Mary Gauthier
[isbn]
You don't have to be a songwriter to be moved by this book. A fantastic memoir of trauma, healing, and empathy.
Recommended by Greg L.
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Philipp Dettmer
[isbn]
As someone living with an autoimmune disease, I've long had a love-hate relationship with my immune system, but I've rarely thought about the system as a whole. Dettmer rectified that. Immune is an engrossing illustrated primer on the wonders and horrors of the immune system that will leave you with a new appreciation for the human body.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Angela Chen
[isbn]
Angela Chen shares a set of feelings and experiences — her own and others' — that are under-expressed and under-explored, and that is a tremendously valuable project. It's truly above and beyond that she does it so smartly, making this book both delightful and essential.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Sarah Ruhl
[isbn]
Perhaps it’s because Sarah Ruhl is a genius playwright that the voice of her memoir about motherhood and illness is so wise and true and generous. This is such a beautiful and important book; I know it will be a tremendously helpful and profound reading experience for many.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Michaela Coel
[isbn]
Michaela Coel, British actress, screenwriter, director, producer, and singer, most known for groundbreaking work in the BBC series Chewing Gum and the phenomenal HBO comedy/drama I May Destroy You writes an honest, witty, and powerful personal manifesto that encourages readers to embrace differences and change the narrative, based on her 2018 MacTaggert lecture. A powerful voice from an outstanding artist!
Recommended by Kim T.
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Zachary Schomburg
[isbn]
Nine years after the first surreal treasure of Fjords: Vol. I, comes Schomburg's equally surreal (yet plaintive) follow-up. Will there be a Fjords: Vol. III? With Schomburg's endless genius, I'm sure there will be. This set of paragraph-size prose poems slip us (water slide-style) into a theater of clouds, bears, trees, James Tate-like everymans, icebergs, and flashes of stunning nothingness. It's so fun to see where Schomburg... (read more)
Recommended by Kevin S.
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Deborah Copaken
[isbn]
If TMI is your jam (and Nora Ephron your muse), grab a copy of Deborah Copaken’s hilarious, cringy account of divorce, grief, and serial, serious illness. Ladyparts is honest in the most embarrassing, most important ways for women, giving our bodies and brains the space to be messy and loud in a society that demands quiet perfection.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Qian Julie Wang
[isbn]
Beautiful Country left me in tears. It's a heartbreaking, powerful, and ultimately hopeful memoir. The hardships Qian Julie Wang went through as such a young child living as an undocumented immigrant in the United States can be painful to read, but it's something many Americans need to hear. The author's clear voice and astonishing self-awareness keep you turning the pages, even as she unearths trauma after trauma. If you have any doubt... (read more)
Recommended by Leah B.
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Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
[isbn]
The origin story of the wildly popular My Favorite Murder podcast is as much about the hosts’ shared fascination with true crime as it is about vulnerability — the two struck up a conversation about Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly at a party, discovered it wasn’t their only common interest, and the rest is podcast history — so it’s fitting that candor and self-reflection would feature prominently in their dual memoir. The stories... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Carrot Quinn
[isbn]
Jumping between her childhood in Alaska and time spent traveling across the country via hopping trains, Carrot Quinn’s book is searing, gut-wrenching, and deeply nomadic. Whether she’s writing about her mother or about how to hop a freight train, Quinn’s prose is evocative, direct, and eloquent.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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John Lewis
[isbn]
At the end of his life, Congressman John Lewis took time to explain his philosophy and give advice to a new generation of activists. In a series of succinct chapters, the "Conscience of Congress” lays out everything you need to know to make a difference and get into “good trouble.”
Recommended by Keith M.
