The Roundtable

This week's Book Picks comes from Green Toad Bookstore in Oneonta, NY and Cheryl McKeon from The Book House in Albany and Marketblock Books in Troy, NY.

Gangster fiction has long explored questions of power, loyalty, and survival. But in 'All Them Dogs,' Irish novelist Djamel White brings something unexpected to the genre: a deeply human story in which violence and vulnerability exist side by side. Set in the gangland neighborhoods of West Dublin, the novel follows Tony Ward, who returns home after years in exile for a killing committed in his youth. Hoping to reclaim his place in the criminal world, Tony instead finds himself drawn into an increasingly dangerous relationship with Darren "Flute" Walsh, an enforcer whose presence forces him to confront desires, loyalties, and fears he has long kept buried.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Principal, Faith in the Public Square and Co-Principal of The Religious Nationalisms Project The Reverend Peter Cook, Semi-retired, Editor at large/columnist/editorial writer, Times Union Jay Jochnowitz, Former Times Union Associate Editor Mike Spain, and an Associate Professor in the department of sociology at Vassar College. Her research is on health, wellness, and medical knowledge Catherine Tan.

Three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Mike McIntire has spent years following the money, politics, and power behind some of America's biggest stories. As a reporter for 'The New York Times,' his work has exposed everything from Russian election interference to hidden financial incentives in policing.In his new book, 'Ricochet: Guns, Greed, and the American Way of Violence,' McIntire turns his attention to one of the nation's most urgent and divisive issues. Drawing on extensive reporting, he traces how commerce, politics, history, and ideology combined to shape America's uniquely powerful gun culture.

What does it take to outrun history without leaving it behind? In his new memoir, 'Running with Lions,' Dr. Pius Kamau traces an extraordinary journey from a childhood in colonial Kenya to a career as a thoracic surgeon in the United States.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Stuart Rice Honorary Chair at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) and Faculty Associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University Fran Berman, Joseph Palamountain Jr. Chair in Government at Skidmore College Beau Breslin, the incoming director of extension programs and professor of practice at the American University of Armenia Jim Ketterer, and Political Consultant & Lobbyist Libby Post.

What happens when the United States launches an unconventional foreign aid program in the aftermath of a national uprising? Cornelius W. Queen of the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund will discuss his new book, 'A Daring Enterprise A US-Egyptian Partnership and the Case for Soft Power,' with panelist Jim Ketterer.

Tom Papa has spent years making audiences laugh by finding the humor in everyday life, family, food, and aging in the wonderfully absurd business of just being a human being walking on this planet. A veteran standup comedian, actor, podcast host, and best-selling author Papa is familiar with fans through his Netflix specials, his work alongside Jerry Seinfeld, and his long running appearances on NPR’s ‘Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me.’ This summer he brings his ‘Grateful Bread Tour' to The Mahaiwe in Great Barrington on 7/18.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Joseph Palamountain Jr. Chair in Government at Skidmore College Beau Breslin, a senior fellow and faculty member in the Center for the Advancement of Public Action at Bennington College. She is the President of Beyond Plastics and former EPA Regional Administrator. Judith is co-author of the book 'The Problem with Plastic' Judith Enck, The Ulster County Comptroller and the former president and CEO of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley March Gallagher, and a full professor in the History Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) Allison Kavey.

Daniel Silva has spent more than two decades proving that the international spy novel can be as elegant as it is suspenseful. The #1 'New York Times' bestselling author and former journalist returns with 'Ransom,' the latest adventure featuring legendary art restorer and Israeli intelligence operative Gabriel Allon.This time, what appears to be the disappearance of a glamorous British socialite quickly unfolds into a dangerous web of wealth, deception, political intrigue, and long-buried secrets. As Gabriel searches for the missing Alice Winter, he discovers that nearly everyone involved has something to hide—and that an old enemy is waiting in the shadows.