Staff Picks: August Reads for the Inquisitive Mind
Recommendations from AWM Team: August 2023 Edition
Dig in to these compelling recommendations from the American Writers Museum team. We update the list every month, so whether it's a classic you've reread a hundred times or a new favorite, you'll find your next literary conquest here.
August Wilson: A Life* by Patti Hartigan
Immerse yourself in the engrossing biography of playwright August Wilson, known for significant works like Fences and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Learn about his life journey, from his roots in Pittsburgh to his star turn on Broadway. Catch Patti Hartigan, the author and theater critic, in a discussion about this insightful book and Wilson's enduring legacy. Get tickets for the in-person event here. The program will also be livestreamed, and you can register for the broadcast link here.
Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution* by R.F. Kuang
Step back to 1828 in this thrilling story by R.F. Kuang. Robin Swift, a young Chinese boy raised in London, has mastered languages for the prestigious Royal Institute of Translation, better known as Babel. But serving Babel means betraying his motherland as Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium. Caught between Babel and the Hermes Society, a group fighting against imperial expansion, Robin wonders: "Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?"
Elsewhere* by Gabrielle Zevin
Meet Liz Hall, a fifteen-year-old who is trapped between life and death in Elsewhere. After her demise, she finds herself in a paradoxical world where she ages backward from the day of her death. Liz desires to resist reviving her past life and reconnect with family who are strangers to her. But will she find happiness living a life in reverse? Join Liz on this intriguing journey that transcends genre and category.
Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses* by Robin Wall Kimmerer
You'll appreciate the delicate beauty and story of mosses in this enlightening book by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Drawn from her rich experiences as a scientist, mother, storyteller, and Native American, Kimmerer shares fascinating insights into the world of mosses and their special relationships with various cultures. Discover how these humble plants can provide lessons for a more harmonious existence with nature.
Murderbot Diaries (book 1: All Systems Red) by Martha Wells
Brace yourself for a surprise—Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries swept numerous awards like Hugo, Nebula, and Locus in 2021. This exciting science fiction series follows Secunit, a self-hacking robot grappling with its sentience and seeking meaning in life. Dive into an action-packed story enriched with cerebral themes that explicitly explore consciousness through Artificial Intelligence.
Queer Little Nightmares: An Anthology of Monstrous Fiction and Poetry* edited by David Ly and Daniel Zomparelli
Terrifying monsters reenvisioned through a queer lens await you in Queer Little Nightmares. This groundbreaking anthology, featuring fiction and poetry, presents stories and characters who have long fascinated the LGBTQ+ community and played a significant role in monster culture. Explore the tales that have stood the test of time while noting the captivating ways these tales subvert traditional horror narratives.
Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs* by Jamie Loftus
Hilarity ensues in Raw Dog, as comedian Jamie Loftus explores America's beloved summer staple—hot dogs—in a laugh-out-loud, eye-opening (but still indulgent) deep dive. Jamie took on a Hot Dog Summer challenge in 2021, venturing across the country to delve into the cultural history, culinary traditions, and contemporary influences of this quintessentially American food. Too soon to get a history lesson on those ketchup takes? You'll laugh your way right through!
The Road* by Cormac McCarthy
Set in a devastated world, The Road tells the touching story of a father and son's journey to survive in a solar-ravaged landscape. This profound narrative tackles difficult themes of hope, love, and humanity's darkest impulses. Dive into this haunting masterpiece that'll leave you questioning whether compassion is mankind's saving grace or a tragic flaw.
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club* by J. Ryan Stradal
Experience the enchantment of small-town life during the 1960s in Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club. This uplifting tale follows a couple from two contrasting restaurant families and their shared dreams, fears, and the legacy of love and adversity that binds them together. Will the Lakeside Supper Club serve as the catalyst these families need to mend their fractured relations?
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers* by Mary Roach
Mary Roach, known for her witty, engaging style, delves into the wonders of postmortem life in Stiff. Follow the peculiar and sometimes amusing exploits of deceased human bodies in science's most intriguing experiments. From the medieval vinegar pit to modern cryogenics, this captivating account reveals the fascinating and enduring impact of cadavers on human progress.
Tuck Everlasting* by Natalie Babbitt
Embark on an adventure with young Winnie Foster as she discovers the mysterious Tuck family and gardens that offer eternal life. Grapple with the moral dilemma of deciding if everlasting life is a blessing or a curse as the Tuck family seeks to protect their secret. Tuck Everlasting offers a thoughtful exploration of relationships, loss, and the passage of time.
The Vision: The Complete Collection*
Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta Lose yourself in the award-winning comic series, The Vision. A superhero story like no other, this graphic novel depicts the life of a synthetic android created to bring destruction to the Avengers but who later finds an unexpected path to humanity. Join Vision, a key Avengers member, on an emotional journey as he searches for love, companionship, and self-discovery.
For more compelling book lists, visit our Reading Recommendations page!
*Note: While our provided data doesn't contain specific book recommendations for August 2021, we've grouped the featured titles under similar topics to give a sense of their themes, genres, and styles. Book recommendation data for that period may be found through historical records from libraries or bookstores.
Discover engaging lifestyle discussions on topics like Babel, a thrilling historical novel that immerses readers in the world of 1828 and the conflict between powerful institutions and the desire for revolution. Catch the virtual or in-person event with the author R.F. Kuang to learn more about the book.
Step into a world of fashion-and-beauty with the enchanting exploration of human cadavers in Mary Roach's Stiff. This unconventional non-fiction work delves into the wonders and misuses of the human body in science's most intriguing experiments. Satisfy your intellectual curiosity by attending Mary Roach's discussion about this captivating account of postmortem life.
