While I agree with your commentary about the Times use of "Notable", I also agree with the Times' reviewer about the recent novels of Richard Powers. I read and admired his early novels like Galatea 2.2 and The Gold Bug Variations, but I found his recent work forgettable and could not finish The Overstory. And as for John McWhorter, let's just say I disagree with your dismissal of his thoughtful writing.
Digressing sharply from the opening salvos in the "woke" McWhorter wars (though I'm with you, John) - your list of lists makes this a newsletter to hang onto for future reference, if and when I can get through the 15 books teetering on my nightstand. Thank you! But the link to WaPo's audiobook column leads me to wonder whether you have considered in your column the pluses and minuses of audiobooks, and how they get reviewed. The WaPo column makes no mention of the performance aspect of the audiobooks recommended. I know for writers that may be superfluous, but for readers/auditors that can be an important consideration - to Kindle or to Audible (or better yet, libro.fm) Several authors reading their own works have greatly enhanced my appreciation of the book (Trevor Noah's Born a Crime a stark example, an older one is House of Sand and Fog) and some authors should not be allowed near microphone! Something to think about for a slow week...and a chance to boost libro.fm.
While I agree with your commentary about the Times use of "Notable", I also agree with the Times' reviewer about the recent novels of Richard Powers. I read and admired his early novels like Galatea 2.2 and The Gold Bug Variations, but I found his recent work forgettable and could not finish The Overstory. And as for John McWhorter, let's just say I disagree with your dismissal of his thoughtful writing.
Digressing sharply from the opening salvos in the "woke" McWhorter wars (though I'm with you, John) - your list of lists makes this a newsletter to hang onto for future reference, if and when I can get through the 15 books teetering on my nightstand. Thank you! But the link to WaPo's audiobook column leads me to wonder whether you have considered in your column the pluses and minuses of audiobooks, and how they get reviewed. The WaPo column makes no mention of the performance aspect of the audiobooks recommended. I know for writers that may be superfluous, but for readers/auditors that can be an important consideration - to Kindle or to Audible (or better yet, libro.fm) Several authors reading their own works have greatly enhanced my appreciation of the book (Trevor Noah's Born a Crime a stark example, an older one is House of Sand and Fog) and some authors should not be allowed near microphone! Something to think about for a slow week...and a chance to boost libro.fm.