Having just seen Hank Green's video, "The Internet is a Machine that Devours Trust," I'll share the titles of a couple of his highly recommended books: "High Conflict" by Amanda Ripley and "Wrong: How Media, Politics, and Identity Drive Our Appetite for Misinformation" by Dannegal Goldthwaite Young. My favorite novel this year, OTOH, was "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks. Also loved "Abuelita Faith" by Kat Armas, "Freeing Jesus" by Diana Bulter Bass, and "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride. I imagine you have probably already read all of these. But you asked!
One more: "The Mourner's Bestiary" by Eiren Caffall, someone I actually know in person. It was just listed in Esquire's 27 best memories of 2024. Here's their description:
In this poignant and deeply researched memoir, Eiren Caffall details her experience with inherited polycystic kidney disease—the incurable illness that killed several of her family members before the age of fifty—alongside stories of sea creatures fighting for survival in two of the fastest-warming marine habitats in the world, the Long Island Sound and the Gulf of Maine. The Mourner’s Bestiary is unfailingly honest about what it means to live with illness, fear, and grief in an era of threatened ecosystems and climate collapse. It is also a clear-eyed and ultimately life-affirming exploration of how to consider uncertainty and loss—and embrace our own vulnerability—with renewed commitment to the future we want.
I really enjoyed The City We Became by NK Jemison and am excited about the sequel sitting on my shelf. Ta-Nehisi Coates's latest, The Message, was fantastic. Am really appreciating the wisdom of Norma Wong's When No Thing Works.
She was on adrienne maree brown’s podcast recently. Honestly one of the best conversations I’ve heard in a long time as it relates to living well amidst apocalyptic change.
A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.
“What you are looking for is in the library” by Michiko Aoyama. Japanese novel translates into English. A feel good story about the power of books and librarians.
Having just seen Hank Green's video, "The Internet is a Machine that Devours Trust," I'll share the titles of a couple of his highly recommended books: "High Conflict" by Amanda Ripley and "Wrong: How Media, Politics, and Identity Drive Our Appetite for Misinformation" by Dannegal Goldthwaite Young. My favorite novel this year, OTOH, was "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks. Also loved "Abuelita Faith" by Kat Armas, "Freeing Jesus" by Diana Bulter Bass, and "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride. I imagine you have probably already read all of these. But you asked!
These are so good, thanks!
One more: "The Mourner's Bestiary" by Eiren Caffall, someone I actually know in person. It was just listed in Esquire's 27 best memories of 2024. Here's their description:
In this poignant and deeply researched memoir, Eiren Caffall details her experience with inherited polycystic kidney disease—the incurable illness that killed several of her family members before the age of fifty—alongside stories of sea creatures fighting for survival in two of the fastest-warming marine habitats in the world, the Long Island Sound and the Gulf of Maine. The Mourner’s Bestiary is unfailingly honest about what it means to live with illness, fear, and grief in an era of threatened ecosystems and climate collapse. It is also a clear-eyed and ultimately life-affirming exploration of how to consider uncertainty and loss—and embrace our own vulnerability—with renewed commitment to the future we want.
The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
Thanks, I'll take a look.
I really enjoyed The City We Became by NK Jemison and am excited about the sequel sitting on my shelf. Ta-Nehisi Coates's latest, The Message, was fantastic. Am really appreciating the wisdom of Norma Wong's When No Thing Works.
Yes, NK is amazing. Coates is in the list for sure. Will check out Wong.
She was on adrienne maree brown’s podcast recently. Honestly one of the best conversations I’ve heard in a long time as it relates to living well amidst apocalyptic change.
Just now reading: The Seed Keeper, by Diane Wilson - and loving it!
https://milkweed.org/book/the-seed-keeper
Do you only want "improving literature"? Or can I include dragon stories?
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi
And not new, but new to me, the Temeraire series, starting with His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
Oh and Cartographers was EXCELLENT!
Thanks . . . will take a look. We love dragons.
dungeon crawler carl by matt dinneman
A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.
https://www.goodreads.com/series/309211-dungeon-crawler-carl
these books are hilarious and disturbing and super fun to read.
Love it! Added.
“What you are looking for is in the library” by Michiko Aoyama. Japanese novel translates into English. A feel good story about the power of books and librarians.
Thx. Bookshop is on back order, but local bookstore had a copy.
Love this! We do the same in our house and our only rule is you have to buy the books at a local bookstore. (I always pick mine up when I’m in NYC!)
It’s not what I’m getting Chelsea but I’d recommend Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari. I’m about halfway through it and love it!
Thx and added!
Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
Yes, so very good, but it is already on our shelf.