The Book Review: The most linguistically diverse city in the world

Plus: Tommy Orange's new novel and Kate DiCamillo's dream dinner party

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story March 1, 2024 Illustration by Public/Official Dear fellow readers, There's a dizzying glut of good books right now — so many I hardly know what to pick up next, and I work at the Book Review! (If past election years are any guide, publishers are overstuffing spring and summer catalogs because they don't want their titles to compete with all the political news this fall.) If you're also overwhelmed by the literary tsunami, take a look at our excellent new hand-curated recommendation page. Or, if you love linguistics, head straight to the book gracing this week's cover: "Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues in New York," Ross Perlin's fascinating history of "the most linguistically diverse city in the history of the world." (Here's where you can learn about Perlin's methodology and listen to clips of some of the languages spoken in New York City — Nahuatl, Hidatsa, Lummi and more.) As always, we'd love to hear from you about what you're reading. (We may publish your response on our Letters page, or feature it in an upcoming newsletter.) You can email me at books@nytimes.com. I read every letter sent. Tina Jordan Deputy Editor, The New York Times Book Review Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Like this email? Sign-up here or forward it to your friends. Have a suggestion or two on how we can improve it? Let us know at newsletters@nytimes.com. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. FOR AUDIOBOOK LOVERS Audiobooks It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Comedy Gold In the audiobook oral history "Surely You Can't Be Serious: The True Story of 'Airplane!,'" a cast of dozens fondly revisits a now-classic film. By Judith Newman 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 LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT READ? Let Us Help You Find Your Next Book Reading picks from Book Review editors, guaranteed to suit any mood. By The New York Times Books Staff We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. THIS WEEK IN THE BOOK REVIEW Photo illustration by The New York Times nonfiction Some of the Best Bards Were Women In "Shakespeare's Sisters," the Renaissance scholar Ramie Targoff presents an astounding group of Elizabethan women of letters. By Tina Brown Jessica Lehrman for The New York Times Fiction A New Voice in Fiction With a Mean Left Hook Rita Bullwinkel's debut novel, "Headshot," spotlights eight boxers in a national tournament and the struggles of their inner lives. By Dwight Garner Lou Beach Roving Eye This Book Is Baffling, Debauched and Perfectly Human Vladimir Sorokin's novel "Blue Lard" features a world largely bereft of love or moral concern, but it reminds us of our freedom. By Dustin Illingworth Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THE BOOK REVIEW PODCAST The Book Review Tommy Orange on His 'There There' Sequel The novelist talks about his new book, "Wandering Stars," which offers a view of Native American history through one character's family story. 39 MIN LISTEN ETC. Ben Wiseman Children's Books John Schu's Novel-in-Verse Lets a Boy Speak About Anorexia "Louder Than Hunger" joins a very small shelf of novels and memoirs that address eating disorders from a male point of view. By John Schwartz Rebecca Clarke By the Book Kate DiCamillo Says 'Paying Attention Is a Way to Love the World' The feisty title character of her new book, "Ferris," has a sharp eye for detail, and so, its author hopes, does she. Meanwhile, she is on an Alice McDermott reading jag. Tony Cenicola/The New York Times He's Probably in Your House, Lurking on Your Bookshelf The Museo Bodoniano in Parma, Italy, is a mecca for one of the world's most enduring, and ubiquitous, typefaces. Meet Giambattista Bodoni, the "prince of typography." By Molly Young Ben Hickey How Well Do You Know Berlin and Its Literary Landmarks? This quick quiz tests your general knowledge of this European capital with a turbulent history — and suggests six Berlin-based novels for your reading list. By J. D. Biersdorfer RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OUR COLUMNISTS Science Fiction and Fantasy The War Orphan and the Warmongering Alien New books by Seth Dickinson, Heather Fawcett and Ray Nayler. By Amal El-Mohtar Horror Demons, Haunted Forests and Arctic Nightmares in 4 New Horror Novels Premee Mohamed, C.J. Cooke, Tim Lebbon and Amanda Jayatissa return with their latest terrifying books. By Gabino Iglesias Romance New Romance Novels Steeped in Cozy Winter Vibes If you're craving comfort — or connection — pick up one of these books. By Olivia Waite 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 Thrillers Three Riveting, Slow-Burn New Thrillers These novels hinge on split-second decisions that change everything. By Sarah Lyall Graphic Novels New Worlds Open Up in 4 Devastating and Gorgeous Graphic Novels Punk rock, Greek myth and a comics pioneer long lost to history bring vibrant color to this month's releases. By Sam Thielman Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT BEST SELLERS Inside the best-seller list Billy Dee Williams is the best kind of name-dropper: a bookish one Read all of our lists 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