4 Early-Year Book Recommendations

In this profound and emotionally charged episode of "The Daily," speakers Wyatt Mason and Prentice Onayemi dive deep into the distressing story of Stanley and his son, Shane McCray. Unraveling the complexities of a childhood marred by abduction, racial prejudice, and deception, they shed light on McCray's struggle with identity. McCray's life began in turmoil, amidst familial tensions and racial stigma, his journey from being abducted and indoctrinated with a false narrative by his grandparents to re-establishing contact with his father after thirteen years is nothing short of phenomenal.

Described as a journey of resilience and an exploration of identity, McCray's life straddles between traumatic memories and commendable accomplishments. McCray's ever-evolving relationship with poetry serves as both an outlet for his suffering and a platform for expressing his experiences. Covering McCray's evolution as a promising poet, his endeavors in education, his newfound faith, and its impact on his work, this captivating narrative podcast is a testament to the strength of human spirit and the transformative power of art.

Dive into the minds of actress and comedian Julia Louis-Dreyfus and acclaimed author Isabel Allende on an enlightening episode of "Wiser Than Me." Their conversation traverses numerous themes from the power and vulnerability of women to the complexities of personal relationships. Julia's personal experiences of sexism, as well as her portrayal of challenging female characters in Veep and Seinfeld, layer the discussion with depth. Meanwhile, Allende brings her wisdom to the table, sharing her joys of newfound freedom in aging and shifting norms of society.

The conversation is further enriched by insights into Allende's life, beliefs, experience with grief, and approach to writing. Known for her rich narratives and strong female characters, Allende reveals the discipline behind her craft and her philosophical views on life, death, and existential themes. The women also delve into their experiences and thoughts on motherhood, a profound blending of intense complexities and ineffable joys. The podcast culminates into a broader discussion about women's health and the taboo around menopause, encouraging listeners to explore more with Womaness. This episode of "Wiser Than Me" offers a powerful exploration of womanhood, through the eyes of two influential women.

Shooting selfies on vacation. Posting Facebook updates on our kid's graduation from pre-school. Garnering awards and promotions to add to our LinkedIn profiles. Guess what, America? We've become self-obsessed. In David Brooks’s The Road to Character, the New York Times columnist suggests we take a good hard look at ourselves and remember that we weren't always so narcissistic.

Brooks outlines the moral shift that took place after World War II when we transitioned from honoring humility, self-discipline, and public service to worshiping at the altar of "the Big Me." He also reminds us that our current self-focus isn't even making us happy. To help us recalibrate our moral compasses, Brooks details the lives of war heroes, civil rights activists, advocates for the poor, writers, and deep thinkers who've tackled the work of building moral character, then outlines a 15-point plan to help us live more virtuous—and ultimately happier—lives.

Immerse yourself in the murky depths of "Murder, Mystery & Makeup," where Bailey Sarian uncovers the mystery of the infamous Jack the Ripper. Sarian paints a vivid picture of a world in turmoil, where societal chaos, strained ethnic associations, poverty, and widespread prostitution rule the streets of Whitechapel, East London. As she narrates the gruesome killings that plagued the area, Sarian explores the chilling account of Mary Ann Nichols and the shockingly precise murder of Annie Chapman, stimulating speculations of an accomplice's involvement.

This gripping podcast by Bailey Sarian doesn't stop at the surface, delving deeper into the struggles of nineteenth-century criminal investigations. Sarian promises to unpack theories, mysterious letters, and potential suspects in future episodes, actively engaging listeners for input. Amid the thrilling narratives, Sarian intermingles reminders of her collaboration with Casetify and intriguing glimpses into her personal interests such as makeup experiments, creating a unique blend of mystery, history, and personal insights.

In "The Broski Report with Brittany Broski," our charismatic host invites listeners on a personal and intellectual adventure. Brittany Broski stuns with her eclectic interests, delving into everything from her love for literature and music to her critiques of art history. With candid personal revelations, deep discussions, and delightful humor, Broski unravels the threads of adult fantasy novels, intellectual mysteries, and dystopian narratives, revealing how they have influenced her understanding of the world. At the same time, she tunes into her vast array of musical interests, reflecting on the genre's evolution and her admiration for the artists within.

