Guest Recommendation: with Elizabeth Held from What to Read If
The Oyster War — Summer Brennan
Welcome to another guest recommendation on Reading Under the Radar! On the last Tuesday of each month, I’ll be asking a fellow book friend about one of their favorite under-the-radar reads.
This week, welcome Elizabeth Held from What to Read If! Check out What to Read If for weekly newsletters featuring book recommendations that fit whatever mood you’re in, like what to read if you’re looking for an escape or own a knock-off handbag. Plus, Elizabeth interviews authors who’ve written these amazing books and is hosting a summer bingo game on top of it all!
Elizabeth’s Recommendation
The Oyster War: The True Story of a Small Farm, Big Politics, and the Future of Wilderness in America by Summer Brennan
What It’s About
The Oyster War chronicles a years long legal battle that pitted an oyster farmer, in Point Reyes, California, against the U.S. government, environmentalists nationwide and his neighbors.
California rancher Kevin Lunny purchased the oyster farm on federal land in 2005, knowing its lease with the National Park service would end seven years later. But, as 2012 approached, Lunny refused to stop farming the briny delicacy, vowing to take his case to the Supreme Court. The ensuing legal battle raised questions about how to balance environmental protection with economic growth.
The Oyster War is one of those amazing books that uses a seemingly small-town affair to illustrate larger trends—in this case, how our food is produced, how politics play into environmental policy and more.
Who Will Like It?
Foodies, oyster lovers, Law and Order fans, and narrative nonfiction enthusiasts will all find a lot to love about The Oyster War. Summer Brennan, an investigative journalist, excels at bringing scenes and characters to life, making it an engaging read, even with its weighty subject matter.
Thank you!
Thank you, Elizabeth, for recommending on Reading Under the Radar—I love a great niche nonfiction dive, and this sounds like one of my favorites—The Truffle Underground, a narrative on the underground world of black-market mushroom deals—and also reminds me of one that just came out this month that I cannot wait to get to: Tree Thieves, a look at the billion-dollar timber black market, and how it invades more of our world than we think.
Please thank Elizabeth for recommending, and don’t forget to check out her publication What to Read If for more!
Last Week’s Winner
Congratulations to Marlena, the winner from last week, who will receive a copy of How to Kill Your Best Friend. Didn’t win? Buy your own copy here! Stay tuned for more giveaways, and subscribe to make sure you don’t miss the next one!
More Books
Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations:
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