Ezra Klein: The Year in Politics, Part II

This book, written by Christopher Alexander and his colleagues, introduces the concept of a 'pattern language' consisting of 253 patterns that address various design problems in architecture, urban planning, and community design. Each pattern describes a recurring problem and its solution, allowing readers to adapt these solutions to their specific needs and local conditions. The book is structured to help ordinary people, as well as professionals, design and improve their homes, streets, and communities. It has had significant influence on fields beyond architecture, including software engineering and urban planning.

In 'What Is Art?', Tolstoy argues that art is a means of communicating feelings to others, with the ultimate goal of uniting people in shared emotions. He rejects the traditional aesthetic view that art is based on beauty, instead emphasizing that true art must serve the progress and improvement of humanity. Tolstoy believes that art should be accessible to all people, not just the privileged, and that it should foster empathy and understanding. He criticizes art that is partisan or serves the interests of the ruling class, advocating for art that promotes universal values and social justice.

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.