Books On The Go

Anna and Geoff react to the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner, ANGEL DOWN by Daniel Kraus, a World War 1 novel written in one sentence. We also discuss Dwight Garner's New York Times article about the lack of book critics and our views on book influencers and reviews that make news, such as the Harper's review of To Paradise by Hana Yanagihara.
 
Our book of the week is TRANSCRIPTION by Ben Lerner. This novel about a writer who writes an article about his mentor from his memory of their interview after dropping his phone in a sink tackles issues such as phone addiction, parenting and eating disorders. It was a Telegraph 'most anticipated book of 2026' and a New York Times 'book everyone will be talking about'. Recommended for book clubs.
 
We had to ask:
Why did he not put his phone in a bowl of rice?

Is this a book about tech addiction?

How does it differ from an Ian McEwan novel?

How many unreliable narrators do we have here?

Read-alikes:
AUDITION by Katie Kitamura
LEAVING THE ATOCHA STATION by Ben Lerner
 
Coming up: LONDON FALLING by Patrick Radden Keefe
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Substack: Books On The Go
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Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

Anna and Geoff discuss the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist. Is it  more commercial than usual?
 
Our book of the week is LÁZÁR by Nelio Biedermann translated by Jamie Bulloch. This sweeping historical novel about the aristocratic von Lázár family during the 20th century from the Austro Hungarian empire through to Russian occupation is a buzzy debut which has received much praise. Patti Smith, Dua Lipa and Christian Kracht are fans. 
 
It prompted some questions:
Is One Hundred years of Solitude a good comparison?

What is the meaning of the translucent skin and gothic forest?

Can you spot the modern literature references (Anna missed most of them!)

Here are some read-alikes if you enjoyed Lázár:
Held by Anne Michaels

Beddebrooks by Thomas Mann

The Director by Daniel Kehlmann translated by Ross Benjamin

The Radetzky March by Joseph Roth translated by Michael Hofmann

Coming up: TRANSCRIPTION by Ben Lerner
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Substack: Books On The Go
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Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

Anna and Geoff discuss the news that Helen deWitt has turned down the Windham Campbell prize.  Are authors expected to do too much publicity?  
 
Our book of the week is PEDRO PÁRAMO by Juan Rulfo translated by Douglas J. Weatherford.  'Wuthering Heights located in Mexico written by Kafka' gives a hint - this book is a trip. It broke Anna's brain but Geoff found it richly rewarding once you get into it. Pedro Páramo inspired a generation of Hispanic writers including Gabriel Garcia Márquez and is considered a classic. It's now a Netflix film - but is it too faithful to the book?   We needed the Wikipedia plot summary for this one.
 
Read-alikes
THE SOUND AND THE FURY by William Faulkner
AS I LAY DYING by William Faulkner
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
A SUNNY PLACE FOR SHADY PEOPLE by Mariana Enriquez translated by Megan McDowell
HURRICANE SEASON by Fernanda Melchor translated by Sophie Hughes
 
Coming up: LÁZÁR by Nelio Biedermann translated by Jamie Bulloch 
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Instagram: @abailliekaras
Substack: Books On The Go
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Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

Anna and Annie discuss the 2026 Booker International Shortlist.
 
Our book of the week is HEART THE LOVER by Lily King. This buzzy novel follows three friends at university and into adulthood.  A follow up from King's best-seller WRITERS AND LOVERS, it is an instant New York Times best-seller and is long-listed for the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction (shortlist to be announced on 22 April). It's also Zadie Smith's pick for 'the book that made me weep uncontrollably.'
 
More literary romances:
THE EVENING OF THE HOLIDAY by Shirley Hazzard
SEEING OTHER PEOPLE by Diana Reid
 
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Instagram: @abailliekaras and @mr_annie
Substack: Books On The Go
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Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

Anna and Annie discuss the news that Hachette has pulled the book SHY GIRL by Mia Ballard from publication after concerns it was written by AI.
 
Our book of the week is A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF by Megha Majumdar.  This follow-up to her novel A Burning is set in near-future, dystopian Kolkata.  A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF is full of ethical dilemmas, flawed characters and memorable food scenes - a good book club pick. It has been long listed for the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction.  
 
Read-alikes:
THE DIRECTOR by Daniel Kehlmann translated by Ross Benjamin (iykyk)
LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND by Rumaan Alam
 
Coming up: HEART THE LOVER by Lily King
 
Follow us!
Follow us!
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @abailliekaras and @mr_annie
Substack: Books On The Go
Credits
Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz