Books & the Arts

What We Can Learn About Activism Today in the Archives of Queer History

What We Can Learn About Activism Today in the Archives of Queer History What We Can Learn About Activism Today in the Archives of Queer History

Cait McKinney’s Information Activism argues that archiving work illustrates how access to information has improved the lives of marginalized people.

Jan 5, 2021 / Books & the Arts / M. Jesuthasan

Out of the Ether

Out of the Ether Out of the Ether

On Mank, Let Them All Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Minari, and more films from the end of 2020.

Dec 30, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans

Open Mike Eagle’s Songs of Redemption

Open Mike Eagle’s Songs of Redemption Open Mike Eagle’s Songs of Redemption

His new album—Anime, Trauma and Divorce—uses rap as a vehicle for self-examination and restoration.

Dec 30, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse

Random Assignment

Random Assignment Random Assignment

It seems to want to rain but can’t. It fades to pink, an argument. Relinquish the dream. You can’t ever get what you want, You can’t please any of the people Any of the time. Time…

Dec 29, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Elisa Gabbert

Apples

Apples Apples

The townspeople paste wax apples on the trees, glow shyly out their windows as the Dictator struts past the monument of his father strutting past nothing at all. Yesterday, the Dic…

Dec 29, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Claire Schwartz

What Can We Learn From the 1918 Pandemic?

What Can We Learn From the 1918 Pandemic? What Can We Learn From the 1918 Pandemic?

A recent history of the pandemic illuminates not just parallels with our moment but how a public health crisis can become a political one as well. 

Dec 29, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Richard J. Evans

The Groundbreaking Honesty of Joe Sacco’s Comics Journalism

The Groundbreaking Honesty of Joe Sacco’s Comics Journalism The Groundbreaking Honesty of Joe Sacco’s Comics Journalism

His decades-long project of reportage in graphic form works like oral history—bearing witness to the historical traumas of his subjects.

Dec 28, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Jillian Steinhauer

How Should We Remember Ellis Island?

How Should We Remember Ellis Island? How Should We Remember Ellis Island?

Ellis Island: A People’s History looks at the everyday injustices that have haunted the country’s stance on immigration for centuries.

Dec 22, 2020 / Books & the Arts / J. Howard Rosier

The Frenzied Paris of Virginie Despentes

The Frenzied Paris of Virginie Despentes The Frenzied Paris of Virginie Despentes

Her trilogy of novels, Vernon Subutex, tell the story of a city and its inhabitants’ capacity for radical change.

Dec 21, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Jacqueline Feldman

The Best Albums of 2020

The Best Albums of 2020 The Best Albums of 2020

Our music critic’s 11 favorite pieces of music from this year.

Dec 18, 2020 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

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