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The Art of Living: 12 New Books That Explore How We Live Now
A pair of commentaries on class, an analysis of the generation gap and an investigation of cancel culture are included in the latest titles exploring modern life / BY Nathalie Atkinson / May 26th, 2023
Taste, class, remote work, the generation gap, human knowledge vs. artificial intelligence and separating the art from the artist are among the themes of notable new books that consider the interplay between relationships, culture, work and modern life
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1On ClassFor the latest ‘Field Notes’ series on timely current affairs topics from Windsor, Not., literary press Biblioasis, Toronto Star books editor Dundas examines the ways Canada does (and doesn’t) talk about the stark divide between the haves and the have-nots. In addition to speaking with activists, writers and those who work with the economically disadvantaged, the author shares her own experience of growing up poor and facing class-driven barriers to success.
For the latest ‘Field Notes’ series on timely current affairs topics from Windsor, Not., literary press Biblioasis, Toronto Star books editor Dundas examines the ways Canada does (and doesn’t) talk about the stark divide between the haves and the have-nots. In addition to speaking with activists, writers and those who work with the economically disadvantaged, the author shares her own experience of growing up poor and facing class-driven barriers to success.
2The Ugly History of Beautiful ThingsThrough poetic and sharply observed reflections on the nature of desire, Maine-based Kelleher deconstructs the roots of ugliness in the things we admire and eagerly consume. The book’s essays unpack the science and cultural history, exposing the secret life of everyday objects; gemstones that wreak havoc on the environment but are still highly coveted, why pearls are the product of oyster trauma, and how glassmakers created mirrors by inhaling mercury. If anything, we appreciate their beauty all the more after reading about their moral duality.
Through poetic and sharply observed reflections on the nature of desire, Maine-based Kelleher deconstructs the roots of ugliness in the things we admire and eagerly consume. The book’s essays unpack the science and cultural history, exposing the secret life of everyday objects; gemstones that wreak havoc on the environment but are still highly coveted, why pearls are the product of oyster trauma, and how glassmakers created mirrors by inhaling mercury. If anything, we appreciate their beauty all the more after reading about their moral duality.
3SizeThe Czech Canadian professor of environmental studies at the University of Manitoba is one of Bill Gates’ favourite thinkers — a polymath who has written about everything from energy to art. This time around, Smil harnesses the idea of size to create a series of eclectic observations that explain the world and humanity’s place in it; like where average sizing comes from and how size plays a role in status, intelligence, wealth and beauty.
The Czech Canadian professor of environmental studies at the University of Manitoba is one of Bill Gates’ favourite thinkers — a polymath who has written about everything from energy to art. This time around, Smil harnesses the idea of size to create a series of eclectic observations that explain the world and humanity’s place in it; like where average sizing comes from and how size plays a role in status, intelligence, wealth and beauty.
4Avidly Reads Screen TimeWhere to find a clever meditation on the way we define screens and how they define us that also encompasses pithy observations about Succession, Zoom, TikTok and Twin Peaks? This new book by English department lecturer and TV critic for the New Republic, Maciak weaves insight (and some personal essay) into cultural criticism and history of the video games, TV and other screens that demand our attention everywhere.
Where to find a clever meditation on the way we define screens and how they define us that also encompasses pithy observations about Succession, Zoom, TikTok and Twin Peaks? This new book by English department lecturer and TV critic for the New Republic, Maciak weaves insight (and some personal essay) into cultural criticism and history of the video games, TV and other screens that demand our attention everywhere.
5GenerationsThe American psychologist mines decades of data to get at the various traits and behaviours which define gen Z, millennials, gen X, boomers, as well as silents, and considers technological advances that differentiate them, while arguing that the generation gap is larger than ever (read Zed Book Club’s Q&A with the author here).
The American psychologist mines decades of data to get at the various traits and behaviours which define gen Z, millennials, gen X, boomers, as well as silents, and considers technological advances that differentiate them, while arguing that the generation gap is larger than ever (read Zed Book Club’s Q&A with the author here).
6MonstersExpanding on her viral 2017 Paris Review essay “What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men” the Seattle-based writer uses a hybrid of memoir, criticism and essay to investigate one of the urgent dilemmas of modern times: cancel culture, and whether it’s all right to love the art created by artists who have fallen out of public favour. J.K. Rowling, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, Vladimir Nabokov, Willa Cather, Bill Cosby, Michael Jackson, Picasso are polarizing figures that all come under consideration in Dederer’s bold appraisal.
