The Hard Crowd, the first collection of essays by Rachel Kushner, is published by Jonathan Cape. She is speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on 17 August (edbookfest.co.uk)
The Bikeriders by Danny Lyon (1967)
This masterpiece of “new photojournalism” portrays members of an outlaw motorcycle club from Chicago and gives a sense of their lives in a time of great upheaval. There’s an honesty and beauty in the moments Lyon captures, no doubt on account of his commitment to understand rather than judge. Also, the women in the Bikeriders are my attitude and fashion idols. Their hair is pretty good, too. Aperture £25.95
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Angels by Denis Johnson (1983)
I write about Johnson in my latest book, and I say what I want to say about him and this dirty and perfect first novel, which continues to glow, outlasting its moment and joining the pantheon of “all time”. So I am hesitant to add much. Vintage £9.99
Practicalities by Marguerite Duras (1987)
This book of “life advice” by the queen of French letters was “told to” a friend of her son’s, then transcribed, edited and turned into a unique book. It includes bald confessions about her struggles with alcoholism and advice for other women: those who can’t do home repairs are “useless”. So, I’m useless, which leaves me more time to read Duras. Grove Press £14.47
In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower by Marcel Proust (1919)
Reading the recently re-discovered early drafts where the character Marcel first spies Albertine – strutting with golf clubs, a “moderne” and exciting and vulgarly middle-class co-ed – reminded me how much I love this volume of Proust. Penguin £9.99
Chronicles: Volume One by Bob Dylan (2004)
So, it’s pretty dumb that Dylan won a Nobel Prize, given that musicians get plenty of wealth and fame and it’s a prize for writers. But I really loved reading this and taking note of all the singers he admired. Word is he made a lot of it up. But that’s okay. When people lie they are telling you something. Simon & Schuster £10.99
-
The Gallivant: style and charm steps from Camber SandsThe Week Recommends Nestled behind the dunes, this luxury hotel is a great place to hunker down and get cosy
-
The President’s Cake: ‘sweet tragedy’ about a little girl on a baking mission in IraqThe Week Recommends Charming debut from Hasan Hadi is filled with ‘vivid characters’
-
Kia EV4: a ‘terrifically comfy’ electric carThe Week Recommends The family-friendly vehicle has ‘plush seats’ and generous space
-
Kia EV4: a ‘terrifically comfy’ electric car
The Week Recommends The family-friendly vehicle has ‘plush seats’ and generous space
-
Bonfire of the Murdochs: an ‘utterly gripping’ bookThe Week Recommends Gabriel Sherman examines Rupert Murdoch’s ‘war of succession’ over his media empire
-
Gwen John: Strange Beauties – a ‘superb’ retrospectiveThe Week Recommends ‘Daunting’ show at the National Museum Cardiff plunges viewers into the Welsh artist’s ‘spiritual, austere existence’
-
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl: A win for unityFeature The global superstar's halftime show was a celebration for everyone to enjoy
-
Book reviews: ‘Bonfire of the Murdochs’ and ‘The Typewriter and the Guillotine’Feature New insights into the Murdoch family’s turmoil and a renowned journalist’s time in pre-World War II Paris
-
6 exquisite homes with vast acreageFeature Featuring an off-the-grid contemporary home in New Mexico and lakefront farmhouse in Massachusetts
-
Film reviews: ‘Wuthering Heights,’ ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die,’ and ‘Sirat’Feature An inconvenient love torments a would-be couple, a gonzo time traveler seeks to save humanity from AI, and a father’s desperate search goes deeply sideways
-
A thrilling foodie city in northern JapanThe Week Recommends The food scene here is ‘unspoilt’ and ‘fun’
