Between the Lines: Stories from the Underground
Author: Uli Beutter Cohen
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Goodreads | The StoryGraph
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Cover Description
For the better part of a decade, Uli Beutter Cohen rode the subway through New York City’s underground to observe society through the lens of our most creative thinkers: the readers of books. Between the Lines is a timely collection of beloved and never-before-published stories that reflect who we are and where we are going. In over 170 interviews, Uli shares nuanced insights into our collective psyche and gives us an invaluable document of our challenges and our potential. Complete with original photography, and countless intriguing book recommendations, Between the Lines is an enthusiastic celebration of the ways stories invite us into each other’s lives, and a call to action for imagining a bold, empathetic future together.
Meet Yahdon, who reads Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem and talks about the power of symbols in fashion. Diana shares how Orlando shaped her journey as a trans woman. Saima reads They Say, I Say and speaks about the power of her hijab. Notable New Yorkers open up about their lives and reading habits, including photographer Jamel Shabazz, filmmaker Katja Blichfeld, painter Devon Rodriguez, comedian Aparna Nancherla, fashion editor Lynn Yaeger, playwright Jeremy O. Harris, fashion designer and TV personality Leah McSweeney, designer Waris Ahluwalia, artist Debbie Millman, activist Amani al-Khatahtbeh, and esteemed authors such as Jia Tolentino, Roxane Gay, Ashley C. Ford, Eileen Myles, Min Jin Lee, and many more.
TL;DR Review
I loved reading Between the Lines so much. It’s a beautiful, well-paced collection of interviews that blends a love of New York City, books, and our shared humanity.
For you if: You are a fan of @subwaybookreview on Instagram.
Full Review
I was lucky enough to have received an early review copy of Between the Lines from Simon and Schuster (thank you!) about two months before the book’s official publication. That gave me time to read a little bit of it every day, pacing myself through the 175+ short interviews from @subwaybookreview that creator Uli Buster Cohen has selected and arranged so lovingly. It will be published November 9.
In case you aren’t familiar, @subwaybookreview is an Instagram account where Uli documents conversations she has with New Yorkers who are reading on the subway. She asks about the book they’re holding and their view of the world, with good, deep questions that cut to the center of our shared humanity. For this book, she also coordinated interviews with some well-known modern New Yorkers, like Roxane Gay and Emma Straub.
Long story short, I loved the experience of crawling my way through this book. Every page brings us a new person who serves as a lens to view the world. Every interview expands New York and our connection to it and one another. Reading it slowly allowed me to feel like I was giving each of them the time and attention they deserved, and like I was giving the book itself the time and attention it required to work it’s magic on me.
I recommend this book for everyone, but especially for those who hold a special place for NYC in their hearts. It’s worth it.