Best books...chosen by Beth Raymer
Beth Raymer is the author of the memoir Lay the Favorite, about her experiences in the world of sports gambling. As a film based on the book arrives in theaters, she shares six of her favorite books about lost souls.
Fat City by Leonard Gardner (Univ. of Calif., $25). The most realistic account of boxing I’ve ever read. There is no televised bout or belt to be won, no such thing as the “one big fight.” There is only a poster nailed to a whitewashed wall and a trainer so burned out on domestic life that, “when his children ran across the street without looking, he said nothing.” To me, Fat City is a story about unending loss: what happens when the little things—splintered bones, damaged noses, swollen brows—add up.
My Story by Amy Fisher (out of print). An entirely unapologetic first-person account of attempted murder. Fisher never really knows what’s going on, but she does realize that her life is going nowhere as she finds herself obsessing over her married lover—who happens to be the most manipulative auto body shop owner on all of Long Island. Unwittingly, she transcends the true crime genre and produces a perfectly concentrated lost-soul-swaying masterpiece.
Billy Phelan’s Greatest Game by William Kennedy (Penguin, $14). An ode to fatherless men and champion drinkers living by night in the Downtown Health and Amusement Club. If you’ve never read William Kennedy, you should. He’s the master of simile. Example: “Screwing your wife is like striking out the pitcher.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Whoreson by Donald Goines (Holloway House, $8). Whoreson Jones is the son of a beautiful black prostitute named Jessie. By age 16, Whoreson is a full-fledged pimp and deeply in love with his mom. One evening, Jessie decides to go on a date with her son in the living room.
The Girls in the Office by Jack Olsen (out of print). Billed in 1973 as “Lady Portnoy’s Complaint,” this collection of interviews with single women who all work in the same New York City office is funny, sexy, discomfiting. Their secrets are grim and they share them eagerly.
The Richard Burton Diaries ed. by Chris Williams (Yale, $35). One of the most charismatic men of our time was really just a loner who valued passion over goodness and thrived on freedom. He died at 58. Thankfully he didn’t waste too much time trying to sober up.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Keith O'Brien's 6 must-read books about significant moments in sports history
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Laura Hillenbrand, Jonathan Eig and more
By The Week US Published
-
Lauren Oyler's favorite collection of essays that will leave you deep in thought
Feature The author recommends works by Elif Batuman, Mark Greif, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Rebecca Serle's 6 favorite books about interpersonal relationships
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by J.D. Salinger, Dolly Alderton, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Cristina Henríquez's 6 popular books with historical themes
Feature The novelist recommends works by Min Jin Lee, Kurt Vonnegut, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Mark Greaney's 6 favorite suspenseful books about espionage
Feature The author recommends works by Tom Clancy, John le Carré, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Hisham Matar's 6 favorite books that are part of a collection
Feature The Pulitzer Prize-winning author recommends works by Jean Rhys, Michael Ondaatje, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Yangsze Choo's 6 favorite works about love and human connection
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Cho Nam-Joo, Hiro Arikawa and more
By The Week US Published
-
Kwame Alexander's 6 must-read books about the art of poetry
Feature The poet recommends works by E.E. Cummings, Clint Smith and more
By The Week US Published