What We’re Reading This Week

MOLLY

River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Empire in the Cotton Kingdom by Walter Johnson

“This is a book about the Mississippi River Valley and the history of how slavery shaped its economy. It’s very important that we all read something about the Civil War for its 150th anniversary. Also, no one should smile while reading this book, which makes it my very favorite kind of book.”

ALTHEA

The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman

“I don’t like the main character because he’s a jerk. I keep wanting him to be redeemed, but he never is. A lot of people praised this book as a view of the male psyche, but even with the liberal arts school, post-feminist POV, he’s still a jerk. The most interesting characters are the women he dates–you’ll want to read more about them. Nathaniel P. is interesting because it’s written by a woman, and is very well-written.”

MANDY

Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O’Nan

“I picked up this book on the recommendation of the Penguin rep, who says this is his favorite book of all time. O’Nan is called ‘The Bard of the Working Class.’ This book is about the last shift at a closing Red Lobster and the interactions of everyone working there. It’s sort of sad, but an appropriate winter book.”

SUTTERFIELD

Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong

“This book is Armstrong’s response to the generalization that religion is at the heart of all violence. Karen Armstrong is an amazing writer and historian. I love all her books. Very thought-provoking, and so great that I have run out of superlatives.”

RAUL

Things Half in Shadow by Alan Finn

“Set in America after the Civil War, a reporter investigates charlatan mediums–like people trying to talk to dead relatives–and he ends up witnessing the death of one of the mediums, possibly the only medium who really is contacting the dead. He works on the investigation with one of the charlatans. Alan Finn is the pseudonym of a really famous mystery author, so it’s really good. A really fast read, too.”