WRBA Review: July
My Favorite Book from July
If you have a favorite writer, you’ll understand my excitement upon receiving an advance copy of Patrick deWitt’s upcoming novel, Dodge City. I’ve read all of his books to date, including his rare, unofficial literary debut, Help Yourself Help Yourself, which I bought on eBay for a silly sum. I guess I’m becoming something of a deWitt superfan.
DeWitt’s stories are infused with melancholy and desperation, yet they remain balanced by absurdity and deadpan dialogue, like relief valves for readers under pressure. In other words, they make me sad, then they make me laugh, and that feels like life.
Dodge City follows Vietnam draft dodger Lee Clarke on his getaway drive from California to Canada, with plenty of amphetamines and loose thoughts to keep him company. If this sounds like a straight shot, it’s not, because Lee drives northeast in a borrowed Jaguar E-Type, stopping to see four family members along the way. These visits are partly to say goodbye and partly to piece together the fragments of himself, which were scattered and directionless prior to this bid for freedom. The journey is made more bittersweet by a promising but fickle love left behind, who might still be more if only Lee can figure out what he really wants.
Next, onto the strangers, who knew exactly what they wanted out of a good book.
Books Recommended on WRBA
July took me to sidewalks, a couple of King Soopers, and one game of five dollars or a free book. Here is what strangers wanted the world to read.
THE METABOLIC APPROACH TO CANCER by Dr. Nasha Winters
The most moving recommendation of the month came from a woman I met in Old Town, Fort Collins. She was reading The Art of the Steal at the time (“short, quick, and impactful,” she said), but when I asked for her favorite book of all time, she named one that had helped her the most:
One that has changed my life is The Metabolic Approach to Cancer by Dr. Nasha Winters. I had cancer six years ago. I read that book, and it gave me a map, like a trailhead for finding the balance to anyone’s health.
THE RIVER WE REMEMBER by William Kent Krueger
An enthusiastic reader at King Soopers had just finished this one for the second time:
I read it for the second time because it was so good the first time. It was kind of a murder mystery. Really interesting stories, really well developed characters.
THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans
Terry, a former English teacher in a t-shirt that had the comments section roaring, gave the month’s most emphatic endorsement. Asked for a book she would recommend to the whole world, she did not hesitate:
The Correspondent, big time.
Then came a magic moment. She mentioned that she wanted to read Theo of Golden, and I just so happened to have it in my cart, so I gave it to her, much to her delight:
Several people from my church have recommended it, so I got excited about it.
STILL LIFE WITH WOODPECKER by Tom Robbins
One reader took a few minutes to dredge up the title (we’ve all been there), then lit up with a strong rec:
I would recommend that book to anyone. Super funny, kind of dark, and super relevant for the time that we’re in now. One of the best opening lines of a book that I’ve ever read, and it’s a really good, unexpected love story.
PRODIGAL SUMMER by Barbara Kingsolver
A radio news director who interviews people for a living (hence our interaction) wandered out of her usual lane with a Regency rom-com, Accomplishments & Accomplices by Grace Ellen Queen, and was glad she did:
I met her through Instagram, she’s a lovely person, and I decided to read her book. It’s not a genre I’m usually in, but I’m happy to be here now. I love it so much.
Her favorite book of all time, though, was Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver:
It’s so beautiful. It speaks to my worldview in a very specific way. It’s Appalachian and kind of jungly, and it’s all about relationships, and it also includes a lot of real ecology and real science, which is super cool.
THE DUNGEON ANARCHIST’S COOKBOOK by Matt Dinniman
Deep into book three of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, this reader shared some second thoughts, but stayed loyal anyway, in part because he is reading the series with his son:
Book one, I read in one day. Book two took a little longer. Now book three is dragging for me, but I still love Princess Donut. I think she’s hilarious. And I like Carl. He’s a strong, tough guy who thinks things out and plans it. I wish I was like him, but I hope I never have to go down any levels.
HOUSE OF EARTH AND BLOOD by Sarah J. Maas
Another reader was doing her homework before a new release:
I’ve been rereading Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas. She’s got some new books coming out in the next few months, so I thought I should get reacquainted with the world.
A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas
Another Maas reader was working through ACOTAR and Throne of Glass at the same time, racing to catch up with everyone else:
This is the first time I’ve ever read fantasy. All my friends were like, you have to read it. I’ve never really been a series person, I usually like one book and done, but I feel like I’m way behind everyone else, so I’m trying to catch up.
DAEMON by Daniel Suarez
A reader who puts away about fifteen books a month, mostly nonfiction and sci-fi, remained laconic, even as he singled out one:
The one that stands out is Daemon.
THE REPUBLIC by Plato
And, finally, one reader with a mohawk kept it classic, without elaboration:
The Republic, by Plato.
Also mentioned in July: The Odyssey by Homer, The Eleventh Hour by Salman Rushdie, and The Widow by John Grisham.
Support the Show
My favorite moment of the month was at King Soopers, when a stranger picked my upcoming novel, The Whirlpool of Lebanon, from the free books in my shopping cart.
“Why that one?” I asked.
“Well, it said Lebanon on it,” she said. “I like history stuff.”
No, I did not correct her. Let’s just hope she likes weird and funny fiction too.
I hope the WRBA Review offers a unique way to discover new books and understand the role they play in our culture. If you would like to support the show, you can order that very novel, The Whirlpool of Lebanon, a darkly comic tale of an eccentric Kansas rancher with a sick wife who discovers a fountain of youth in his pasture (out September 15, 2026).
Early praise
“A weird, funny, and often suspenseful novel about aging and redemption.”
— Foreword Reviews
“A well-crafted comedy about the bad side of miracles.”
— Kirkus Reviews (“Get It” selection)
“An exquisitely constructed novel with a large cast of believable, well-rounded characters you come to care about. Pass also captures the nuances of High Plains village life, which many have attempted but few have achieved.”
— Bryan L. Jones, author of North of the Platte, South of the Niobrara
“The story sucked me in with the same awe and mystery as the whirlpool spinning at its center. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time—for better or worse—then this book is for you. I loved every page.”
— Becky Mandelbaum, author of Bad Kansas (Flannery O’Connor Award)
Order The Whirlpool of Lebanon
Thanks for reading (anything),
Will Pass