{
  "id": 12790438,
  "title": "What I’ve been reading",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/what-ive-been-reading",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T04:52:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Marginal Revolution",
    "slug": "marginal-revolution",
    "url": "https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2026/10/what-ive-been-reading-296.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The following are recent books that I have been reading, as reported by Begoña Gómez Urzaiz in \"The Abandoners: On Mothers and Monsters\". This book explores the complex relationships between mothers and their children, and is not meant to be sentimental. Readers will likely have a new perspective on Muriel Spark after reading this work.\n\nEvan Gershkovich's memoir, \"This Cursed Beautiful Land: A Russian-American Story\", details his experience as a WSJ reporter who was arrested and held in Russia for eighteen months. Despite the challenging circumstances, Gershkovich remained optimistic and treated well in prison, reflecting positively on the state of living in Russia during the early years of the war with Ukraine. The book provides a glimpse into the daily life of Russians and offers valuable insights into the situation.\n\nReinier de Graaf, an architect, has penned \"The New Language of Building\". This book offers an engaging perspective on various architectural awards, urban livability, and the influence of Richard Florida. It also includes a humorous compilation of absurd terms often used by academics and bureaucrats.\n\nFinally, I am currently immersed in \"The Rouse\" by China Mieville. This massive novel spans 1200 pages and features large print. I am at page 350, and while it is captivating so far, I am uncertain if it will maintain its quality throughout. This question will be answered as I continue to read.",
  "summary": "1. Begoña Gómez Urzaiz, The Abandoners: On Mothers and Monsters. A wonderful book about mothers who abandon their children, and properly unsentimental. You will never think about Muriel Spark the same way again. Vashti Bunyan gets a section too. Recommended. 2. Evan Gershkovich, This Cursed Beautiful Land: A Russian-American Story. Yes he is the WSJ […] The post What I’ve been reading appeared…",
  "key_points": [
    "\"Abandoners\" explores complex mother-child relationships",
    "Gershkovich's memoir details 18-month Russian imprisonment",
    "\"The New Language of Building\" offers architectural insights"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The highlighted books offer new perspectives on motherhood, the Russian experience during the Ukraine war, architectural trends, and a sprawling fictional narrative, expanding readers' understanding of these varied subjects.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}