Telepeer

How books can bring together a community of readers

September 6, 2024

Reading is often seen as a solitary act, but it can also be one of the ways we make connections, share ideas and build community.

A few weekends ago, I was seated with extended family and the two youngest at the table – a middle-schooler and a high school freshman – started telling me about recent books they loved and the sorts of stories they enjoyed. They were looking for recommendations and – earning the eternal good favor of this book person – said they always liked the books I suggested.

They had delightfully specific preferences: The middle-schooler liked dystopian novels set in a future America – but not if the stories included an outer space element. (This also led to a bleakly funny moment when we all momentarily struggled for the antonym of “dystopian,” a term used far more these days than the one we were searching for, “utopian.”)

The middle-school reader asked if I had more suggestions. I did, or I tried, anyway. But as we ran through them, I was reminded that no matter how many books you’ve read, you’ve never read as many as you’d hoped to. (Maybe that’s why Pierre Bayard wrote a book called “How to Talk About Books You’ve Never Read.” But I don’t know; I’ve never read it.)

So this part of the conversation played on a loop:

Me: “People love [name any book].”

Kid: “Have you read it?”

Me: “Um, no.”

That is always humbling: All those books you haven’t read. And don’t even start on the books you did get through but forgot once they went back on the shelf (which is why some of you are smart enough to keep track of what you read).

Reading is one of the ways we make connections, share ideas and build community. (Getty Images illustration)

Then, another of the younger folks, a college-aged reader who likes the work of Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss, asked for some long fantasy novel recommendations. Once again, I had titles to suggest, but precious few that I’d read and could discuss with any specificity.

If it’s not already abundantly clear, I was loving all this – especially as I hadn’t instigated it, the kids had. Believe it or not, I don’t turn up at every event shouting, “Hey, what’s everyone been reading?!” … I mean, I absolutely do say it, but I do so quietly and more one-on-one.

So the point of all this? A dear member of our gathering, a self-described dyslexic, non-reading adult who has nevertheless given me many thoughtful gifts of books and music, had the best recommendation: Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga, which he happened to have, unread, at home. The middle-schooler beamed.

Once Upon a Time Bookstore celebrated its 20th anniversary under the ownership of the Palacios family on April 1, 2023. (Photo by Erik Pedersen)

I hadn’t planned to write about this family gathering, but not long after it I was in Once Upon a Bookstore in Montrose, which I like visiting when I’m nearby. I’d come in feeling a little rushed as my parking meter was counting down, but the friendly, welcoming confines of a great local bookstore was just what I needed. How welcoming is it? Four separate staffers at the store paused to compliment me on the Octavia’s Bookshelf T-shirt I was wearing.

Storeowner Maureen Palacios saw me and came over to talk about the upcoming novel by S.A. Cosby, a writer we’d seen at Vroman’s together. Then she reminded me that I’d recommended Jordan Harper’s “She Rides Shotgun” to her and she’d since bought multiple copies to give out to friends. (It is very good, by the way.)

Maureen and Once Upon a Time bookseller Iz shared great recommendations about books for young people. Maureen raved about “Alebrijes” by Donna Barba Higuera, and her unstoppable enthusiasm hand-sold me a copy.

When I asked for some recommendations for YA books relating to trans and LGBTQ+ issues, bookseller Iz provided a range of thoughtful, well-considered suggestions. I’d been talking to a parent who was looking for recommendations, and I was pleased to get some I could pass along – and I bought one, too.

Had my meter not run out, I might have stayed until closing time, but I left with much more than I came in with – a feeling of community and many, many good book recommendations.

And since The Book Pages is its own little community, I want to pass along some of those recommendations. I hope you’ll continue to send in your own, too.

Books coming out this September

Books released in September 2024. (Covers courtesy of the publishers)

What a month for book releases! We’ll have features on even more books coming out this month, but here’s a quick checklist of some notable new releases.

Sept. 3

“We’re Alone: Essays,” Edwidge Danticat

“The Life Impossible,” Matt Haig

Sept. 10

“Reagan: His Life and Legend,” Max Boot

“Here One Moment,” Liane Moriarty

“Tell Me Everything,” Elizabeth Strout

Sept. 17

“Entitlement,” Rumaan Alam

“The Wildes,” Louis Bayard

“Connie, A Memoir,” Connie Chung

“We Solve Murders,” Richard Osman

Sept. 24

“Intermezzo,” Sally Rooney

“Playground,” Richard Powers

“Eden Undone: A True Story of Sex, Murder, and Utopia at the Dawn of World War II,” Abbott Kahler

For more books to consider, check out this week’s bestseller list.

TJ Klune on a comment that fueled his work

The author TJ Klune, whose new novel, “Somewhere Beyond the Sea,” is a sequel to “The House in the Cerulean Sea,” says he aims for this new book to celebrate the trans community and hopes we can “be kinder to each other.” (Courtesy of Tor Books)

TJ Klune is the bestselling author of “The House in the Cerulean Sea.” The sequel, “Somewhere Beyond the Sea,” arrives Sept. 10 from Tor. Correspondent Diya Chacko spoke with Klune about the new novel (as well as Klune’s audiobook narrator for both novels, Daniel Henning). Here, Klune takes the Q&A about his reading life.

