Driving around upstate New York in early July.

Here it is, our summer reading list! A little later, a little weirder and a little less beachy than previous years. Whether you’re staying home, having to work, or out in the street protesting and helping out in the fight for justice, we hope you’re being kind to yourselves too and taking breaks to eat snacks. Relax and curl up with a good book.

So, I Fucked Up and April’s Eating Zine by April Malig, published 2016

I had to buy this zine “So, I Fucked Up” when I saw it. I think it was at the Museum of African Diaspora Brown Paper Zine and Small Press Fair via PJ Gubatina Policarpio's table. Because I didn’t have enough cash on me, I found April Malig’s zine shop online and spotted a few of her pieces at Desert Island comic book store in Williamsburg. We became friends and she gave me a copy of “April’s Eating Zine”, a twinkly 20-page risograph through her favorite foods and restaurants. It feels so good to remember eating out before quarantine: magical and blurred.

Vibrant India by Chitra Agrawal, published 2017 and Beginnings by Chris Cosentino, published 2012

Now that I’m home more often, I’m finally reading through the giant pile of cookbooks in my library. The two at the top of my pile are opposites: Chitra Agrawal’s Vibrant India (a collection of vegetarian dishes) and Chris Cosentino’s Beginnings. He signed my copy with a note, “Jenn, Pork is the meat of champions!” I’ve been using them together, pulling Chitra’s chutneys and Chris’ fresh Californian spin on serving charcuterie. Cooking for myself has become a more fluid, snacky affair. Mixing and matching between the two has been a welcome reprieve from the heavy comfort food of early isolation.

–Jenn de la Vega, Editor at Large

Toques in Black by various authors, published 2019

This is more of a coffee table book than a sit-down and read type of thing. Toques in Black is a collection of 101 Black chefs and their recipes. The book comes with their backstory, a gorgeous photo of their signature dish and the recipes at the back. Part of the proceeds also go back to the chefs who have lost or are at risk of losing their restaurants because of the pandemic.

–Karen Sims, Intern

Cool Beans by Joe Yonan, published 2020

At the beginning of quarantine and fearing the worst, I got a little nervous and ended up panic buying a ton of beans. Like way more than I had space to store. After a few months, I had begun to grow really tired of my usual bean-based meal rotation when this cookbook crossed my path. It was as if Joe Yonan had a secret camera placed in my kitchen and, while watching me cook the same meal for the millionth time thought, “Wow, this is getting pretty pathetic.” Now I don’t even have to use my brain or the internet to think of new ways to use my still pretty well stocked bean supply, and for that I am eternally grateful.

The Berlin Stories by Christopher Isherwood, published 1945

I’ve been a huge fan of Cabaret since I was a teenager, so when my girlfriend spotted this title at a used bookstore in Beacon, New York I absolutely had to take it home. A collection of two shorter novels, The Berlin Stories was the inspiration for a play (I Am a Camera) which in turn inspired the musical I hold so dear. Taking place in post-World War I Berlin, Christopher Isherwood lovingly describes fantastically hedonistic nights out with artists, dreamers, and the occasional possibly-misunderstood rogue. Frequenting the swanky clubs, seedy bars, and strange apartments that rose in the wake of the first world war’s destruction, Isherwood does not shy away from commenting on the political climate at the time and the terrifying rise to power of the Nazi party.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein, published 1937

I know this is kind of a book for babies, but sometimes it’s nice to feel like a baby again. Growing up, my dad would read this book out loud to me one chapter at a time before I went to sleep. When we lost power during hurricane Sandy, I read it slowly by candle light to my girlfriend who told me she thought the story ended when they got to the mountain and defeated the dragon (babe, it’s called there and back again,) and when I realized everything was about to get really difficult and scary this year, I reached for it once more. There is something incredibly comforting to me about Tolkien’s writing. You’re constantly reminded that, even during the very scary parts where everyone is lost in the woods or trapped in the depths of a mountain or being held captive by giant spiders, all is not lost. There are songs to sing, new friends to be made, feasts to enjoy, and always a warm hobbit hole waiting for you at the end.

–Heather Clark, Senior Editor

The Civilization Letter Service

A letter and additional bits of printed ephemera. For example, Issue 3 contents include: broken hearts, butt stuff, better conditions, stove top nachos, best friends, fists, yums, various states of decay, Newports, clones, circles, dots, dimples and doodles.

The Pandemic Post

A monthly publication for folks stuck at home and for people in the streets fighting for racial justice. You can get the PDF download or a newsprint version in the mail. Their proceeds go to various organizations, currently The Audre Lorde Project.

Travels through South Indian Kitchens, by Nao Saito, published 2018

I just got this and it’s amazing. A Japanese architect’s travelogue - notes, recipes, plans, conversations etc. - through the home kitchens of southern India. (Thanks to @sanajaverikadri for the rec)

The Death of Vivek Oji, by Akwaeke Emezi, published 2020

Just got this yesterday and already deep in it. It’s very good so far, go get it!

–SFK, Editor

LATE SUMMER READING 2020