Books
41/60 pts
The fall book pile
Books/Sep 13, 2026
The September stack is a pile. It is not a personality.
Publishers dump the serious titles after the holiday. The pile looks like ambition. Most of it is inventory.
Worth the look41/60 pts
The printed desk
Books
On-line reviews of books, plus news and commentary on the publishing season as it actually arrives.
Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line reviews of books; providing information, news and commentary in the field of current events relating to books.
11 reviews · 1 briefing
On-line reviews
Books
42/60 pts
A library hold in late August
Books/Aug 30, 2026
The hold that finally landed
The book arrives after the discourse has moved on. That is the correct time to read it.
Worth the look42/60 pts
Books
52/60 pts
On Writing
Books/Aug 2, 2026
The craft book I still trust
Stephen King's memoir-slash-manual. I go back to it when the internet is being loud about 'process.'
Worth the look52/60 pts
Books
29/60 pts
Atomic Habits
Books/Jul 18, 2026
The self-help book that will not leave
James Clear's habit book is still on every list. I reread it. It is still a pamphlet wearing a hardcover.
Mixed29/60 pts
Books
33/60 pts
Fourth Wing
Books/Jun 25, 2026
The romantasy everyone already finished
Dragons, war college, a love story with teeth. I get why it ate the year. I did not fully get got.
Mixed33/60 pts
Books
40/60 pts
Intermezzo
Books/Jun 11, 2026
Two brothers, too many silences
Sally Rooney after the internet stopped being the joke.
Worth the look40/60 pts
Books
43/60 pts
Abundance
Books/May 8, 2026
A policy book that wants you to build something
Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson argue that the American left forgot how to make things. I kept nodding, then arguing with the page.
Worth the look43/60 pts
Books
54/60 pts
James
Books/Apr 14, 2026
Huck Finn, from the other seat
Percival Everett hands the pen to the man beside Huck. The river changes temperature.
Worth the look54/60 pts
Books
47/60 pts
The Long Walk (the novel)
Books/Apr 6, 2026
King before the brand was the brand
The 1979 book the movie came from. Meaner. Quieter. Better on the page.
Worth the look47/60 pts
Books
46/60 pts
The Wedding People
Books/Apr 2, 2026
A novel that sneaks up on you
Alison Espach's hotel-wedding book is funnier and sadder than the cover looks.
Worth the look46/60 pts
Books
48/60 pts
Project Hail Mary (the novel)
Books/Mar 30, 2026
The book the movie was chasing
Andy Weir's science-teacher-in-space novel is still the friendlier version of the story.
Worth the look48/60 pts
News and commentary
Commentary/Books/Jul 1, 2026
The summer list is a referendum on attention
Publishing still sells beaches. Readers are buying time. Those are not the same product.
The Desk