Winter Break Reads
a list of all the good stuff
A Promised Land by Barack Obama: This is the first of two volumes and I am already excited for part two. I enjoyed Obama’s ability to self-reflect- not just on his own political offices (presidency and senate), but also as a community organizer, a son, a college student, a father, and a husband. I enjoyed his reflections on meeting with world leaders, exploring his blackness within the political landscape, and his tireless commitment to bipartisanship.
Continue reading about his book here and an interview he did with Jesmyn Ward here.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman: This medical anthropology read dives into the ethics and tensions of Western medical hegemony and Hmong cultural practices. It was such an amazing piece of literary journalism, not without its faults, but I found the writing digestible, I loved the rotating chapters, and it gave me a lot to think about.
Keep reading here.
Dune by Frank Herbert: I haven’t fully explored the world of science fiction, but now, thanks to Dune I will! This book is to the genre of science fiction, what The Lord of the Rings is to fantasy: both are epic and impactful in both content and style. I can’t wait to finish the series- and to watch the movie!!
Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? by Dr. King: This was difficult to read in part because the conversations about white supremacy and race haven’t changed but I particularly enjoyed Dr. King’s philosophy and policy ideas in regards to education, labor, international relations, and housing.
Trauma Culture: The Politics of Terror and Loss in Media and Literature by E. Ann Kaplan: Trauma is of course deeply personal and can be singular but Kaplan places trauma in the context of institutions, nations, and cultures and explores how it can be managed, shared, and translated through the lens of media and literature.
Critical Trauma Studies: Understanding Violence, Conflict, and Memory Edited by Monica Casper and Eric Wertheimer: This essay anthology unpacks the framework and methodology of critical trauma studies as it relates to individual and collective catastrophe.
Shattered Bonds: The Color of Child Welfare by Dorothy E. Roberts- Child Protective Services and Foster Care is to Black children as mass incarceration is to Black men, as evictions and maternal mortality are to Black women. Black children are not only overrepresented in the system but are more likely to stay and age out of the system than any other group, receive fewer resources and services including mental health care and reunification services. Carceral and anti-black systems are linked together- these links exist everywhere, and Roberts uncovers these links clearly. This was difficult to read but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
happy reading!