Reading Booker Prize shortlisted novel
Audition by Katie Kitamura, shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2025. Publication: April 17, 2025, Vintage Digital.
Two people meet for lunch in a Manhattan restaurant. She’s an accomplished actress in her forties. He’s attractive, troubling, young – young enough to be her son. Who is he to her, and who is she to him? In this brilliantly constructed novel, two competing narratives unspool, rewriting our understanding of the roles we play every day – partner, parent, creator, muse – and the truths every performance masks, especially from those who think they know us most intimately. (publisher)
I've just started this book and find it very interesting so far, especially the woman's observations about people, herself, and the young man.
Also reading
The Calico Cat at the Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi, Feb. 24, 2026, Penguin, NetGalley At this kitchen, you will get to summon anyone from your past who has died. Just order one of the dishes, and visit with that person until the steam from the food disippates. Who wouldn't want to eat here?
If you could speak one last time to someone you’ve lost, what would you tell them?
Nagi Hayakawa is facing an impossible choice. With only a few years left to live, should she marry the man she loves? Desperate for advice from her departed mother, she reserves a table at the Chibineko Kitchen. When she takes her first bite of the food the resident kitten meows, the air grows hazy, and she embarks on a reunion with the departed that has the potential to restore her love of life. (publisher)
Genre: cozy mystery, romance
Book description: a woman becomes accidentally entangled in a murder investigation (and with a handsome stranger) when her fake detective agency is enlisted to solve a real homicide.
Sounds promising, and with humor too.
What are you reading, watching, or listening to this week?
Memes: The Sunday Post, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday, Book Blogger Hopulishedbyhybby
These sound interesting. And all quite different.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Have a great weekend!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/11/stacking-the-shelves-124/
I hope you enjoy all of these. I am trudging through Jane Eyre.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by these books, especially the Calico Cat one. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious to hear what you think of Audition. Opinions seem to be all over the place with that one. Still deciding whether or not to give it a try...
ReplyDeleteI'm presently half-way through 'The Progress of a Crime' by Julian Symons. Its based around a murder on Bonfire Night (5th November) so it seemed like a good time to read it. Up next is 'Red Moon Rising - Sputnik and the Rivalries that Ignited the Space Race' by Matthew Brzezinski.
ReplyDeleteThe Calico cat book reminds me of several recent books out of Japan that seem to be somewhat similar in focus.I just finished a Jeanne Dams mystery and David Sedaris' "Holidays on Ice." I was going to read an Anne Lamott but may take a quick read of an old PD James I found on our shelf up north -- An Unsuitable Job for a Woman. Thanks for stopping by today, too!
ReplyDeleteThose are three very different books. I'm most interested in hearing your thoughts of Audition. I haven't requested it yet. And Definitely Maybe Not a Detective looks like great fun.
ReplyDeleteThe last two books caught my attention. I may add them to my never ending to get book list.
ReplyDeleteAudition sounds compelling. I hope that you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHuh, The Calico Cat at the Chibineko Kitchen sounds very like Before the Coffee Gets Cold! How're you finding it?
ReplyDeleteAudition sounds interesting. I hope you continue to enjoy reading it.
ReplyDeleteAudition sounds like one I would like. The book about the Calico Cat sounds familiar but I bet I just read something similar., It was a Japanese author as well.
ReplyDeleteThat’s quite an eclectic selection, and reading 2026 already! I still have a while til Im finished with 2025
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy reading week
All three sound good!
ReplyDeleteMary @Bookfan
The Calico Cat at the Chibineko Kitchen sounds really good. It would be so hard though to meet with a loved one who has passed just to say goodbye again. :( I would still do it though. It would be worth it.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteAll three sound good. I hope you enjoy them. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI read Audition in August and liked it .... but it's a bit like a puzzle and mysterious. I mentioned your blog in my latest post ... when I was talking about Gish Jen's Bad Bad Girl, which I put on my list.
ReplyDeleteOoh I read Audition, will be interested to hear what you thought of it.
ReplyDelete