Books

The author discusses his new book, the tragic violence in Chicago, and his love for the city's "messy vitalities."

Two new books argue for the virtues of pleasure—as an end in itself, but also as a political tool.

In her most recent book, Merve Emre examines our obsession with ourselves.

The author and illustrator explains how seeing his home reduced to a "desolate plane" by the 2017 disaster inspired his latest book.

Literary scholar Sarah Churchwell discusses the shifting meanings of "America first" and "the American dream."

In his new book, David Wallace-Wells lays out the grim scenarios that await humans under climate change—but also his reasons for hope.

The author, who also suffers from the illness, discusses her new essay collection—a fresh and visceral study of schizophrenia.

Pacific Standard's new Ideas section is your destination for idea-driven features, voracious culture coverage, sharp opinion, and enlightening conversation.

The author discusses her latest book and explains why she has hope for the Earth.

McMillan Cottom's new book is a powerful rejoinder to those who want black women to make peace with a marginal status.

Amy Irvine, the author of Desert Cabal, discusses what it means to write about public lands in the shadow of Abbey's classic.

Idra Novey's new novel examines power imbalances, and how they beget violence and silent complicity.

The author of "Like a Mother" chats with Pacific Standard about childbirth, baby books, and the narratives excluded from the pregnancy conversation.

If we are to address legitimate concerns about workers who are left behind by a global economy, then shutting down borders and blaming foreigners is not a solution.

In his new book, historian Joseph Crespino offers lessons drawn from Harper Lee's ambivalent treatment of this iconic character.

Author Bruce Schneier warns about the coming hyper-networked world where all your devices are talking to each other.

A large new study finds people who grew up in book-filled homes have higher reading, math, and technological skills.

Stephen E. Maizlish's new book discusses a time much like our own, when radicals in Congress hurled insults while moderates bemoaned a lack of civility.

Cognitively speaking, there may be no way to recover from a disadvantaged childhood.

Historical archives housed in universities, courthouses, and local libraries are at heightened risk from flooding and mold.

Yoon's debut poetry collection draws together contemporary political critique with tales of the comfort women conscripted into sexual slavery during World War II.

A nervous storm cloud of historical might-have-beens—a fitting companion to our age of diffuse paranoia.

PS Picks is a selection of the best things that the magazine's staff and contributors are reading, watching, or otherwise paying attention to in the worlds of art, politics, and culture.

The author (and puppeteer) discusses climate change, discrimination, and how to write science fiction with a happy ending.