The Books I'm Reading Now
I'm reading You Have a Friend in 10A, the upcoming collection of short stories (to be published tomorrow!) from one of my favorite authors, Maggie Shipstead; The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine's expansion of the 1619 Project into a full-length nonfiction book putting enslaved people at the center of our nation's history; and Part of Your World, romantic, funny light fiction from Abby Jimenez.
What are you reading and enjoying these days, bookworms?
01 You Have a Friend in 10A by Maggie Shipstead
In You Have a Friend in 10A, Maggie Shipstead offers gripping, sometimes hilarious short stories, diving into eclectic and vivid settings–from an Olympic village, to a deathbed in Paris, to a Pacific atoll–and illuminates a cast of captivating characters.
From the author of Astonish Me, Seating Arrangements, and Great Circle, one of my favorite reads last year.
I received a prepublication digital edition of this book (to be published tomorrow) courtesy of Knopf and NetGalley.
If you like short stories, you might like the books on the Greedy Reading List Six Short Story Collections to Wow You.
02 The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine
In this hefty expansion of the 1619 Project, which was spearheaded by Nikole Hannah-Jones at The New York Times Magazine, an array of contributors reframe the history of the United States, putting enslaved people and their work and contributions at the center of our past--and at the center of how we might consider our present circumstances and our nation's future.
In this book-length work, contributors explore how enslaved people's labor and unwilling efforts laid the groundwork for our nation's economy, past and present; shine light on our centuries-old racial real estate divide; and address generational wealth disparities, among other elements.
I'm listening to this book, which is rich with history--including that of Black music and appropriation; decades of racial impacts on the modern public school system; and the shared responsibility of those in the North and South in perpetuating the condition of enslaved people, then perpetuating policies that continue to penalize Black people today.
03 Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
In Part of Your World, Abby Jimenez, author of The Happy Ever After Playlist, takes on a meet-cute between a rural renaissance man (he's the small-town mayor, a graceful bed and breakfast host, and part of the close-knit network of community members) and a successful city doctor with an impressive family pedigree, expensive taste, and very little practical knowledge outside of an emergency room.
Alexis and Daniel are opposites. She's coming off an emotionally abusive breakup. He's ten years younger than she is. Nothing about them should fit--but they can't stay away from each other.
This is romantic, often funny, sometimes sexy, poignant, and it includes touches of magical realism. I feel confident that I know where this is going, but I'm in for all of it.