When the Going Was Good: An Editor’s Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines

When the Going Was Good: An Editor’s Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines by Graydon Carter with James Fox.

This book was not a likely choice for me when I first read about it, but what a surprisingly wonderful read. Among other things, Graydon Carter was the editor of Vanity Fair for 25 years. The book opens when Graydon is on his honeymoon and the magazine is about to publish the identity of Deep Throat. It could be the end of his career if they are wrong or one of the biggest journalistic coups ever. But my favorite chapter is about the time he spent as a lineman on the Canadian National Railway. It wasn’t unusual in those days for students to work summer jobs out west. A bit of adventure and some money for tuition, but Carter signed up for 6 months. He describes himself as "a soft, white Anglican kid from Ottawa." The fact that he brought a book with him made him an intellectual in the crowd. The lack of a criminal record also made him somewhat of a standout. His elegance, humor, and sheer joy in living are ever present in the writing; after all he was the editor of Vanity Fair! The illustrations by Eric Hanson are pure pleasure.

David recommends: Sacred Land: Israel Before and After Time, Ralph Gibson

The celebrated American photographer Ralph Gibson traveled throughout Israel to craft this stunning testament to the Holy Land. Past and present are contrasted in two-page spreads, with black-and-white and colour images facing each other. Architect Moshe Safdie writes in his accompanying text: “This is the promise and paradox of Israel, a new country in an ancient land, modernity next to regression, with abundant and creative energy and cultural output. The high-tech world of invention next to Torah studies. It is still a young country, not even yet past its Centennial. With an optimistic eye, one sees the promise yet to be.” Not to be missed.

Maddy recommends: Great Big Beautiful Life, Emily Henry

Bestselling author Emily Henry has just released her newest novel, Great Big Beautiful Life, a book full of picturesque writing that is a perfect summer read. Alice and Hayden are both invited to the island of Little Crescent, Georgia with the goal of writing a biography of aging, scandalous heiress Margaret Ives. In competition for the perfect story, Margaret seems to be giving each of them only half of the narrative. Alice and Hayden shouldn’t like each other but something about the atmosphere of the island and the old woman's story seems to draw them together. Great Big Beautiful Life is perfect for those looking to pick up a book of summer escape, intrigue, and romance.