All Books
- Claire Lombardo’s ‘Same As It Ever Was’ delves into a longtime marriage
In “Same As It Ever Was,” novelist Claire Lombardo explores the restlessness, silences, and comforts that mark one woman’s decades-long relationship.
- Check out the Monitor’s 10 best books of June
For June 2024, the Monitor’s best books include stirring mysteries and moving family tales, including novels based on famous lives.
- How the Civil War spurred the animal welfare movement
“Our Kindred Creatures” tells the story of American abolitionists who, after Emancipation, pivoted from antislavery campaigns to animal welfare advocacy.
- Ann Powers was writing Joni Mitchell’s life story. She found her own.
With her new biography about Joni Mitchell, NPR music critic Ann Powers says she wanted to challenge the idea that there’s only one definitive story of a life.
- How George Marshall’s quiet genius for planning helped the US win world wars
In a new biography, Josiah Bunting III paints a revealing picture of the quiet man who grew into a titanic military leader.
- So you want to win the New Yorker caption contest? Here’s how in 6 steps.
Lawrence Wood has won The New Yorker’s caption contest eight times. In this witty volume, he explains how he did it.
- In ‘Sipsworth,’ a mouse helps a widow conquer loneliness
In Simon Van Booy’s charming novel “Sipsworth,” a woman’s closed world is opened up by the unexpected arrival of a mouse.
- Walls haven’t stopped immigration. Is society ready to explore open borders?
Immigration policy failures led John Washington, who reports on the U.S. border, to write “The Case for Open Borders.”
- Today’s immigration was set in motion by past US actions, a journalist argues
In “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here,” Jonathan Blitzer examines the U.S. government’s role in Central America as a factor in the rising numbers of asylum-seekers today.
- How a spirit of gentleness can lead to public service – and better politics
Public service means genuinely wanting good for others, says Michael Wear, author of “The Spirit of Our Politics.”
- Add the Monitor’s 10 best books of May to your reading list
The Monitor’s 10 best books of May 2024 include tales of betrayal and redemption spanning the globe from China to Europe to the U.S.
- To craft Nordic Noir novels, Scandinavian authors draw on Viking tales
What is Nordic Noir? The genre is more than just tales of ice and fire. It recalls a rich literary tradition of Vikings, gods, and politics.
- The secret to Chinese civilization’s longevity? Exams and bureaucracy.
China is the world’s oldest continuous civilization, and in ancient times was a leader in technology. “In The Rise and Fall of the EAST,” Yasheng Huang probes why.
- Welcome to retirement. So, are you ready to catch your first killer?
While catching killers rather than putting together jigsaw puzzles has become the hobby for senior sleuths, these books are also showing people in their 70s and 80s as vibrant, brave, and clever.
- Behind the verse: Six Monitor poets share why they write poetry
It’s no secret that poetry is one of the least lucrative forms of writing. So what keeps poets returning to write poems? We asked six contributors where they draw their inspiration.
- Lithium is key to green technology. Where will the US source it?
“The War Below” examines the global competition for metals like lithium and nickel, which are needed for electric cars, solar panels, and wind turbines.
- Audubon’s exquisite bird paintings owe a debt to classical European art
“Audubon as Artist” plunges into John James Audubon’s fascination with classical European art, which influenced his celebrated bird paintings.
- Do diverse police departments use less force? She trained with cops to find out.
After a year training at police academies, sociologist Samantha J. Simon finds that it’s going to take more than diversity initiatives to change police culture.
- CommentaryMillions of adults need help reading. Why the US needs to change course.
As the U.S. considers how to improve reading instruction for young students, it shouldn't forget grown-ups, our commentator says. How could their hopes be better addressed?
- ‘Real Americans’ explores the pressure to be exceptional
Rachel Khong’s second novel, a multi-generational tale of two intertwined families, flags problematic attempts to shape and control identity.