Emily Choate | writer

I’m so pleased to share my new review of Brad Watson’s fascinating novel, Miss Jane. I loved this book—which boasts a pretty high degree of difficulty—so it’s exciting to know that it was recently longlisted for the National Book Award. (Watson will soon be at the Southern Festival of Books.) You can read my review here at Chapter 16.

Glad to share that my newest review is up today at Chapter 16–this time Jay McInerney’s latest novel, Bright, Precious Days. This book contains an interesting set of questions about nostalgia and change, set against the context of a husband and wife, Russell and Corrine, who are weathering mutual midlife crises while the nation around them is erupting in its own troubles. You can read my review at Chapter 16. 

I recently had the chance to review a debut collection of linked stories from Laura Hendrix Ezell. This book will probably be most enjoyed by those who love a dose of the fantastical in their literary fiction. There are many story collections out there with an Appalachian focus, but not too many of those roam into magical realist territory. My review is up this week at Chapter 16, and you can read it here.

I’m excited to share my Chapter 16 review of Louise Erdrich’s new novel LaRose. I hope this book gets into the hands of as many different kinds of readers as possible. Even by Erdrich standards, it’s an exceptional exploration of the spirit and the body, healing and atonement, and a lot more. It’s pure joy to write about a book this good. You can read my review here at Chapter 16.

I’m happy to share my review of Anton DiSclafani’s new novel The After Party. This book is an appealing tangle of suffocating friendship, sex, and 1950s Houston oil money. It was ever so slightly addictive to read. My review’s up at Chapter 16.

I have new review up at Chapter 16 today, covering Bryn Chancellor’s debut story collection When Are You Coming Home? She’s got such a smart, often funny point of view, and I enjoyed getting a chance to write about this debut. You can read my review at Chapter 16.

I’m excited to share my Q&A with Kaitlyn Greenidge, author of the fascinating novel We Love You, Charlie Freeman. I like how ambitious this novel is—full of complex characters and challenging explorations of race in American history. The book is thought-provoking, as are her answers. You can read my Q&A with Greenidge at Late Night Library.