McNally Robinson NYC

by David Graeber
(University of Chicago Press, $12.95)
This is one of the greatest pieces of radical thought that I have ever come across. I can’t get over how much amazing stuff is in this little read. If anarchy, anthropology, egalitarianism, or direct democracy have any interest to you, then you’ll love this..

by Richard Scarry
(Random House, $5.99)
With a raised fist, Nicholas makes an ontological claim that sets him apart from other species. Like Nietszche’s Zarathustra, the protagonist of this tale takes on the roughest conditions Mother Nature has to offer and keeps his inner strength and sanctity throughout. Apparently orphaned, Nicholas blasts through this setback while making the best of out anything. All other bunny tales pale in comparison (all apologies to Pat)..

by Guy Debord
(MIT, $16.95)
In the short amount of time I’ve had on this earth, I’ve seen some political, artistic and philosophical movements come and go. The Situationists are one group of philosophers and artists whose work has stood the test of time in an impressive way. This is the most well-known piece of theory to come out of that movement, and its critique of our society has influenced everyone from academics to architects to directors to bandits. Fun for the whole family!!

by Maira Kalman
(Penguin, $29.95)
Come along with Kalman on this refreshingly random and often poetic, yet nerdy (in the good way!), ramble through her inner self. As it turns out her inner self is a wonderfully endearing connoisseur of the finer details of life. The artwork is pretty damn precious, and this book also has the best index ever created..

by Francine Prose
(HarperCollins, $13.95)
This is a sweet one for the bibliophile within, and it doubles as an inspirational kick-in-the-butt for all you writers out there. Even if you’re not a writer, it’s fun to go along with Prose’s prose on what she finds great in all things literary..

by Susan Blackmore
(Oxford University Press, $15.95)
Maybe we should talk, you know, and take on the big enchilada. We can make the subjective joyously objective, or maybe we’ll just make the subjective wonderfully objective. Sure we can admit that humans know very little, but of what we do know, we could surely beat it all into a merry heap of biochemistry, evolutionary psychology and neurological quagmires. We could even put words like “why”, “what” and, “consciousness” in the same sentence and have a gay ol’ time. I promise..

by Michel Foucault
(Random House, $11.95)
Foucault was one of those rare cross-disciplinarians who was respected in all the fields that he played in. Here, he takes on the social evolution of power in the realm of sexuality with an emphasis on the Victorian Era, which, in many fascinating ways, was not as institutionally confounded and repressed as Western society is today. Well-written and well-researched, Foucault broke some wondrous ground with this work..

by Oliver Jeffers
(Penguin, $16.99)
Jeffers has figured out a way to address difficult topics in kids’
books, and he brings an emotional depth that is rare. In this book, he
tackles the troubles of genius and lets us all know that
we need to slow down and just enjoy those damn books. The layout
and artwork are precious, and it’s a treat for all you bibliophiles.
Enjoy, kids..

by Dr. Seuss
(Random House, $14.95)
An entrepreneur commits grave atrocities against indigenous people and
the environment. He fabricates false needs, which leads to
over-consumption. The Lorax warns about unsustainable ways, and an
existential battle ensues and, through it all, hope remains.
Let there be hope…;

by Paul Avrich
(AK Press, $19.95)
Fighting and partying have always been fine traditions in Russian culture, and Emma Goldman summed it up best by saying, “If I can’t dance, it’s not my revolution!” From Goldman to her lover Alex Berkman, to Mikhail Bakunin, to Peter Kropotkin, Russian anarchists raised hell the world over (even in the U.S.A.!) Avrich is the most diligent and capable of Russian historians, and goes in depth on their important role in the Russian Revolutions of 1905 and 1917.