Q. What was the first book that made an impression on you?

“Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls. God, I still reread that once a year. Dogs are my favorite animal in the world. I was maybe eight or nine years old when I read it and it was the first book that ever made me cry. I didn’t know books could do that – I didn’t know books can make you feel that way.

Q. Is there a person who made an impact on your reading life?

My librarian in Douglas County, Oregon. I didn’t have a very good home life growing up. I had very sh—y parents who did not like the fact that they had a queer kid, and I lived in a very poor rural community. It sounds like one of those stories that older people tell, but I rode my bike into town five miles each way, and spent all day at the library during the summers. The librarians there fed my addiction for books. I read anything and everything they gave me.

Q. What are you reading right now?

Right now, I’m rereading one of the most banned books in America: a queer graphic novel about coming out called “Flamer” by Mike Curato. There’s a blurb across the top of it that says: This book will save lives. And I absolutely 100% agree; it is remarkable. If I had this graphic novel when I was a kid, so many things would have been different for me.

Q. Is there a book you always recommend to others?

“Light From Uncommon Stars,” by Ryka Aoki. I think it is one of the best novels written in the last 20 years. I was moved in ways that I did not expect. I got to read it early and I told her, flat out, this book is going to go places. It’s going to help so many people. And guess what? It did. It’s an extraordinary piece of fiction that I try to get everybody to read.

Q. Is there something from a book-related event or happening that made an impression on you?

I was invited to speak at a very rural school in West Virginia of sixth through twelfth grades. On stage, I used the word “queer” to describe myself, since that is a word I’ve claimed, it is part of me. Apparently the school board was quite upset; they said that someone in the audience “might be” uncomfortable, and that they wished I hadn’t done that.

Afterwards, I got to meet with a select group of students. One comes up to me and says, “I know all about the gay stuff.” I say, “What do you mean?” and he says, “Last year, I had a girlfriend, he came out as trans, and now he’s my boyfriend.”

That has stuck with me ever since, because it is that easy for a child to accept someone in their life being their true self. Why is it so hard for adults? That kid made my day, made my year, made my career. It’s exactly why I do what I do.

Read the full interviews with TJ Klune and audiobook narrator Daniel Henning.

More bestsellers, authors and books

Danzy Senna is the author most recently of the novel “Colored Television.” (Photo credit Dustin Snipes / Courtesy of Riverside)

Producing ‘Television’

Why Danzy Senna says writing her new novel was a struggle. READ MORE

• • •

Some end of the summer romances for book lovers. (Covers courtesy of Tor.com, Dell, Berkley, Dutton, Flatiron and Gallery Books)

15 summer romances

The Ripped Bodice’s Leah Koch helped us pick a diverse range of romantic reads. RE AD MORE

• • •

Alison Espach’s “The Wedding People” is among the top-selling fiction releases at Southern California’s independent bookstores. (Courtesy of Henry Holt & Co.)

The week’s bestsellers

The top-selling books at your local independent bookstores. READ MORE

• • •

Daniel Henning, who did the narration for TJ Klune’s 2020 bestseller “The House in the Cerulean Sea,” returns for the author’s new “Somewhere Beyond the Sea.” (Photo credit Sara Pettinella / Courtesy of Tor Books)

Audiobook adventures

Narrator Daniel Henning says TJ Klune’s writing “got into my soul.” READ MORE

• • •

Carribean Fragoza, Romeo Guzmán and Samine Joudat are the editors of “Writing the Golden State: The New Literary Terrain of California,” a collection of essays that explores the state through diverse perspectives. (Artwork by Fernando Mendez Corona)

State of affairs

The California-focused “Writing the Golden State” explore disability, race and class. READ MORE

• • •

Chris Nashawaty is the author of the new book, “The Future Was Now: Madmen, Mavericks, and the Epic Sci-Fi Summer of 1982.” (Courtesy of Flatiron Books)

Summer of sci-fi

Over 8 weeks in 1982, “E.T.,” “Blade Runner,” “The Thing” and more hit theaters. READ MORE

• • •

Author Gary Goldstein has written a new book, “Please Come to Boston,” and he has a virtual book event presented by Warwick’s on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. AUTHOR PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY GOLDSTEIN

A ‘Boston’ invitation

Author Gary Goldstein puts his protagonist on a path to self-discovery. READ MORE

• • •

Did you read anything you loved lately? Email epedersen AT scng.com and we may include your comments in an upcoming newsletter.

And if you enjoy this free newsletter, please consider sharing it with someone who likes books or getting a digital subscription to support local coverage.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Bookish (SCNG)

Next on ‘Bookish’

The next event is scheduled for today, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m. with Garth Greenwell and Moon Zappa. Sign up for free now.

Want to watch previous Bookish shows? Catch up on virtual events and more!

Books |

Readers share the books that they’ll never give up

Books |

Seth Meyers recommends his favorite books and authors

Books |

5 must-read books in translation chosen by Jennifer Croft

Books |