Your essential reading guide for the election & beyond

No matter what happens on Tuesday, the work for change will continue.

These books will help you dive deeper into key issues like climate change, racial equality, and public health, as you figure out what your next move will be.

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Credit: Ohio State University Press

How to Make a Slave and Other Essays by Jerald Walker

Professor Jerald Walker teaches creative writing at Emerson College, and it's clear in this outstanding, inventive book, recently named a finalist for the National Book Award in nonfiction. These essays seamlessly blend cultural critique with personal reflection; they are equally visceral and shrewd; often funny, never dry. There's a necessary balance in Walker's exploration of the Black male experience in the US, which he pinpoints at the border of anger and humor. He tackles life in academia, family and relationships, healthcare, writing, and disability, and the ways in which his Blackness informs his experiences in each arena. It's an accessible, thought-provoking, vibrant read. Get your copy. — Arianna Rebolini

This Week in Virtual Book Events:

Nov. 2–Nov. 8

Monday, Nov. 2

Roxane Gay, Tracy Lynne Oliver, and Rebecca Kirby discuss their book, The Sacrifice of Darkness — hosted by Porter Square Books, 8:30 p.m. ET. More info.
Coco Ma discusses God Storm with Holly Black — hosted by Mysterious Galaxy, 7 p.m. PT. More info.

Tuesday, Nov. 3

Dozens of acclaimed thriller, mystery, and suspense writers — including R.L. Stine, Janet Evanovich, Alafair Burke, Rachel Howzell Hall, Karin Slaughter, Ruth Ware, and more — will offer some election counter-programming, joining hosts David Brown (@AtriaMysteryBus) and Ryan Steck (The Real Book Spy) for a stream of 10-minute interviews starting at 3 p.m. ET. More info here. Watch here.

Wednesday, Nov. 4

"Memoirs of the Black Experience," a panel discussion featuring Emily Bernard (Black Is the Body: Stories from My Grandmother's Time, My Mother's Time, and Mine), Morgan Jerkins (Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of the Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots), and Frank Wilderson (Afropessimism), moderated by L.A. Times columnist Sandy Banks — presented by the LA Times Festival of Books, 6 p.m. PT. More info.

Thursday, Nov. 5

Paul Auster, Salman Rushdie, Rebecca Solnit, and Natasha Trethewey discuss the post-election moment — hosted by Writers Against Trump, 8 p.m. ET. More info.
Jasmine Guillory (Party of Two), Casey McQuiston (Red, White and Royal Blue), and Rebekah Weatherspoon (If the Boot Fits) discuss contemporary romance with Elissa Sussman — presented by the LA Times Festival of Books, 6 p.m. PT. More info.

Friday, Nov. 6

Brit Bennett (The Vanishing Half), Evette Dionne (Lifting as We Climb), and Jerald Walker (How to Make a Slave and Other Essays) discuss their books, moderated by Novella Ford — presented by the National Book Foundation and Portland Book Festival, 3 p.m. PT. More info.
"American Tales," a conversation with Genevieve Hudson (Boys of Alabama) and C Pam Zhang (How Much of These Hills Is Gold) — presented by the Portland Book Festival, 5 p.m. PT. More info.

Saturday, Nov. 7

"Tacos and Coffee: The Origins of — and Controversies Behind — Our Favorite Foods," featuring José R. Ralat (American Tacos: A History and Guide) and Augustine Sedgewick (Coffeeland: One Man's Dark Empire and the Making of Our Favorite Drug) — presented by the Texas Book Festival, 2 p.m. CT. More info.
"Unfinished Business," a conversation with Justina Ireland (Deathless Divide) and Aiden Thomas (Cemetery Boys), moderated by Alicia Tate — presented by the Portland Book Festival, 1:45 p.m. PT. More info.

Sunday, Nov. 8

Veronica Roth discusses Chosen Ones — presented by the Texas Book Festival, 2 p.m. CT. More info.
Christopher Beha discusses The Index of Self-Destructive Acts with Courtney Maum — hosted by the Norfolk Library, 4 p.m. ET. More info.