This is an edition of the Books Briefing, our editors’ weekly guide to the best in books.

In recent years, some of the most talked-about literary novels have not given their readers much to talk about, at least when it comes to plot. In the late 2010s, authors such as Rachel Cusk, Ben Lerner, and Sheila Heti wrote books that are heavy on interiority and light on events; they have few of the markers of a traditional rise-and-fall story structure, and instead prioritize voice and close description. This kind of writing is not for everyone: The author M. L. Rio believes, for example, that there’s “no reason a novel should have to choose between voice and action.” This week, she recommends eight plot-forward books to read when you’re looking for a gripping story.

I agree that stories can off

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