The Weekly Covet: Weekend Reads

“I was obsessed with—and absolutely crushed by—Hanya Yanagihara’s last novel, A Little Life. I expect her new book, To Paradise—an epic work that spans three centuries and imagines three alternate versions of America—to be just as engrossing. Exactly what I need for a cozy long weekend in.” — Leena Kim, Associate Editor 

“I’m going to reread Pachinko, Min Jin Lee’s wonderful historical novel about four generations of a Korean family living in Japan, to prepare for Apple+’s new series based on the book, which debuts later this year.” — Norman Vanamee, Articles Director 

“Last month, a friend and I were gushing about the brilliant production of The Lehman Trilogy that we’d seen on Broadway. She asked if I’d ever read Our Crowd, Stephen Birmingham’s history of New York’s great Jewish families, and was aghast to learn I hadn’t. A few days later, a copy of the book landed at my door and I’ve been itching to finish the novel I’m currently slogging through to dive into it. This weekend seems like it’ll finally happen.” — Adam Rathe, Arts Editor 

“From the furor over Vantablack to the color you see when you turn of the lights (it’s called “eigengrau” FYI) to that viral “white-and-gold or blue-and-black” dress, color is a big deal to humans, and this book explores all the whys and histories of our relationship with shades with humor and whimsy that make you keep coming back for more. See, science is fun!” — Lauren Hubbard, Contributor

“The historian’s obligation is, first of all, to the facts, and second, to the reader, to capture the imagination with the rigor of painstaking research, context, and perception. In “Cuba: an American History,” NYU professor Ada Ferrer untangles the long, complicated and often tortured relationship between two regional neighbors with care, compassion and, most importantly, the command of a master storyteller, bringing in unfamiliar readers intrigued by the subject and those who thought they knew all about it, like myself. I was born and raised in Cuba until I was 12, and Professor Ferrer’s work made me look at the homeland I remember in a new light, and re-examine the debt it is owed by my adopted home.” — Erik Maza, Style Features Director

“When it comes to reading my main requirement is I must get lost in the story. I refuse to “power through” books I, for whatever reason, just can’t get into. Ghosts of Harvard fulfilled the requirement and more. I truthfully did not want to put it down. One part coming of age, one part mystery, and one part ghost story this book is an emotional journey from the very beginning. I mean how can the story of a Harvard freshman investigating her late brother’s alleged suicide at the same university who starts hearing ghosts around campus not be?” — Cassandra Hogan, Fashion Assistant  

“I just booked a trip for a long weekend at the Miraval Spa Berkshires and will bring my dogeared copies of Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem and Play it As It Lays. There’s nothing more restorative than a re-read of a favorite. Especially Didion. Especially now.” — Stellene Volandes, Editor-in-chief

“Anthony Doerr’s gorgeous, Pulitzer Prize-winning All The Light We Cannot See is one of my favorite books in the history of history, so I am beyond excited to delve into his new novel Cloud Cuckoo Land. It pings between the seige of 15th-century Constantinople, a tragic night in a library in contemporary Idaho, and the experiences of a young girl drifing alone on a spaceship in the not-too-distant future—all connected across time by the power and solace of storytelling.” — April Long, Beauty Director

“As we enter our third year in this pandemic, we could all use a little escapism. Mine is coming by way of V. E. Schwab’s latest fantasy novel, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue.” — Caroline Hallemann, Digital News Director

“Japan’s great classic mystery author, Seishi Yokomizo (think Agatha Christie), was recently translated into English for the first time since his novels were published in 1946. The combination of a good whodunnit and life in post-war Japan is addicting on cozy nights.” — Olivia Hosken, Style & Interiors Writer

“A friend recently gave me The Big Oyster by James Beard-Award-winning author Mark Kurlansky, which examines the rise and fall of early New York’s most precious commodity the oyster. What better way to kick back and relax for a staycation in my very favorite city? All I will need is some mignonette on the side. And maybe a cocktail or two.”—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Senior Digital Editor