The Science of the Yuk and the Yum of Things
John McQuaid blends history, scientific research, cultural studies, and personal anecdotes to create a lively and engaging history of taste.
Catherine Ramsdell
Perception vs. Reality in Tracy Manaster’s ‘You Could Be Home By Now’
Some books you just don’t want to end. Manaster’s debut is one of those books.
‘Culture Crash’ Aims to Draw Attention to the Dwindling Creative Subset of the Middle Class
Has the US abandoned its middle-class creatives? Scott Timberg explains in Culture Crash.
Everlasting Lane Can Be a Harsh Place, Full of Beasts, Both Human and Animal
Everlasting Lane is an excellent reminder of how smart and intuitive children can be and how difficult childhood really is.
‘The Never-Open Desert Diner’ Is Beautifully Written With a Delicate Sense of Humor
A book with this kind of subtly, lyricism, and quiet intensity isn’t just appreciated—it’s restorative.
The Story of a Robot Named Stinky and the Four Boys Who Built It
Even with the discussion of refractions, range finders, and thermocouples, and the light moments and humor, deportation and immigration status concerns are always there for these four boys.
‘Hate Crimes in Cyberspace’ Shows Us the Steps to Overcome Online Bullying and Terror
From revenge porn to cyber mobs to trolls, Hate Crimes in Cyberspace shows the ugly side of the Internet and, most importantly, what people can do about it.
‘The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress’ Is a Historical Mystery With Panache
The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress is all about speakeasies, gangsters, glamour, and mystery. Best of all? The mystery is a true story.
‘The Imaginary App’ Shows How Real Apps Have Become to Us
Apps changed everything. The Imaginary App explains how.
‘The Luminous Heart of Jonah S.’ Reveals a Talent for Understatement
It's only in America that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Setting You Up for Loss: ‘Why Football Matters’
Football. According to author Mark Edmundson, it's a pharmakon.