A Whole World by James Merrill, edited by Langdon Hammer and Stephen Yenser
Upon completing A Whole World: Letters from James Merrill edited by Langdon Hammer and Stephen Yenser, one's emotions lean towards an elegiac tone, not just for the departure of James Merrill, who seems...
Tomboyland by Melissa Faliveno
The book "Tomboyland" by Melissa Faliveno explores the complex identity of the Midwest, particularly Wisconsin, beyond surface-level stereotypes. Through a series of eight essays, Faliveno intertwines personal experiences, interviews, and research to bring...
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
One recurring question in Carmen Maria Machado’s latest memoir about an abusive same-sex relationship is: How did we end up here? Followed by: Is this the breaking point?
For instance, Machado illustrates a nightmarish...
Republic of Detours by Scott Borchert
During 1935–1943, the U.S. government did something unprecedented by employing thousands of struggling writers and paying them to write. The main focus of the Federal Writers’ Project wasn't just publishing but providing jobs...
The River You Touch by Chris Dombrowski
Henry Thoreau envisioned his book Walden to encompass everything nature-related, but he led a solitary life without a family. In contrast, Chris Dombrowski's memoir about living in rural Montana delves into hunting, fishing,...
Selected Works by Yi Sang, edited by Don Mee Choi, translated by Jack Jung,...
Yi Sang: Selected Works showcases the literary creations of the Korean modernist poet Kim Hye-kyŏng (1910–1937), known as Yi Sang during the era of Japanese colonial rule in the early 20th century. The...
Cheever: A Life by Blake Bailey
Blake Bailey gained recognition in 2003 with his well-received biography of Richard Yates, "A Tragic Honesty," which reignited interest in the author's works like "Revolutionary Road" (1961), inspiring a movie adaptation.
Bailey meticulously researched...
A Farm Dies Once A Year by Arlo Crawford
When growing tomato plants, it's important to stake them six feet apart. Handling okra pods requires careful clipping to avoid skin rashes. Squash plants are sturdy and have a low-lying growth pattern. These...
A Woman’s Battles and Transformations by Édouard Louis, translated by Tash Aw
Édouard Louis, born in 1992 in a working-class village in northern France, gained recognition with his first book, The End of Eddy. This book delves into his experiences with homophobia, rejection of traditional...
Skybound by Rebecca Loncraine
Czesław Miłosz expressed that in poetry, he was not trying to escape from fear but to show that fear and reverence can coexist. Rebecca Loncraine recounts in her memoir Skybound how flying in...
