Dear readers, News of Thomas Pynchon's upcoming novel, "Shadow Ticket," sent observers of the American absurd into conniption fits this week. It's been over a decade since America's grumpiest, most literary recluse published a book, so learning that one is slated for October is a certifiable event. I wouldn't expect Pynchon to care a fig about the emotional weather of his reading public, but I have a feeling that the way life is going, his madcap story of a private eye trailing a rogue cheese heiress will arrive at an ideal moment. If you are champing at the bit for some surreality in the meantime, I can recommend a few books to tide you over. Perhaps Marie-Helene Bertino's novel "Parakeet," a wholly fantastical look at family history, wedding jitters and Japanese reptile lifestyle blogs? There's also "Blob," a romance about a woman who falls in love with "a beige gelatin splotch the size of a dinner plate." Or if you prefer your absurdism more grounded in capitalist reality, you might try Hilary Leichter's debut, "Temporary," which skewers the gig economy by placing her heroine in a series of increasingly nutty temp jobs: mannequin, ghost, board chair, man about town. In more concrete news, some readers may have spotted in our most recent Editors' Choice columns — such as this one and this one — that you can now save books that you might want to read. (You can see your list of saved books here.) Give it a whirl and let me know what you think, if you're so moved. You can email me with any thoughts at books@nytimes.com — Joumana
Thank you for being a subscriber Plunge further into books at The New York Times or our reading recommendations. If you're enjoying what you're reading, please consider recommending it to others. They can sign up here. Browse all of our subscriber-only newsletters here. Friendly reminder: check your local library for books! Many libraries allow you to reserve copies online.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Skip to content
