A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson chronicles the author’s attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail, one of the United States’ longest and most challenging trails stretching from Georgia to Maine. The book humorously describes the difficulties Bryson and his friend Stephen Katz face, their encounters with fellow hikers, locals, wildlife, and the trail’s history, and it also explores the environmental challenges threatening the trail.
The 1619 Project is an ambitious, influential initiative by The New York Times, aiming to reframe American history by considering 1619 as the start of this nation—when the first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia. The book explores how every aspect of contemporary American life has been significantly shaped by slavery and its aftermath, from capitalistic economy and infrastructure, to music and cultural expressions.
Isabel Wilkerson’s ‘Caste’ is an eye-opening portrayal of American society, examining the unspoken caste system that has shaped the nation and affects every aspect of life. The book parallels the caste systems in America, India, and Nazi Germany, and analyzes how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions.
A Promised Land is a memoir by Barack Obama, in which he explores his political career and his time in the White House. Obama discusses the early days of his presidency, including his work on the economy and healthcare reform, and reflects on the forces that opposed him at home and abroad. He also offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of the awesome reach of presidential power.
Fire and Fury gives a thorough look into the first year of the Donald Trump presidency. It details the disarray in the White House and the infighting between key players. Based on exclusive interviews, the author paints a disturbing picture of a chaotic White House with many concerned about the president’s abilities.
Fear: Trump in the White House is a non-fiction book written by American journalist Bob Woodward. It presents a harrowing portrait of the Trump presidency based on in-depth interviews, meeting notes, diaries, and government documents. Woodward meticulously presents the chaos, paranoia, and instability unfolding in the Trump White House.
Becoming is an autobiographical memoir of former United States First Lady Michelle Obama. The book gives a deep personal account of Obama’s life, from her childhood in Chicago to her years living in the White House. It covers her personal struggles, achievements, and her navigation through life as a black woman in America.
Alexander Hamilton is a biography written by Ron Chernow. The book portrays the life of the Founding Father of the United States, Alexander Hamilton. It covers his tragic childhood in the Caribbean, his role in the American Revolution, his significant contributions as a statesman, and his controversial personal life. The biography thoroughly explores his political and financial systems that are the bedrock of America today.
Between the World and Me is a letter by Ta-Nehisi Coates to his teenage son about the reality of being black in America. The book is a reflection on how race has shaped American history, often at the cost of black bodies and lives. It provides a thoughtful and personal exploration of America’s racial history and what it means to be black in the USA today.