The Book Review: Snow day reading

Plus: new books to read this week.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story February 13, 2024 Kean Collection/Archive Photos, via Getty Images By Joumana Khatib Hi readers, Greetings from a beautiful, snowy Brooklyn. Today feels more special and worthy of celebration than that other, chocolate-bloated "holiday" waiting in the wings — these days, a storybook snowfall is a reason to grin. And truthfully, I've never been a fan of Valentine's Day, no matter if I'm happily single, happily coupled or hissing at strangers. I'm in the minority here, I know. Are you feeling fizzy and hopeful? You might appreciate our romance columnist's latest round-up, full of books that delight in how we find small moments of joy, even when life feels overwhelming. Or maybe you're in the rueful, grouchy camp. Try this list, for people who've kissed their fair share of frogs. To be clear: I'm not down on love. I just happen to think it's vastly more interesting outside of romantic contexts. I mean the soul-changing spark between friends, between a parent and child, between a cerebral human and a dog. I could go on, but the point is that sometimes what we feel we desperately lack is already close at hand. Or at least on a nearby shelf. See you next week. FIND YOUR NEXT BOOK TO READ editors' choice 9 New Books We Recommend This Week Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times. 17 New Books Coming in February New novels from Tommy Orange and Kristin Hannah; memoirs from Kara Swisher and Leslie Jamison; a biography of Medgar and Myrlie Evers — and more. By The New York Times Books Staff Leon Edler auDIOBOOKS Julianne Moore Channels Love and Loss in an Intimate Family Drama The actor reads Michael Cunningham's "Day," a novel that visits a husband, wife and brother on the same day in April over three years. By Lauren LeBlanc Simone Martin-Newberry Historical Fiction New Historical Fiction That Immerses You in Far-Flung Places From England and France to the deepest Arctic and northern China, these stories will transport you. By Alida Becker Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT In other news Vroman's, the storied, 130-year-old Pasadena bookstore, is up for sale. The "Aya" graphic novel series, about a young woman navigating the delights and obstacles of the West African nation of Ivory Coast, is seeing a resurgence: For French teenagers now, its heroine is a relatable hero. "They discover an African character who doesn't see being Black, or a woman, as a hurdle, who has her friends and her convictions," said Marguerite Abouet, the author. RECENT BOOK REVIEWS Nonfiction What Was The Village Voice? "The Freaks Came Out to Write" is an oral history of America's most important alternative weekly. By Dwight Garner Fiction Kelly Link Returns with a Dreamlike, Profoundly Beautiful Novel In "The Book of Love," the Pulitzer finalist and master of short stories pushes our understanding of what a fantasy novel can be. By Amal El-Mohtar Nonfiction Filming 'Virginia Woolf,' the Battles Weren't Just Onscreen With Burton and Taylor as stars and a writer and director feuding, adapting the scabrous play wasn't easy. "Cocktails With George and Martha" pours out the details. By Alexandra Jacobs Nonfiction Pushing for Recognition Took Billy Dee Williams to the Stratosphere His charming memoir "What Have We Here?" traces the path from a Harlem childhood to "Star Wars," while lamenting the roles that never came his way. By Maya S. Cade Fiction A Tale of Midlife Love With a Bombshell Ending In her new novel, "Leaving," Roxana Robinson reunites a former couple. One of them is divorced; the other is still married. What now? By Amity Gaige Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Love this email? Forward to a friend. Want this email? Sign-up here. Have a suggestion for this email? Then send us a note at books@nytimes.com. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Books from The New York Times. To stop receiving Books, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018