Staying mentally grounded has become increasingly difficult as COVID-19 continues to dominate the news cycle and our lives. Finding things to help distract ourselves and to get out of our heads for a little bit are a must, whether it’s a new hobby or skill, talking to family and friends, TV shows, movies or a good book. While we at TPM join much of the world in practicing social distancing, we asked our staff to share what books they’re reading while they cope with isolation.
Washington’s End. The last year’s of the Father of the Country. Amazing how they tried pull him back in. The Acidential President. Truman the first four months. Good stuff.
Reich describes his research and others in the explosive new study of ancient DNA. The technical advances in gene sequencing in the last 15 years are almost miraculous. The results have still not made it into the general publics view of science today but will soon.
“Grant” by Ron Chernow. Over 950 pages. Good opportunity to read it with time at home. Interesting man, unusual background. After reading this it will be time to read “Hamilton.”
If you want true escape into fantasy let me know…I’m buried in the entire spectrum of it…from DND to brutal realism to contemporary stuff…and it serves well to bring you somewhere outside your box, whatever your box is. I can recommend based on what peoples" tastes are. Is it hoity toity pseudointellectual braggadocio stuff that will impress that cute barista you’ve been hoping would come over and ask you what model typewriter you’re using? Nope. That’s why it’s right for this situation hehe.
Or if you want I could link you all sorts of cases to read all day cuz yeah, that’s super fun amd makes for good convos with the kids who are home from school losing their minds stuck indoors…they’ll totally read along with you…promise…
How about The Chicago Manual of Style and Words into Type? Oh, and Strunk and White? Short and to the point. You could learn something while you’re not working.
There were a few possibilities there for me, but I don’t generally read anything of the genres that you reporters like. Sadly, all the libraries are closed, and I rarely just go out and buy a book because I haven’t read it yet.
Good suggestions! I know that Albuquerque’s many public libraries also loan out ebooks and audiobooks, via the Internet. Maybe it’s time I tried to figure out their systems!
Audiobooks are particularly useful just now. It’s a lot easier to do yardwork when you’re plugged into a podcast or book. I’ve got a massive spring yard cleanup and pruning awaiting me, repotting cacti, maybe even attempting a small garden. And I guess the house could stand to be cleaned some, too…
I’m getting bogged down with two books because I seem to have the attention span of a gnat lately:
“Playing With Fire” by Lawrence O’Donnell
“Tears That We Cannot Stop” by Michael Eric Dyson
“Playing” is one I want to finish. I’m fascinated by that period in time. “Tears” is one I may never finish. I’ve never been one for sermons (despite my avatar), and this is a 228 page sermon.
Made it to Lincoln’s assassination and the end of the Civil War but hit a wall! Great read about an underappreciated American hero but such a loooooooong read. I think part of my reluctance to continue is dread over how Reconstruction was handled and the scandals of the Grant presidency. But I do feel like there is a big hole in my US history knowledge about that period that needs to be filled!
Mostly favor non-biography non-fiction and SciFi/fantasy. Reading Adam Higginbotham’s Midnight in Chernobyl about the 1986 accident and I feel like I am earning a PhD in nuclear physics. Super dense but fascinating, especially the commentary about the Soviet system and its response to the disaster.