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Kelly Williams Brown
[isbn]
"If things are especially dire, just contemplate Dolly Parton." This is but one nugget of sage advice in Kelly Williams Brown's Easy Crafts for the Insane. Brown's quirky, off-the-cuff style lends itself well to this memoir-cum-crafting how-to. Her heartfelt relatable essays let us know we are not alone. Even in those moments when we feel we have no control over our life, the world, or our glitter glue gun, we can always accomplish a... (read more)
Recommended by Tina M
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Jennifer Finney Boylan
[isbn]
Not only was Jennifer Finney Boylan’s story groundbreaking — one of the first works to put the transgender experience on the page and on the world stage — her writing is beautiful, honest, irreverent, and very funny to boot. When She’s Not There debuted in 2003, Boylan’s candor, determination, and outrageous wit were the perfect combination to open hearts and inspire a generation of trans folks. And now, as half our country continues to... (read more)
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Chanel Miller
[isbn]
As a society, we expect a lot from our victims. We’d like them to be faultlessly virtuous and silent, or deeply flawed and perhaps culpable, because either scenario allows third parties to feel neither susceptible to, nor responsible for, such an outcome. Victims are often unnamed for many good reasons, but it has the perhaps unintended effect of making their suffering abstract, their pain unattributable to a specific face. In Know My... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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Masanobu Fukuoka and Larry Korn
[isbn]
Out of print and highly sought after in the US for more than 25 years, Masanobu Fukuoka’s natural farming manifesto is no less revolutionary today than it was when it was first published in 1978, and arguably more necessary with time. A radical rethinking of agriculture, global food systems, and the relationship between humans and the earth we inhabit, The One-Straw Revolution contains both practical gardening advice and profound,... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Hanna Chute and Espe
[isbn]
Told in a series of vivid memories of growing up with a severely mentally ill mother, Espé's heartbreaking graphic novel is, through some extreme feat of empathy, completely free of anger or bitterness.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Jill Stansbury
[isbn]
Wise and compassionate, learned and thorough, this herbal and the other volumes in the series are destined to become a modern classic of herbology, joining the works of legends like Gerard, Culpeper, and Grieve. Dr. Stansbury's lovely prose is grounded in practice, as she has been serving patients and teaching students in the Pacific Northwest for decades.
Recommended by Jennifer K.
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Megan Devine
[isbn]
It's OK That You're Not OK is excellent at saying the quiet parts out loud regarding grief. Devine touches on anger, frustration, and how to set boundaries with people, even your own family. This book is full of anecdotes and matter-of-fact statements that try to help grief feel more tolerable. These stories and coping techniques aren't here to "fix" your grief, but rather help you feel held within it.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Kim Krans
[isbn]
An incredibly vulnerable graphic memoir by the beloved Wild Unknown artist and tarot creator Kim Krans, this book recounts her "rock-bottom"-type personal crisis, and the intuitive, honest art that helped move her through it. It doesn't shy away from the most difficult, dark feelings associated with her eating disorder, multiple miscarriages, and divorce, but confronts them with humility and grace, transforming them into an original and... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Sweet, Victoria
[isbn]
What a lovely, compassionate, enriching book. Trained as a conventional doctor, read as Sweet is transformed by an old-style charity hospital, wherein part of the medicine is giving nurses time on-shift to knit blankets for patients and really care for them. There's a fascinating discussion of how her patients did when she began to introduce remedies and principles of medicine from Hildegard von Bingen's writings.
Recommended by Jennifer K.
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Michael Lewis
[isbn]
Michael Lewis specializes in profiles of people who can find and exploit flaws in entrenched systems. His new book is about the individuals who had to see through, and work around, the Trump administration’s campaign of misinformation and inaction in response to the looming pandemic.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Olivia Laing
[isbn]
Olivia Laing is a true polymath, and her philosophical exploration of the nexus of the physical self and social progress pulls inspiration from a myriad of artists, writers, activists, and thinkers — yet her work always feels like the insightful product of a singular vision.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Alexandra Sacks, Catherine Birndorf
[isbn]
This book gives a most welcome dose of healthy psychological support during pregnancy and postpartum! Even though it was published shortly before COVID-19 lockdowns, it addresses many emotional complexities that often aren't acknowledged in popular pregnancy guides.
Recommended by Ruth J.
