Three Gifts Via Book Ears

At least for me, paying close attention when others talk about books can reap real benefits. I don't think of this as eavesdropping. Instead, I call it using book ears.

Except while asleep, my book ears are rarely off. If I'm with a group I know to be discerning readers - like my longtime traveling companions from Road Scholar or folks in either my hiking or my writer's group - I make sure the volume control on my book ears is on high. At other times, I may adjust the volume control a bit just to be sure I'm paying attention to the other stuff in a conversation. Although, I am obliged to admit that any mention of any book in any conversation sets my book ears buzzing. Which worthwhile books most recently found their way onto your radar - and then your list - via eavesdropping? I've limited this particular list to just three of the most recent worthwhile novels I discovered via my book ears. In descending order - arguably, in the case of #2 vs. #3 - of accessibility:  

1.) Heartwood: Amity Gaige (2025). Without question, the most conventionally straightforward of these three, especially in subject matter (a hiker disappears without a trace; a search ensues) and approach to the narrative line. A genuine page-turner, in the best way. Book ears route: Overheard being discussed by a book club - not mine - while reading at my local coffee shop. 

2.) The Glutton: A.K. Blakemore (2023). Difficult subject matter - the re-imagining of a myth from 18th century revolutionary France about a young man who ate everything - told in a compelling, matter-of-fact fashion. Of the three, I suspect this one will linger longest with me. Book ears route: Overheard being extolled while on a hike with the group mentioned above.

3.) Flesh: David Szalay (2025). A graphically sexual and totally modern novel with a protagonist so passive I have trouble imagining anyone relating to him. Yet somehow this undeniably talented young novelist managed to immerse me in the protagonist's story enough that the final sentence ("After that, he lived alone.") felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. Book ears route: Overheard an animated conversation between a patron and two trusted librarians while waiting on checkout line.

Your turn. I'm waiting.