The Book Review: A literary crime spree

Plus: Remembering Paul Auster

View in browser|nytimes.com May 3, 2024 A fake first edition of a Pushkin book. Wojtek Radwanski/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Dear fellow readers, My favorite book story this week, brimming with glossy international intrigue, reads like something out of an elegant midcentury heist novel: European detectives are investigating the thefts of more than 170 rare 19th-century Russian books from libraries across Europe. How these books "came to be at the center of a possible multinational criminal conspiracy is a story of money and geopolitics as much as of crafty forgers and lackluster library security," Rachel Donadio writes. "But who is behind the thefts, and what motivates them, remain open questions." Other gems: Our critic Dwight Garner's swift, sharp takedown of Honor Levy's story collection, "My First Book"; an essay on the 50th anniversary of Robert Cormier's oft-banned teen book "The Chocolate War"; and Judith Newman's frank and funny assessment of books that might make you happier. If you have time, tell us what you're reading! (We may publish your response on our Letters page, or feature it in an upcoming newsletter.) You can email us at books@nytimes.com. We read every letter sent. Tina Jordan Deputy Editor, The New York Times Book Review 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. CELEBRATING PAUL AUSTER Paul Auster, the Patron Saint of Literary Brooklyn, Dies at 77 With critically lauded works like "The New York Trilogy," the charismatic author drew inspiration from his adopted borough and won worldwide acclaim. By Alex Williams An appraisal Paul Auster's New York Tragedy A complicated, generous life yielded a body of work of staggering scope and variety. By Lucy Sante Paul Auster's Best Books: A Guide The novelist played with reality and chance in tales of solitary narrators and mutable identities. Here's an overview of his work. By Wilson Wong 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 Jack Vartoogian/Front Row Photos nonfiction These 5 Black Ballerinas Blazed Their Own Trail The birth of a pioneering Black dance company comes alive in Karen Valby's "The Swans of Harlem." By Danyel Smith James Estrin/The New York Times The Fashion Influencers of the French Revolution "Liberty Equality Fashion" explores radical shifts in fashion that embodied the ideas of the French Revolution and the women who led the charge. By Dina Gachman Chau Luong Fiction A Gripping Family Saga Asks, What Makes for 'Real Americans'? Rachel Khong's new novel follows three generations of Chinese Americans as they all fight for self-determination in their own way. By Wilson Wong George S. Cook, via Library of Congress Nonfiction Maybe Erik Larson Should Have Left the Civil War Alone In "The Demon of Unrest," present-day political strife inspires a dramatic portrait of the run-up to the deadliest war on American soil. By Alexis Coe ADVERTISEMENT THE BOOK REVIEW PODCAST The Book Review A Conversation With Colm Tóibín The Irish author discusses "Long Island," the sequel to his 2009 novel "Brooklyn." 47 MIN LISTEN ETC. 17 New Books Coming in May New novels from R.O. Kwon, Kevin Kwan and Miranda July; a reappraisal of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy; memoirs from Brittney Griner and Kathleen Hanna — and more. Paul Miller/Fairfax Media, via Getty Images His Book Was Repeatedly Banned. Fighting For It Shaped His Life. "The Chocolate War," published 50 years ago, became one of the country's most challenged books. Its author, Robert Cormier, spent years fighting attempts to ban it — like many authors today. By Brian Raftery The New York Times; Photo by naphtalina/Getty Images The Book Review's Best Books Since 2000 Looking for your next great read? We've got 3,228. Explore the best fiction and nonfiction from 2000 - 2023 chosen by our editors. By The New York Times Books Staff Scott Nash Children's Books Wanted: The Good Old Days When Kid-Lit Criminals Were Bad Even for the youngest readers, attempted piggy-bank robbery may not cut it. By Adam Rubin WHAT SHOULD YOU READ NEXT? 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 editors' choice 8 New Books We Recommend This Week Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times. ADVERTISEMENT BEST SELLERS Read all of our lists 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