (The New York Times Book Review)
5. Unprecedented Times by Malavika Kannan
(Henry Holt)
2 Rave • 1 Positive
Read an excerpt from Unprecedented Times here
“Rishi’s relationship with her mother and its evolution sits at the heart of the novel, delivering one of its most moving moments. The author’s skill in juggling a large cast while giving each figure texture is notable. The ending lingers, and the tension between the protagonist’s inner contradictions and their outward actions remains with the reader.”
–Mia Arias Tsang (Autostraddle)
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Nonfiction
1. Togetherness: Symbiosis and the Hidden Story of Life’s Greatest Collaborations by Rowan Hooper
(Knopf)
3 Rave • 1 Positive • 2 Mixed
“Not a softened take on evolution; instead, a corrective, rooted in modern understanding of how nature operates. It’s written with notable charm and passion, and it brims with astonishing facts. It also stands as a tribute to nature’s wonders and the urgency of safeguarding them.”
–Philip Ball (The Guardian)
2. The Jackal: The Rise and Fall of Carlos, the World’s First Super-Terrorist by Joby Warrick
(Scribner)
3 Rave • 1 Positive
“Authoritative and exceptionally readable… Warrick acknowledges a lineage of prior accounts and, even as he dodges clichés, presents new evidence that shifts the understanding.”
–Dwight Garner (The New York Times)
3. The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy by Gil Durán
(Avid Reader Press)
2 Rave • 2 Positive
“Stunning… brilliantly titled… Thoughtful, well researched and a vigorous invitation to act before humanity is sacrificed to the widening wealth of tech elites.”
–Karlin Lillington (The Irish Times)
4. Finding Renée Richards: The Groundbreaking Story of Tennis’s Trans Pioneer by Julie Kliegman
(HarperOne)
2 Rave • 1 Positive • 1 Mixed
“Kliegman approaches her subject with empathy and thoughtful curiosity, and her conversations with Richards shed light in meaningful ways. Richards is a complex figure, yet her contributions to advancing transgender rights are undeniable. This one is not to be missed.”
–Stephanie Howes (Booklist)
5. The Next Journalism: How the Press Must Change to Serve Democracy by Tom Rosenstiel
(Crown)
1 Positive • 2 Mixed
“Although aimed at journalism scholars and professionals, Rosenstiel’s thoughtful analysis will resonate with anyone concerned about the future of the press.”
–Carol Haggas (Booklist)
