It’s officially hibernation season here in New England. This time of year begins with a whirlwind of socializing, such as holiday parties and gift exchanges. But when all of them are exhausted, there is a change of season when we all settle into our respective homes. I came up with a list of books that would help me escape the winter.
Harvard Theological Seminary graduate and former Hampshire University faculty member Robin Coste-Lewis marvelously blends photography, visual memorabilia, and poetry to weave the story of the Great Migration. Inspired by a suitcase full of old photographs found after his grandmother’s death, Coste Ruiz explores the history of the migration of millions of black Americans from the South to other parts of the country in the 20th century. more intimately chronicles this period of
Pulitzer Prize-winning Providence author Cormac McCarthy is back with a sequel to The Passenger, released this fall. Set in early 1970s Wisconsin, PhD candidate Alicia is admitted to a hospital. With a plastic bag full of cash, a paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis, and haunting memories of her brother, she reminds her cohorts of hallucinations that only she can see.
Set in the fictional New England town of Harper’s Cove, Maine, this romantic comedy will bring some heat to your kitchen. Xavier returns to his hometown after failing a fellowship. Needing a job, he starts working as a prep chef at a trendy local restaurant run by owner-chef Logan. Different work styles, sooner or later these two he can not stop the connection.
January 17th
Matthew Salesses puts together three character plots exploring an Asian-American protagonist and his relationship with identity, career, media, and microaggressions. The Emerson Alumni author goes from NBA star Wong Lee, to a sportswriter covering a Lee named Robert Son, and a big date Lee named Carrie Kang, who is trying to bring K-drama into an unwelcome industry. I’m moving to a larger studio producer.
February 7
Yale lecturer Maggie Milner has already made waves in the poetry world, but her debut collection will establish her name (and one of the releases I’m most looking forward to). one). The love story in this poem is about a young, ordinary woman in Brooklyn, exploring themes of queerness, identity, and desire.
March 7
Even in the deep, dark, cold winters, we need escapist stories to reclaim ourselves. This is a witty novel about her three women in New York either growing up wealthy or marrying her 1% wealthy in New York. Jackson is a graduate of Williams College and sets one of the main character’s backstories in New England.
March 28th
From 2021’s best-selling non-fiction book, Clint Smith returns with a gorgeous collection of poems exploring paternity. Harvard alumni examine how parent-child relationships shape the lives of both parents and children, addressing how historical, social, and political events affect parenting. An ever-changing world can be difficult to grasp as individuals, but one of our most prolific authors, she gives us words through her lyrical prose.
