The Book Review: Talking to James McBride

Plus: Judith Butler on why gender became such a scary word.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story March 26, 2024 Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times By Joumana Khatib Hi readers, Since its release last summer, James McBride's latest novel, "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store," has been a runaway success. It's a book I've heard many of you say you loved (if you're one of these readers, don't miss a book club podcast we recorded about the novel), and it was greeted with plenty of critical acclaim, too. And now the novel has reached a new milestone: It's sold over a million copies. Most books are lucky to sell a small fraction of that. My colleague Elizabeth Harris spoke with McBride about his ambivalent feelings toward his success. "You've been David all your life, and you become Goliath," he said. "Your life changes when you become Goliath." See you next week. In other news Judith Butler talked about their new book, "Who's Afraid of Gender?," and how "gender" became such a scary word. Lorrie Moore and Becca Rothfeld were among the recipients of the National Book Critics Circle Award last week. Here's the full list of winners. WHAT SHOULD YOU READ NEXT? The New York Times 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 27 Works of Fiction Coming This Spring Stories by Amor Towles, a sequel to Colm Toibin's "Brooklyn," a new thriller by Tana French and more. By Kate Dwyer 17 Works of Nonfiction Coming This Spring Memoirs from Brittney Griner and Salman Rushdie, a look at pioneering Black ballerinas, a new historical account from Erik Larson — and plenty more. By Cody Delistraty Michela Buttignol Romance Sparks Fly in Spicy New Romances Our columnist reviews saucy new books by Rebecca Ross, Rebekah Weatherspoon and Felicia Grossman. By Olivia Waite Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT RECENT BOOK REVIEWS Nonfiction A Memoir of a Marriage Cut Short and the Secrets Left Behind After his partner, Molly Brodak, died by suicide, Blake Butler found painful truths in her journals and personal items. By Dwight Garner Fiction For Girlhood Friends, the Tech Revolution Is a Dividing Line In Lisa Ko's adventurous novel "Memory Piece," youthful exploration takes a dark turn for an artist, an activist and a web developer. By Alexandra Jacobs Nonfiction Let's Say Someone Did Drop the Bomb. Then What? In "Nuclear War" and "Countdown," Annie Jacobsen and Sarah Scoles talk to the people whose job it is to prepare for atomic conflict. By Barry Gewen nonfiction Coddling Plus Devices? Unequivocal Disaster for Our Kids. In "The Anxious Generation," Jonathan Haidt says we're failing children — and takes a firm stand against tech. By Tracy Dennis-Tiwary Nonfiction Where Are All the Cool Gays Hanging Out? In "Long Live Queer Nightlife," the L.G.B.T.Q. studies scholar Amin Ghaziani visits a new generation of ad hoc dance parties that have risen from the ashes of the gay bar. By John Paul Brammer Fiction A Fabulous Comic Novel of Young Adult Angst In "Worry," Alexandra Tanner puts a humorous spin on the fixations, disappointments, aversions and maladjustments of adulthood. By Hannah Gold Nonfiction Fareed Zakaria's Speed Date With the Liberal World Order In "Age of Revolutions," the CNN host promises to shed light on four centuries of social upheavals and to offer insights on the global fractures of the present. By Tim Wu 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