A best-selling popular culture reader, The Contemporary Reader offers more than 70 readings taken from today?s headlines to inspire students to write on topics that really matter to them. This collection offers over 70 current, well-written, provocative readings that students can relate to?readings that stimulate class discussion, critical thinking, and writing.Over 90% of the readings were written within the last five years. The text's nine tightly focused thematic chapters provide balanced readings with multiple perspectives on issues that students care about