Tuesday Recs: Read With Us Style

I’m putting a new twist on my Tuesday recs this week because it’s my turn to convince you to read the current Read With Us selection, The Antidote by Karen Russell. Full disclosure: I have not read it yet. However, I think 5+ years of hosting this online book club with Bonny and Kym means that I can fully recommend anything we choose even without having read it.

It seems to me that the book is difficult to describe, being part historical fiction with a healthy addition of magical realism. Honestly, given the state of the world these days, I think we could all use some magical realism to spark some special outcomes. From what I’ve heard, it’s eerie and atmospheric, but also surprisingly tender, exploring themes of caretaking, control, grief, memory, and what it means to be responsible for someone else’s well-being. It sounds pretty perfect for a thoughtful discussion as we head into the darker, cozier days of late fall and early winter. The book should be available through your library system whether you prefer a physical book, an ebook or an audiobook.

We’ll each be posting our thoughts on our blogs on January 6, 2026 and we’ll be hosting a zoom call that evening at 7pm, EST as well.

I hope you’ll take this week’s recommendation to hear and read The Antidote with us.