SZALAI I was happy to be introduced to the work of Albert Samaha, whose family memoir, “Concepcion,” merges a roiling history of the Philippines with an intimate portrait of his immigrant mom. And I noted with interest Alison Bechdel brightening her color palette in her timely yet highly personal examination of exercise and mind-body transcendence, “The Secret to Superhuman Strength.” (Goddess knows we need that right now!) JACOBS I was dazzled by the daring and imagination of “The Final Revival of Opal & Nev,” by Dawnie Walton, which I reviewed before officially becoming a critic for The Times. You can tell Tarantino had so much fun writing it. It made me titter, chortle and howl - all the different genres of laughter. YOUNG I freaked out over “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” too.
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“The Loneliest Americans,” by our colleague Jay Caspian Kang at Opinion, has been subject to a lot of spirited discussion already, and I think his exploration of class and identity among Asian Americans will be talked about for years to come. Reading Tove Ditlevsen’s “The Copenhagen Trilogy” was so unsettling as well as so pleasurable that it’s bound to be one of those books I return to again and again. I was impressed by Clint Smith’s “How the Word Is Passed,” which traces the geographical legacy of slavery. JENNIFER SZALAI Eyal Press’s “Dirty Work” - about hard, morally troubling jobs, like piloting kill drones and working in slaughterhouses - was terrific: learned, patient, unflinching, powerful. Lauren Oyler’s novel, “Fake Accounts,” was more than promising I’m not alone in wondering what she’ll do next. The new books of poetry from Kevin Young and Louise Glück, two favorites, were treats. Gary Shteyngart was back in top form this year we’re lucky to have that guy. A very funny book about conspiracy theories, masculinity and the internet.ĭWIGHT GARNER Andrew Sullivan’s stuff is astringent and humane and, crucially, unpredictable, and I read his “Out on a Limb: Selected Writing, 1989-2021” in three or four sittings. MOLLY YOUNG Jeff Chon’s “Hashtag Good Guy with a Gun” was superb enough that I read it despite two powerful obstacles: 1) The presence of the word “hashtag” in the title and 2) The fact that I spilled chili oil all over my copy, which turned the first 30 pages completely transparent and orange.
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What were some of the books published in 2021 that you didn’t review but admired? Below, Dwight Garner, Jennifer Szalai, Young and Jacobs talk about older books they read for the first time, authors who inspired and disappointed them, and more. This time we welcome our newest critics, Molly Young and Alexandra Jacobs, to the conversation. We also ask them to gather to discuss their years in reading in broader detail. Come join us as we discover and explore the adventures that await in the world of All The King’s Men.Each year around now, The New York Times’s book critics choose their favorite books from among those they reviewed over the previous 12 months.
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It is a land of wonder, with as many secrets as it has tales to tell. In the southern Kingdom of Lioncourt, members of the knighthood work tirelessly to bring justice to the wicked.Įven out on the grassy plains, those learned in the mystic arts train as monks and Keepers, honing their skills in the ancient secrets of their craft. In the frigid north, the Amaroki navigate the delicate bonds of social dynamics among the various tribes and packs. Please ensure that you are of legal age to purchase this material in your state or region.Ī land of magic and mystery, where the inhabitants live their lives under the blessing of the Goddess. Parental Rating: NC-17 - mature themes, sexuality