Good Books
Here is a list of all the books I welcomed the new year with!
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng: What a beautiful and heart-wrenching story. In this novel, Ng explores the dangers of leaving things unsaid, the consequences of untold stories, and the tensions that lie in between unshared secrets. There is a commentary on racism and sexism, relationships between father and son, mother and daughter, and of course on love. Between grief, anger, frustration, and fear this book really takes you through it. In the end, you will finish this story with a newfound desire to let those around you (who you love and keep close) know your truth, and you will unequivocally learn about the dire outcomes that arise when one chooses to remain silent.
Captivating Technology: Race, Carceral Technoscience, and Liberatory Imagination in Everyday Life edited by Ruha Benjamin: It is of my opinion that Benjamin can do no wrong. This collection of essays forces us to expand our notions of technology, surveillance, prisons, and policing. These essays attempt to give us the tools to think about ‘design’ more critically. I highly recommend reading these pieces in group settings to dream and design with others.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari: This was such an insightful read that definitely gave me a sense of perspective on long how humans have existed on earth, and how ideas or sectors such as agriculture, money, and laws, have been around in different ways. I would argue that this book, is so much more engaging and well-read, than what my liberal arts university attempts to do with its Humanities program.
Tightrope: Americans Reaching For Hope by Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn: This will definitely go down as one of my favorite books of 2020. I am a huge fan of Kristof’s NYT column, and while I don’t agree with everything he writes, I usually love the way he wrestles with issues both domestic and abroad. In this book, the authors dive into the ways in which poor health policy (on everything from addiction to the opioid epidemic to health care), poverty, personal choices, weak education systems, and more threaten the lives of everyday Americans across the country. I loved the integration of personal stories from Kristof’s hometown and others in places like Alabama and Tennessee with sections of history and policy recommendations, and an equal look at the failings of both political parties. Of course, I don’t agree with everything but this book got me thinking about a lot of systems in our country and was just another affirmation that I want a career in public service.
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein: Whew. While dense, this book was incredibly insightful in outlining the ways in which our U.S government has codified and supported racist housing policies that have been contributing to the inequality and inequity in the way Black communities live. I would read this in tandem with the Owned: A Tale of Two Americas documentary.
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life, Freedom, and Justice by Anthony Ray Hinton: This memoir is an emotional and personal recounting of Anthony Ray Hinton’s unjust contact with the criminal justice system, in being falsely accused of murder in Alabama. This book covers his life before, during, and after going to trial, sitting on death row, and trying to pursue legal help. Hinton’s story, while painful, is a powerful reminder of how being Black and poor is its own death sentence. I don’t know how many stories like these need to be lived through, told, and published before we take bold and relentless steps to abolish the carceral logic that penetrates our country as we know it. Or at the very least, implores us to abolish the death penalty nationwide.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E Schwab: I’m so disappointed. I have heard so many things about the Darker Shade of Magic Trilogy, and yet the first book did not pull me in. I found the writing slow and the characters flat. The world-building, while interesting, was not enough to keep me engaged. I know in situations like these, continuing with the series might help, however, I don’t think that will happen. There are too many fantasy series I want to get to! P.S I felt the same way about The Diviners series. I read the first book, and I just don’t plan on continuing.