Raymond Antrobus, Poet
One of my recent favorite reads is Childish Literature by Chilean author Alejandro Zambra, expertly translated by Megan McDowell. This mixed-genre book combines memoir, short fiction, and poetry, all centered around the themes of parenting and new fatherhood, delivered with clarity, humor, and humility.
To 2049 by American poet Jorie Graham has also captured my admiration. Rereading this collection was an enlightening experience. Filled with evocative lines like “Years pulled their / lengths through us like long wet strings,” it made me gasp and think, “I wish I wrote this!”—a common feeling among poets known as poem-envy.
Another poetry collection I enjoyed is The Island In The Sound by Scottish poet Niall Campbell. His concise, soulful, and lyrically observant poems carry a subtle apocalyptic undertone that is both haunting and beautiful.
Easy Beauty by Thai American author Chloé Cooper Jones stands out as one of the best memoirs by a disabled author in recent years. It’s impressively scholarly and emotionally honest, making it a thoughtful gift for students and readers looking for nuanced narratives about disability.
The Quiet Ear by Raymond Antrobus is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson. To support the Guardian, order your copy from guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
Michael, Guardian Reader
Over the weekend, I finished Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane. I managed to beat the heatwave at Oregon’s Deschutes River while reading in the shaded shallows. This hauntingly beautiful book, a blend of gut-wrenching and inspiring narratives, features brilliant prose-poetry. Macfarlane intricately weaves tales of rivers and the dedicated people working to protect them, offering glimmers of hope amidst challenging circumstances.
Imani Perry has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her prose is exquisite, often delivering searing insights on U.S. history. In Black in Blues, Perry presents an alternative history of perseverance and cultural expression against the backdrop of enslavement, Jim Crow laws, and ongoing racism. Similar to Macfarlane, she crafts a complex narrative that is both inspiring and enraging, compelling readers to engage with difficult paradoxes.
Sarah Hall, Author
Amidst the current landscape of uninspired liberal politics, I’ve been exploring literature on systems change and citizen sovereignty. Guy Shrubsole’s works are particularly inspiring, with Who Owns England?: How We Lost Our Green and Pleasant Land and How To Take It Back being particularly enlightening. It lays bare the historical and hierarchical structures that contribute to land and wealth inequalities, examining their impact on ecology and democracy today.
Strangely, so few speculative fiction works portray British republics—can’t we imagine an alternative to the monarchy? Mary Shelley’s The Last Man breaks this mold, introducing concepts like 21st-century hot air balloon taxis amidst a plague that decimates humanity. This radical writer offers much more than just the ‘F word.’
Currently, I am also interested in lost species. Julia Leigh’s novel The Hunter tells a gripping tale of the last Tasmanian tiger. The book delves deep into environmental failures and mercantile choices while vividly capturing the Tasmanian wilderness.
Lastly, I found great joy in Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton. This tender memoir about a rescued European brown leveret is quietly miraculous, encouraging readers to consider the broader communal connections that drive collective campaigning in the political void.
Helm by Sarah Hall is published by Faber.
Dave, Guardian Reader
For our first family holiday book club, we began reading The Stand by Stephen King, and based on our pace, we may still be reading it come Christmas. It’s a long book, but everyone is enjoying the journey through an apocalyptic USA.
Interestingly, this is my 14-year-old son’s first introduction to King. Imagine starting with such an intense novel! It has sparked great discussions, especially since there are striking parallels to COVID-19, making the story feel even more relevant. While King does take us into fantastical realms, he skillfully maintains the reader’s grasp of a diverse cast of characters, despite a world largely succumbing to Captain Trips.
Final Thoughts
Literature continues to be a remarkable avenue for exploring complex themes, connecting with personal experiences, and engaging with important societal issues. Whether delving into poetry, memoir, or fiction, each book offers unique insights that enrich our understanding of the world around us.
