Heartbreaking, infuriating, and incredibly well-researched. This book is very well organized, presented not only by the statistics, and the history, and the various ways the opiate addiction is dealt with from law enforcement to drug companies, to doctors, to prisons, and to the government, all which bear some blame, but from the viewpoint of the families who are living with the addiction, either battling it themselves, or watching loved ones succumb, or live in agony. Their representation, their voice, is what makes the book so very powerful.
Pulitzer Prize winning author, Eli Saslow, diligently and fearlessly explores how Derek Black, once considered the heir to the white nationalist movement, was raised in a culture of intolerance, racism, and hate by his father, Don Black-- a former grand wizard of the KKK and creator of Stormfront. Only the persistent and dedicated efforts of his ethnic and minority friends at the New College of Florida prompted Derek to examine, question, and ultimately denounce the values and beliefs of which he was raised associated with White Supremacy. This book is vital to understanding that anyone can change when we take the time to talk to each other regardless of how difficult it may be.
Most of us can remember exactly where we were and what we were doing on 9/11. It’s forever burned into our memories. Zuckoff doesn’t look into the why of 9/11, but rather tells us the stories of those who lived through that day, and, sadly, those who did not. I truly applaud the care Zuckoff took to share the stories of the victims, their families, and some of the survivors. This is a unique and intimate perspective that is obviously difficult to read, but it’s important that we do, so we never forget.
I heard that author Roxane Gay was asked what was "the last book that made you furious?" She answered: "'Evicted,' by Matthew Desmond, which was reason enough for me to pick up this book. It is devastating and infuriating and such a necessary read. Matthew Desmond’s research-driven prose is a dazzling work of examination and insight. Within these pages, the business and culture of evictions is dissected down to the very dollars and cents that uphold this thriving industry. The judicial system and the role it plays is scrutinized, and the lives of 8 families are put on intimate display for readers to bear witness to.
Roxane Gay has built an anthology so strong, both in subject matter and in style. This book finds its strength in the many diverse voices that speak out and speak their truth. Every voice chips away at the ugly and foul thing that we call rape culture perpetuated by toxic masculinity, misogyny and the patriarchal world we live in. Above all, Not That Bad is a declaration of war, especially in the current #MeToo movement. It is as empowering as it is dark.
Wow. This book is incredibly written and thought out. You can tell how much time and care Lisa took in her immersive reporting with each woman over the course of 8 years. I was surprised at how well she simply presented the women’s stories without bias or judgement. The stories are intense, compelling, and great conversation starters. This is the most raw portrait of desire I’ve ever read.
Hillbilly Elegy is a story that demonstrates the full measure of the brokenness that wracks Appalachia, but it is also a story that exemplifies the depths of familial love and opportunity. Vance tells us about his family of “crazy hillbillies,” and, in the process of telling us the story of his family, he tells us the story of America too. His journey is inspirational, his thoughts are provoking, and his story is clear, concise, and well told.
This collection of essays is human, vulnerable, and at times cathartic. It is uneven at times, but highlights unique and diverse literary voices and encourages self reflection and forgiveness. The essays are varied in style and subject matter, but I found it fitting since we all have different relationships with our mothers.
This is a well-researched story, and it shows. The sense of injustice is palpable, the story flows evenly, but varies from the fact-delivering, non-fictional voice as Kate Moore enters into more emotional territory and paints the picture of scenes one could only imagine. Moore tells the Radium Girls' stories through their personalities, hopes, and friendships. A compelling account of another era, the evolution of the rights of the average worker, but especially those working women whose voices they tried, in vain, to suppress and invalidate.