Congrats on making it to another weekend, dear readers! This week I’ve been thinking again about this article from The Atlantic: In Praise of Pointless Goals.
Here’s a reminder for those of us who don’t let ourselves off the hook enough that having more light-hearted goals can subvert “the cult of productivity by sneakily leveraging the tools of productivity.” While we ponder on that a bit more, let’s dive into some new releases and books about running!
And don’t forget, we’re hiring at Book Riot! As an Editorial Operations Associate where you can get into the nitty gritty, behind-the-scenes work of making Book Riot work. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce and strongly encourage applications from women, individuals with disabilities, and people of color. Learn more here.
Bookish Goods
Graffiti Doodle Reading Wall Stickers from OwenWallArt
These doodle wall stickers just scream fun, don’t they? If I lived in a house with a dedicated library, I can imagine them up on the walls above shelves or surrounding a window. Or maybe they’d be fun in a playroom or kids room, especially for a young reader.
New Releases
Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story by Lis Smith
As much as I don’t particularly love politics, I am someone who loves to understand how things work… and the best way to do that is often from the people who actually do the making. That’s why I’m intrigued by this memoir from Lis Smith, a highly-sought after operative for the Democratic Party. The book is described as a look at human nature in politics as well as the story of a personal journey (complete with some choices that end up in the tabloids), which sounds intense! The book follows Smith from her days as a college intern all the way through serving as a chief advisor to the Buttigieg campaign in 2020. I’m sold.
Why Didn’t You Tell Me?: A Memoir by Carmen Rita Wong
You might be familiar with journalist Carmen Rita Wong from her work as a personal finance expert at CNBC or as a former host of Marketplace Money from American Public Media. In this memoir she explores her relationship with her family and the big secrets her mother kept until her death. Wong grew up in Harlem and Chinatown, before moving to New Hampshire after her mother remarried. Their mother-daughter relationship was fraught, but the reason didn’t become clear until her mother’s secrets came to light late in life. Who doesn’t love a memoir of family secrets?
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
While I am not a runner, I definitely see an uptick in photos from my running friends in the spring and summer. From weekend 5Ks to the occasional marathon, there are many people who love to lace up their sneakers and hit the trails when the weather is nice. This week, I have two inspirational books about distance running:
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
The Tarahumara Indians of Mexico are famed distance runners. Isolated from the rest of the world by the Copper Canyons, many can run hundreds of miles without stopping or getting injured. To understand how they do it, journalist and runner Christopher McDougall visits science labs and runners across the country to understand the mindset and physicality of ultra-runners of all ages and experience levels. There is SO MUCH in this book I would never want to experience, but it’s a fascinating read.
Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America’s Stolen Land by Noé Álvarez
Noé Álvarez grew up in Yakima, Washington, working at an apple-packing plant alongside his mother for many of his teenage years. After earning a college scholarship, he struggled to adapt and fit into university life. At 19 he learned about Peace and Dignity Journeys, a Native American movement of extended marathons “meant to renew cultural connections across North America.” He dropped out of school to run in a four-month marathon from Canada to Guatemala, connecting with the other runners and his own history in the process. Again, this is nothing I would ever want to try, but it’s an engaging and thought-provoking memoir.
Looking for more? Here are some Book Riot suggestions:
- 20 Must-Read Books Every Runner Should Read by Katie Moench
- Racing Through the Pages: How Books Taught Readers Anyone Can Run by Abigail Clarkin
- Books for Reluctant Runners by Alice Nuttall
For more nonfiction reads, head over to the podcast service of your choice and download For Real, which I co-host with my dear friend Alice. If you have any questions/comments/book suggestions, you can find me on social media @kimthedork or send an email to kim@riotnewmedia.com. Happy weekend!