The Book Report: Washington Post critic Ron Charles (August 6)
Recommendations from our book reviewer of new fiction and non-fiction titles, including a new novel by Richard Russo, and a biography of an assassinated U.S. president.
Books
Book excerpt: "Somebody's Fool" by Richard Russo
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Empire Falls" returns to the denizens of North Bath, a small town in Upstate New York that is about to undergo some radical changes.
Book excerpt: "After the Funeral and Other Stories" by Tessa Hadley
The award-winning writer's latest collection of stories catches family members in ordinary moments, with the real action always taking place far beneath the surface.
Book excerpt: "My Name Is Iris" by Brando Skyhorse
A Mexican-American woman faces anti-immigrant stigma in this dystopian social satire from the award-winning author of "The Madonnas of Echo Park."
Book excerpt: "President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier" by C.W. Goodyear
This sweeping biography of the 20th president, assassinated in 1881, illuminates the life of a remarkable Civil War general and politician and his surprisingly consequential influence on the United States.
The adventures of Rose Styron
She's always looked forward, as a poet, a mother of four, and the wife of "Sophie's Choice" author William Styron. Now, at 95, Rose Styron has decided to look back, both in her new book, and as the subject of a documentary.
"Camera Girl": The story of Jackie before JFK
She was fearless, charming, and single when she was introduced to Washington's most eligible bachelor. Biographer Carl Sferrazza Anthony, and Martha Bartlett, the Georgetown hostess who paired up Bouvier with John F. Kennedy, talk about Jacqueline Bouvier.
"American Ramble": A writer's walk from D.C. to New York, and through history
In March 2021 former Wall Street Journal writer Neil King Jr. embarked on a walk of 330 miles, from his home in Washington, D.C., to New York City. He retraced his steps with "Sunday Morning," and talked about the America he found along the way.
Book excerpt: "Camera Girl: The Coming of Age of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy"
Carl Sferrazza Anthony's biography tells of the socialite's adventures in Europe; her career as a Washington photojournalist; and her romance and marriage to a future president.
Book excerpt: "American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal"
Writer Neil King Jr. stepped out of his Washington, D.C., home and walked 26 days on back roads to New York City. Along the way he found America, past and present.
Book excerpt: "What an Owl Knows" by Jennifer Ackerman
In her latest book the New York Times bestselling science writer explores secrets of the world's most enigmatic bird.
Book excerpt: "Never Give Up: A Prairie Family's Story" by Tom Brokaw
In his latest book the veteran newsman writes about his ancestors who settled in the American Midwest, and how the Midwesterners' can-do attitude helped define a nation.
How a daughter completed her father's bucket list
When Laura Carney's dad was killed in a car crash at just 54 years old, he left behind a bucket list of items mostly unfulfilled. So, Carney set out to live her father's unfinished life – and began a healing process.
"Lessons in Chemistry" author Bonnie Garmus on channeling "constructive anger"
When she tried to sell her first book, it was rejected 98 times. But Bonnie Garmus' dogged determination paid off; her next attempt, born out of anger over a male colleague stealing her idea, has spent more than a year on The New York Times bestseller list.
"The Book of Charlie": Wisdom from a centenarian neighbor
When author David Von Drehle moved into a new home, he found his neighbor, Charlie White, was not your typical 102-year-old. The colorful White, who'd already lived a couple of lifetimes, had a lot to teach others about making the most of our time alive.
More From Sunday Morning
Book excerpt: "The Wounded Generation" by David Nasaw
The historian examines how service members returning home from World War II were changed in ways undiagnosed and untreated, to a nation that had also changed following years of war.
This week on "Sunday Morning" (Nov. 9)
A look at the features for this week's broadcast of the Emmy-winning program, hosted by Jane Pauley.
Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber on addressing challenges facing higher education
Universities have found themselves under pressure from President Trump – from blocked funds for research, to attacks on their admission policies and diversity programs. Princeton's president says, "The stakes are really high."
George Clooney on "Jay Kelly," fame and family
In his latest film, George Clooney plays a familiar role – one of the world's biggest movie stars – who nonetheless tries to reconcile professional success and his personal shortcomings.
Dealing with the crushing costs of child care
For some, the high cost of child care in the U.S. is a higher expense than rents and mortgages, or even in-state college tuition, and has pushed tens of thousands of women out of the workforce this year alone.
Salman Rushdie on "The Eleventh Hour" and free speech
The author talks about his first fiction published since the 2022 attack that nearly killed him; his own immigrant experience in the U.S.; and what happens when freedom of speech dies.
Ken Burns on America's origin story: "The most important event since the birth of Christ"
The documentary filmmaker, long a chronicler of the American experience, talks about his latest film for PBS, "The American Revolution," and why the end of the Revolutionary War did not mean the end of our nation's revolution.
The Book Report: Ron Charles' latest picks (Nov. 2)
The Washington Post book reviewer offers highlights from fall's fiction and non-fiction releases.
Book excerpt: "The Wayfinder" by Adam Johnson
The Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winner returns with an epic tale set in Polynesia a thousand years in the past.
Book excerpt: "1929" by Andrew Ross Sorkin
The New York Times financial columnist's new book looks back to Wall Street's most catastrophic market collapse.