Expanding on her viral 2017 Paris Review essay “What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men” the Seattle-based writer uses a hybrid of memoir, criticism and essay to investigate one of the urgent dilemmas of modern times: cancel culture, and whether it’s all right to love the art created by artists who have fallen out of public favour. J.K. Rowling, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, Vladimir Nabokov, Willa Cather, Bill Cosby, Michael Jackson, Picasso are polarizing figures that all come under consideration in Dederer’s bold appraisal.
7Ordinary NotesSharpe is the Canada Research Chair in Black Studies in the Humanities at York University and in a recent profile the New York Times called her “the woman shaping a generation of Black thought.” Her latest is a mosaic, multimedia work that consists of individual notes (248 in all) and photographs that muse on Blackness in daily life and explore questions around loss. The book was inspired by a scene from Toni Morrison’s Beloved about ringing a note of humanity in untenable situations.
Sharpe is the Canada Research Chair in Black Studies in the Humanities at York University and in a recent profile the New York Times called her “the woman shaping a generation of Black thought.” Her latest is a mosaic, multimedia work that consists of individual notes (248 in all) and photographs that muse on Blackness in daily life and explore questions around loss. The book was inspired by a scene from Toni Morrison’s Beloved about ringing a note of humanity in untenable situations.
8Fat TalkThis narrative is ostensibly a look at how diet culture can hurt kids, as well as being something of a guide to help parents identify and navigate their own internalized fatphobia and biases. But you don’t have to be a parent; the extensive reporting and interviews are invaluable for anyone who has come of age (so, all of us!) in the era of ever-changing ideals around body image, health, diet and weight that are fraught in today’s social media saturated world — particularly for women in aging bodies.
This narrative is ostensibly a look at how diet culture can hurt kids, as well as being something of a guide to help parents identify and navigate their own internalized fatphobia and biases. But you don’t have to be a parent; the extensive reporting and interviews are invaluable for anyone who has come of age (so, all of us!) in the era of ever-changing ideals around body image, health, diet and weight that are fraught in today’s social media saturated world — particularly for women in aging bodies.
9Knowing What We Know Beginning with oral storytelling and encompassing not only digital media but also the latest artificial intelligence frontier, the bestselling British American author of The Professor and the Madman (now based in Massachusetts) explores the evolution of human knowledge. From propaganda to PR and the digital revolution, he synthesizes how it’s been created, organized, shared and disseminated and speculates about where information can possibly go next.
Beginning with oral storytelling and encompassing not only digital media but also the latest artificial intelligence frontier, the bestselling British American author of The Professor and the Madman (now based in Massachusetts) explores the evolution of human knowledge. From propaganda to PR and the digital revolution, he synthesizes how it’s been created, organized, shared and disseminated and speculates about where information can possibly go next.
10 Talking CureCohen, dean of Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University, draws on decades as a critic and teacher in this timely argument that the art of conversation “connects us in ways that social media never can” and makes a persuasive case for its civilizing and connecting force being more crucial than ever. The literary examples are a romp and it also has tips on shedding bad conversational habits — sorely needed by some after prolonged pandemic-induced social isolation.
Cohen, dean of Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University, draws on decades as a critic and teacher in this timely argument that the art of conversation “connects us in ways that social media never can” and makes a persuasive case for its civilizing and connecting force being more crucial than ever. The literary examples are a romp and it also has tips on shedding bad conversational habits — sorely needed by some after prolonged pandemic-induced social isolation.
11The Phoenix EconomySalmon’s analysis at the intersection of history, economics, sociology and pop culture considers the way the pandemic altered how we experience and value our time and space (subtitle: work, life and money is not the new normal) and what that means for the future — both of work and our identity. The award-winning financial journalist (a correspondent at Axios) also has a degree in philosophy and art history; his engaging and thoughtful book combines them well.
Salmon’s analysis at the intersection of history, economics, sociology and pop culture considers the way the pandemic altered how we experience and value our time and space (subtitle: work, life and money is not the new normal) and what that means for the future — both of work and our identity. The award-winning financial journalist (a correspondent at Axios) also has a degree in philosophy and art history; his engaging and thoughtful book combines them well.
12Arrangements in BlueIn this essayish memoir, middle-aged British poet Key considers the myriad forms of intimacy whether living single or partnered (travelling in a world designed for couples, for example). It’s an honest dissection of life lived alone, structured around and named for its thematic inspiration, Joni Mitchell’s Blue, the album that ultimately gives the author liberation to embrace singledom.
In this essayish memoir, middle-aged British poet Key considers the myriad forms of intimacy whether living single or partnered (travelling in a world designed for couples, for example). It’s an honest dissection of life lived alone, structured around and named for its thematic inspiration, Joni Mitchell’s Blue, the album that ultimately gives the author liberation to embrace singledom.