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Pollan probes consciousness: from plant sentience to AI myths in a world of mind
20 days ago•Source: The Guardian
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Bad Bunny: From global star to Puerto Rican activist voice
A Washington Post review of P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance by Vanessa Díaz and Petra R. Rivera-Rideau, which traces Bad Bunny’s ascent as a musical icon and argues his work has become a global platform for Puerto Rican activism and resistance, blending his chart-topping achievements with political and cultural messaging.
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Pirates, Pride, and Noir: A Glimpse of 2026 Historical Fiction
Book Riot highlights 2026's top historical-fiction releases, including Vanessa Riley’s Fire Sword and Sea (a seafaring tale about lady pirates), June Hur’s Behind Five Willows (a Pride-and-Prejudice-inspired Joseon-era romance with censorship and book transcription), The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams (multi-generational Alabama/1917 secrets starting in 1995), Sunyi Dean’s The Girl With a Thousand Faces (Hong Kong-set historical dark fantasy about a ghost talker), and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Intrigue (1940s Veracruz noir-styled boardinghouse caper). The lineup promises diverse settings and compelling premises for fans of historical fiction in 2026.
Hoover Delves into Fame's Price in Her Return Novel
Washington Post reviewer Sophia Nguyen ponders Colleen Hoover’s return with Woman Down, a novel about the burden of fame released after Hoover’s three-year hiatus, and questions whether it marks Hoover’s most revealing work to date.
Love Machines and the Cost of Digital Intimacy
James Muldoon’s Love Machines surveys how people form emotional attachments to AI chatbots, arguing that intimate digital relationships reveal loneliness, ethical concerns about privacy and manipulation by profit-driven tech firms, and the urgent need for regulation as AI therapy grows. While bots can offer affirmation and support, they can mislead about capabilities, miss human cues, and reinforce harmful beliefs, making cautious deployment essential as AI becomes more embedded in daily life.
Mueenuddin Returns with Interlinked Tales of Power in Pakistan
Seventeen years after his sensational debut, Daniyal Mueenuddin returns with a collection of interlinked novellas set in Pakistan’s feudal society; Porter Shreve lauds the depth of structure, prose, and sense of place, calling the volume worth the long wait and likening it to Tolstoy and Edward P. Jones.
Top Books to Watch for in 2026
Lit Hub's list highlights the most anticipated books of 2026, featuring a diverse range of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and genre-bending works from acclaimed authors, reflecting themes from societal issues to personal stories and experimental narratives.
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel's Simple Rules for a Long, Healthy Life
Ezekiel Emanuel's book 'Eat Your Ice Cream' warns against the overwhelming and often misleading health and longevity advice online, emphasizing the importance of focusing on quality of life rather than chasing unproven miracle cures or extreme longevity strategies.
Top New Books to Read in January 2026
The article highlights six noteworthy books for January, including Brad Meltzer's latest novel 'The Viper,' offering gripping stories about secrets, identity, ambition, and courage to start the year on a high note.
Top Books and Albums to Celebrate 2025
Despite a bleak political year, 2025 saw the publication of ambitious and serious books, including novels about millennial ennui, histories of the West, and investigative reports on AI, offering readers a rich selection of important titles.
Top Books to Watch for in 2026
The article highlights some of the most anticipated books for 2026, including works by Tayari Jones, Jennette McCurdy, Sunyi Dean, and others, covering themes from sisterhood and dark fantasy to astrophysics and historical mysteries, offering diverse options for book clubs to discuss in the coming year.
Top Literary Highlights and Reviews of 2025
Contributors highlight their favorite books of 2025 across various genres, including architecture, philosophy, history, science, and literature, emphasizing works that challenge perceptions, deepen understanding, and explore cultural and political themes.