reviews

In Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, Mary Roach examines the science of human sexuality. LJ caught up with Roach ahead of the publication of her new book, Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law.

Erin Benzakein talks with LJ about growing flowers for your home, her new book about dahilas, and books she suggests to others. 

Gerry Smyth discusses his book Sailor Song: The Shanties and Ballads of the High Seas and ponders the newfound popularity of the art form on social media.

These 36 editors' picks for fall include political action, injustices fought, identities formed, invisible friends, kids bursting into flames, and much more. 

Author and advice columnist Heather Havrilesky learned a great deal about libraries when she inadvertently sparked the ire of Library Twitter.

Sociologist Eric Klinenberg  is the Arthur Curley Memorial Lecture Speaker at the upcoming ALA Midwinter Meeting. In this Q&A about his book Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life, he suggests that the key to a more equitable society may lie in our shared spaces—particularly libraries.

Journalist Lauren Hilgers (Harper’s, Wired, Businessweek, The New Yorker, New York Times Magazine) lived and worked in Shanghai, China, for six years. While reporting on the Wukan protests, the author met activist Zhuang Liehong, who was eventually arrested for his activities.