Member Reviews
The Algonquin Reader - Spring 2019 Issue is an absolute treat to read.
I love the fact that each featured author has written an essay that lets readers in on what their inspiration was behind their book.
In addition to the essay, readers are also able to read an Excerpt from each book. This is a fantastic way to decide which books to go ahead and read in full.
Included in this issue are the following authors and their books:
Louis Bayard, author of Courting Mr. Lincoln, discusses how even though 9,100 books have been written about Abraham Lincoln, “we still don’t have a handle on him.”
The Lightest Object in the Universe by Kimi Eisele is a post-apocalyptic story about creativity, love and what people will do in a decimated world.
PRAIRIE FEVER by Michael Parker
Set on the Great Plains in the early twentieth century, this book follows two sisters who have a strong bond and what happens to that bond over time.
Author MATHANGI SUBRAMANIAN previously worked is a slum in Bangalore, India. It was his work there that led to his book: A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF HEAVEN.
Australian author Felicity McLean's debut novel The Van Apfel Girls Are Gone.
Tim Mason is the author of The Darwin Affair - an exciting work of historical fiction.
I rate the Spring 2019 Issue of the Algonquin Reader as 4 out of 5 Stars and I highly recommend picking up as many issues as possible.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this issue of The Algonquin Reader.
Thank you NetGalley and Algonquin Books for the chance to read these essays and excerpts.
The essays continue to be some of my favorite parts of these readers, even if the point of them is ostensibly to generate interest in the book. I got to learn about ethnocentric world maps, and Indian slums erased from city maps, and the detective from BLEAK HOUSE, and the Joshua Speed, the intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln.
Most of the books themselves were not too my taste -- apocalypse (THE LIGHTEST OBJECT IN THE UNIVERSE) and missing children (THE VAN APFEL GIRLS ARE GONE) are much too depressing for me to contemplate -- but I am interested in COURTING MR LINCOLN, particularly with the questions raised by Louis Bayard in the "Inside an Enigma" essay.
I love this look at the Spring catalog and look forward to reading these books in full.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for the advance copy.
I received a complimentary review copy of The Algonquin Reader: Spring 2019 from NetGalley.
The first page describes what's in this issue, with a brief paragraph introducing each author and what their content is about. There is a total of 6 book exceprts and 6 essays included. I really enjoyed being able to preview enough of the book to know whether I'd be interested enough to read the whole thing. What makes this sampler really unique is that there is an essay before each novel excerpt.
After I saw them here I searched and read some of the books you published (although I did not see them all at Netgalley).
I adore these editions. Since 90 percent of my reading includes newly published or upcoming literary works, I am always on the lookout fo what’s coming up and I appreciate being able to read short nonfiction pieces by authors I am excited to read. Once again, I have now added a couple of the authors to my list of books to check out. Thank you for taking the time to create these readers. Wonderful Spring edition!
I know Im late to this but enjoyed the essays. Looking forward to reading some of the listed books. Some Ive already read. Guess my tbr pile is going to get taller.
I appreciate publishers giving us these previews so much (even at this point when the books have been published). It helps voracious readers like me, with more TBR books than time, focus on authors and titles that appeal to me and I should be spending m limited time with.
The Algonquin Reader is becoming one of my favorite collections to read as the writing quality is excellent.. The Spring 2019 Reader covered Courting Mr Lincoln by Louis Bayard, The Lightest Object in the Universe by Kimi Eisele, Prairie Fever by Michael Parker, A People’s History of Heaven by Mathangi Subramanian, The Van Appel Girls Are Gone by Felicity McLean and The Darwin Affair by Tim Mason.
I just bought a copy of Kimi Eisele's The Lightest Object in the Universe to read because I found the writing so interesting. I look forward to the 2020 edition.
My love for books about books has made reading The Algonquin Reader a favourite. The Spring 2019 Reader covered Courting Mr Lincoln by Louis Bayard, The Lightest Object in the Universe by Kimi Eisele, Prairie Fever by Michael Parker, A People’s History of Heaven by Mathangi Subramanian, The Van Appel Girls Are Gone by Felicity McLean and The Darwin Affair by Tim Mason.
While all the books are available now, I was particularly intrigued by the angle shared by Louis Bayard in Courting Mr Lincoln and the perspective to Bangalore slums elucidated by Mathangi in her book. While the essay by Kimi Eisele and inspiration behind The Lightest Object in the Universe is interesting I quite didn’t make out what I thought about the extract from the book. Not commenting on the other stories, even though I thoroughly enjoyed reading the essays, the extracts did not resonate with me.
Always adore Algonquin’s excellent preview collection of literary fiction, with original essays from each featured author. The Spring 2019 edition follows this fine tradition in elegant style. 5/5
Pub Date 02 Jan 2019.
Thanks to the authors, Algonquin Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheAlgonquinReader #NetGalley
I'm very excited for many of these new releases. I very much enjoyed looking through this catalogue, and finding new titles to add to my radar.
I so appreciate the author essays and preview snippets of forthcoming titles. Algonquin continues to deliver a delightful array of literary fiction from emerging and established authors.
Thank you for this interesting and varied sampler. I love ear-marking books for review and these excerpts make it so much easier.
Algonquin publishes some of my favorite books each season when the preview come out I grab it&start making my wish list.This season has a group of most reads and the authors essays are an added treat bonus,Spring will be a great season for reading, #netgalley #algonquin
I love that this collection includes not just excerpts from upcoming books but also original essays by the same authors. Such a treat!
Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin for providing this reader.
I first encountered The Algonguin Reader about this time last year. This collection promises more new voices and accomplished writing from a publisher worth paying attention to. A recommended first course in what is sure to be literary feast later this year.
Though there are other catalogs of upcoming releases, The Algonquin Reader stands out for it's brevity and depth. Before a sample of each book, we are treated to an essay by the author, one that offers a window into the inspiration of the book. As someone who loves the creator as much as the creation, these essays often sell me on the book, based entirely on the connection with the author and the care they took with their work. These telling essays are followed by excerpts of the author's upcoming release and are always a treat. Before reading this edition, I had two of the galleys ready and waiting. After reading it, I've requested all within. An absolute must read.
I always enjoy reading these, as it gives me a good idea what to add next to my ever growing pile of books. The books that particularly interest me are 'The Van Apfel Girls are Gone' and 'Prairie Fever',
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review.