This fraught week coincided with Shavuot, when we celebrate the gift of Torah. We might also celebrate millennia of Jewish literature. At CANVAS, we’re marking the occasion with three new books by Jewish women. They explore a range of topics — the AIDS crisis, comedy, family — with wit and insight. Happy reading! Let us know what you think.
Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993, by Sarah Schulman. ACT UP fearlessly and relentlessly raised awareness of AIDS and pressed for treatment. Schulman has been working on this comprehensive history of ACT UP for almost twenty years. Read a review here. Listen to an interview here. Or buy the book here.
Notes from the Bathroom Line: Humor, Art, and Low-Grade Panic from 150 of the Funniest Women in Comedy, edited by Amy Solomon. New humor from the funniest women alive — e.g. Maria Bamford, Rachel Bloom, Samantha Irby, Chelsea Peretti, Michaela Watkins — edited by a producer of Silicon Valley and Barry. Read about Solomon here. Or buy the book here.
All My Mother’s Lovers: A Novel by Ilana Masad. Maggie’s mom dies suddenly, leaving behind a broken family and five sealed envelopes addressed to men. Maggie decides to hand-deliver the letters and discovers her mother’s hidden life. A tender and bittersweet story of love and family. Read reviews here and here. Or buy the book here.