Curl up by the fire with these compelling new releases.
OUR REVOLUTION
By Bernie Sanders
We’ve all heard from Senator Bernie Sanders (who some argue might have beaten Donald Trump) but how much do you really know about his background and vision for America? His new book combines personal, even sometimes amusing, tales from his life in politics along with an in-depth plan for progressive “economic, environmental, racial and social justice agenda that will create jobs, raise wages, protect the environment, and provide health care for all.” (Thomas Dunne Books, $27)
RAISING AN ENTREPRENEUR
By Margot Machol Bisnow
While your children are home for the holidays, why not reflect on how you’ve raised them? Local publishing powerhouse Margot Machol Bisnow wrote her first book after observing hundreds of parents over the years and her own sons’ success. Featuring interviews with more than 50 mothers of successful entrepreneurs (including UnderArmour’s Kevin Plank and Nantucket Nectars’ Tom Scott), Bisnow’s book is an engaging 10-step guide to encourage children to chase their dreams. (New Harbinger Publications, $18.95)
MY OWN WORDS
By Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams
Get inside the mind of one of the most intelligent and powerful women in the nation. The first book from “notorious” Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg includes a diverse collection of writing and speeches that span topics ranging from gender equality to her love of the opera. Ginsburg wrote the intro, and Hartnett and Williams did the rest, with quotes selected from hundreds of Ginsburg’s interviews. (Simon & Schuster, $30)
MARCH: BOOK THREE
By Rep. John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell
The first graphic novel ever to win a National Book Award, this 256-page book tells the story of Rep. John Lewis’s work during the Civil Rights Movement, as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The last book in the historical memoir trilogy is an insightful, educational read for both adults and younger readers from the eighth grade up. (Top Shelf Books, $19.99)
THE SPEECHWRITER
By Barton Swaim
The New York Times described it as “Veep meets All the King’s Men,” an apt take on this fascinating, hilarious tale of a speechwriter working in the office of a controversial Southern governor.Anyone who’s worked for a difficult boss or in the world of politics will be able to relate to the struggles Swaim outlines in this memoir. (Simon & Schuster, $15)
CHRISTMAS DAYS
By Jeanette Winterson
Get into the holiday spirit with festive tales from literary master Jeanette Winterson. The British author has penned 12 stories with Christmas themes — one from each of the 12 days — and a bonus of Christmas memories from her own life. Her imaginative tales feature mysterious, magical elements like a talking tinsel baby, a haunted house and a disappearing train in enchanting, original holiday tales that defy cliché. (Grove Press, $24)
THANK YOU FOR BEING LATE
By Thomas L. Friedman
As anyone living in the 21st century has noticed, technology, globalization and climate change are three forces accelerating at a rapid pace. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas L. Friedman’s latest book is a contemporary history of a changed world, a reflection on what it means for the future and a field guide to deal with it. For one, he argues for “being late” and pausing to reflect on the times. (Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, $28)
THE NINE OF US
By Jean Kennedy Smith
For a glimpse into the lives of the revered Kennedy clan, look no further than Jean Kennedy Smith’s elegant memoir. The last surviving child of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy vividly recalls dinner table conversations with her eight siblings. Charming anecdotes and photographs are scattered throughout. It’s an excellent gift for those who still look on the Kennedys as America’s “royal” family. (HarperCollins, $29.99)
PILGRIMAGE
By Mark K. Shriver
Washington-based author Mark K. Shriver set out on a journey to discover the true story of Pope Francis. His deeply personal book lays bare his own struggles with his Catholic faith and the result is the perfect Christmas gift for any Catholic on your list, lapsed or not. (Penguin Random House, $28)
