I’m enjoying Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. The story follows Adina, who believes she’s an alien. As she grows up in Philadelphia, Adina faxes observations about modern life and humankind to her far-off home planet. Is it absurd? Definitely. But it also makes more sense than anything else at the moment.
— Molly Tynjala King, senior editor/lead fact checker
Dead and Alive: Essays by Zadie Smith. A brilliant collection of essays about the way we live now, packed with Smith’s trenchant, funny, and deeply humane observations. I bought the hardcover but switched to the audiobook when I realized Smith herself is the narrator — she’s so good!
— Anjula Razdan, senior director–digital
The New Yorker. I had let my subscription lapse about a year ago, but I missed the unmistakable writing and recently resubscribed. Even when I don’t finish an issue, I’m amazed by how many of my particular interests are reflected in the table of contents.
— Brett Fechheimer, fact checker/copy editor
I am currently reading a book called Frizzy, by Claribel A. Ortega, with my daughter, alongside Michelle Obama’s The Look. You wouldn’t think a graphic novel and a coffee-table book would have much in common, but both brought me to tears with their honest review of what self-love is for Black women: attainable and deeply necessary.
— Tatyana McNamara, senior manager–multimedia
Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series, starting with Master and Commander and continuing for 19 stellar volumes. I’m always reading and rereading these: When I finish the series, I start over again — usually with Jane Austen novels interspersed.
— Michael Dregni, deputy editor
The Paris Novel by food writer Ruth Reichl. A shy copy editor goes to Paris and discovers her love of oysters, art, and life — all unlocked by a magic dress she discovers in a vintage shop. It’s a fun read and a tribute to aliveness.
— Courtney Helgoe, executive editor
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