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Thirty-fifth newsletter of 2026.

▶️ On the podcast: Roberta Recchia’s debut novel, All That is Left of Life, has sold more than 200,000 copies in her native Italy. It is now available from Scribner in a beautiful translation by Antonella Lettieri—and it is the official August pick of the Otherppl Book Club. We had a great conversation.

▶️ On the podcast: Beowulf Sheehan has made a name for himself as one of the preeminent author portraitists in the world. He is the last photographer to work with Cormac McCarthy, and he remembers the session in a new book called The Father of the Man (Autofocus Books). A fascinating talk about Cormac, portraiture, literature, fathers and sons, and so much more.

▶️ On the podcast: A flashback to Episode 822, my conversation with Australian writer Madelaine Lucas, whose debut novel Thirst for Salt is superb. Original air date: March 19, 2023.

👉🏼 Coming up on Thursday: a brand new installment of Brad & Mira for the Culture, the podcast’s weekly hangout show and irreverent pop culture assessment. Last week’s episode: ‘Escape from Statin Island.’

🎧 Listen/subscribe via Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This month the book club is reading All That is Left of Life, the sensational debut novel by Italian author Roberta Recchia.

Three generations of the Ansaldo family grapple with the aftermath of a tragic murder in this sweeping, cinematic debut set in 1980s Rome, perfect for fans of Elena Ferrante.

With more than 200,000 copies already sold in Italy, All That Is Left of Life is a deeply atmospheric and unputdownable family saga that explores love, loss, and the secrets we carry, from a riveting new voice in international fiction.

Available from Scribner.

Blueskies of the Week: