What We're Reading

Key takeaways

Reading enriches both personal and professional lives, as showcased by the diverse selections shared by the team.
Books can serve as a source of distraction, comfort, and even inspiration during the creative process.
Historical narratives and political insights can provide valuable lessons on contemporary governance.
Fiction and poetry can be powerful tools for exploring human experience and understanding complex emotions.
Sharing book recommendations fosters a sense of community and encourages listeners to engage with literature.

Summary

Exploring the Books We Love

In this episode, Roman Mars and the 99% Invisible team share their current reading selections, highlighting a blend of genres and unique narratives. From the inspiring stories behind beloved cookbooks to intense political histories, the conversation weaves through various perspectives on reading as both a leisure and academic pursuit.

Lash's Pick: Usha's Pickle Digest

Producer Lash Madan reflects on 'Usha's Pickle Digest,' a charming book deep-rooted in the art of pickling. This self-published encyclopedia showcases a vast array of pickle recipes and offers a delightful backstory of Usha as an unassuming culinary enthusiast who shared her love for pickling with family and friends.

Chris Recommends: The Power Broker and More

Chris Baroube recommends 'The Power Broker' by Robert Caro, a deep dive into urbanism and history, while also mentioning another significant read, 'What It Takes' by Richard Ben Cramer, which examines the 1988 presidential race and its candidates, providing insights into the political landscape of the time.

Vivian's Diverse Reads

Vivian Leigh shares her eclectic array of books, including 'Orbital' by Samantha Harvey, which explores life on the International Space Station, and 'Martyr' by Kaveh Akbar, a narrative offering a unique take on life and relationships. Additionally, she discusses revisiting 'Amusing Ourselves to Death' by Neil Postman, reflecting on the interplay of media and politics.

Jayson's Kid-Friendly and Poetic Choices

Producer Jason Dalyon shares his reading experience, including the children's book 'Hoppity Frog' for quality time with his daughter and 'Scattered Snows, to the North' by Carl Phillips, a poetry collection that challenges readers to engage deeply with the text, highlighting the nuances of language and thought.

Joe's Historical Insight with Plunkitt

Joe Rosenberg introduces 'Plunkitt of Tammany Hall,' a historical account of corrupt political practices in early 20th century New York. Through the lens of George Washington Plunkitt, the book presents candid thoughts on political corruption and the inner workings of political machines, emphasizing the casual acceptance of corruption in governance.

Roman's Personal Non-Fiction Journey

Roman Mars discusses his current read, 'The Pine Barrens' by John McPhee, a masterful exploration of a specific region in New Jersey. This book exemplifies creative nonfiction and serves as an invitation to understand and appreciate the intricacies of a place that is simultaneously rich in history and sparsely inhabited.

Show notes

After we finished up The Power Broker, a bunch of people were asking us what other books we’d been reading. A group of us got together and presented some of our recent favorites, and the choices were so good and surprising and charming, we're now sharing it widely.

Here are the books covered in this episode:

Lasha's book: Usha's Pickle Digest by Usha R Prabakaran
Chris's books: What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer (and The Power Broker by Robert Caro 😁)
Vivian's books: Orbital by Samantha Harvey, Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar, Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman, and How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
Jayson's books: Hoppity Frog by Emma Parrish (for the kids), Scattered Snows, to the North: Poems by Carl Philips, and Blackouts by Justin Torres
Joe's book: Plunkitt of Tammany Hall by George Washington Plunkitt
Roman's book: The Pine Barrens by John McPhee

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