A great collection of essays and speeches from a Chilean-American writer. (Bonus points for the title piece, a satire that was so on-the-nose he had to add a disclaimer.)
Sarah
After living in the center of Moscow during the 2012 presidential election, I thought I knew just about everything there was to know about Putin's election and his initial rise to power. I was amazed after reading Masha's brilliant reporting of just how much was going on behind the scenes. This scathing book doesn't pull any punches and anyone who follows current events should give it a read.
Cissa
You'll be equal parts infuriated and inspired reading about the author's quest to rebuild a barely livable house in one of the poorest cities in the country despite threats of arson, lack of money and a municipal bankruptcy that somehow left $25 million for a new football stadium. As the saying goes, if you can make it there, you can make in anywhere.
John
Many consider Israel's engagement in southern Lebanon in the 90s to have been its most pointless. Friedman, a Canadian-Israeli journalist, has written a compelling account of that war, filtered through the lens of the small deserted outpost (the Pumpkin) in the no-man's land where he was stationed for his army service. Matti Friedman will be here on May 15.
David
A sociologist looks at why so many turn to for-profit colleges that don't deliver -- but it's so much more interesting than that sounds, because it's really an insightful and well-written critique of pretty much all of modern life.
Sarah
Luiselli introduces us to one of the forgotten figures and tragic heroes of contemporary America: the child who risked everything to come here. Through stories about specific children and consideration of our immigration system, Luiselli sheds light on what most of us would choose to ignore and gives new meaning to the question: Why are we here?
Josh
Luiselli introduces us to one of the forgotten figures and tragic heroes of contemporary America: the child who risked everything to come here. Through stories about specific children and consideration of our immigration system, Luiselli sheds light on what most of us would choose to ignore and gives new meaning to the question: Why are we here? Books like this are like dew on a spider web, revealing the often forgotten and sometimes ignored threads of humanity that connect us all.
Josh
Reporting from different regions around Ukraine since the Maidan revolution of 2014, Judah helps us understand what lies behind the conflict in the region. It’s a picture reminiscent of other post-communist states such as the Balkans, complicated by Ukraine’s unique history as well as current Russian meddling, leaving one feeling pessimistic for a quick or easy resolution.
Dale
In 2011, Suki Kim traveled to North Korea to teach English at the all-male Pyongyang University of Science and Technology. Her memoir of her time spent teaching the sons of North Korea's elite is haunting, disturbing, and informative.
For over 20 years former NPR reporter Anne Garrels has been visiting the once closed city of Chelyabinsk, 1000 miles east of Moscow. She portrays an uncommon view of Russia outside the capital, explaining both Putin’s current popularity and exposing the endemic corruption keeping him in power and impeding Russia’s development.
Dale
