While many self-help books are little more than capitalist propaganda on how to get rich or useless commentary on how to stop being afraid, here are a few self-help books that won’t waste your time.
On Tuesday evenings, 12 writers sit around three long, chipped tables in the middle of Tsunami Books, sandwiched between woodworking guides and cookbooks. Many of them are shuffling papers or annotating the short stories they received the week prior. Alexis Humphrey Lanham, chairperson of th…
A few years ago, the book selection at Oregon State Penitentiary, overflowing with self-help books and religious propaganda, had, not surprisingly, left much to be desired. But now, the prison library has a cabinet filled with almost 80 books — many of which were donated by local bookstore T…
Bill Sullivan, a fifth-generation Oregonian, sits in his wood-paneled basement, fielding emails from Oregon hikers. They’re sending him updates on trail conditions. Within eyeshot at his desk are his framed diplomas — one a bachelor's degree in creative writing from Cornell and the other a m…
Reema Zaman has unleashed her voice. In a world that has attempted to hush and limit women everywhere, Zaman has released her most intimate and carefully crafted work: her memoir, “I Am Yours,” an odyssey of forgiveness, empowerment and self esteem.
Shout out to Daylight Savings time for giving us more hours in the day. Coincidentally (and quite fortunately) there are a plethora of literary gems to look forward to reading outside under the sun this upcoming season. Although it may not quite yet be time to stock up on lighthearted summer…
In order for Zadie Smith to be fully cognizant of the world around her now, she considers what she will explain to her future granddaughter about the cultural evolution that she’s witnessed.
When Rachel Kushner wrote her 2017 book “The Mars Room,” she said that she wanted to create a life full of the people that “the state of California rendered invisible to others.” In a novel full of incarceration, surveillance and grit, “The Mars Room” shines a light on these institutionally …
In the words of the American Women's History Initiative, Women’s History Month is meant to “encourage the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.” To honor the celebration constructively and steer clear of literary sexism, here are some contemporary …
As Black History Month comes to a close, there is still so much to learn and understand about the depth of ingrained inequalities in contemporary society. Yaa Gyasi’s 2016 debut novel, “Homegoing,” analyzes and encompasses Black history in America by tracing the roots of oppression to the Go…
To honor Black History Month this year, you might want to consider adjusting your 2019 reading list from the traditionally-celebrated African American authors who have molded the shape of contemporary American literature — academic staples such as Octavia Butler, Langston Hughes and Zora Nea…
Mesha Maren’s debut novel, “Sugar Run,” tells the story of a queer, Appalachian woman, Jodi, who just finished an 18-year stint in a federal correctional facility; she was 17 when she was sentenced to life in prison. When she is released in 2007, she’s uneasy about returning home to her brok…
At the peak of what some have called the “Babitz Renaissance,” Vanity Fair Contributing Editor Lili Anolik has published a 277 page semi-chronological confessional that verges on a love letter about the Los Angeles icon Eve Babitz in “Hollywood’s Eve: Eve Babitz and the Secret History of L.A.”
In “Revolution Sunday,” award-winning and internationally recognized author Wendy Guerra tells the story of a Havana-born poet, Cleo, who is unwanted in her native country. In a semi-autobiographical fusion of prose and poetry, Guerra tells the poet’s story of paranoia, loneliness, broken tr…
Most commonly known for her role as the co-creator of the Comedy Central show “Broad City,”Abbi Jacobson has transcended into other mediums. The comedian’s first book, “I Might Regret This,” is an open, painstakingly honest expose of her deep-seated insecurities as she navigates through a cr…
At times, David Egger’s thrilling nonfiction story, “The Monk of Mokha” is more exciting and unbelievable than any fiction novel.
Bob Woodward’s new book, “Fear,” depicts what life is like inside Trump’s White House. One of the many people Woodward interviewed was former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, who gave insight on what working for the president was really like.
When a band of prominent business people are endorsing a book that dissects artificial intelligence, there is no doubt that it is a must-read. The director of AI research at Facebook, the CEOs of Microsoft, Salesforce and O’Reilly media, and the former CEO of Apple have all publicly affirmed…
Within the first chapter of “Silicon States,” author Lucie Greene sets herself up as a journalist who is in the business of predicting the future, and, in particular, the way that tech is going to inevitably destroy the lives of the future generations.
