Introducing November's book of the month

Admission time: I don’t know a lot about Native Americans. While there isn’t much excuse for my ignorance, I suspect that most people who aren’t part of a tribe don’t know much about Indigenous peoples either: the original inhabitants of this continent have for so long been represented by caricatures and stereotypes, usually formed through Hollywood’s endless fascination with the Old West.

That means a lot of what happens in this month’s book was new information to me. And after reading it, I feel like I have a whole new perspective laid out.

I’m proud to announce that November’s Curious Reading Club pick is By The Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle.

This book starts out as a legal thriller, a crime story that details the sad circumstances that led to a grisly murder. But unlike most other similar stories, this is not a whodunnit: it’s a wheredunnit. As the narrative unravels, it turns out that this single crime becomes a locus for a detailed examination of US history, power, and control. One criminal act is a doorway to exploring the long string of crimes and betrayals that make up the struggle between Washington and native tribes.

Nagle, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, has a great ear for detail and a sharp eye for clarity. You may have heard of Nagle from her work on the podcast This Land, or her writing about federal law and tribal life in places like The Atlantic or The Guardian. I’ll leave you to find out more as you read it, but I hope you enjoy this title as much as I did.

Books are shooting off to club members as we speak, and if you haven’t signed up yet your membership is only a click away. With the holidays coming up, you might even consider buying a gift subscription.

I’ll be back soon with more news and updates.

Onwards!

Bobbie