Cultural Studies

A poignant memoir by Tembi Locke about love, loss, and healing in the Sicilian countryside, where she finds solace at her mother-in-law's table after her husband's death.

Neal Gabler's 'Life the Movie' explores how entertainment has infiltrated every aspect of modern society, transforming news, politics, and even personal identity into performative experiences.

Priscilla Wald's 'Contagious' explores how narratives of contagion shape community formation and sociological theories of cultural transmission.

The Ramayana Revisited explores the multifaceted interpretations of the Ramayana across South and Southeast Asia, delving into both textual and non-verbal renditions.

"Disquiet: The Cultural Locations of Ferrante Fever" by Grace Russo Bullaro explores the cultural impact and critical reception of Elena Ferrante's works, particularly the Neapolitan novels, highlighting their global resonance and significance.

Colin Woodard's "American Nations" uncovers the eleven distinct regional cultures of North America, challenging the conventional red state-blue state dichotomy and revealing how historical rivalries have shaped contemporary America.

Routledge Library Editions: Myth reissues four classic works exploring various aspects and interpretations of mythology, from Martin Buber to Indo-European gods and comparative mythology.

Televisuality by John T Caldwell examines the stylistic evolution of American television in the 1980s, exploring how networks responded to crises by embracing artistic and exhibitionist productions.

Nomadland reveals the lives of older Americans who have turned to nomadic living in RVs and vans as a response to economic hardship, showcasing their resilience amidst societal neglect.

In 'Self-Made Man,' Norah Vincent shares her eighteen-month undercover journey as a man, exploring the complexities of masculinity and gender identity, ultimately revealing profound insights about the male experience and the societal codes that govern it.

'How the García Girls Lost Their Accents' explores the immigrant experience of four sisters as they navigate their identities and cultural dislocation after moving from the Dominican Republic to New York City.

Farewell to Manzanar is a poignant memoir recounting Jeanne Wakatsuki's childhood experiences in a Japanese American internment camp during WWII, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the impact of prejudice.

Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata is a poignant coming-of-age story that explores themes of hope, family, and resilience through the lens of Katie Takeshima, a Japanese-American girl navigating challenges in the Deep South.

In 'The Address Book,' Deirdre Mask explores how street addresses shape social identity, revealing connections between location, race, wealth, and power while examining the implications for those lacking formal addresses.

"Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story" celebrates the significance of fry bread within Native American culture, emphasizing its role as food, tradition, and a bonding element for families across generations.

Edward W. Said's "Orientalism" critiques how Western perceptions shape the understanding of Eastern cultures, arguing that these viewpoints serve to reinforce colonial power dynamics and hinder genuine representation.

Ethan Watters' "Crazy Like Us" explores how American mental health theories and treatments are reshaping global understandings of mental illness, often with detrimental effects on local cultures and practices.

Etaf Rum's "Evil Eye" delves into the complex lives of Palestinian-American women, intertwining personal ambition with cultural expectations and the haunting effects of past traumas on present choices.

Twisted by Emma Dabiri explores the complex history and cultural significance of black hair, intertwining personal narrative with historical research to reveal how hair has been a site of both discrimination and empowerment.