Why We’re Liberals: A Political Handbook for Post-Bush America
by Eric Alterman

Never Give In: Battling Cancer in the Senate
by Arlen Specter

Why Women Should Rule the World: A Memoir
by Dee Dee Myers
Also mentioned: Donorschoose.org

Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet
by Jeffrey D. Sachs
Also: the transcript of Obama’s speech, if you’re interested, is here.

Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World
by Samantha Power

The Great Warming: Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations
by Brian Fagan

Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets
by Sudhir Venkatesh
Colbert: “Did you, at any point, pop a cap in anybody’s ass?”
Venkatesh: “Uh, I’m from Irvine, California and I only popped soda caps.”

Reality Show: Inside the Last Great Television News War
by Howard Kurtz