What We Are Reading Today: ‘On Truth in Politics’

Photo/Supplied
Photo/Supplied
Short Url
Updated 19 October 2024
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: ‘On Truth in Politics’

Photo/Supplied
  • He shows why truth is an essential democratic value—a value we need to sustain our democratic way of life—and how it can be strengthened

Author: MICHAEL PATRICK LYNCH

Do any of us really care about truth when it comes to politics? Should we? In a world of big lies, denialism, and conspiracy theories, democracies are experiencing two interlocked crises: a loss of confidence in democracy itself and the growing sense among many that politics is only about power—not truth.

In this book, Michael Patrick Lynch argues that truth not only can—but must—matter in politics. He shows why truth is an essential democratic value—a value we need to sustain our democratic way of life—and how it can be strengthened.

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Good Lookin’ Cookin’: A Year of Meals’

Photo/Supplied
Photo/Supplied
Updated 20 sec ago
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Good Lookin’ Cookin’: A Year of Meals’

Photo/Supplied
  • The book has a recipe for nearly every taste and mood and offers up ways to make various baked goods, casseroles, meaty dishes and desserts such as cakes, puddings, pies and more

Living legend Dolly Parton, known for her big blonde hair and larger-than-life personality, released her 2024 cookbook “Good Lookin’ Cookin’: A Year of Meals,” with her younger sister, Rachel Parton George, celebrating family, food and love.

The book is divided into 12 chapters, each representing a different month of the year, filled with seasonal dishes.

These meals are not just about cooking, but reflect the sisters’ shared memories, traditions and creative approaches to food. The sisters emphasize that cooking is a way to express love and bring people together, with Parton noting: “Food for the heart, food for the mind, food for the soul, and food for the table.”

While not everyone can whip up lyrics like Parton, who famously wrote massive hits “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” on the same day, the book gives us each a chance to make a symphony with ingredients, and lovers of her work can create meals that will make their stomachs sing in their own kitchens.

The collection includes a variety of recipes ranging from playful dishes such as February’s Garden Salad with Miracle Madness Dressing to April’s Slaw of Many Colors (nod to her song title) and October’s Brainiac Jell-O to classic comfort foods, with stories attached to each meal that connect to their upbringing and the women who inspired their cooking.

The book has a recipe for nearly every taste and mood and offers up ways to make various baked goods, casseroles, meaty dishes and desserts such as cakes, puddings, pies and more.

You will find plenty of classic southern favorites that will be slathered, battered and devoured.

For Parton and George, the kitchen has always been the heart of their home. They write: “The kitchen— any kitchen — is so much more than a room. It’s often the center of the home.”

The sisters remember how cooking was central to their family life, with Parton stepping up to cook when their mother could not. In the spirit of their shared experiences, the cookbook offers more than just meals; it’s an invitation to create memories around the table with loved ones.

“Good Lookin’ Cookin’” is a heartfelt gift from the Parton sisters, blending personal stories and delicious recipes — inviting readers to share in the joy and nourishment that food can provide. Even after you’ve worked from 9-5.

Parton sums it up with: “We hope this book brings as much joy and nourishment to others as it has to us.”

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Promised Lands’ by Jonathan Parry

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Promised Lands’ by Jonathan Parry
Updated 13 December 2024
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Promised Lands’ by Jonathan Parry

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Promised Lands’ by Jonathan Parry

Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798 showed how vulnerable India was to attack by France and Russia. It forced the British Empire to try to secure the two routes that a European might use to reach the subcontinent—through Egypt and the Red Sea, and through Baghdad and the Arabian Gulf. “Promised Lands” is a panoramic history of this vibrant and explosive age.

Charting the development of Britain’s political interest in the Middle East from the Napoleonic Wars to the Crimean War in the 1850s, Jonathan Parry examines the various strategies employed by British and Indian officials, describing how they sought influence with local Arabs, Mamluks, Kurds, Christians, and Jews. 


Book Review: ‘The Hour of the Star’ by Clarice Lispector

Book Review: ‘The Hour of the Star’ by Clarice Lispector
Updated 12 December 2024
Follow

Book Review: ‘The Hour of the Star’ by Clarice Lispector

Book Review: ‘The Hour of the Star’ by Clarice Lispector

“The Hour of the Star” is a profound novella, published in 1977, which was Clarice Lispector’s final work before her death. 

This slim but powerful book, originally titled “A Hora da Estrela” in Portuguese, has become one of Brazil’s most significant literary works. 

The narrative follows Macabea, a poor, malnourished typist from northeast Brazil who lives in the slums of Rio de Janeiro.

She is 19, orphaned, and works as a typist despite making constant errors. Macabea’s life is marked by simple pleasures and an almost complete unawareness of her own marginalization.

Through her story, the writer explores poverty, identity and existential questioning themes. 

As the story unfolds, we witness Macabea’s simple existence through the lens of a male narrator, Rodrigo S.M., who serves as both storyteller and character. The narrative structure is unconventional, frequently interrupted by the narrator’s musings and metaphysical digressions.

The narrator struggles with telling Macabea’s story, constantly questioning his ability to represent a poor, uneducated woman from his privileged male perspective. 

His presence adds layers of complexity to the narrative as he grapples with his own role in the story and his responsibility to his subject.

Rodrigo S.M.’s self-conscious narration and failed attempts at emotional distance highlight broader issues of power, representation and authenticity in storytelling. 

The book challenges readers to consider how stories of marginalized people are told, who has the right to tell them, and what it means to truly see and understand another human being. 

The novella is notable for its experimental structure, its mix of social commentary and metaphysical reflection, and its unique approach to character development.

Lispector is considered one of Brazil’s greatest writers, known for works that blend philosophical insight with psychological depth. 

Her other notable works include “Near to the Wild Heart” and “The Passion According to G.H.”


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Bugwatching’ by Eric R. Eaton

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Bugwatching’ by Eric R. Eaton
Updated 12 December 2024
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Bugwatching’ by Eric R. Eaton

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Bugwatching’ by Eric R. Eaton

Insects are the most abundant wildlife on the planet—but also the least observed. 

This incisive field companion highlights the basic tools for watching insects with all of our senses, covers some best habitats and circumstances for seeing the most diversity, and shares tips for attracting desirable insects to your yard and garden. 

With wonderful illustrations by Samantha Gallagher, “Bugwatching” explains why this rewarding activity is for everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender identity, level of affluence, ability, or disability.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Choosing Schools’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Choosing Schools’
Updated 11 December 2024
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Choosing Schools’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Choosing Schools’

Authors: Mark Schneider, Paul Teske and Melissa Marschall

School choice seeks to create a competitive arena in which public schools will attain academic excellence, encourage individual student performance, and achieve social balance.

In debating the feasibility of this market approach to improving school systems, analysts have focused primarily on schools as suppliers of education, but an important question remains: Will parents be able to function as “smart consumers” on behalf of their children?

Here a highly respected team of social scientists provides extensive empirical evidence on how parents currently do make these choices.