Scrapbooks: An American History
For all paying attention to historiography and accessible scholarship, Jessica Helfand has compiled samplings from over 200 scrapbooks, selected from both private individuals and more well-known Americans.
Robert Birnbaum
James Howard Kunstler, Redux
In a wide-ranging discussion, our man in Boston talks with novelist and skeptic James Howard Kunstler about life as it is, life as it could be, and life as we may encounter.
Our White House: Looking In Looking Out
As a new First Family enters the White House, a new collection of essays, personal accounts, historical fiction, and poetry for children pertaining to the presidential residence is released to share our collective past.
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
Perhaps due to Obama’s victory speech mention of 106-year-old Ms. Cooper, a new edition of Ernest J. Gaines’s classic story spanning American slavery and the civil rights movement has been reissued.
The Only Son
In his new novel, Stéphane Audeguy speculates on Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s little-mentioned older brother, and in doing so creates a palatable mirror image of history.
Disguise
Sometimes the gap between recommendation and action is (understandably) wide, so put these on your list for later: Justin Cartwright and Hugo Hamilton.
Nemesis
As the popularity of Scandinavian crime stories increases in the U.S., Jo Nesbø releases another in his series featuring Harry Hole, a kind of Norwegian Jimmy McNulty.
In the Devil’s Territory
Previously anthologized for his standout “A Day Meant to Do Less,” Kyle Minor now releases a collection of troublesome-to-define writing, all of which is available online.
The Wasted Vigil
Though world leaders continually misjudge their roles and responsibilities in dealing with Afghanistan, several writers are sharing valuable insights. Nadeem Aslam is one of them.
Winter Reading List
Though there may be a publishing hiatus over the holidays, that shouldn’t keep a true bibliophile from feasting on plenty of literary leftovers.