kleinmatic

History of New York Reading List

Once I’m done with this spring’s LBJ Caropalooza — I’m finishing Robert Caro’s Master of the Senate and moving on to Passage of Power immedately after, all told a 1,900 page marathon — I’m thinking of pivoting to a quick survey of well-written books on New York City’s history. Here’s a first stab at it. What am I missing?

• Luc Sante, Low Life
• Robert Caro, The Power Broker
• Suleiman Osman, The Gentrified City

To Kill a Mockingbird

Eighth graders in Norwood N.J. asked people to write in their memories about reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Here’s what I wrote.

Hi Norwood Students,

I read To Kill a Mockingbird when I was in ninth grade. That was almost 30 years ago, but I remember it very well. I still think of Atticus Finch a lot and try to live decently and treat people like people and to work for social justice. I remember Boo stabbing somebody with a scissors (wait, that happens in the book, right?) and how he’s forgiven for that and how Tom isn’t forgiven for doing something that isn’t even bad.

Also: Pretty much all of the things you learn in school that you think “I’m never gonna use this” you will really end up needing. Mostly math, but you’ll remember really good books your whole life too.

Scott Klein
Brooklyn, NY

P.S. Did you know Harper Lee is still alive? Wild.