Ask a Book Critic: Recommendations Just For You

Welcome back to Ask a Book Critic, your personalized source for book recommendations! This week, our senior correspondent and resident book expert, Constance Grady, tackles diverse reading requests, from soothing midnight companions for new parents to contemporary novels echoing classic sensibilities and compelling narrative nonfiction in the style of John McPhee.

Q: Midnight Musings for a New Parent

"I am due with a baby at the end of this month and anticipate many half-hour, middle-of-the-night reading sessions while feeding the babe. I would love to start a series that can keep my interest, isn’t too difficult to read in short bursts, and interesting enough it can keep me from the temptation of phone scrolling. I’m not a huge fan of sci-fi and typically lean toward fiction or historical fiction. I’d definitely be open to trying some mysteries or thrillers as well if you’ve got ideas!"

Constance Grady’s Recommendations:

Congratulations on your upcoming arrival! Finding the right book for those quiet hours can be a true lifesaver. Here are some series that might be perfect for you:

• Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall Trilogy: A classic for a reason. If you haven’t already experienced the immersive world of Thomas Cromwell and the Tudor court, now is the time. Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, and The Mirror & the Light offer richly detailed historical fiction, although Constance admits they might be a bit dense for those truly sleep-deprived moments.

• Nicola Griffiths’s Hild Series: This series, currently two volumes deep with Hild and Menewood, tells the fascinating story of a young woman in medieval Britain who becomes Saint Hilda of Whitby. Griffiths masterfully recreates the tactile world of pre-industrial England, immersing you in the sights, smells, and textures of the time. The political machinations and religious conflicts add another layer of depth, making it a truly captivating read.

• Classic Mysteries: When you need a lighter escape, turn to the masters of mystery. Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers both offer extensive series featuring beloved detectives. Their books are perfect for picking up and putting down, offering satisfying puzzles and engaging characters without requiring intense concentration.

• Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache Series: For a more modern mystery experience, try Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache novels. These books are not only known for their intricate plots and compelling characters but also for their descriptions of delicious food. The setting in Quebec adds a unique atmosphere that will transport you from the midnight nursery.

Q: Seeking Contemporary Novels with a Classic Soul

"I want to dive into more contemporary fiction but struggle to find writing that appeals to my Dickensian and Dostoyevskian sensibilities. I want character-driven stories. I want beautifully sculpted sentences. I don’t want romantasy, I want Heathcliff. I want Jane in the red room and the Demeter at Whitby. I want to hear the beat of the heart under the floor boards. I want to visit José Arcadio Buendía at the tree. I want to see things fall apart and to know both war and peace. I’m willing to cross the genre wilderness and dive into any culture, but the writing and characters have to grab me. I have found contemporary authors I love — Anthony Doerr, Amor Towles, and Kazuo Ishiguro, for example. I know there are others, please help me find them!"

Constance Grady’s Recommendations:

Your request speaks to a yearning for depth and beauty in contemporary fiction, a connection to the grand themes and memorable characters of the past. Here are a few authors who might resonate with you:

• Sarah Perry: For those lush, Dickensian sentences, Sarah Perry is a must-read. Start with The Essex Serpent, which blends a Victorian setting with modern psychological insights. The story of a sea serpent terrorizing a small town is captivating, but it is Perry’s prose and her ability to create vivid, complex characters that truly shine.

• Elif Batuman: With a degree in Russian literature, Elif Batuman brings a unique sensibility to her writing. Her debut novel, The Idiot, is inspired by Dostoevsky and offers a more constrained and specific exploration of themes of identity and alienation.

• Tara Isabella Burton: Burton, with her PhD in theology from Oxford, delves into themes of sin and morality in her work. Her novel Social Creature is a dark and compelling exploration of obsession and identity in the digital age.

Q: Narrative Nonfiction in the Vein of John McPhee

"John McPhee is my all-time favorite author — I haven’t read anything by him that I haven’t liked. Alas, he is very old. What are some similar fairly current narrative nonfiction books?"

Constance Grady’s Recommendations:

For those who appreciate the depth, precision, and captivating storytelling of John McPhee, here are some contemporary narrative nonfiction authors worth exploring:

• David Grann: David Grann is a master of crafting nonfiction stories that read like novels. Killers of the Flower Moon, which was adapted into a film by Martin Scorsese, is a meticulously researched and powerfully told story of greed, conspiracy, and injustice. His recent book, The Wager, recounts a harrowing 18th-century naval voyage and shipwreck, filled with adventure, survival, and human drama.

• Sophie Elmhirst: Keep an eye out for Sophie Elmhirst’s forthcoming book, A Marriage at Sea. This book tells the unbelievable true story of a couple who were lost at sea for 118 days in the 1970s. With its suspenseful plot and intimate portrayal of human resilience, this book promises to be a captivating read.

We hope these recommendations provide you with plenty of reading material. Happy reading!