Summer Picks from the Newsroom

Claire Beougher ’26, Managing Photo Editor, recommends “Babel” by R. F. Kuang: “It’s an amazing book that has such compelling characters and tells a story that tugs your heart along at every turn.”

Sonia Chajet Wides ’25, Managing Features Editor, recommends “When the Clock Broke” by John Ganz: “It’s rare to find a nonfiction book this engagingly written and timely but also timeless. Ganz charts the evolution of right-wing populist movements in the 1990s, delving into strange corners and cataloging a variety of characters to help us understand our political moment. Ganz is curious and hilarious — I was lucky enough to see him speak this summer — and brings unexpected new insights to a familiar topic. Great for understanding the past and the present.”

Edwyn Choi ’27, Assistant Opinion Editor, recommends “The Buried Giant” by Kazuo Ishiguro: “It is a slow and meditative exploration of love and trust. The book follows a couple in Medieval England on a quest to search for their son (everyone’s collective memory having been robbed by a mist) — though the premise might suggest otherwise, this is not a hero’s journey. There are no grand fights, etc. like one would expect. In fact, I had a difficult time with the first two-thirds of the book due to its slow pacing (as most Ishiguro books are) but the last third is incredible and at many times was emotional. I will remember the ending for years to come.”

Dustin Copeland ’25, Editor-in-Chief, recommends a selection: “I have two albums: For carrying you across North Dakota all night, ‘i’ve seen a way’ by Mandy, Indiana; and for most other times, ‘Sentir Que No Sabes’ by Mabe Fratti. I also have two books: Two great road novels (sort of) I (sort of) read on the road: ‘Basin and Range’ by John McPhee and ‘Waiting for Wovoka’ by Gerald Vizenor.”

June Dorsch ’27, Senior Managing Editor, recommends “The Bee Sting” by Paul Murray: “I was saving this book to read over the summer, and it did not disappoint! The novel focuses on a once-wealthy Irish family who falls into financial ruin. Different sections of the book are from the perspectives of the four family members: the neglected son who turns to an online friendship for human connection; the moody teenage daughter who starts to drastically change to keep her strange relationship with her best friend; the bitter, beautiful mother with a mysterious past who spends exuberantly despite the family’s precarious finances; and the sweet, bumbling father whose secrets threaten to undo all the stability and comfort he has built for his family. I laughed, I gasped out loud, and I cried. A must-read.”

Mackenzie Dunson ’25, Managing Arts & Living Editor, recommends “The Land of Milk and Honey” by C. Pam Zhang: “It was a super compelling read to the point where I couldn’t put it down! The plot kept me on my toes, and I can’t say in full confidence that I ever knew where it was going. It was a little unsettling, extremely creative, and had (in my humble opinion) a happy ending.”

Sophie Durbin ’25, Managing Arts & Living Editor, recommends “The Summer People” by Shirley Jackson: “I came across this grievously overlooked short story while researching Shirley Jackson for my thesis. It has the same eerie tone as ‘The Lottery’ but its plot, which follows an elderly couple who decide to stay at their summer house past Labor Day, skews a little closer to reality, making it all the more terrifying.”

Leo Kamin ’25, Managing News Editor, recommends “The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family” by Joshua Cohen: “‘The Netanyahus’ is a must read — compellingly written, full of surprises, and dare I say it, laugh out loud funny.”

Olivia Law ’27, Assistant Features Editor, recommends “The Worst Person in The World”: “A beautiful, winding, confusing coming of age tale of a young woman figuring out exactly what she doesn’t want. The kind of movie that makes you wake up at 6 a.m. the next morning and immediately cut your hair.”

Madeline Lawson ’25, Managing Arts & Living Editor, recommends “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” by Iain Reid: “This is a compelling horror novel, especially for people (like me!) who aren’t very into horror. There’s a feeling of dread without knowing why. Everything comes together very well, and the writing is straightforward, so that you can focus on trying to figure out what happens at the end.”

Naima Mohamed ’27, Senior Managing Editor, recommends “God Help the Child” by Toni Morrison: “Fairly short, but beautifully written (as any Morrison book is). Read if you're interested in discussions of anti-Blackness, colorism, beauty culture, and generational trauma.”

Dylan Vrins ’26, Assistant News Editor, recommends “Late Night with the Devil”: “It’s a really good horror film, if you like those kinds of movies.”

Eleanor Walsh ’25, Managing Features Editor, recommends “After Annie” by Anna Quindlen: “A moving and surprisingly funny portrait of a grieving family. I laughed, I cried... I recommend!”

Stacey Zhang ’26, Managing Opinion Editor, recommends “The 1936-39 Revolt in Palestine” by Ghassan Kanafani: “Anyone seriously interested in the Palestinian liberation struggle today should probably study from one of the most prominent Palestinian activists and writers. In under 50 pages, Kanafani provides a precise analysis of Palestinian resistance, its contexts, strategies, and limitations, grounded in the 1936-39 revolts against Zionism and British imperialism.”