Jack. John. Lila. These are some of the most enduring characters in modern American literature. They speak to us on many levels, particularly, I think, because they provide no clear answers. At times heroic and at times deeply flawed, they are also some of the most human characters in contemporary fiction.
Malcolm Gladwell chases whatever economic curiosity tickles his fancy. Sometimes it’s the birth month of hockey players. Sometimes it’s the story of David and Goliath. Sometimes it’s how it took both Bill Gates and The Beatles 10,000 hours to achieve mastery over their crafts. Whatever it is, it’s always fascinating.
Each month, we’re selecting a “book of the month”—think of it like an online book club that lasts all month long. First up, we’ve chosen Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol S. Dweck, a great resource for parents, athletes, artists, business people, and those who just want to make a change in their lives. And it’s 60% off through the end of April!
Independent booksellers are the best book curators out there, so each month we’re going to highlight what our friends at indie bookstores are reading (and listening to). Here’s what Robert, Alex, Lizzie, Emily, Pete, Kevin and Elaine are recommending right now.
Wicked People Never have time for reading. . . . It’s one of the reasons for their wickedness.” Lemony Snicket / The Penultimate Peril
In the Spanish port town of Tarifa, a king dressed in rags appears to a shepherd, telling him the Personal Legend, a sort of quest the universe pushes each individual towards. This sets the shepherd, Santiago, on a cross-continental trek, from Morocco to Egypt, in search of his treasure.
That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” Jhumpa Lahiri / The Namesake
Nickolas Butler’s Shotgun Lovesongs has the lyricism, the cadence, the emotional swelling, the catharsis of any song in the great American songbook. Its lines run through your head long after the story ends.
The best book club selections foster discussion, whether it’s for their beauty, their complex characters and plots, or their place in our cultural landscape. From books by David Foster Wallace to Bill O’Reilly, spanning topics from Martin Luther King, Jr., to the Salem witch trials, fast-paced thrillers to humorous essays, these books are sure to get your book club talking.
Roxane Gay discusses everything from hip hop to Sweet Valley High in this collection of essays on the politcs of race and gender in America. Written openly and honestly with wit and sincerity, each essay is a gem.
Just when you thought there wasn’t anything more to say about zombies comes M.R. Carey’s cerebral journey through the English countryside. Focused on one little girl who holds the key to survival, The Girl With All the Gifts is as dark as it is satisfying.
You’re sitting in your car, bumper-to-bumper traffic. The radio is playing the same songs you heard on your commute this morning. You switch to your local public radio station, but their quarterly funding campaign is in full effect and you really don’t want to be pleaded with since you’ve already donated.