Sunday, February 3, 2013

Six top books on the mannerisms of 20- & 30-somethings

Benjamin Nugent is the author of the new novel Good Kids, and American Nerd, a mix of history and memoir (Scribner, 2008). Born in Massachusetts in 1977, he was educated at Reed College and the Iowa Writers' Workshop. His essays have appeared in the New York Times Op/Ed page, the New York Times Magazine, and many other publications. His short stories have appeared in Tin House and The L Magazine. Director of Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University, he teaches in its MFA and undergraduate programs.

One of Nugent's six favorite books about the mannerisms and social rituals of his generation, as told to The Week magazine:
The Gin Closet by Leslie Jamison

All of the books on this list capture the mannerisms and social rituals of my generation. This novel, about a young woman meeting her estranged aunt, does that brilliantly, offering 90 distinct shades of self-hatred.
Read about the other books on Nugent's list.

The Page 69 Test: The Gin Closet.

--Marshal Zeringue