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Welcome to Today in Books, your daily digest of literary news reflecting on politics, culture, media, and more.
A New Contender in Best of the Century Lists
The conversation around essential reading continues as the New York Times unveils its selection of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century So Far. Fans of literary discussions have surely engaged with this list, but in a parallel move, Kirkus Reviews has also published its own compilation. Unlike the NYT, Kirkus opts not to rank their selections, allowing for sorting by genres without deep categorization (e.g., all adult novels fall under Fiction, which includes science fiction, fantasy, and more).
While there are commonalities between the titles selected by both lists—after all, some books are simply too significant to exclude—Kirkus offers a few titles that the NYT overlooks. For instance, you won’t find An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera on the NYT list.
Among the titles featured on the Kirkus list that have caught my eye and are absent from the NYT compilation include James by Percival Everett—while NYT featured Everett’s Erasure. Others, like Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw, enrich the conversation surrounding contemporary fiction.
I’ll be examining these lists further as they not only spark debate but also provide insights into the literary landscape and the values upheld by these publications.
The Orwellian Lens
The discourse surrounding literary figures is as vibrant as ever. Notably, George Orwell’s works are often invoked by various factions, sometimes inappropriately. For instance, a recent essay in the New York Times Magazine explores how Orwell’s ideas are misapplied in contemporary political settings, particularly among influential figures.
This brings to mind the notion of revisiting 1984, though the thought seems rather daunting in today’s climate; Animal Farm might be a more palatable choice. The essay articulates the cognitive dissonance displayed by political figures such as Roger Severino and former President Trump, who brand themselves as defenders of American values while manipulating Orwell’s depictions of authoritarianism for their narratives. “One might imagine the president has on his nightstand a dog-eared copy of ‘1984’ alongside Project 2025 and ‘The Art of the Deal,’” remarks writer Matthew Purdy, suggesting that Orwell’s work could be wielded as a blueprint rather than a warning.
A Compelling Argument for Libraries
As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, discussions are intensifying regarding the breadth and limitations of constitutional rights. Concurrently, there is a renewed emphasis on strengthening community ties, with public libraries emerging as quintessential “third places” in American society.
This reflection resonates with Melanie McFarland’s insightful commentary in Salon, specifically her piece titled “‘Reading builds empathy’: The case for saving America’s libraries.” McFarland discusses the documentary “Free for All: The Public Library,” by Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor, which is set to premiere on PBS in April. The commentary also delves into contemporary challenges facing libraries, including increasing book bans, diminishing federal support, and the troubling trend of censorship in educational settings. Moreover, McFarland articulates the concept of the library as a vital communal space, emphasizing what we stand to lose if we do not advocate for these institutions.
For anyone interested in safeguarding the literary fabric of our society, this piece is an essential read.
Source
bookriot.com