The 34 Best Books of 2021 (So Far)

Our favorite books of the season come from authors both emerging and established, meditating on everything from life online to life in the intersections of identity. If you have trouble reading this message, view it in a browser.       The 34 Best Books of 2021 (So Far)   2021 has so much to offer for your literary diet, meaning that even if you're missing the normal rhythms of social life, you'll have plenty to keep your mind occupied. Our favorite books of the year thus far come from authors both emerging and established, meditating on everything from life online to life in the intersections of identity. Set everywhere from the all-too-real world to the distant past, and even peering into the speculative future, these books offer escape, education, and spiritual enlargement—whatever you're looking for. Read More           Todd Snyder's Perfect Polo Sweater Will Have You on Your Dickie Greenleaf Shit This Summer   "Before I set my sights on the Italian coast and pour myself a Mezcal Negroni, I've got to look the part," writes Esquire Deputy Editor Ben Boskovich. "For me, that starts with the attire. And the attire I'm starting with is Todd Snyder's lineup of sweater polos. Now, the term sweater polo might be throwing you through a loop, seeing as the whole point of wearing a polo stands in direct contrast to the whole point of wearing a sweater. But hear me out: This enigma of a garment is tailor made for even the most sweltering of summers, especially if yours involves moving from the beach to the pool to the bar and back to the pool." Read More           I Don't Care What's in a Subway Tuna Sandwich. Just Make It a Footlong.   This week the New York Times published an expose about Subway tuna sandwiches. In the wake of a California lawsuit that alleges Subway's tuna is not, in fact, tuna—which started a big debate online about who orders the tuna and why—the Times sent one of the sandwiches to a lab for DNA testing. Weeks later, the lab got back in touch with the Times to say, "No amplifiable tuna DNA was present in the sample and so we obtained no amplification products from the DNA. Therefore, we cannot identify the species." Esquire Staff Writer Justin Kirkland writes, "If the reveal of an inconclusive DNA test is enough to throw you off Subway tuna, then I have to assume you weren't ordering it in the first place. Subway tuna has already told you who it is, coyly, from behind a glass partition. You can let the fear of the unknown chase you away from carrying on your life or you can accept that—so long as it tastes good and it's not killing you—some of life's mysteries are best left uncovered. " Read More           The 22 Best Swim Trunks for Any and All Aquatic Adventures   The best swim shorts on the market today double as actual shorts. From classic Patagonia Baggies to Orlebar Brown's trim, tailored Bulldog shorts and everything in between, your go-to swimwear can also be your go-to anywhere wear this summer. It's double the bang for your buck, so go ahead and stock up or level up to that investment-worthy pick. The world is your oyster. Or...maybe you're the oyster and the world is your ocean? No matter. First up, the shopping. Next, a little full-body hydration. Let's go. Read More           Jeopardy! Has Apologized After Fans Call Out 'Gross' and 'Inaccurate' Misinformation   Jeopardy!'s revolving door of guest hosts has kept the show in the headlines for months, but now, Jeopardy! is in the news for far less welcome reasons. A clue read during Monday night's episode, which was guest-hosted by Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie, has drawn criticism from viewers at home, several of whom are calling for an apology. Read More           That States' Rights Pitch From Susan Collins Gave Me an Anger Hangover   "I woke up Wednesday morning with a nasty anger hangover over what happened on Tuesday evening, when every single Republican refused to allow even a debate on a sweeping package of election reform measures designed to push back against the organized assault on the franchise that is occurring in Republican-led state legislatures all over the country," writes Charles P. Pierce. "If the Senate cannot even bring itself to debate an issue as serious as this one, then it is an institution grown devoid of point or purpose. Maybe its real function is as a kind of living museum: a place for tourists to come and watch re-enactments of national debates we all thought were long settled." Read More         Read More on Esquire.com       Follow Us     Unsubscribe | Privacy Notice/Notice at Collection   esquire.com ©2021 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019