Amy Sohn
Amy Sohn writes the ‘Naked City’ column for New York magazine. She is the author of the novel Run Catch Kiss (Simon & Schuster, $23), and her second novel, My Old Man, comes out in 2004.
Women by Charles Bukowski (Black Sparrow Press, $16). The wackiest and funniest book I have ever read, Women chronicles the horizontal adventures of Bukowski’s alter ego, Hank Chinaski, who goes to the track, listens to classical music, drinks, vomits, and beds women, not necessarily in that order.
The Kid Stays in the Picture by Robert Evans (audio version; New Millennium Audio, $40). In this abridged version of the movie mogul’s autobiography, read by the author, Evans recounts his rise from actor to head of Paramount Pictures. His salty language, nicotined talk-chuckle, and refusal to be harder on anyone than he is on himself make you feel like you’re listening to a crazy drunk genius in a bar.
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.
Family Happiness by Laurie Colwin (Harper Perennial). This poignant urban romance is riveting because Colwin has a fundamental generosity of spirit toward all her characters and is less interested in the plot than what goes on inside her characters’ heads. Warning: This tale is so moving and life-affirming you should make sure not to call up any exes after you’ve read it.
The Joys of Yiddish by Leo Rosten (Pocket Books, $15). The definitive Jewish reference book is more widely read and highly regarded by some MOTs (that’s “members of the tribe”) than the Torah itself. Rosten, who comes across as a lovable older uncle, explains the origin of such staples of Yiddish as “kibosh,” “shikker,” “shiksa,” and “farbissina,” a word so good it made it into the Austin Powers films.
On Love by Alain de Botton (Grove Press, $11). An intricate deconstruction of a love affair done in an intellectual, Seinfeldian style. Though the tone is heady, the commentary hits the nail on the head—such as a line that I quote often to friends who are considering infidelity: “[I]n resolving our need to love, we may not always succeed in resolving our need to long.”
Candy by Terry Southern and Mason Hoffenberg (Grove Press, $13). This satiric retelling of Candide is hilarious, gross, and sexy, kind of like my last boyfriend. It follows wide-eyed coed Candy Christian, as she is raucously defiled by a series of enthralling and grodey cads. I am eagerly awaiting a remake of the 1968 film, starring Britney Spears.
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
-
5 exclusive cartoons about Trump and Putin negotiating peace
Cartoons Artists take on alternative timelines, missing participants, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The AI arms race
Talking Point The fixation on AI-powered economic growth risks drowning out concerns around the technology which have yet to be resolved
By The Week UK Published
-
Why Jannik Sinner's ban has divided the tennis world
In the Spotlight The timing of the suspension handed down to the world's best male tennis player has been met with scepticism
By The Week UK Published
-
Tessa Bailey's 6 favorite books for hopeless romantics
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Lyla Sage, Sally Thorne, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Pagan Kennedy's 6 favorite books that inspire resistance
Feature The author recommends works by Patrick Radden Keefe, Margaret Atwood, and more
By The Week US Published
-
John Sayles' 6 favorite works that left a lasting impression
Feature The Oscar-nominated screenwriter recommends works by William Faulkner, Carson McCullers, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Jojo Moyes' 6 favorite books with strong female characters
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Lisa Taddeo, Claire Keegan, and more
By The Week US Last updated
-
Stacy Horn's 6 favorite works that explore the spectrum of evil
Feature The author recommends works by Kazuo Ishiguro, Anthony Doerr, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Samantha Harvey's 6 favorite books that redefine how we see the world
Feature The Booker Prize-winning author recommends works by Marilynne Robinson, George Eliot, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Alan Cumming's 6 favorite works with resilient characters
Feature The award-winning stage and screen actor recommends works by Douglas Stuart, Alasdair Gray, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Shahnaz Habib's 6 favorite books that explore different cultures
Feature The essayist and translator recommends works by Vivek Shanbhag, Adania Shibli, and more
By The Week US Published