Hump day recommendations

Read: “The Hundred Years War on Palestine.” For a concise, scholarly account of the Israel-Palestine conflict from the Palestinian perspective, check out Columbia University historian Rashid Khalidi’s latest book, which is both a political history and personal memoir. Khalidi hails from a prominent Jerusalem family of jurists and diplomats, and he was involved in Palestinian politics in the early 1980s. As with any book on this fraught subject, critical readers will find points of disagreement, but Khalidi’s book is an important contribution from a perspective that is often underrepresented in the Western press. – Alex

Watch:“The Iron Claw.” Even if you’re not a fan of professional wrestling, I highly recommend checking out this emotional film based on the tragic true story of the Von Erich brothers. It’s a powerful, heart-wrenching look at the physical and mental costs of relentlessly pushing your entire family to dedicate itself to a sport. – John

Play: “Wingspan.” Board game night in my family is serious business (Mom hasn’t lost at Monopoly since 1997, and she’s not about to start) so I sometimes crave relaxing little games that minimize the bloodsport. Wingspan is just the ticket. Gorgeously illustrated with over 170 species of birds, the quick-moving game requires just enough strategy to keep it interesting without ever getting stressful. Plus, you get to learn about all these cool birds! – Matt