On Brightland's Bookshelf
Welcome back to On Brightland’s Bookshelf. This monthly series focuses on what interesting people we admire are reading right now. We could all use a reminder to pursue some screen-free time, and reading is one of our favorite analog activities. This month, we are featuring editors from The Kitchn, Real Simple and Fast Company.
Betty Gold
Betty Gold is the Senior Food Editor for RealSimple.com, where she covers everything from cooking tips to tri-tips.
The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris
"To say that I’m thrilled that Kamala Harris has been named as our nation’s Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee for the 2020 election is a vast understatement. She’s brilliant. This book has been on back order (a good sign!) and it just arrived. I can’t wait to dig in."
"So well-written, fascinating, upsetting, inspiring. Read it—I’ll leave it at that."
Let’s Ask Marion by Marion Nestle
"I’ve been a fan of Marion Nestle since I was a student in the Food Studies department at NYU. This book came across my desk as a review copy, and the topics covered are incredibly important right now, like how food intersects with politics, culture, identity, social class, inequity, and power."
Elizabeth Segran
Elizabeth Segran is a staff writer at Fast Company. Her work has been published in The Atlantic, The New Republic, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs and The Nation.
The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac
"As a fashion reporter, I've been increasingly concerned about how we're going to survive the looming climate disaster. I'm looking forward to reading the answers these experts provide."
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
"I adored Yaa Gyasi's first book, Home Going. I read it in one weekend last winter. This is her next book, and I can't wait to dig in."
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
"Brit Bennett writes about race in the most complex way. This seems like the perfect book for this current moment, when we're thinking about intersectionality."
"I love the 99% Invisible podcast. This gorgeous design book is full of examples of the little, but extraordinary things we don't often notice in our cities. I've thumbed through it and adore the gorgeous illustrations."
Ariel Knutson
Arie Knutson is the Features Director at The Kitchn. She lives in Los Angeles, and produces (assign, edit, art) and writes feature and short-lead stories for the site.
Big Friendship by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman
"One of my intentions for 2020 was to nurture my friendships, which has proven to be both easier and more difficult now that we can’t see anyone in person. I recently finished this book, and I loved learning about how these two authors (and friends) show up for each other."
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
"I somehow was able to get a degree in English Literature without reading this classic. I’m about halfway through, and I have to admit: it probably wasn’t the best choice for 2020! It’s hard to care about fancy dances and shady men when the world is what it is right now. But yes, the writing is beautiful."
Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
"This year, like many other people, I’ve been taking a hard look at my own complicity in holding up white supremacy. A few friends have recommended this book as a part of that work, and I’m looking forward to diving in."
