Three Books I'm Reading Now, 6/9/26 Edition

The Books I'm Reading Now

I'm reading the wonderful Ann Patchett's newest novel Whistler, about a reconnected stepfather and stepdaughter who are dear to each other; I'm listening to Lena Dunham's newest memoir about devastating, mysterious illnesses and a punishing work schedule, Famesick; and I'm reading Douglas Stuart's heartbreaking, beautiful novel about a young man returning to his claustrophobic, wondrous hometown in rural Scotland, John of John.

What are you reading, bookworms?

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01 Whistler by Ann Patchett

In Ann Patchett's newest novel, Daphne and her husband Jonathan are visiting the Met Museum when they notice an older gentleman following them. The man turns out Daphne's long-lost stepfather, the second of her mother's three husbands, and a beloved figure from Daphne's childhood.

Their deep connection is immediately evident once again, and they revisit old memories, compare notes, and treasure their time together now as a gift.

Ann Patchett is also the author of Tom Lake, This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage, State of Wonder, Run, Bel Canto, The Dutch House, The Magician's Assistant, These Precious Days, and other books.

I received an audiobook version of this novel courtesy of Libro.fm and Harper.

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02 Famesick by Lena Dunham

In her new memoir, the creator of the series Girls explores her professional and personal tradeoffs, and her frequent inability to balance work and a painful, often problematic host of illnesses and physical isssues.

Through various mysterious, excruciating, debilitating ailments, conditions, and limitations, Dunham tries to overcome her own blood, vomit, addiction to pills, and interminable hospital stays in order to put her work first. But in doing so, she realizes she is losing sight of her identity, her emotional connection to her life, and her ability to sustain most of her relationships.

I'm listening to an audiobook library version of this title through Libby.

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03 John of John by Douglas Stuart

Cal is fresh out of art school, deeply in debt, and desperately poor, staying on acquaintances' couches, cleaning buildings and being cheated out of most of his modest pay, and dipping in and out of soulless trysts with other men. Then his gruff father calls him home to their rural Scottish island to help take care of Cal's mother's mother, who is sick and lives with Cal's father--her ex-son-in-law.

The community feels to Cal alternately claustrophobically small and reassuringly familiar, while Cal's father is emotionally closed-off, sometimes physically abusive, and, it eventually becomes clear, harboring lifelong secrets.

Douglas Stuart is also the author of Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo.

I received a prepublication version of this title courtesy of Grove Press and NetGalley.