It Can't Happen Here
Sinclair Lewis
Set in 1936, this chillingly prescient novel explores the potential rise of fascism in America through the eyes of Doremus Jessup, a Vermont newspaper editor. As a charismatic demagogue, Senator Buzz Windrip, gains power by exploiting public fear and discontent, Jessup finds himself confronting the terrifying reality that even in a nation of 'freemen,' tyranny can take root. The excerpts capture a pivotal dinner discussion where nationalist and proto-fascist sentiments are openly espoused, challenging the complacent belief that 'it can't happen here.'
James
Percival L. Everett
Percival Everett's James boldly reinterprets Mark Twain's *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn* through the eyes of Jim, the enslaved man. Far from the simple, superstitious character of the original, Everett's Jim is a brilliant, strategic, and deeply philosophical individual navigating the treacherous landscape of pre-Civil War America. As Jim escapes down the Mississippi with Huck, he reveals a hidden world of intellect, resilience, and profound observation, forcing readers to confront the true cost of freedom and the complexities of identity in a society built on oppression. This powerful novel offers a searing critique of American history and a testament to the enduring human spirit.
The Covenant of Water
Abraham Verghese
A sweeping, multi-generational saga set in early 20th-century Travancore, South India, and later in Glasgow and Madras. The story begins with a twelve-year-old girl married into a family haunted by a mysterious 'Condition' involving water. It intricately weaves together the lives of diverse characters, including a Scottish surgeon, exploring themes of love, loss, faith, medicine, and the profound impact of history and culture on individual destinies.
Stay True
Hua Hsu
From New Yorker staff writer Hua Hsu, 'Stay True' is a poignant and gripping memoir that delves into the complexities of friendship, the profound impact of grief, and the universal search for self and belonging. It chronicles Hsu's formative years, his unlikely bond with Ken—a friendship built on shared experiences and contrasting identities—and the devastating loss that forces him to confront his memories and identity through writing. This coming-of-age story beautifully weaves together themes of cultural assimilation, the immigrant experience, and the solace found in art and connection, leaving readers with a deep sense of reflection on what it means to truly 'stay true' to oneself.
The Odd Woman and the City
Vivian Gornick
In this insightful and sharply observed memoir, Vivian Gornick navigates the vibrant, often challenging landscape of New York City, reflecting on her friendships, romantic relationships, and profound observations of urban life. Through candid conversations with her gay friend Leonard and encounters with an array of city dwellers, Gornick explores themes of loneliness, identity, feminism, and the enduring search for self-knowledge amidst the ceaseless energy of the metropolis. A poignant and intellectual journey into the heart of human connection and the city that shapes it.
Interpreter of Maladies
Jhumpa Lahiri
During a family trip to India, an Indian-American family hires a local tour guide, Mr. Kapasi, who also works as an interpreter for a doctor. As they journey to the Sun Temple, Mrs. Das, feeling disconnected from her life and family, confides a deeply personal secret to Mr. Kapasi, mistaking his role as an interpreter of maladies for a deeper, more empathetic understanding. This poignant encounter explores themes of cultural identity, marital disillusionment, and the complexities of human connection.
Code Work
Héctor Beltrán
This book delves into the intricate world of "code work" among young Mexican and Latinx hackers navigating the US-Mexico techno-borderlands. Through compelling ethnographic research, Héctor Beltrán uncovers how these individuals engage with narratives of technological progress, neoliberal entrepreneurship, and social justice. Introducing the innovative concept of the "ethno-stack," the book reveals how personal, social, political, and technical elements intertwine as hackers utilize coding to challenge and redefine boundaries of nation, race, ethnicity, class, and gender, offering a vital perspective on digital culture from the Global South.
Cutting for Stone
Abraham Verghese
Born in 1954 in a mission hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, twin brothers Shiva and Marion Stone arrive into the world under mysterious and tragic circumstances. Their mother, a young Indian nun named Sister Mary Joseph Praise, dies during their birth, and their brilliant but emotionally distant surgeon father, Thomas Stone, abandons them. This excerpt introduces their unusual origins, delving into their mother's journey from India to Africa and the dramatic events leading to her fateful encounter with their father. It sets the stage for a sweeping saga of family, medicine, and identity against the vibrant and tumultuous backdrop of mid-20th century Ethiopia.