When we first started working on building Tertulia, we had spent many months cooped up. More reading time was the only bright spot of the COVID-19 lockdown. We came up with the idea of creating a lively gathering place to showcase the best of book talk among writers and poets, but also among scientists or actors or philosophers. Readers could drop in on book talk happening in the "tertulia" that they find most compelling. 

As part of our year wrap up, we looked at the books resonating for Tertulia voices in these Voices rows — from philosophers to poets to actors. From a steamy poetry collection to a memoir of communism, these were the books buzzing among Tertulia voices this year by each category.

Book Critics

Trust by Hernan Diaz

Culture Critics

Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop by Danyel Smith

Mystery, Thriller, & Crime Writers

Secret Identity: A Novel by Alex Segura

Philosophers

Free: A Child and a Country at the End of History by Lea Ypi

History Buffs

The Facemaker: A Visionary Surgeon's Battle to Mend the Disfigured Soldiers of World War I by Lindsey Fitzharris

Journalists & Wonks

Invisible Storm: A Soldier's Memoir of Politics and PTSD by Jason Kander

Historical Fiction Authors

Forbidden City: A Novel by Vanessa Hua

Feminist Voices

America, Goddam: Violence, Black Women, and the Struggle for Justice by Treva B. Lindsey

Sci-Fi & Fantasy Storytellers

The Actual Star: A Novel by Monica Byrne

Poets

A Hundred Lovers: Poems by Richie Hofmann

Voices in Science

The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey Into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Actors, Producers and Directors

I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir by Harvey Fierstein

Voices in Social Justice

Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom by Derecka Purnell

Voices in the Food World

Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew by Michael W. Twitty