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This Week's Must Read Each week we invite authors to suggest a book that deepens, contextualizes or offers an new angle on one of the week's major headlines.
Special Series

This Week's Must Read

Books that deepen, contextualize or offer new angles on one of the week's major headlines.
A Sound of Thunder and Other Stories

Review

For The New Year, Ray Bradbury's Buoyant Vision Of The Future

We saw a lot of dystopias in both films and books this year. Author Jason Sheehan has had enough. He plans to celebrate the new year with some science fiction that's actually hopeful about the future.

For The New Year, Ray Bradbury's Buoyant Vision Of The Future

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Fairy Tales

Review

For Wintry Weather, An Especially Cold And Snowy Tale

This week we celebrated not only Christmas, but also the solstice — the shortest day of the year. In honor of this wintry weather, author Edward Carey recommends his favorite winter fairy tale.

For Wintry Weather, An Especially Cold And Snowy Tale

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The Havana Habit

Review

'Rum, Rumba, And Romance': A Book On Cuba's Enduring Mystique

This week, President Obama announced that he will begin to normalize relations with Cuba. Cuban-American writer Richard Blanco recommends a book about Cuba's imprint on the American imagination.

'Rum, Rumba, And Romance': A Book On Cuba's Enduring Mystique

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Waiting for the Barbarians

Review

The Ethics Of Torture, Explored In A Painful Fable

This week, the Senate released a report that details the interrogation techniques used by the CIA after Sept. 11. Author Laila Lalami grapples with the questions it raises by turning to literature.

The Ethics Of Torture, Explored In A Painful Fable

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The Black Unicorn

Review

After The Ferguson Decision, A Poem That Gives Name To The Hurt

This week, a Missouri grand jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson, the officer who killed Michael Brown. Writer Syreeta McFadden turns to Audre Lorde's poetry to make sense of this decision.

After The Ferguson Decision, A Poem That Gives Name To The Hurt

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True Tales from Another Mexico

Review

These 'True Tales' Add Nuance To The Immigration Discussion

President Obama announced an executive action on immigration this week. For an in-depth look at the issue, author Gustavo Arellano recommends two nonfiction collections about Mexican immigrants.

These 'True Tales' Add Nuance To The Immigration Discussion

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Homage to Catalonia

Review

After Catalonia's Independence Vote, An 'Homage' To George Orwell

This week Spain's northeast region voted in favor of independence. But the results weren't recognized by the Spanish government. The situation reminds poet Rowan Ricardo Phillips of a favorite book.

After Catalonia's Independence Vote, An 'Homage' To George Orwell

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Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World

Review

For Political Junkies, A (Literary) Post-Election Fix

Post-elections, Molly Antopol and Jason Sheehan reflect on the results by turning to their favorite political books, Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail.

For Political Junkies, A (Literary) Post-Election Fix

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The Way We Live Now

Review

A 19th Century Novel Explains Quantitative Easing

This week, the Federal Reserve ended the quantitative easing program. Author John Lanchester says Anthony Trollope's 19th century novel The Way We Live Now clarifies the current financial situation.

A 19th Century Novel Explains Quantitative Easing

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The Corpse Exhibition And Other Stories of Iraq

Review

After The Blackwater Convictions, A Book On Iraq's Nightmarish Reality

Four former Blackwater guards were found guilty last week in connection with a fatal shooting in 2007. Author Brian Castner recommends a book on the toll violence has taken on Iraq.

After The Blackwater Convictions, A Book On Iraq's Nightmarish Reality

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What It Takes

Review

For The Midterm Elections, A Book On 'What It Takes' To Win

The midterm elections are less than two weeks away. Writer Michael Schaub recommends a book that explores what it's like to run for office and live through all the dramatic ups and downs.

For The Midterm Elections, A Book On 'What It Takes' To Win

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Wonder Boys

Review

After A Flurry Of Literary Awards, A Book On The 'Wonder' Of Words

It's literary awards season. The Nobel, the National Book Awards shortlists, and the Man Booker Prize were all recently announced. Author Jason Sheehan recommends some reading on all this reading.

After A Flurry Of Literary Awards, A Book On The 'Wonder' Of Words

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book cover

Review

For This Baseball Season, Roger Angell Has Just The 'Ticket'

The American League Championship Series begins tonight. Writer Kate Tuttle says Roger Angell's 1988 collection of essays, Season Ticket, is the perfect accompaniment to the postseason.

For This Baseball Season, Roger Angell Has Just The 'Ticket'

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Big If

Review

Behind The Sunglasses: The Lives Of Secret Service Agents

This week, following a series of security lapses, the Secret Service director resigned. For a look at the agency beyond the scandal, author Ben Dolnick recommends the novel Big If by Mark Costello.

Behind The Sunglasses: The Lives Of Secret Service Agents

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Doomsday Book

Review

As The Ebola Outbreak Worsens, A Book About Compassion

This week, the CDC predicted there could be tens of thousands of Ebola cases if the disease is not controlled soon. Author Alaya Dawn Johnson turns to a favorite novel for wisdom amid this epidemic.

As The Ebola Outbreak Worsens, A Book About Compassion

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Velocities

Review

Book Reviews

For The Autumnal Equinox, A Poem As Chilling As The Fall Weather

Tuesday is the first day of fall. This time of year reminds critic Abigail Deutsch of Stephen Dobyns' "How to Like It" — a poem about a man who ponders his lost summers and fleeting dreams.

For The Autumnal Equinox, A Poem As Chilling As The Fall Weather

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The Crow Road

Review

As Independence Vote Approaches, A Spirited Novel About The Scottish Experience

Next week the people of Scotland vote on whether to become independent from the U.K. Author Marie Mutsuki Mockett recommends a book that illuminates the Scottish psyche, Iain Banks' The Crow Road.

As Independence Vote Approaches, A Spirited Novel About The Scottish Experience

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