Books matching: contemporary america
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- #1
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is a graphic novel that intertwines three separate stories - one of Jin Wang, a Chinese American boy struggling to fit in at a white school, the story of the Monkey King from Chinese folklore, and the tale of a Caucasian family with a stereotyped Chinese cousin. These stories come together to illustrate themes of identity, acceptance, and the challenges of being different in a predominantly white society. The book addresses issues such as racism, stereotypes, and the Asian American experience through a blend of humor, fantasy, and relatable teenage struggles.
The novel is written in a comix style, featuring colorful illustrations that complement the storytelling. The plot weaves together the lives of the characters in a way that brings depth and complexity to the narrative, ultimately delivering a message of self-acceptance and tolerance. Through the combination of image and text, Gene Luen Yang masterfully creates a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, appealing to a wide range of readers, including middle school children and adults.
David Neiwert's book 'Alt-America: The Rise of the Radical Right in the Age of Trump' explores the growth of the American far right since the 1990s, accelerated by Donald J. Trump's presidency. It provides insights into the nature of these groups, detailing alt-right networks, personalities, and history. The book delves into the stories of various extreme right-wing groups active in contemporary America, shedding light on their ideologies, beliefs, and the impact they have on today's news articles.
It was purely a coincidence that one act followed the other, hundreds of miles apart: Roof apparently knew little about Trump and was not known to be a Trump follower. Trump had never met nor had any ...- #3
Claudia Rankine's Citizen: An American Lyric is a powerful exploration of race and racism in contemporary America. Through a mix of essays, poetry, and artwork, Rankine delves into the experiences of black Americans, shedding light on the microaggressions and systemic injustices they face on a daily basis. The book offers a raw and unflinching look at the impact of racism on individuals, challenging readers to confront their own privilege and biases.
Rankine's writing style in Citizen is described as intense, haunting, and gripping. She expertly weaves together personal anecdotes, high-profile events, and social commentary to create a narrative that is both lyrical and impactful. The book's use of second-person narration, along with its varied formats and textures, adds to the immersive and thought-provoking nature of the work.
When you are alone and too tired even to turn on any of your devices, you let yourself linger in a past stacked among your pillows. Usually you are nestled under blankets and the house is empty. Somet... 'Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle' by Chris Hedges is a sharp critique of American society, focusing on the prevalence of spectacle and illusion over reality. Hedges delves into various aspects of American culture, such as celebrity gossip, false celebrity status, psycho babble, and the culture of spectacle that distracts individuals from addressing real problems. paints a bleak picture of a nation in deep trouble, where mindless images and trivial concerns have taken precedence over intelligence, reason, and knowledge. Hedges presents a scathing analysis of how wealthy corporations and individuals control both the media and the political process, leading to a society that has lost the ability to confront its issues.
Now the death of God combined with the perfection of the image has brought us to a whole new state of expectation. We are the image. We are the viewer and the viewed. There is no other distracting pre...- #5
'Quichotte' by Salman Rushdie is a complex and ambitious novel that delves into themes of impossible love, family relationships, racism, and the intertwining of reality and fantasy. The story follows a character named Quichotte Quixote and his imaginary son Sancho on a quest to woo a movie star, all while exploring issues such as immigration, drug addiction, forgiveness, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. Rushdie's writing style is described as thought-provoking, challenging, and rewarding, blending satire, humor, and poignant moments seamlessly.
Miss Salma R, the exceptional woman (and total stranger) to whom Quichotte had declared his undying devotion, came from a dynasty of adored ladies. Think of her family this way: Granny R was Greta Gar... - #6
Chris Hayes in 'A Colony in a Nation' presents a fresh perspective on the division within America, distinguishing between the Colony and the Nation. He draws parallels between the present-day racial disparities and the American Colonies under British rule, highlighting the unequal treatment faced by African Americans. Through personal experiences and historical references, Hayes delves into the role of fear in lawmaking, the impact of gun violence, and the prevalence of the private prison industry. He challenges readers to consider the implications of living in a divided America and reflects on the psychological and societal implications of this divide.
The book also explores the differences in the criminal justice system between the Nation and the Colony, drawing analogies between a functioning operating system and a disruptive computer virus. Hayes eloquently discusses the historical context of America as a colony under British rule, shedding light on the injustices faced by the colonists and drawing parallels to the contemporary issues of policing and justice in America today.
It was a few years ago. I heard a couple arguing loudly on the street outside my apartment. “Arguing” probably undersells it—he was screaming as he leaned over her, his voice punching her ears: “How s... - #7
'Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal' by Ayn Rand is a collection of essays defending capitalism from a moral and practical perspective. The essays cover topics such as the persecution of big business, the causes of war, the student rebellion, and the evils of altruism. The writing style is described as challenging, thought-provoking, and polarizing, presenting Objectivist views on capitalism, conservatism, war, and altruism with logical arguments.
Today’s frantic development in the field of technology has a quality reminiscent of the days preceding the economic crash of 1929: riding on the momentum of the past, on the unacknowledged remnants of... - #8
'The Counterlife' by Philip Roth is a novel that blurs the line between fiction and non-fiction, presenting alternate realities and exploring the craft of writing. The narrative follows multiple characters and their intertwined fates, delving into themes of love, hate, family dynamics, religious extremism, and the complexities of Jewish identity. The author skillfully weaves together different storylines, challenging the reader's perception of reality and fiction.
The book is structured in a unique format, resembling a play with five acts, each containing a mix of themes like brotherly love, heart failure, impotency, death, and the meaning of being Jewish. Through eloquent monologues and intricate character development, Roth explores the concept of imagination as a creator and the interconnectedness of individuals in shaping each other's lives. The novel is emotionally impactful, particularly in its portrayal of the love and hate between the brothers Henry and Nathan, while also addressing themes of religious hatred and extremism.
WHEN I located him at his newspaper, Shuki couldn’t at first understand who I said was calling—when he did, he pretended to be stupefied. “What’s a nice Jewish boy like you doing in a place like this?... - #9
In "Parasites Like Us" by Adam Johnson, readers are taken on a journey into a future world where an apocalyptic scenario is triggered by an excavation at an ancient American burial site. The main character, Dr. Hank Hannah, a professor of anthropology, finds himself entangled in a series of events involving his students, a Clovis burial site, and a timeless menace that threatens the modern world. The narrative is filled with dark humor, ironic twists, and a clever exploration of the exploitation of land resources from the past to the present, all told through the self-deprecating voice of Hannah.
The plot of the book revolves around Hannah's interactions with his students, the illegal excavation of the burial site, and the repercussions that follow, including accusations of grave robbing and the discovery of a sphere with potentially dire consequences for humanity. Johnson's writing style combines wry humor with a serious message, creating an entertaining read that delves into themes of past civilizations, modern-day challenges, and the complexities of human relationships.
- #10
In the book Wanderers by Chuck Wendig, a cataclysmic event unfolds where people across America begin sleepwalking, showing resistance to injury and exploding if interfered with. As the CDC investigates this mysterious phenomenon, a new fungal disease threatens humanity. The story follows a diverse cast of characters, including a rock star, an AI, and a racist militia, as they navigate the chaos and unravel the apocalyptic puzzle. Wendig's writing style is described as realistic, with dynamic characters and a gripping plot that delves into social commentary and plausible scientific speculation.
Last night’s amateur astronomers got a treat in the form of clear skies, a new moon, and Comet Sakamoto. The last three Great Comets were Lovejoy in 2011, McNaught in 2007, and the famous—or infamous?...