Whenever I'm stuck in a reading rut, I find that art books of any kind are the only ones that can rescue me. This time, it's Kory Stamper's True Color, a transfixing story about the man who originated Merriam-Webster Dictionary's definitions for colors. A begonia, for him, was "bluer than fiesta, and bluer and stronger than sweet william," and scotch gray was "duller than mermaid." What a mind.
Independent presses are crucial champions of diverse literature, often overlooked by major retailers yet producing remarkable works that challenge conventional narratives and celebrate unique voices.