The Book Report: New summer fiction and nonfiction
By Washington Post book critic Ron Charles
As temperatures heat up and you start thinking about books for summer reading, here are a few suggestions to check out:
"The Latecomer" by Jean Hanff Korelitz, is a wicked comic novel about triplets conceived by in vitro fertilization.
As these three spoiled children grow up, competing with and sniping at each other, Koreltiz's family epic tears through modern art, liberal education, political correctness, international terrorism and American spirituality, all while delivering one explosive surprise after another.
Read an excerpt: "The Latecomer" by Jean Hanff Korelitz
"The Latecomer" by Jean Hanff Korelitz (Celadon Books), in Hardcover, Large Print, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon., Barnes & Noble and Indiebound
"Trust," by Hernan Diaz, takes us back to the Roaring Twenties for a fascinating look at one of the richest men in the world – or make that four looks, because "Trust" is actually a quartet of conflicting stories about a young stock trader whose financial intuition seems almost supernatural.
Eventually his wealth becomes so vast that he imagines he can afford to control exactly how the public remembers him.
Read an excerpt: "Trust" by Hernan Diaz
"Trust" by Hernan Diaz (Riverhead Books), in Hardcover, Large Print Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound
Thirty years ago, a girl named Tracy Flick campaigned for student body president, with disastrous results. Tom Perrotta told that story in his witty novel "Election," and Reese Witherspoon immortalized the young candidate in the movie with Matthew Broderick.
Now, in Perrotta's new novel, "Tracy Flick Can't Win," Tracy is a vice principal up for the top job as head of school. She's the best candidate. She deserves it.
What could possibly go wrong?
Read an excerpt: "Tracy Flick Can't Win" by Tom Perrotta
"Tracy Flick Can't Win" by Tom Perrotta (Scribner), in Hardcover, Large Print Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound
During his remarkable career, left-fielder Rickey Henderson stole more bases and scored more runs than any other Major League baseball player.
He's the subject of Howard Bryant's new biography, "Rickey: The Life and Legend of an American Original."
It's the story of a young man who grew up in segregated Oakland, California, charged into a sport still clinging to its racist past, and changed the game forever.
Read an excerpt: "Rickey" by Howard Bryant
"Rickey: The Life and Legend of an American Original" by Howard Bryant (Mariner Books), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound
For these and other suggestions about what to read this summer, contact your librarians or local bookseller.
That's it for the Book Report. Until next time, read on!
For more info:
- Ron Charles, The Washington Post
- Subscribe to the free Washington Post Book World Newsletter
- Ron Charles' Totally Hip Video Book Review
- indiebound.org (for ordering from independent booksellers)
For more reading recommendations, check out these previous Book Report features from Ron Charles: