Want to know why the rent is too damn high, and what we can do to fix it? New York Times economics reporter Conor Dougherty offers many of the correct answers to that question in this new book on the housing crisis in San Francisco. Other reviewers have praised Dougherty for his "incisive, character-driven" analysis and his "eye-opening exploration" of the issue, which we're facing pretty acutely right here in Washington. I'd only add that Dougherty's strength in this book is his thorough and clear-eyed presentation of the conversation around housing, which can feel, at first, like an insanely technical and impenetrable issue to understand. If you feel so inclined after this reading, be sure to call your state representatives and tell them you support HB 2779, which would help prevent rent gouging, and SB 6536, which would legalize apartments statewide. These two bills will do more to fix the housing crisis in Washington than any other bills out there at the moment. Do it soon—session ends mid-March. by Rich Smith