Benjamin Markovits Ordre des livres

An unforgettable novel about basketball and race, friendship and envy, and the powerful divide that separates greatness from ordinary life.

Hinein ins Leben: verlieren und gewinnen – im Spiel wie in der Liebe. Der Ich-Erzähler Benjamin ist gerade mit dem College fertig und ohne rechten Plan, wie es im Leben weitergehen soll. Fast schon zum Spaß bewirbt er sich als das, was sein Vater unbedingt werden wollte – als Profi-Basketballer. Tatsächlich wird er von einem deutschen Zweitligaklub engagiert und zieht vom heimatlichen Texas nach Landshut in der bayrischen Provinz, wo er mit einer bunt zusammengewürfelten Mannschaft trainiert und so gut es geht auch seine Freizeit zu füllen sucht. Es ist eine merkwürdige, isolierte Existenz, geprägt durch die intensive Begeisterung – und oft auch die intensive Enttäuschung – des Spiels. Aber dann lernt er Anke kennen, eine junge Mutter, die zufällig die Ex-Frau eines Teamkollegen ist, und ihre behutsam aufkeimende Liebesbeziehung wird für ihn bald so wichtig und lebensverändernd wie das Basketballspiel. Spieltage ist so gegenwärtig geschrieben, dass man sich in der Schilderung dieses ersten langen Sommers nach Studienabschluss ohne Weiteres wiedererkennt. Mit melancholisch-nostalgischem Blick auf die ersten Schritte ins Erwachsenenleben ist dies die Geschichte eines jungen Mannes, der seine erste ›erwachsene‹ Liebeserfahrung macht und dabei die eigenen Grenzen erkennt.

Set against the backdrop of Texas, this coming-of-age story offers a heartfelt exploration of feeling out of place and finding one's identity. With a narrative that resonates with young readers, it provides comfort and relatability to those navigating their own challenges. The book promises to engage fans of acclaimed authors like Kevin Henkes, Rebecca Stead, and Kate DiCamillo, making it a compelling choice for middle-grade readers seeking connection and understanding in their journey.

Exploring themes of ambition and personal growth, this autobiographical narrative follows the author's experiences in minor league basketball in Germany. It delves into the complexities of his relationships, particularly a romance with an estranged wife of a teammate, marking a pivotal moment in his journey into adulthood. With its blend of sports and personal discovery, the story offers a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of pursuing one's dreams.

Set against the backdrop of contemporary America, the narrative explores a racially charged real estate experiment in Detroit, Michigan, through the eyes of one man. The story delves into themes of race, identity, and societal tensions, offering a chilling reflection on current issues. As the protagonist navigates this complex landscape, the novel reveals the profound impacts of real estate dynamics on communities and individuals, making it a thought-provoking commentary on modern societal challenges.

A Luminous family saga from one of Granta's Best Young British NovelistsWhen the four Essinger children gather in Austin for Christmas, they all bring their news. But their parents have plans, too, and Liesel, the materfamilias, has invited Dana and Cal to stay, hoping to bring them back together.

When the narrator of Childish Loves inherits a colleague Peter's writings on Lord Byron, he finds himself acting as a literary sleuth.

Nineteen-year -old Annabella Milbanke, visiting London for the swirl of parties and engagements of the season, is introduced to Byron at a waltz. Caught up in a potentially scandalous love triangle, Annabella must decide whether following her heart is the most dangerous thing she has ever done .

Three years after Lord Byron dismissed him from his service, Dr John Polidori has fallen on hard times. As the pair fall in love, Polidori knows that he can only emerge from Byron's shadow if he confesses his true identity to the deluded girl; but was it only Byron's shadow that led her to love him in the first place?

In Fall we see the tentative beginnings of an unlikely romance - between schoolteacher Amy and drifting former graduate, Charles. In Winter we hear how her colleague Howard learns, seventeen years too late, that he has a daughter following a brief fling with collegemate Annie. Spring and Summer tell the story of his daughter's friend Rachel's relationships with her literature teacher, Stuart, and her dying father Reuben.Executed with exquisite sympathy, tenderness and emotional nuance, Either Side of Winter is a moving and elegiac picture of people whose lives are inextricably linked by circumstance, community - and a need to be loved.