Homelessness In The New Gilded Age

Francesca Wade's "Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife" is a bold and innovative biography that goes beyond traditional literary biography to examine the nature of legacy and memory. Drawing on never-before-seen interviews and archival material, Wade uncovers the origins of Stein's radical writing and reveals new depths to her relationship with Alice B. Toklas. The book is structured in two parts: a chronological account of Stein's life and an exploration of how her legacy evolved after her death in 1946, including Toklas's role in managing Stein's posthumous reputation. Wade's work combines rigorous research with engaging narrative, shedding light on Stein's complex personality, her avant-garde literary contributions, and the myths surrounding her life and afterlife.

Ohio is a powerful debut novel by Stephen Markley that follows four former classmates who return to their rust belt hometown of New Canaan, Ohio, on one fateful summer night in 2013. The story captures the fractured zeitgeist of America through the lens of a region devastated by the Great Recession, the opioid crisis, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The narrative intertwines a murder mystery with a social critique, portraying characters haunted by their pasts and the disillusionment of their generation. Markley's novel is praised for its lyrical prose and insightful depiction of a nation’s struggles at the dawn of a turbulent new age.

Placeless, Homelessness in the New Gilded Age explores the roots and realities of homelessness in today’s United States, arguing that the crisis is not simply about individual misfortune but about systemic failures in housing, economic policy, and social safety nets. The book situates modern homelessness within the context of the New Gilded Age—a period of extreme wealth concentration and widening inequality—and analyzes how people become placeless in a society that increasingly excludes them from stable housing and community. Through research and narrative, it calls for a rethinking of how society understands and responds to homelessness.

In 'Just Kids,' Patti Smith recounts her formative years and her deep, enduring relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. The book is a vivid portrayal of their lives as young artists in New York City during the late 1960s and 1970s. It captures their struggles, ambitions, and the vibrant cultural scene they were part of, including encounters with iconic figures like Andy Warhol, Allen Ginsberg, and Sam Shepard. The memoir is a tribute to their artistic collaboration, their personal growth, and the city that shaped them. Smith's writing is poetic, candid, and filled with a sense of nostalgia, making the book a powerful and moving read.

Writers & Lovers follows Casey Peabody, a woman in her thirties living in Boston, as she grapples with grief, financial struggles, and complex romantic entanglements while working on her first novel. The novel explores themes of art, love, and ambition, offering a poignant portrayal of a young woman finding her courage for life.

In 'The Antidote', Oliver Burkeman challenges the traditional self-help approach by introducing the concept of the 'negative path' to happiness. He argues that our constant efforts to eliminate negative emotions and achieve happiness through positive thinking often lead to anxiety, insecurity, and unhappiness. The book draws from various philosophical traditions, including Stoicism and Buddhism, and features insights from psychologists, terrorism experts, and business consultants. Burkeman suggests that genuine happiness can be achieved by embracing uncertainty, insecurity, and the realities of everyday life, rather than trying to avoid them. The book is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of what truly constitutes happiness and success.