The Weekly Reader
Wednesdays at 2:33 p.m.
For lovers of literary fiction and memoir, The Weekly Reader is a four-minute round-up of the best new books on the national scene. University of Baltimore professor, author, and longtime All Things Considered commentator Marion Winik joins WYPR’s producer Lisa Morgan, former co-host of The Signal, in studio to share two picks each week.
They curate the best of the buzzy books you're hearing about elsewhere, and keeping an eye out for those of special interest to Baltimoreans. When Winik, who reviews for People, Kirkus Review, and the Washington Post, brings her trademark humor, thoughtful insights, and refreshing honesty to book criticism, it’s like having a new best friend with very good taste to guide you on your literary adventures.
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Friend Groups: "So Old, So Young" by Grant Ginder and "Bad Asians" by Lillian LiFriendships are like works in progress; you need to work on them from time to time.
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Celebrating Black Women: "Kin" by Tayari Jones, "Firstborn Girls" by Bernice McFadden, and "Finding Me" by Viola DavisStories about Black women surviving, and thriving, in the latter half of the 20th century.
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Road Trips: "The Rest of Our Lives" by Benjamin Markovits and "Solito" by Javier ZamoraSome journeys take us to places beyond our imaginations.
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Jane Gardam Trilogy: Old Filth, The Man in the Wooden Hat, and Last FriendsA classic trilogy from a beloved British author.
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Invisible Threads: are The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans, Palaver, by Bryan Washington and Deeper than the Ocean, by Mirta OjitaWhat are the invisible threads that weave us all together?
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Great New Memoirs from Iconic EntertainersNew memoirs from giants of the world of entertainment: Anthony Hopkins, Tim Curry, and Peter Wolf.
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New Thrillers: "Best Offer Wins" by Marisa Kashino and "The Gallagher Place" by Julie DoarMore twists and turns than a carnival helter skelter!
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Memorable Memoirs of 2025The cream of the crop from a very good year for new memoirs.
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Memorable Memoirs of 2025The cream of the crop from a very good year for new memoirs.
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Top Ten Fiction Titles of the Year 2025Our book critic Marion Winik rounds up the very best fiction of the year.