Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films we’re watching, the television shows we’re hooked on or the music we’re loving.

Nina is reading Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

Roxane Gay is little known here in Australia, but she’s a rising literary star in the US (a quick Google search will reveal feature articles on her in the New York Times, Washington Post, Guardian, Time, Jezebel, Huffington Post, Mother Jones etc. – and that’s just within the last month). She has two books out this year; An Untamed State, a novel, and Bad Feminist, a collection of essays about race, gender, feminism, pop culture and more.

I’m about halfway through Bad Feminist and I’m very much enjoying it. Her opening essay is a fascinating examination of what it’s like to be a black academic working in the US. Two shorter essays have jumped out at me as favourites: a lovely, entertaining piece on becoming a competitive Scrabble player and a funny, moving reflection on growing up reading Sweet Valley High and dreaming of becoming Miss America.

I have a particular love of smart writing about lowbrow and pop culture topics, and Gay does this so well. She is also not afraid to make herself vulnerable in her writing, which gives each piece a real warmth, honesty and intimacy.

Emily is reading Cooper Bartholomew is Dead by Rebecca James

Sometimes I feel guilty for reading books so quickly, knowing how long and hard authors slog over them, but if you’re going to write a breathless page-turner you only have yourself to blame. This was the case with Rebecca James’ forthcoming YA thriller, Cooper Bartholomew Is Dead (due October). The characters have left high school in this story, and their lifestyles reflect that, but they’re also in that slightly adrift phase where life is still full of possibilities and not as many certainties – friends, fun and being in love are the focus. But the possibilities are cut short for very likeable main character Cooper, as the title suggests. What’s clever is how invested the author makes you feel in the flashback scenes, during which we see Cooper fall in love with Libby while he also draws away from two toxic close friends. As a reader you’re constantly to’ing and fro’ing between your enjoyment of their blossoming relationship and the knowledge that it’s tragically over. The story has great energy, emotional investment and well-written sex scenes.

Chris is reading the New Philosopher magazine.

I like to have a magazine on the go because sometimes I am so tired at the end of the day that I can only manage an article or two. I have high expectations though. I want some food for thought. I want conversation starters. I want to mark articles for my friends to read. I want shelf-life. Presently I am quite taken with the New Philosopher magazine. This month, the magazine looks at the hot topic of narcissism (think Anne Manne’s excellent new book, The Life of I, but shorter). There are pithy articles on self-portraits, on engaging in social media (or not) and very cool graphics. I like the layout, I like many of the articles and I reckon the publication is pretty perfect for dipping into when the day ends.