“A Higher Loyalty” by James Comey is a memoir spanning from Comey’s childhood to his days post-FBI. Detractors believe it to be a book based on bashing Donald Trump, because of his abrupt firing of Comey in May last year. But it is more about leadership, more specifically how to be an ethica…
“Educated” by Tara Westover is a riveting memoir that brings up hard topics that are important to consider for everyone, but in particular, college students. The book, a coming of age story, captures Westover’s life as she slowly grows out of her radicalized Mormon upbringing. She does so th…
I don’t often read historical fiction. I would rather know the truth about an event that happened or be lost in a world that never existed. But I loved Amy Bloom’s “White Houses,” which follows the romance between first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and reporter Lorena Hickok (whose friends call he…
Throughout the last decade, Marvel Studios has produced 18 feature-length films, six Netflix television series and three ABC television series. With characters such as Spider-Man, The Hulk and Black Panther as its guides, Marvel has revolutionized the media industry, according to University …
Jonathan Franzen, acclaimed author of novels such as “The Corrections” and “Freedom,” visited the University of Oregon Thursday night as part of the Collins Distinguished Speakers’ Series. After a brief introduction from UO professor David Li, Franzen read from one of his essays, gave some t…
Every year features both great and disappointing art, so Emerald arts writers decided to kick off the best of season with releases that fell flat. These aren’t the worst releases of 2017, but instead, the things that we were excited for that didn’t live up to expectations or didn’t even come…
A large amount of foot traffic came through the Broadway Commerce Center in downtown Eugene for the second annual Euzine Comics & Zine Fest last Saturday. The event featured independent artists tabling a variety of work, which included everything from handmade comics to short-run booklet…
Rupi Kaur tackles universal issues and simplifies the human experience in her poetry. The instapoet’s success is attributed in large to her social media presence. Kaur’s condensed poetry seems to parallel Instagram’s ability to condense our world into a three by six-inch screen.
In any elementary school, the over-involved, clingy parents are easy to spot. They’re signing up for the PTA, organizing a fundraiser of some sort, or notifying everyone of their child’s serious nut allergy. Pirriwee Public School is riddled with such parents; however, amid affluence, entitl…
Author Brian Kateman has a new diet that aims to improve people’s health and cut resource consumption. “The Reducetarian Solution: How the Surprisingly Simple Act of Reducing the Amount of Meat in Your Diet Can Transform Your Health and the Planet” is his first book since co-founding the non…
Thursday, June 1: Jean-Luc Ponty at The Shedd Institute (E Broadway & High St.), 7:30 p.m., $39-$45
In honor of the upcoming graduation ceremony, the Emerald has a complied a list of notable University of Oregon graduates.
Author and performer Renee Watson writes for a young adult audience, especially children in marginalized groups because she wants to help them process trauma. Watson’s two YA books, “This Side of Home” and “Piecing Me Together,” explore racial tensions and concepts such as gentrification in …
Friday, May 19: Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Book Sale at Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Museum Store, (1430 Johnson Lane), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., free.
W. Kamau Bell has a lot to say. Take the title of his new book for example (it’s a mouthful): “The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6′ 4″, African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama’s Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian.” Bell, wh…
Thursday, May 4: “From Struggling Reader to Best-Selling Author” at 156 Straub Hall (UO campus), 5:30 p.m., free and open to the public
New York Times Bestselling Author Jodi Picoult does not mess around. Preceding election day by nearly a month, the author published a complex and insightful novel titled “Small Great Things” on Oct. 6, 2016. In a country where division is at an all-time high and hate is spewing in every dire…
If you’ve ever wanted to see Spiderman smoke a bong and flip off the Green Goblin, then “Private Posse” just might be the comic book for you. Former UO student Tereso Cobian has spent that last few years writing and illustrating his own comic book currently on sale at The Duck Store.
On Friday, Jan. 13, author, musician and “professional traveler” Franz Nicolay will speak with fellow author Cari Luna at Powell’s City of Books in Portland. Nicolay is best known as the sharply-dressed multi-instrumentalist for bands such as The Hold Steady, The World/Inferno Friendship Soc…
As college students, it’s tough to find spare time to read for pleasure between homework, midterms and term papers. The Emerald has enlisted its writers to recommend their favorite books they managed to read released in 2016.
Update: 3:05 p.m. More last minute gift ideas have been added to the list.
The weeks leading up to finals can be very stressful. With tests and essays on the horizon, it’s important to practice self care at times like these. Why not escape the crazy stressful world of college for a moment with a book? These picks by Emerald writers Sararosa Davies and Patience Gree…
It’s time to do something scary for Halloween.
I’m prone to injuring myself in stupid ways. In eighth grade I tried to make a half court shot in basketball without warming up in 54 degree weather and, unsurprisingly, threw my back out and lost a bet. During a high school tennis match, I once hit myself in the knee with my own racket so h…
In his book Your Song Changed My Life, NPR Music’s Bob Boilen has a simple inquiry for the musicians whom he interviews: what is a musical experience you’ve had that fundamentally changed your life?
Inspired by Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll, a pair of University of Oregon students have taken their love for these tales and created an adventure of their own: Down The Manhole, a story of bunnies and psychology.
Since Scott Landfield, owner of Tsunami Books, declared his campaign for Eugene mayor last month, he’s spent $3.47.
This Friday, historian and activist Michael Helquist will discuss his novel, Marie Equi: Radical Politics and Outlaw Passions, which won the 2016 Stonewall Honor – given to “exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience” – for Non-Fiction.
