Sam Lipsyte
Sam Lipsyte’s latest novel, Home Land, is the story of an underachiever New Jerseyite. Here, the author of The Subject Steve chooses some favorite works by more accomplished Garden Staters.
Sabbath’s Theater by Philip Roth (Vintage, $15). There are Sabbath’s Theater–type people and Human Stain–type people. I count myself among the former. Most of Roth’s novels take you to the edge of some kind of philosophical/cultural/emotional abyss. Sabbath’s Theater, the story of a lecherous, failed puppeteer (he was offered Big Bird), shoves you in.
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.
My Cousin, My Gastroenterologist by Mark Leyner (Vintage, $11). This gripping tale of “an infinitely hot and dense dot” broke the land speed record for American fiction back in the late ’80s with its lightning prose and genre-breaking (as opposed to -bending) design. Leyner, a true innovator, remains one of the funniest writers around.
Cutty, One Rock by August Kleinzahler (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $19). This is a beautiful new collection of personal essays by one of our country’s best poets. The famous title piece recounts the story of his charismatic, doomed older brother. Another essay includes a terrifying cameo by Kleinzahler’s boyhood neighbor in Fort Lee, N.J., comedian Buddy Hackett.
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
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (Laurel Leaf, $6). “We must, we must, we must increase our bust.” Like many of my generation, I grew up reading Judy Blume novels. I loved them, and they made me the 13-year-old girl I am today.
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (Tor, $4). It might not be a bad time to revisit this granddaddy of the grunt’s-eye-view war novel, where the grandiose notions of politicians and generals fall by the wayside. Crane is also a testament to the dictum: Write what you don’t know. Bonus: This Jersey boy, like the true rock star he was, died at 28 in an English castle.
An American Dream
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 20, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - flags flipped, Diddy dunked, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Diddy admits to beating girlfriend after video
Speed Read Though he previously denied allegations of abuse, Combs apologized for abusing Cassie Ventura following the release of new CCTV footage
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden delivers Morehouse graduation speech
Speed Read It was the president's first time addressing a college campus since the breakout of Gaza war protests
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Cynthia Carr's 6 favorite books that explore social issues
Feature The former culture writer recommends works by Ling Ma, Olga Tokarczuk, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Tom Crewe's 6 favorite works that challenge societal norms
Feature The novelist recommends works by Margaret Oliphant, Patrick White, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Daniel Wallace's 5 favorite books that should not be forgotten
Feature The author recommends works by Italo Calvino, Evan S. Connell, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Sarah Langan recommends 6 women-centric horror books
Feature The horror novelist recommends works by Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Amanda Montell's 6 favorite books that will expand your knowledge
Feature The linguist recommends works by Mary Roach, Alice Carrière, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Rowan Beaird recommends 6 compelling books from the 1950s
Feature The author recommends works by Patricia Highsmith, Shirley Jackson, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Stephen Graham Jones' 6 scary books with deeper meanings
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Stephen King, Sara Gran, and more
By 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