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Courtney Cook
[isbn]
I’m having trouble not using some blurb cliché here: Is this book brutally honest? Searing? An important look at the realities of a widely misunderstood mental illness? Yes, all of the above. The heaviness of her topic is leavened by Cook’s vibrant illustrations, making even the most harrowing passages impossible to turn away from. Even if this book is occasionally brutal and searing, it is always important.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Adam Mansbach
[isbn]
After reading the first few lines of Adam Mansbach’s memoir in free verse, I found that I was unwilling to stop until I had reached the end. I expect that you will have the same experience.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Michelle Zauner
[isbn]
At one point in her memoir, Michelle Zauner describes the quick ascent of her band Japanese Breakfast as “suspiciously charmed.” Any reader who has made it that far knows there’s nothing suspicious about it. Crying in H Mart is a skillfully written and deeply moving portrait of Zauner’s mother and their close, and at times strained, relationship. It is also a rumination on cultural distance and the power of food to bridge the gap — it is... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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Mandy Len Catron
[isbn]
What begins as an experiment for the author, who takes a psychology test to try and fall in love with another test participant, becomes the premise for a book that is as much fun to read as it sounds. Catron supplies a candid account of her doubts and misgivings about love, drawing from her family's and her own romantic history, tackling the topic with analytical curiosity. And when she finally does arrive at success in love, as the title... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Michael Moss
[isbn]
Moss exposes how the food industry uses our own psychology and biology to manipulate us, habituating consumers to processed food and destroying our health in the process. An infuriating look at the severely underregulated food industry and required reading for understanding why American life expectancy is declining.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Jenny Lawson
[isbn]
Whether you crave a good laugh, a good cry, or — like me — a weeping, snorting mash-up of the two, Jenny Lawson’s Broken (In the Best Possible Way) has you covered. Pairing her trademark irreverence and infectious sense of humor with candid dispatches from the front lines of mental illness, Broken is an effortless, but not always easy, read (I’d advise keeping tissues handy for “An Open Letter to My Insurance Company”) that... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Delanie Holton-Fessler
[isbn]
A praise-worthy projects book for young kids, where basic toy-making (from wooden robots to mini-kites), learning fiber arts, and plenty more is all nicely laid out in clear, understandable steps alongside great photos. The author’s experience running maker workshops additionally shines through in the bonus materials, which include inventor challenges, guiding questions, and ways to adapt the tools and customize creations according to a child’s... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Carmen Maria Machado
[isbn]
Devastatingly beautiful, In the Dream House is a work of traumatized text, made up of stunning vignettes and fragmented stories of one queer woman’s experience with an abusive lesbian relationship. It’s intermixed with literary theory and poignant observations about the nature and history of LGBTQ relationships and abuse.
Recommended by Alice G.
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Jenny Odell
[isbn]
In 2020, we were forcibly thrust into the long-promised future of virtual hyper-connectivity. Given this new landscape, Jenny Odell's perceptive analysis of the anxious routines of our online lives has taken on new meaning. Going beyond simple critique, she offers a considered framework for reimagining our relationship with the virtual and the real.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Mark Bittman
[isbn]
First, Mark Bittman brought us VB6. Now, he ratchets up his crusade to get people cooking and eating better by delving into our unsustainable, destructive, and unhealthy agricultural and food production systems. We don't need to buy more organic veggies, Bittman claims, we need to start a revolution. After reading this incisive book, I'm ready to appoint him leader.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Mary Laura Philpott
[isbn]
Philpott’s delightful essay collection, which explores the terrain between the adult life she anticipated and the one she inhabits, reads like a long chat with a close, funny friend, offering solace to those of us (all of us?) who wonder if we’re doing it right, and more than a few laughs.
Recommended by Tove H.
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Lisa Marie Basile
[isbn]
This book is essential reading for witches, poets, journalers, and anyone interested in the transformative power of language. Through trauma-informed exercises and spells, Basile provides a template for shadow work and healing. These adaptable and accessible rituals are ideal both for casual diary keepers and professional writers.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Sage Liskey and Barbara Counsil
[isbn]
Enchanting! An accessible mental health guide told through lens of magic and wizardry, this book is an empowering handbook for anyone who is looking for self-possession amidst a toxic culture. A unique overview of life that covers everything from depression, activism, dream analysis, and intentional eating under an overarching umbrella of magical wellness, this book is for anyone who could use more magic and happiness in their life!
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Bill Bryson
[isbn]
Bill Bryson takes the reader through fascinating facts of the human body (the kidneys process over 3 pounds of salt a day!); best guesses as to why we exist the way we do (is the uvula a "mudflap for the mouth"?); and the often questionable medical experiments and characters that have helped illuminate how the body works. The Body is a surprisingly cheerful journey through both the ways in which we seem to be perfectly designed, and the... (read more)
Recommended by Michelle C.
