This week, the staff of Temple University Press offers what books they would like to give, read, and get for the holidays.
Janet Francendese, Editor-in-Chief
WHAT I WILL GIVE: Envisioning Emancipation by Deborah Willis and Barbara Krauthamer, a book whose originality and poignancy will add a very different dimension to the spate of Civil War and Emancipation coverage that’s sure to come in the next two months.
WHAT I WILL READ: I do not plan to read anything but cookbooks over the break. If someone wants to give me the new Thomas Keller, I will cook something from it for them.
Alex Holzman, Director
WHAT I WILL GIVE: Deborah Willis and Barbara Krauthamer’s Envisioning Emancipation. It restores African Americans to the discussion stimulated by the 150th anniversary of that epic document. In photos and texts they remind us that African Americans were not passive recipients of freedom, but active participants in making it happen and in responding to it. We are so very proud to publish this much-needed study, which is both a joy to read and a joy to view.
WHAT I HOPE TO READ: My most ambitious reading hope over the break is to make a serious dent in War and Peace, which my book group–a collection of slow readers–has chosen as our selection for May 2013. If I don’t make a dent now, I’ll never finish on time!
WHAT I HOPE TO GET: Two books I want with equal fervor–NW by Zadie Smith and Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl.
Charles Ault, Production Director
WHAT I WILL READ: Dear Life, Alice Munro’s latest collection of short stories, which is my book club’s current selection, and Designing Information, Joel Katz’s just-released book.
Karen Baker, Operations Manager
WHAT I WANT TO GET: I Could Pee on This and Other Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano.
Gary Kramer, Publicity Manager
WHAT I WILL GIVE: Hapa Girl by May-lee Chai. This beautifully written, heartbreaking memoir about a mixed-race family struggling against racism in South Dakota proves how deep the bonds of family can be.
WHAT I WANT TO GET: Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon. I’ve been meaning to get/read this along with Head in Beds and Junot Diaz’s This Is How You Lose Her. Maybe someone will save me the trouble?
WHAT I WILL READ: Big Sur by Jack Kerouac, since I’m just finishing On the Road: The Original Scroll. And I hope to read The Dream of the Celt by Mario Vargas Llosa. I started this fantastic novel a few months ago but had to put it down because of review commitments. I just want to lie in a hammock and read.
Ann-Marie Anderson, Marketing Director
WHAT I WOULD GIVE: Envisioning Emancipation by Deb Willis and Barbara Krauthamer, as it’ll make the perfect holiday gift! I Walked with Giants, jazz saxophonist Jimmy Heath’s autobiography that recalls his early years in Philadelphia and his musical training that extended his career to the present.
Joan Vidal, Senior Production Editor
WHAT I WILL GIVE: Elements of Discipline, by Stephen Greenspan. This is an excellent resource for my niece, a caring and dedicated teacher.
WHAT I WANT TO GET: The next alphabet mystery by Sue Grafton. I was thoroughly enjoying the series until I got sidetracked a few years ago. But now I need to figure out where I left off.
WHAT I WILL READ: The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver. This author’s novels never disappoint me.
Brian Murray, Marketing Assistant
WHAT I WANT TO GET: Customizing the Body by Clinton R. Sanders and D. Angus Vail. The culture surrounding tattoos has always interested me and after hearing an interview with the author I’ve been waiting for my chance to read it.
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