Over the course of the last five years, Books has been one of the PopMatters sections that has developed from an occasional update to a regular weekly feature with consistently strong writers producing reviews at the top of their game. The Books section has changed editorial hands a few times over the years, with each editor successively adding their stamp to place it among the finest sources of intelligent, balanced, and thought-provoking book criticism around. As the section has grown, so has the talent pool of its writers, and today Books boasts a staff of knowledgable people who are dedicated to bringing readers discerning reviews to match the quality of the material covered.

If one thing must be picked to state why PopMatters' Books section stands out above its peers, it's the incredible range and diversity of books that the staff covers. Any given week will feature a hot new title in fiction, cultural studies, history, the arts, philosophy, poetry, current events, essays, or memoirs. While the Books section certainly follows industry "buzz" and gives our readers insight into books that everyone seems to be talking about, our staff works hard to give equal treatment to books that are just as deserving but may fly under the mainstream radar. Moreover, no matter how broad or how particular the topic of the work, our writers maintain a constant standard of excellence, providing literate and informative reviews that never lack for style or intelligence. No matter what your interests or background, you're sure to find something engaging and insightful in the PopMatters Books section.

PopMatters Editors' Picks

Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
Review by Phoebe Kate Foster
Here's an example of a heavily-reviewed book given a new spin by a quality PopMatters writer: a clear gaze at a difficult subject, yet a steady hold on the manner by which the story is told. Foster is among the best of the magazine's contributors; she's quietly confident, never sensational, and demonstrates respect for authors by ignoring hype and reviewing books on a professional, writer-to-writer basis.

Surrealist Art and Thought in the 1930s: Art, Politics and the Psyche by Stephen Harris
Review by Patricia Allmer
Coming from an academic angle, Allmer's smart take on both the book and the surrealist movement displays knowledge of and keen insight into the field of surrealist art.

Passwords by Jean Baudrillard
Review by Rahul Gairola
Among 20th Century philosophers, only a very few are as obtuse and complicated as Baudrillard. What makes this review a fine example of PopMatters book writing is Gairola's ability to reign in the philosophy and present it in a clear manner without sacrificing its importance. Few publications would even attempt philosophy of this kind, proving again the range and agility of our staff.

Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity by David Foster Wallace
Review by Anne K. Yoder
Reviewing Foster on infinity requires knowledge of literature, math, and Wallace's previous writings; Yoder has this ability and provides her broad range of knowledge to this thoughtful review.

Chaucer's Queer Nation by Glenn Burger
Review by Natalie Hope McDonald
Whereas the majority of the reviews on PopMatters address subjects that are squarely in the "mainstream", McDonald's review looks at a fairly academic subject, contemporary literary criticism. It is a fascinating article because she manages to make a subject that many would find obscure and esoteric into something interesting for people of all stripes. This is just the kind of bridge-building between the academic world and the mainstream that elevates and inspires thinkers in both camps.

War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America's Campaign to Create a Master Race by Edwin Black
Review by Vince Carducci
Carducci's review of War Against the Weak is on par with The New York Review of Books literary criticism; it summarizes while it simultaneously educates readers on the subject matter, and tackles a difficult subject matter with sympathy and insight.

My Life by Bill Clinton
Review by James Oliphant
Clinton, large as life, is approached in a thoroughly grounded manner. Oliphant covers Clinton's biography with the compassion required to understand a complex man and how such a man tells his story.

The Desirable Body: Cultural Fetishism and the Erotics of Consumption by Jon Stratten
Review by Robyn Sassen
Sassen's review of this text of cultural studies is much like the book itself: easy to digest, in spite of the subject matter. Her take on the book is witty and crisply written, and makes reading about fetishism and consumption seem almost as much fun as, well, going shopping!

Villa Incognito by Tom Robbins
Review by Nikki Tranter
Tranter's review is an example of the best form of fiction criticism. She displays a comfortable and thorough knowledge of her subject matter, a respect for the author's body of work, and a firm grasp of his role in literature. Without trying to sound overtly erudite, Tranter says just enough to leave the reader intrigued.

All Day Permanent Red: War Music Continued by Christopher Logue
Review by John Sears
Sears tackles the difficult matter of reviewing poetry with a critical eye. He speaks intelligently about Logue's project and contextualizes the subject matter in contemporary language, while maintaining the classical context of the subject.