Broski's podcast, however, isn't just about her sharing insights. She deeply values audience involvement, opening the floor to recommendations for book genres, extending ongoing conversations to her various social media platforms, and inviting listeners to take part in her future plans. Adding hints of mischief along the line, Brittany ensures that, while intellectually stimulating, her "learning hour" is also a space of intimate connections and unending amusement. Be a part of this enthralling journey where literature, music, art, and culture are dissected with a unique point of view and engaging humor.

Finding Me, Viola Davis’s memoir published in 2022, recounts her extraordinary journey from the depths of poverty to the heights of Hollywood stardom. In this deeply personal account, Davis shares how acting became a beacon of hope and a path toward self-discovery in the midst of poverty, abuse, and racial discrimination.

Davis, celebrated for her roles in The Help, Doubt, How To Get Away With Murder, and Fences, has distinguished herself in film, television, and theater, achieving the historic "Triple Crown of Acting." Beyond her acting career, she co-runs JuVee Productions, aiming to produce diverse storytelling across various media.

This guide provides a detailed overview of Davis's life, enriched with historical context and additional information not found in the memoir, while also exploring Davis’ impact on the discussions about the importance of diverse storytelling in the media.

While pop culture brings us many representations of witches, most of us couldn’t identify a self-proclaimed witch in real life. Yet they exist. Frances F. Denny embarked on a trip around the United States to photograph witches.

Many people feel it’s impossible to reach their creative potential—often because they struggle to find inspiration or experience creative blocks. Luckily, Julia Cameron says that overcoming these obstacles and maximizing your creative potential is possible. She elaborates that creativity is a spiritual force that flows through everyone—you just need to learn to access it. The Artist’s Way is Cameron’s 12-week program that teaches you how to access this creative force and use it to maximize your creativity and achieve your artistic destiny.

In this guide, we’ve organized Cameron’s program into two parts. First, we’ll discuss how to access the creative force by forming an intimate connection with yourself. Next, we’ll explain how to foster a positive mindset conducive to creating art and resisting forms of negativity that block your creativity. In our commentary, we’ll provide updated methods from Cameron’s follow-up book, Seeking Wisdom, and supplement her advice with recommendations from other experts like Elizabeth Gilbert (Big Magic) and Austin Kleon (Steal Like an Artist).

In Caste, Isabel Wilkerson argues that the racial tensions in the United States are better explained through the lens of caste, not race—a 400-year-old hierarchy placing white people at the top and Black people at the bottom. Wilkerson examines the different caste systems around the world and how they damage the lives of everyone involved, even those at the top. She believes that to understand how to move forward, we must examine the past and the racial structures that keep progress as a nation at bay.

In this guide, we’ll explore the basics of Wilkerson’s caste theory, the eight tenets of a caste system, how the caste system affects the lives of people in the upper and lower castes, and how we can move away from caste and create a more equitable society. We’ll also compare Wilkerson’s ideas to those of other books on the subject of race, such as Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow.

In 1951, a 30-year-old African-American woman named Henrietta Lacks entered Johns Hopkins Hospital to be treated for cervical cancer. In a matter of months she was dead, overcome by her cancer’s malignancy. Her cancer cells, however, would prove immortal—and change medicine forever.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the story of Henrietta, her family, and her incredible cells. Tracking both the scientific advances owed to “HeLa” cells and the struggles of Henrietta’s descendants, author Rebecca Skloot leads readers through the history of cell research, the ethical implications of scientific study, and the human story of a poor and ailing family whose matriarch contributed to some of 20th-century science’s greatest achievements.

Mental health disorders affect millions of people and often lead to the tragic loss of life through suicide. The pain and suffering that accompany mental illness are difficult for those unafflicted to understand. Kay Redfield Jamison, a clinical psychologist living with manic-depressive disorder, has attempted to bring awareness to those experiences in her memoir. By divulging the violent, frenzied, and dangerous aspects of her disease, Jamison hopes to create more understanding about mental illness and more empathy for those who struggle to exist in the normal world.