In our morning reading: an interview with Chloe Caldwell, new writing from Denne Michele Norris, and more.
Recommended Books: August 2025
At the best of times, August is a weird month. (Ask our managing editor to tell you about his childhood experience of insomnia, which could also be described as an allergy to the month in question.) When looking at books due out this month, you’ll see an unexpected assemblage of titles: surreal fiction juxtaposed with incisive sociopolitical commentary; harrowing memoir abuting existential horror. Read on for ten books we’re looking forward to this month.
Morning Bites: Fernanda Melchor’s Fiction, Benjamin Percy on Serialization, R.F. Kuang’s Latest, and More
In our morning reading: thoughts on Fernanda Melchor, an interview with Benjamin Percy, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Lucy Ives’s Latest, Joseph Osmundson Nonfiction, Revisiting Vladimir Sorokin, and More
In our afternoon reading: an excerpt from Lucy Ives’s new book, essays by Chloe Caldwell and Joseph Osmundson, and more.
Weekend Bites: Chloe Caldwell’s Memoir, Kendrick Lamar Live, Sofia Samatar’s Next Book, and More
In our weekend reading: thoughts on Chloe Caldwell’s memoir, new writing from Dave Newman, and more.
We’re taking a break for the holiday; normal posting will resume on Monday.
Afternoon Bites: Thuận’s Fiction, Literary Communities, Chloe Caldwell’s Memoir, and More
In our afternoon reading: exploring Thuận’s newly-translated novel, thoughts on literary communities, and more.
Stress Writing: A Review of “The Red Zone: A Love Story” by Chloe Caldwell
Chloe Caldwell is an essayist known for her bold personal essays, resonant pieces about love, longing, addiction, and attempting to find meaning in mundanity. Heidi Julavits once wrote, in a review of Caldwell’s 2016 collection I’ll Tell You in Person (Emily Books, 2016), “Chloe Caldwell has written the ideal ‘female companion book’ – meaning, while reading I’ll Tell You in Person, I felt like I had a female companion with me at all times.” Her inviting and unpretentious prose imbues a strong sense of warmth into all of her work, allowing the essays to read like an assortment of polished diary entries.
Afternoon Bites: Matt Bell on Writing, Chloe Caldwell’s Memoir, Tracy K. Smith’s Poetry, and More
In our afternoon reading: talking writing with Matt Bell, a poem by Tracy K. Smith, and more.