Essays

The Matter of Black Lives is a standout among books about race, notable for its historical perspective and breadth.

The Matter of Black Lives is a standout among books about race, notable for its historical perspective and breadth.

Hilary Mantel’s commanding intelligence and inimitable style are on full display in this essay collection.

Hilary Mantel’s commanding intelligence and inimitable style are on full display in this essay collection.

Despite its brevity, Zadie Smith’s collection of six essays about the year 2020 is moving, resonant and powerful.

Despite its brevity, Zadie Smith’s collection of six essays about the year 2020 is moving, resonant and powerful.

Written with humility, humor and visionary insight, Jonathan Franzen’s wide-ranging collection is certain to generate rewarding dialogue.

Written with humility, humor and visionary insight, Jonathan Franzen’s wide-ranging collection is certain to generate rewarding dialogue.

Not only are Phoebe Robinson’s essays super funny, they’re also enlightening and thought-provoking, dotted with hits of poetry, anger and revelation.

Not only are Phoebe Robinson’s essays super funny, they’re also enlightening and thought-provoking, dotted with hits of poetry, anger and revelation.

Susan Orlean is such a virtuoso of unexpected joys and delights that she can make even the story of a lost dog read like a thriller.

Susan Orlean is such a virtuoso of unexpected joys and delights that she can make even the story of a lost dog read like a thriller.

While John Lewis was unable to record his essays himself, Don Cheadle more than succeeds in embodying the congressman’s message of hope.

While John Lewis was unable to record his essays himself, Don Cheadle more than succeeds in embodying the congressman’s message of hope.

Whether extolling the wonders of a rattlesnake or lamenting oppressive policies, Margaret Renkl engages with her Southern homeland’s beauty and complexity.

Whether extolling the wonders of a rattlesnake or lamenting oppressive policies, Margaret Renkl engages with her Southern homeland’s beauty and complexity.

With storytelling skills from years as a podcaster and YouTuber, John Green makes even the most obscure topics compelling in his audiobook.

With storytelling skills from years as a podcaster and YouTuber, John Green makes even the most obscure topics compelling in his audiobook.

Tarana Burke and Brené Brown demonstrate the power of bringing one’s authentic self to the work of deconstructing oppressive power structures.

Tarana Burke and Brené Brown demonstrate the power of bringing one’s authentic self to the work of deconstructing oppressive power structures.

Listening to Casey Wilson’s essay collection is like getting good gossip from one of your funniest friends.

Listening to Casey Wilson’s essay collection is like getting good gossip from one of your funniest friends.

Author Lauren Hough and actor-producer Cate Blanchett create a heartbreaking and intimate experience for listeners.

Author Lauren Hough and actor-producer Cate Blanchett create a heartbreaking and intimate experience for listeners.

The 13 autobiographical essays in Yoke are brash, outspoken, funny, insightful, honest and occasionally spiced with dashes of self-deprecating melodrama.

The 13 autobiographical essays in Yoke are brash, outspoken, funny, insightful, honest and occasionally spiced with dashes of self-deprecating melodrama.

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