A Whopping #FridayReads List

Here at Workman we’re devouring books right and left at a voracious pace. Don’t take my  word for it–check out this unprecedented #FridayReads list!!

Here’s the quick run-down:

Albert of Adelaide, by Howard Anderson
The Manhattan Monologues, by Louis Auchincloss
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
The Perfect Scent, Chandler Burr
Wherever I Wind Up, by R.A. Dickey
The Virgin Suicides, by Jeffrey Eugenides
Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn (x2!)
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand
Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo
Profiles in Courage, by John F. Kennedy
Under the Banner of Heaven, by Jon Krakauer
Defending Jacob, by William Landay
The End of Normal, by Stephanie Madoff Mack
A Ship Without a Sail: The Life of Lorenz Hart, by Gary Marmorstein
Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell
What Alice Forgot, by Liane Moriarty
Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes
Bel Canto, by Anne Patchett
Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry, by Leanne Shapton
Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America, by Russell Short
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith
Just Kids, by Patti Smith
Wild, by Cheryl Strayed
The Age of Miracles, by  Karen Thompson Walker (x2!)
Perfumes, the A to Z Guide, by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez
Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter
Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein
The Family Fang, by Kevin Wilson
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?, by Jeanette Winterson
Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back, by Andrew Zolli

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And in our own words:

The Manhattan Monologues by Louis Auchincloss.  He was a chronicler of Manhattan society—as well as being of that society himself. He’d published something like 75 books before he died a few years ago.  This book is a collection of monologues—short stories of one character talking to the reader about his or her life in Manhattan—starting at the beginning of the 20^th century and going up to the end.  Each one is like a delicious, sophisticated cocktail. Also, thanks to Erin K., I’m reading Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry by Leanne Shapton. It’s a fictional love story told in the form of an auction catalog, describing the objects that were part of the building up and breaking down of a relationship. It’s the most unusual and creative approach to story telling.  It’s the answer to the literary cry: “show me something I haven’t seen before!” –Mary Ellen

Unbroken. Fabulous book. Just finished Island at the Center of the World. Anyone who lives in NY or environs should read this. –Janet H.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. So good! –Zatio

After having it on my nightstand for nearly two years (which included one move to a new home), I finally read Just Kids. What an incredible story of friendship, unconditional love, creativity, passion, belief, innocence (and its loss), and art. As beautiful as I hoped it would be. –Elise

I’m reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It is just as good, and heartbreaking, as I imagined it would be. –Leslie

I’m currently in love with Albert of Adelaide by Howard Anderson. Imagine a western, set in Australia, with a platypus as the protagonist. –John D.

Just downloaded Wherever I Wind Up by Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.  Can’t wait to get started. –Ian

I stayed up until 2 a.m. last Sunday night to finishGone Girl by Gillian Flynn.  If you like untrustworthy narrators (Presumed Innocent,A Simple Plan, etc…), well…let’s just say that this novel takes untrustworthiness to a whole new level. –Bob

I am reading Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back, by Andrew Zolli (Free Press).  It’s a fascinating read that connects scientific data, social innovations, stories and experiences to create a road map of how to handle crisis.  It also shows the intricate balance of decision making, influence, and how to be of service to the community at large.  An eye-opener. –Kate T

I’m on a Jeffrey Eugenides kick, apparently, because after reading The Marriage Plot the other week I read The Virgin Suicides. Now it’s on to another dysfunctional family story: The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson, a novel about a couple of performance artists who force their children to act as tools in their bizarre publicity stunts/art pieces. –Avery

I just finished reading Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (a great find at BEA!).  –June

Just finished What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty and Age of Miracles by  Karen Thompson Walker. Both amazing, fast quality reads, you’ll be sad when they’re over.  –John J.

Pride and Prejudice (—not even Pride and Prejudice and Zombies…I’m going straight-up old school! –Jean-Marc