Meet New Books

Books matching: contemporary america

100 result(s)

Readers also searched for:

Page 1
Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. 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 ...

  2. #2

    American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
    Save:

    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.


  3. #3

    Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
    Save:

    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...

  4. #4

    I Miss You When I Blink: Essays by Mary Laura Philpott
    Save:

    'I Miss You When I Blink: Essays' by Mary Laura Philpott is a collection of personal essays that delve into relatable topics such as self-doubt, identity crises, and the quest for approval. The author's writing style is described as witty, self-deprecating, and deeply moving, offering readers a glimpse into her life and perspective. Despite some readers finding the book scattered and anecdotal, others appreciate the relatability and humor that Philpott brings to her storytelling.

    I was sitting at the desk in my home office, on a copywriting deadline for a client in the luggage industry, wrestling with a paragraph about suitcases. I leaned forward, as if putting my face closer ...

  5. '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...

  6. #6

    Quichotte by Salman Rushdie
    Save:

    '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...

  7. #7

    A Colony in a Nation by Chris Hayes
    Save:

    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...

  8. #8

    Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal by Ayn Rand
    Save:

    '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...

  9. #9

    The Woman in the White Kimono by Ana Johns
    Save:

    The book tells the story of a young Japanese woman who falls in love with an American sailor in the late 1950's. Despite familial pressure, she remains committed to her American lover and becomes pregnant. Set in both modern Midwest USA and Japan during the US occupation, the narrative weaves together the stories of the Japanese girl and an American journalist uncovering her father's past. The author skillfully intertwines the two time frames, shedding light on the challenges faced by mixed-race couples in a society with little tolerance for such unions.

    The story delves into the cultural and societal norms of post-war Japan and America, highlighting the struggles faced by individuals caught between two worlds. Through poignant storytelling and well-developed characters, the author brings to life a heartbreaking yet compelling love story that spans generations, exploring themes of love, loss, discrimination, and the enduring impact of historical events on personal lives.

    Even at night with half the staff, the Taussig Cancer Center ran as shipshape as its namesake. With Dr. Amon at the helm, I prayed my father could somehow weather the storm, but his lapsing health had...

  10. #10

    What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
    Save:

    "What the Wind Knows" by Amy Harmon is a captivating blend of historical fiction and fantasy, following the journey of Anne Gallagher as she travels back in time to 1921 Ireland. The story unfolds as Anne fulfills her grandfather's wish to spread his ashes in his homeland, leading her to a remarkable encounter with key figures of Irish history during the tumultuous period of the Easter Rising. Harmon's writing style intricately weaves together elements of romance, history, time travel, and poetry, creating a mesmerizing narrative that immerses readers in the vivid landscapes of both past and present.

    “Yes, I know,” I teased, as if the locked drawer had been something I’d been trying to break into. I’d actually had no idea. I hadn’t lived in Eoin’s Brooklyn brownstone for a long time and hadn’t cal...

Page 1 of 10Next Page