I love this little book. In addition to being clear and concise, Janis Bell’s grammar guide focuses on common mistakes I still make. In each explanation and each example, she writes as if she had read my mind. What I have found most effective is the way she teaches us to remember certain conventions such as when to use who and whom or lie and lay. It’s a must-have grammar reference.

Allen’s poignant memoir recounts the troubled life and tragic death of her young cousin Michael Allen. At fifteen, Michael found guilty of carjacking and sentenced as an adult to eleven years in prison. While serving his time, he fell in love with Bree, a transgender. Released at twenty-six, Michael struggled to move on. The tumultuous relationship with Bree ended his life. In addition to her personal story, Allen provides insightful account of the injustice system of incarceration in America, particularly toward black males. It’s a devastating, informing read.

By combining William Strunk, Jr., and E.B. White’s The Elements of Style and Williams Zinsser’s On Writing Well, Ms. Lamb offers an indispensable guide for business writings including emails, résumé, and proposals. I tend to read books on grammar and writing every now and then just to remind myself the craft of the English language. This one is a good refresher.

In her debut poetry collection, Daley-Ward strips the complexity of sensuality, mentality, and spirituality down to its bone. By cutting straight to the human sufferings, her poems are powerful yet accessible. Even though I don’t read as much poetry as I should, I appreciate the simplicity in her prose. Here are a few of my favorites:

battle

Loving someone who hates
themselves
is a special kind of violence.
A fight inside the bones.
A war within the blood.

wine

It’s never too late to be wise.
See how your spirit has been
fermenting.

lesson

The difference between attraction
and compatibility

how it kicks you in the belly every
now and then.

In her concise, compelling book, Wachter-Beottcher lays out the danger and the insensitivity of biased algorithms, alienating online forms, and harassment-friendly platforms in the tech industry. As designers and developers, we put too much assumptions into the users without understand their circumstances. We place cleverness over clarity. As demonstrated examples after examples in the book, the results of these poor-designed decisions are unfortunate and tragic. It’s an important read for those of us who truly care about our users.

In the age of liar in chief, alternative facts, and misinformation, Nichols’s outstanding book draws the difference between knowledge and ignorance. He makes a compelling argument on the failing of higher education, in which the institutions treat students as customers rather than learners. He points out the negative impact of having too much information at our fingertips and the danger of dismissing recognized expertise. It’s an informing, intelligent read. As Professor of National Security Affairs at the US Naval War College, an adjunct professor at the Harvard Extension School, and a former aide in the U.S. Senate, Nichols knows what the fuck he is talking about.

A practical guide on typography that covers everything from classifications to principles. It is well-written with tons of visual examples. The text face in the book is set in Retina, by Tobias Frere-Jones. It’s a good choice. Unfortunately Poulin who designed the book himself ruined it with vertical lines. They are so distracting. In addition, the type designer profiles, which are written in a couple paragraphs, are set in bold font with vertical lines. It is so disappointing to see a book on typography is not so readable.

What do Mike Pence, Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Chris Christie, Kellyanne Conway, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sean Spicer, Stephen Miller, and Mitt Romney have in common? That’s right. They’re all Sucking Up to Trump. In this short, enlightening book, Deborah Parker and Mark Parker cover the history, art, and science of sycophancy. Other terms for sycophancy includes lickspittle, ass-kisser, bootlicker, and brownnoser. It’s an engaging and informing read; however, I wish the leading in the typesetting is a bit more generous. It feels tight.

In her new concise, engaging book, Ms. Lemott shares inspiring stories drawing from the Bible, real life, and her own flaws to illustrate mercy. Ms. Lemott is obviously a skillful writer. Just read how she defines mercy:

Misericordia is Latin for “mercy,” from misericors, “merciful,” which is in turn derived from misereri,“to pity,” and cor, “heart.” Mercy means compassion, empathy, a heart for someone’s troubles. It’s not something you do—it is something in you, accessed, revealed, or cultivated through use, like a muscle. We find it in the most unlike places, never where we first look. (p.51)

Although Ms. Lemott incorporates theology in her writing, she is not preaching. In fact, she questioned God and I appreciate that. The conflicts she had with her son resonated with me the most. I am sure I will be in the same boat when my boys become teenagers. It’s touching and beautifully written. The book design by Amanda Dewey is also gorgeous. I highly recommend turning off your digital device and pick up this book, you’ll be enlightened.

I love the art of stand-up comic and I have watched as many specials as I can, but this is the first time reading one. Grossman’s novel revolves around a 57-year-old Israeli comedian with a wounded soul trying to tell jokes for almost 200 pages. He started off with a few funny jokes, but then delved deeper into his bizarre, terrifying personal stories. His materials got darker and harder for his audience to tolerate. He even beat himself up and broke his glasses. It’s a tragic yet terrific read. Jessica Cohen’s translation does Grossman’s fiction its justice.