Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize is probably one of the least interesting things about her. The novelist, who won the 2023 award for fiction, is a trained biologist, an environmental activist, and a spokesperson of sorts for the region of Appalachia, which she sees as maligned by opportunistic authors like J. D. Vance. Oh, and she […]
A thriller to end your summer
Alexandra Quinlan was just 17 years old when she was accused of brutally murdering her family. Within a few months, she was cleared legally, but the negative media coverage was so intense that she had to change her name. She thought she had successfully started a new life. But the past wouldn’t let go of […]
A murder mystery with serious buzz
First-time novelist Charmaine Wilkerson is making waves in the mystery space, combining a juicy cold-case murder with a delicious cake recipe. Truly, what more could a novel need? Black Cake (and its television adaptation, which premieres on Hulu in November) is an absorbing tale of secret identities, family history, and loss. Let’s take a closer look. Long-Buried Secrets […]
Set fire to your backup plan
“Shark Tank” investor Matt Higgins has a lot of experience with risk taking. He transformed himself from a poor high school dropout to a wealthy businessman by eliminating his Plan B and not giving himself the option to lose. Our latest Instaread explores his most useful strategies and tips. Feel the Fear The secret to […]
Of course you’re always right
In our age of inflammatory headlines and polarized politicians, it’s essential to have sharp communication skills. But it can be hard to get right, since persuasion is equal parts art and science. Our latest Instaread looks at a new treatise on how to win debates from famous argumentative person Medhi Hasan, the MSNBC anchor. Use […]
Why the KKK got a second wind
The Ku Klux Klan first started using violence and intimidation to uphold white supremacy in the American South after the Civil War. But many people don’t realize that the secretive organization’s real rise to power came later, in the Midwest, when it added other minorities to its hit list, including Catholics, Jews, and immigrants. The […]
Why do we have generation gaps?
Anyone who’s gathered with extended family for a holiday meal knows that relationships between the generations can be tense. The same is true for intergenerational workplaces, where bosses may be much older than their employees—or vice versa. How can we have better conversations with people from a different age bracket? Winds of Change Technology is […]
This is America. 🎵
Americans worry a lot about terrorism. But Richard Haass, a foreign policy expert, says that the most significant threat to the country’s security and stability comes from its internal political divisions. These problems undermine the country’s ability to thrive and deal with external threats from Russia, China, and others. Taking Responsibility The thing with democracy is […]
The world through someone else’s eyes
As one of the hosts of NPR’s All Things Considered, Ari Shapiro has traveled the world to hear people’s stories. His first book, The Best Strangers in the World, shares his personal and professional journey as an intern at NPR, a full-time journalist, and his experiences as a gay man navigating the landscape of political divisions in the […]
Who’s afraid of who?
When you’re an ex-convict who’s desperate for a job, you’ll put up with anything. Even a live-in housekeeping role where your “bedroom” is a dark and dingy attic that locks from the outside. What could Millie Calloway do but accept the job? Plot Twist Millie’s new boss Nina Winchester supposedly has it all, but something […]
