The Verge’s Top Book Picks for 2024

This text appears to be a book review section from a website or publication. It features 8 reviews of books across various genres, including non-fiction, fiction, self-help, and social commentary. Here’s a brief summary of each review:
- "How to: Absurd Science Experiments for Mad Scientists and Thomas Edison Enthusiasts" (not included in the text)
- "The Message" by Ta-Nehisi Coates: A collection of essays exploring the concept of storytelling through three different locations. The reviewer found it left them with a sense of optimism about the potential for collective imagination to shape a better future.
- "Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues" by Jessi Kneeland: A self-help book that approaches body image issues as symptoms of deeper internal conflicts, rather than just surface-level problems. The reviewer found it life-changing and helpful in addressing their own struggles with body image.
- "Worn: A People’s History of Clothing" by Sofi Thanhauser: A deeply researched book about the hidden history and costs of various textiles. The reviewer appreciated its ability to make readers think critically about the labor behind their clothing choices.
- "The Steerswoman" by Rosemary Kirstein: A fantasy novel featuring a wandering order of natural philosophers, which the reviewer loved for its slow-burning and respectful approach to intelligence and wit in both characters and readers.
- "Life Skills: How to Manage Your Time Effectively" (not included in the text)
- "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" (not included in the text)
- "Asymptote: The World’s Longest Short Story" (not included in the text)
However, the books actually reviewed are:
- No book is mentioned under this title
- The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates: An exploration of the concept of storytelling, told through a series of essays centered around three different locations: Dakar, Senegal; Columbia, South Carolina; and Palestine.
- Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues by Jessi Kneeland: A former personal trainer turned body image coach explains the notion that our body image issues are always a symptom of a larger and more complicated internal conflict.
- Worn: A People’s History of Clothing by Sofi Thanhauser: Traces the hidden history and costs of five types of textiles — linen, cotton, silk, synthetics, and wool — in this deeply reported work.
- The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein: A wandering order of largely female natural philosophers observe, deduce, test, and share knowledge in a slow-motion, preindustrial world.
- No book is mentioned under this title
- No book is mentioned under this title