What Caught My Eye Online #22

Transformative fiction, upcoming releases, and more

Photo by qiwei yang on Unsplash

• Tommy Orange, author of There There, talks with Kirkus about his new book, Wandering Stars. I love what Orange says here:

  • "The way that fiction transforms is really hard to pinpoint. It's hard to collect data and show that there's this specific outcome. But it's been deeply impactful to me, the transformative quality of fiction and of art in general. Sometimes stories and entertainment get mixed up. Sometimes it can feel like it's just a distraction, or they just transport you. Some people do use fiction for that and that's perfectly fine. But the kind that is important to me, and that I've been moved by since having a relationship to reading and to art in general, is [the experience] that you come back from changed. It does take you away, but you come back different."

• Elle talks with poet Amanda Gorman about her successes and what's next. Her thoughts here resonated with me:

  • "My definition of success has changed from 'How much can I achieve?' to 'How much can I honor myself and my needs in the face of my achievements?' Now, a successful day is when I get enough hours of sleep and can check in on a friend, take a long walk, or write something meaningful."

• Maris Kreizman wrote an interesting piece for Lit Hub in which she talks about the massive volume of books published all the time. Behind-the-scenes looks at publishing always fascinate me. Kreizman says:

  • "I've spoken to in-house editors and publicists who are more inundated than ever, unable to give each of their titles the attention they deserve. Their submissions and workloads have increased even as marketing and editorial resources for individual titles have tapered off. Their authors increasingly wonder if they should reach inside their own wallets and hire outside help, not because the people working on their books are too lazy to do their jobs, but because freelance publicists and marketers are more likely to have the bandwidth to be thorough."

• Lit Hub posted an excerpt from Anne Lamott's new book, Somehow: Thoughts on Love. I’ve always loved this Buechner quote:

  • "The theologian Frederick Buechner wrote: 'The grace of God means something like: "Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are, because the party wouldn't have been complete without you."' Being at all, living, is a miracle, and—note to self— attention must be paid."

• Here's another disappointing blow to libraries and the freedom to read, courtesy of Idaho. 

• Publishers Weekly reports that "five publishers join lawsuit to stop Iowa book banning bill," along with educators, students, and authors John Green, Jodi Picoult, Malinda Lo, and Laurie Halse Anderson. 

• This piece about book bans from PEN America is long, thorough, and worth your time.

• NPR interviewed Salman Rushdie about his 2022 stabbing and the new book he wrote about the event, Knife. 

• Novelist Sara Koffi wrote a beautiful essay for CrimeReads about how comforting thrillers can be in a world of rampant racism and violence.

• Ocean Vuong is releasing a new novel next year. I loved On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, so I'm eager to get my hands on his next book.

• Liane Moriarty has a new book coming out on September 10. I’ve enjoyed several of Moriarty’s books, but I’m not sure I’m into the plot of her latest. What do you think?

• Indie booksellers recommend the best books of spring 2024.

• For all the poets out there, here are 50 ways to end your next piece.

• I enjoy books about sibling relationships, so I'm eager to pick up some of these titles recommended by The Guardian, especially the Baldwin book.

• NetGalley shares some poetry collections that are getting rave reviews. This is not the point, but all the covers are so pretty! 

• I share Most Anticipated book lists frequently and appreciate this reminder to use them as resources for backlist recommendations. 

• If you’re as frustrated yet enamored with the NYT’s Connections game as I am, you’ll enjoy this funny open letter to the editor.

• A good cookbook brings me such joy. Book Riot recommends cookbooks for every cooking level.

• Speaking of cooking, here are 12 inflation-proof recipes. I want the meatballs immediately.

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What caught your eye this week? Share in the comments!