This is not the New York Times Review of Books

I am a fan of historical fiction—both books and TV series. I find the better ones to be both educational and entertaining. One of my favorites of recent years is “Julia” on the streaming channel Max (formerly HBO Max). It’s based on the life of Julia Child. If you think of her as only a chef with a funny voice, you will gain a new appreciation for her by watching the series. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she had a dramatic impact not only on American cuisine but also on the evolution of television in its formative years.

Of course, like all “based on a true story” shows, it contains some departures from the truth. So, following each episode, I do cursory research to see which of the characters portrayed is real and which is not. Judith Jones, Ms. Child’s editor, was among those who were real people. In the show, she is depicted as a hard-charging advocate for the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She was fascinating as portrayed. So, when her biography was published last month, I immediately jumped on it.

The book is a quick read, and I commend its author, Sara B. Franklin, for telling the story in a relatable way. More remarkable is Ms. Jones herself. She made her bones in the publishing industry at Doubleday, where she famously plucked “The Diary of Ann Frank” from the reject pile and successfully pushed for its publication despite the objections of her superiors. (Note: her superiors were just about everybody at Doubleday.) By the end of the 1950s, she had moved to Alfred Knopf, where she worked for over 50 years, retiring at the age of 82. Along the way, she edited hundreds of authors, including Anne Tyler, Sylvia Plath, and John Hersey. And John Updike would have no other editor.

Judith Jones’ tale is an American success story. She began at the bottom and worked her way up. Her success was not only a result of her impeccable taste and ability to develop deep relationships with those she worked with (although those were important factors). It was also the result of her perseverance, hard work, and willingness to overcome whatever obstacles she encountered—and she encountered many.

Among the books I’ve read this year, this one is my clear favorite. Of course, I’ve only read about 20 books so far. This is not the New York Times Review of Books, nor is it Kirkus Reviews, which reviews over 10,000 books annually. So, I need your help. What should I read next? What’s been your recent favorite?

Please tell me by commenting below. Thanks, and happy reading.