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E.J. Koh
[isbn]
A disciplined, engrossing work about learning to love generously and the role language can play in closing one off and opening one to understanding, The Magical Language of Others is an incredible achievement. A translation of memory, words, and feelings that, like all good translations, communicates the essence of the original text while creating something new and beautiful.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Steven Johnson
[isbn]
Johnson has a knack for honing in on pivotal moments in scientific history, and making the big, lofty ideas behind them, as well as the more intimate personal aspects of the people involved, riveting. This chronicle of the 1854 cholera outbreak in London is also an exciting detective story — one with huge ramifications for the development and sustainability of urban life. It’s an especially timely read during the age of COVID-19.
Recommended by Lori M.
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Jenn Louis
[isbn]
I was a little skeptical when I first saw this title, but as soon as I saw the table of contents I understood — this is not about a single soup. With over 100 recipes from all over the world, Jenn Louis proves this hearty, comforting staple comes in many delicious forms: tom kha gai, poule au pot, green chili chicken stew, to name a few. The “chicken essentials” section has already improved my stock and changed my life.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Cait Flanders
[isbn]
Cait Flanders follows up The Year of Less with Adventures in Opting Out, a guide to navigating the road less traveled. I always feel better after I read Cait Flanders; there’s something about her mix of practicality and truth-telling that both soothes and inspires me. Interviews with fellow travelers, anecdotes, and sound wisdom make this a fast and inspirational read. 2020 has been filled with all sorts of intentional and... (read more)
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Michael Pollan
[isbn]
Credited with igniting the mainstream's consciousness surrounding food, Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan carefully examines the culture and processes of the food we eat. A catalyst for various food movements in the 21st century, Pollan successfully wrote a text that challenged and changed the way omnivores the world over think about what's on their dinner plate.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Chip Jones
[isbn]
In 1960s Virginia, we celebrated American superiority in the race for one of the first successful heart transplants. The reality of this success was darkened with the knowledge of what went on behind the scenes: organ collection from an African American without their permission or knowledge. The history of abuse within our health system, and how it has affected our communities of color, is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the world we... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Aurlie Chien Chow Chine
[isbn]
The Little Unicorn books by French author Aurélie Chien Chow Chine are always a hit for kids. They help children identify feelings and teach them how to deal with them in an approachable way. Little Unicorn imagines a golden armor that gives him courage, and learns breathing exercises to help calm him down and face his fears. Great imagery and helpful tools for ages four and up!
Recommended by Kim T.
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Tom Percival
[isbn]
One day, Ruby discovers a worry which grows and follows her everywhere she goes. As much as she tries to ignore it, it never seems to go away. Once she notices that other people have worries and starts talking about them, her worries shrink in size until they’re almost gone. A great lesson in acknowledging feelings and dealing with them for ages three and up!
Recommended by Kim T.
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Layla F Saad
[isbn]
This book is so needed. It is a workbook for people with white privilege, like me, to educate themselves on the pervasive racist ideologies that they carry; and to dismantle these, and take action to make the world a better place. Reading and journaling through it, I was asked to confront hard truths in a loving way, an experience that continues to be a life-changing gift.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Karen Karbo
[isbn]
Wrinkle creams. Fad diets. Skinny teas. The endless strivings for so-called self-improvement. Pshaw! With her patented wit and boundless gumption, with loads of research and insight, Karen Karbo, author of In Praise of Difficult Women and the Kick-Ass Women series, gives us a manifesto to throwing off the shackles of society’s flawed (and consumer-hungry) expectations and getting comfortable again in our own, authentic skin.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Thich Nhat Hanh
[isbn]
An indispensable tool for helping to reach the foundation of feelings below anger in a situation, How to Fight guides you to the compassion and strength within that’s needed to rise above the hurt, and communicate effectively. Thich Nhat Hanh’s writing is so accepting of the hardest parts of who we are, making it also a great antidote for despair.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Ali Wong
[isbn]
Dear Girls — made up of chapter-length letters by comedian Ali Wong to her two daughters — is a genuine delight. It was a joy to follow her life story and share in her life lessons, and the book left me with a lot of thoughts and feelings about making and finding places and communities. It is also so funny, to the surprise of no one who has seen her stand-up.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Rose Tahe, Bo Flood, Jonathan Nelson
[isbn]
In Navajo families, the first person to make a new baby laugh hosts the child’s First Laugh Ceremony and welcomes the little one into the community. Each family member, from the baby’s nima (mom) to their cheii (grandfather), tries their best to hear the newborn’s joyous cry. Other welcoming rituals from around the world are included in the back. Great for ages two and up!
