The Best Books to Read This May
Our picks for the 14 standout new releases of the month.
Courtesy of the Publishers
This month, dive into a dual biography of one of Hollywood's most iconic couples, devour a page turner about a trio of 19th-century explorers, discover the inner workings of a family that's changed both Hollywood and Washington forever, indulge in a novel about the nefarious power of money, or tear through an oral history of the life and work of England's longest-reigning royal.
Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance: A Novel
This first novel from T&C cover star John Waters tells the story of a scam artist who meets an equally unhinged man and soon finds herself unable to do anything but tell the truth. The book has all the wit and humor you'd expect from the filmmaker (especially if you've read his bestselling non-fiction) and will appeal to longtime fans and newcomers to his work alike.
My Place in the Sun: Life in the Golden Age of Hollywood and Washington (Screen Classics)
Over the course of this sweeping memoir, George Stevens, Jr. charts five generations of his incredible family, including his father, the Oscar-winning director George Stevens, who made films including A Place in the Sun. In this insightful and well written memoir, Stevens looks at his family but also tells his own impressive story of a life dedicated to advancing culture and working in Washington's most rarefied circles. It's a must-read for anyone interested in moviemaking, politics, or the inner workings of a great American clan.
Everybody Thought We Were Crazy
The best and worst of the 1960s—freedom, excess, art, expression, and more—were apparent in the marriage of Brooke Hayward and Dennis Hopper. The pair were the golden couple of the era in Los Angeles, where their Hollywood home was a mainstay for actors, artists, activists, and anyone in the know—but just like the storied decade, their union wouldn't last. Mark Rozzo's deeply researched, beautifully written, and endlessly fascinating exploration of the couple and the time they spend together is an incredible portrait of a singular time and two people who helped define it.
Translating Myself and Others
A few years ago, the Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist Jhumpa Lahiri—best known for her triumphant debut collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies, and her poignant novel The Namesake, later adapted into a film of the same name by Mira Nair—announced she would stop writing in English and devote herself to Italian. A book of poetry, a novel, two non-fiction titles and a slew of translations followed, all acclaimed by English and Italian-speaking critics. This month she reflects on her journey, and the delicate dance of her new literary project, in Translating Myself and Others, a wry collection of essays (mostly) originally written in Italian now being published for the first time in English.
In New York City in the 1920s, Benjamin, a Wall Street tycoon, and Helen, the daughter of eccentric aristocrats, are at the top of the social scene. But how did they come by their vast fortune? That's the question at the center of a 1937 novel, Bonds, that all of the elite of New York has read, based on the tale of financier Andrew Bevel. That's narrative number one in Trust. Narrative number two is told from the perspective of Bevel, displeased with his fictional portrayal in Bonds, and who decides to write his own memoir. Number three, a memoir by Ida Partenza, a magazine writer, and number four a diary by Mildred, Bevel's wife, add to the layers in this story. These are all competing to tell the truth within Trust—and it's a magnificently constructed literary puzzle about power and American wealth.
Queen Elizabeth II: An Oral History
Friends, family, employees, and world leaders all weigh in on the extraordinary life and times of Queen Elizabeth II in this oral history of her reign, the longest of any British monarch. The book, by Deborah Hart Strober and Gerald S. Strober (who've also written oral histories of President Kennedy and the Dalai Lama, among others) looks at the incredible work the Queen has done, but also examines the woman behind the crown and how her personality has changed the course of her country for good.
Jimmy the King: Murder, Vice, and the Reign of a Dirty Cop
If a blurb by Michael Imperioli is an indication, expect Gus Garcia-Roberts's new book, Jimmy the King: Murder, Vice, and the Reign of a Dirty Cop, to come soon to a movie theater near you. The former Sopranos actor compares it to a true-crime noir as imagined by Martin Scorsese. But really, Garcia-Roberts's gritty and gripping account of corruption in law enforcement in Suffolk County lends itself best to the mini-series treatment, preferably in the hands of someone like David Simon, who knows a thing or two about municipal malfeasance . This is a story of hubris, ambition, excess and revenge, and how it can all come crashing down even after four decades of getting away with murder.
River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile
The mystery of where the Nile River begins was long a source of fascination, and it came to a head in the 19th century when three explorers embarked on exceptional adventures to discover that source. Here, Candice Millard charts the ups and downs of the race to find the storied site—and the life-or-death clamoring to take credit for the discovery.
A Newport Summer
An inspiration for your next vacation indeed, interior designer Ruthie Sommers and photographer Nick Melem's masterpiece brings Rhode Island's most charming beach town to life. A range of moments captured, from residential parties to traditional yacht races, will have you enthralled by Newport's summer lifestyle. And soon, you'll be yearning for a beach clambake and a day in the sun.
We all know that having a roommate can be a hit or miss situation. In Marisa and Jake's case, they believe that taking on an extra lodger to help pay their rent will be a good idea. Little do they know, they're in for trouble. While the couple works toward conceiving their first child, their new roommate Kate becomes obsessed with Jake, ultimately threatening their chance of a picture perfect family. What will happen as Marisa takes matters into her own hands? If you're a fan of suspense novels, you'll want to read Elizabeth Day's Magpie from front to back.
Ali's Well That Ends Well: Tales of Desperation and a Little Inspiration
With sharp wit, keen insight, and irreverent humor, multihyphenate creative force Ali Wentworth has always been game to dissect every aspect of her life, from her marriage to George Stephanopoulos, to her WASPy upbringing, to her attempts at self-improvement. In her latest book, she tackles the pandemic, recounting with characteristic hilarity and honesty the highs, lows, surprises, and lessons learned from a year spent in quarantine.
The Fugitive Colours (Genevieve Planché)
Nancy Bilyeau's The Fugitive Colours, a sequel to The Blue, is an intriguing tale of struggling artist Genevieve Sturbridge as she makes her way through a dark and twisted journey. Upon receiving a mysterious invitation that dangles sparkling promises of a chance to enter the serious art world, Genevieve decides to take a leap of faith. But she quickly discovers that this invitation might in fact have more to do with her secret past than her artistic talent.
Mustique Island: A Novel
Mustique Island, a playground for the rich and famous, once hosted regulars like Mick Jagger and Princess Margaret. On the outside, this private island featured shimmering blue waters, warm white sand, and heavenly villas. But in 1972 when former beauty queen Willy May visited from Texas with her two daughters in hopes of rebuilding her life, they learned that not all is what it seems.
Ken Fulk: The Movie in My Mind
$105 AT ASSOULINE
When T&C photographed John Waters in Provincetown for our 175th anniversary issue, the secret mover and shaker behind the scenes was the design impresario Ken Fulk, who knows everyone in the bohemian hamlet and gave us access to the restored Mary Heaton Vorse house for the shoot. One particularly memorable image from the story is now featured in Fulk's new book for Assouline, The Movie in My Mind. Featuring Waters, a local beefcake, and the artist Dina Martina splashing around in an inflatable pool, it offers a preview of the book's wit, whimsy, and wild imagery.
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