Ben Westhoff’s dive into the ‘deadliest wave of the opioid epidemic’ is the most frightening book of the year, and it’s mandatory reading
THE SABOTEUR: A VIVID TALE OF COURAGE IN THE FACE OF NAZI FORCE
Like so many masters of deep research and compelling narrative historical nonfiction before him, Kix leaves very little for the reader to imagine on their own. Some of the descriptions are extremely terrifying, but they’re also necessary if one is to understand the plight of the protagonist.
BOOKS: A DIG Q+A WITH SKYLAR KERGIL AKA SKYLARKELEVEN
From sports-loving tomboy, to Boston pride parades, to finding his community online
BOSSTOWN: NEW NOVEL NAVIGATES BIG DIG ERA BOSTON
“I grew up in communes in Allston in the ’70s. There used to be this great big penny poker game at the Spanish House commune; it was in the former Spanish consulate on Commonwealth Avenue.”
SKIFFLE BALL: THE GREAT BILLY BRAGG ON INSPIRATIONAL GRASSROOTS AND GIVING UP BEING HIP
I used to feel, metaphorically, that I stood by a vast river of music and everything that was happening came down that river and I hooked out anything that was interesting to me. Now, I feel like I’m on a small boat on a calm sea and I’m only hearing the stuff that swims near me.
INTERVIEW: LEAH CARROLL’S NEW BOOK REVISITS ROUGH RHODE ISLAND MEMORIES AND TOUGH PERSONAL TRIALS
Leah Carroll’s book revisits rough Rhode Island memories and tough personal trials
MUCH MORE THAN A MURDER MEMOIR
Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich explains where stories really come from
OVERNIGHT, UNDER DURESS: A MARATHON READING OF A SINCLAIR LEWIS CLASSIC IN LIGHT OF EMERGING FASCISM
In an age that’s increasingly anti-intellectual, the study of history is gravely necessary, and this novel reminds us that this threat has come before.
DIG THIS: GOGOL BORDELLO, STELLA STARSKY, AND THE ROCK & ROLL RUMBLE
Your week in stuff to do
MICHAEL IAN BLACK: NAVEL GAZING WITH COMEDY’S CULT ACTOR
Comedian, actor, and all around entertainment icon Michael Ian Black talks about everything from celebrity expectations to Connecticut egos before reading from his new book, Navel Gazing, at Brookline Booksmith.
