The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World by Max Fisher Max Fisher, an international reporter and columnist, has written extensively on diplomacy, conflict and social change. In “The Chaos Machine,” Fisher turns his journalistic lens to the world of social media and its impact on society. … Read more
Sourdough: A Novel by Robin Sloan Like the joy of freshly baked bread, “Sourdough” is a warm and comforting read. Satire traditionally employs irony and exaggeration to humorously point out social and political failings. Consequently, satire tends to run blunt and stark. In “Sourdough,” Robin Sloan crafts something different: A subtly satirical look at the … Read more
Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay Love & Saffron is a heartfelt epistolatory novel of long-distance friendship. Through beautifully crafted letter exchanges, Kim Fay develops a story of historical fiction in compelling and delightful ways, spanning an evolving 1960s America. The story begins when aspiring writer Joan sends a letter … Read more
How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food and Inequality in America by Priya Fielding-Singh “How the Other Half Eats” takes an in-depth look at the American family’s complicated relationship with food. Through extensive field research conducted at dinner tables across America, interviewing families spanning the range of socio-economic backgrounds, Priya Fielding-Singh paints a … Read more
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Typically, when I finish a book, I immediately pick up the next one. However, on occasion a book lingers in my thoughts for a day, or more, carving out a spot for itself and temporarily forbidding any new stories from taking root. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig is … Read more
Horse by Geraldine Brooks “Horse,” by Geraldine Brooks, is a timely work of historical fiction. The narrative touches on issues of race, class and privilege, yet at its heart, it is a story of perseverance and survival. The book spans multiple eras, ranging from 1850 through 1875, to the 1950s, and 2019 through early 2020. … Read more
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin There are books that love books; books that extol the virtues of books; books that fixate on the very nature of books; and then there are books that are heartfelt love letters to the power of books. “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” falls into the … Read more
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel Emily St. John Mandel’s latest work, “Sea of Tranquility,” takes readers on a journey across space and time in hopes of understanding a mysterious anomaly. Spanning from the northern reaches of Vancouver Island to the lunar colonies and ranging from 1912 to 2401, this story is a … Read more