Recommended by Kim T.
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Erica Heller
[isbn]
If you could ask for one more experience with a lost loved one, who would it be? Memoirist Erica Heller asked this question of friends and family members of a slew of fascinating subjects — from James Baldwin to Julia Child to Rod Serling to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and more and more. What follows is a wonderful array of fantasy lunches between people, a collection of richly imagined, deeply human, engagingly varied stories, including, of... (read more)
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Luisa Uribe
[isbn]
This absolutely unique read helps toddlers understand their families — including any babies on the way! The story shows all types of families celebrating their bonds, and its card stock pages are perfect for little hands excited to learn how to turn them. The book also features a fill-in family tree and a mirror, letting kiddos see themselves in their family story. A great book to sit down and share together!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Sophie Blackall
[isbn]
In this lovely picture book, two-time Caldecott winner Sophie Blackall presents the basics of reproduction with charming illustrations and answers to many of the questions siblings may have.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Andrea Pippins
[isbn]
Author/illustrator Andrea Pippins’s debut picture book is a heartfelt meditation on welcoming a new baby to the family. Will Little One have Grandma’s boldness, cousin Curlena’s joy, Auntie’s sense of adventure? Will they watch the clouds with their brother? “My wish is that you will be all these things and more. You will be your own self, for no one in the world has ever been like you.” A wonderful read-aloud for ages three and up.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jennifer Finney Boylan
[isbn]
Accompanying Jennifer on her journey of self-discovery through reflecting on dogs’ predominant traits — honesty, loyalty, and determination, to name just a few — we are granted insights and lessons on a life crafted alongside these experiences. That we maybe aren’t so different from our canine friends is just another rewarding takeaway from this lovely and edifying memoir.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Rebecca Solnit
[isbn]
This memoir is a marvel. Rebecca Solnit writes with the cool, studied sense of a person who has always had to provide a great deal of proof, and makes a compelling case for how issues of representation, visibility, and credibility fit into the epidemic of violence against women. This book filled me with rage and hope in equal measure, and I loved every word.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Caroline Dooner
[isbn]
This book is for every person who is sick of dieting, sick of feeling bad about their bodies, sick of having a tumultuous relationship with food and eating, and ready to kick all that nonsense to the curb. Here's to 2020 being the year of the Fck it Diet!
Recommended by Haley B.
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Rachel Brian
[isbn]
There aren't enough exclamation points to express how much I love this book or how happy I am to see it on the shelf. Not only does it clearly explain consent through the perfect mix of silliness and seriousness, it also discusses topics like boundaries, healthy and unhealthy relationships, how to find help when you need it, and more. Using comic book-style illustrations, this book presents these fundamentally important topics in a... (read more)
Recommended by Christine R.
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Beth Macy
[isbn]
In Dopesick, Beth Macy exposes the heartbreaking realities of those individuals and communities affected by the opioid epidemic in America; its scope ranges from small-time drug pushers to the corporations and doctors that peddled the deadliest and most addicting drugs to unsuspecting patients, ruining lives along the way. This book is a humanitarian plea for those responsible to right the wrongs caused by their greed. It will both... (read more)
Recommended by Eric L.
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Andrew X. Pham
[isbn]
Gritty and emotional, this travelogue/immigration tale had me transfixed. Pham skillfully narrates his family's story both settling in the US and in leaving war-torn Vietnam. His bicycle tour through 1990s Vietnam is a fantastic (and scary!) experience no tourist could have while he seeks a deeper understanding of "home."
Recommended by Ruth J.
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Jennifer Wright
[isbn]
With a powerfully dark sense of humor, Jennifer Wright's dive into the most infamous diseases throughout history is incredibly well-researched and insightful. She highlights the world's most mysterious and deadly epidemics, from the Dancing Plague of 1518 to Typhoid Mary and beyond, as well as the people who dedicated their lives to fighting them; this is a uniquely fascinating history.
Recommended by Eric L.
