New Year, New Books
books I’ve read these past three months!
The 1916 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones: This is a collection of essays by some of the brightest scholars, academics, thought leaders, and writers, who center the harms of slavery and the crimes thereafter in the formation of our country. Interspersed is poetry, prose, and photography that help make the Black experience come to life. Of course, I’d recommend the entire book to anyone, cover to cover, but my absolute favorite essay is Capitalism by Matthew Desmond. I must admit I’m biased. I would read that man’s grocery list if he published it. But for the econ nerd in me, it filled the gaps I had in my historical understanding of markets and the colonial and global economy.
How Change Happens by Leslie E. Crutchfield: I had to read this book for a Strategic Advocacy and Communications course, and I found it very insightful. It breaks down social campaigns from the NRA to gay marriage, and it details the significance of grassroots organizing, how to scale up messaging, the importance of unlikely allies, and so much more. It wasn’t necessarily groundbreaking, but it made me think.
The Book of Night Women by Marlon James: Consider me a Marlon James fangirl. After reading A Brief History of Seven Killings, I’ve wanted to make my way through the rest of his work, and I couldn’t pass on this story of rebellion. This novel follows a girl named Lillith. She might be born into slavery, but at every stage of her life, she finds a way to walk the edge.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell: I’m not a huge historical fiction person, but I make exceptions for Shakespeare. And as much as we know about him, rarely do we get perspectives about the woman who helped him flourish: his wife. This novel follows their marriage, their grief, and their son. This is an instant classic.
Nomadland by Jessica Bruder: While I enjoyed the movie, I hoped for more from the book. I didn’t feel like the people being highlighted in the reporting were necessarily representative of most people who become vehicle dwellers. At the same time, everyone deserves to have their story told.
Luster by Raven Leilani: While this was a stunning debut in terms of writing style (the prose is delicious and does an amazing job at capturing the messiness and heat of the plot), I wasn’t necessarily engrossed in the story like I would have wanted. Something was keeping me from feeling connected to Edie or any of the characters for that matter. That being said, I thought it was a fun read and I am eager to follow Leilani’s writing career.
Crook County: Racism and Injustice in America’s Criminal Court by Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve: This sociological nonfiction follows courtroom professionals, public defenders, and other actors that run our criminal “justice” system. By turning the spotlight on them, rather than on the detained or incarcerated, she exposes the actors that continue to perpetuate racial bias, classicism, and hyper incarceration. It is an original and accessible text we should all be reading.
Final Draft: The Collected Work of David Carr: This is an illuminating collection of Carr’s work, spanning a journalism career of 25 years. His talent in being able to seamlessly write across politics, pop culture, and media is brilliantly captured throughout these pieces. His curiosity and natural beat are inspiring for an aspiring writer.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson: This is a poetic and musical novel about two young Black British artists who meet in a pub in London and fall into a tender, careful, and delicate journey of intimacy. And by nature of their identity, their relationship threatens to unravel as they encounter the politics of the Black body. It’s filled with references to Black writers, critics, and musicians that enrich this love story. It’s gentle and joyful and a stunning debut.
Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals by Alex Pauline Gumbs: a meditation on Black queer feminism through marine biology!!!???? Sign me up! Its poetry meets nature writing and yet super accessible. I devoured this. If you loved adrienne marie brown’s writings on community organizing and mushrooms, you will LOVE this.
Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival, And Hope in New York City by Andrea Elliot: This nonfiction follows a family navigating the criminalization of poverty, foster care, and child protective services, childhood poverty, through the eyes of a young Black girl, Dasani. It was devastating and necessary to read. I found so many parallels between my childhood and hers.
The Carrying + Bright Dead Things by Ada Limón: These collections explore the strange and the wondrous. From dandelions to horses, and from carrots to dead stars, Limón takes us on a wild journey through grief, feminism, fertility and so much more. We travel trhough Kentucky to Mexico, and along the way we get a taste of Limón’s careful observations. These collections are magical and I can’t wait for her newest collection in May.
Upstream by Mary Oliver: Mary Oliver is one of my favorite poets, and her passing still pains me till this day. This collection of essays simply reinforces her brilliance. She emphasizes the importance of nature and the gift of solitude as a necessity to creative work and living a purposeful life. She reminds us that poetry is first and foremost NOT an academic practice. It is an experience, a temple, a conduit betwen us and the sublime. And that our attention is an act of devotion.
what have you been reading lately?
cover image by me: literati bookstore, ann arbor, mi