Modern life is messy and frightening—and at certain times, the best alternative is to disappear into a good book. Imagine a world where good triumphs over evil, magic obeys its mistress, and the world’s many savage tribes meet on the... Read More

Poetry can be angry, ranting, aggressive. It can be evocative or poignant. Sometimes poetry has a quiet beauty. Simple words tell a story and layer their meaning carefully, veiling it. Reviewed in our March/April issue, this soft poetry is... Read More

“There are thresholds we cross that leave us profoundly, irrevocably changed,” writes Michael Engelhard in American Wild, and whether those thresholds lead to beauty and grandeur, solitude and deep silence, or to encounters of the more... Read More

It seems there are never-ending ways to tell a story—particularly with children’s books. From a bluebird who searches for her true self to a gorilla who teaches how to slow down and appreciate life, these children’s books, reviewed... Read More

At heart, history is the story of individual lives. This collection of biographies bring new voices to life, probing the history of families, governments, social organizations, careers, and even individuals’ own bodies. Each engaging... Read More

I’m fifty three. Scorpio. Weaned at six weeks. Earned an impossibly low mathematics score of 13 on the ACT. Have been married for twenty-three years. In our home, my wife does far more housework than I. This is my truth. If I described... Read More

There’s something comforting about the weight of a gift book. They are larger books with a nice, decent heft to them. Perfect for lifting off the coffee table and settling over your entire lap. But gift books can have depth too.... Read More

The earth is a beautiful place. Amazing wildlife, picturesque views, natural ability to sustain all kinds of life. It’s important to take care of the home we have, and to make sure it is beautiful for the next generation. As a few of the... Read More