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Charlie Mackesy
[isbn]
This book is beautiful, kind, and sweet. The sentiment is inspiring and the drawings full of simple perfection invite the eye to linger on each page. This is the perfect book for a lazy day and a blanket, or a quick escape to lighten your mood and lift your spirit.
Recommended by Steph C.
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Jessie L. Kwak
[isbn]
There are so many time management books out there, but this is the first one I've read that comes from someone who runs a creative business — and writing is definitely a business. This book was super helpful, especially for someone like me who works a day job on top of my illustration business. She gives examples of how she organizes and manages her time and also how to customize her system to fit your life. A great read for any creative person... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
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Uma Naidoo
[isbn]
This Is Your Brain on Food brings to mind everything my mom told me about eating my vegetables, and while it's true that the carrots didn't keep my eyeglasses at bay, I've never doubted for a minute that food — very specific food — can be a game-changer for our minds and our bodies. I love the idea of food/body manipulation, and experimenting with different food combinations for optimal health. So, if particular dairy products can help... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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bell hooks
[isbn]
My ex-partner and I read this together right after our breakup, and it really helped us process a lot! bell hooks is not cynical about love, but she also doesn't view it as a fairy tale. This book has made love feel less scary and more empowering. Not just romantic love, but also self-love, family love, and friend love.
Recommended by Maddy F.
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Lucy Bellwood
[isbn]
It's like Lucy Bellwood's demon is my inner critic's twin. Instead of running away from her negative thoughts, she gave them a shape and debates the little imp. Beautifully vulnerable, unbelievably relatable. If you've ever suffered from impostor syndrome, anxiety, and fear of failure (or even success), pick up this book.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Lynn Casteel Harper
[isbn]
Lynn Casteel Harper approaches one of the most upsetting eventualities that most people can imagine, dementia, with courage and compassion. Drawing on her background as a writer and chaplain, she considers the condition, and the stigma that often attaches to it, from a variety of perspectives. Readers will be well served to have such a steady hand to guide them into a subject that can cause much discomfort.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Kwame Onwuachi, Joshua David Stein
[isbn]
I loved Notes From a Young Black Chef, Kwame Onwuachi's memoir.
For such a young man, there is quite a lot of experiences packed into this book,
as he is hardworking, ambitious, and talented. If you're a foodie (I am not) or love
memoirs (I do!) this is an excellent read. Recipes included. Very impressive!
Recommended by Adrienne C.
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Spencre LR McGowan
[isbn]
Now that I've made over half of the recipes in Blotto Botany, I can say that I am now obsessed with herbal cordial making. A cross between an herbalism guide and a cocktail recipe collection, this handwritten and collage-illustrated book feels like a zine written by a warm, witchy friend. When I make these drinks, I feel like I am making potions. I am particularly in love with the "Dreamer's Cordial," which gave me some of the most... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Paul Lisicky
[isbn]
Paul Lisicky’s memoir of his time on a writing fellowship in Provincetown during the height of the (initial stage of the ongoing) AIDS crisis does more in one paragraph than many books accomplish in their entireties; the richness of insight is evident in every passage.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Danny Caine
[isbn]
I bought copies of this for everyone on my holiday gift list this year. Amazon has become so ubiquitous, and has formed and acquired so many subsidiaries over the years, that I figured everyone in my life was probably supporting them in some way — perhaps without even realizing — and might benefit from this concise, thoughtful zine. Danny Caine has seen firsthand the impact Amazon has had on the bookselling industry, and here he offers a quick... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Joshua D Mezrich
[isbn]
When Death Becomes Life is a beautifully written tribute to science, medicine, and humanity, viewed through the capable lens of a transplant surgeon. Joshua Mezrich synthesizes over 100 years of medical history, shares extraordinary stories about his patients, and writes emotionally and joyously about his own life's work. A remarkable and inspiring memoir.
Recommended by Jill O.
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Chani Nicholas
[isbn]
Chani Nicholas is beloved by many Powell's employees (myself included), and for very good reason! Nicholas approaches astrology as a path to self-knowledge, empowerment, and social justice, using humor and straight talk to help you learn more about yourself and the world around you. Great for newbies and experts alike!
Recommended by Leah C.
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Helene Hanff
[isbn]
Hanff, a New York writer, chronicles her relationship with a London bookseller during WWII. It starts off as a request for books, but the friendship that blossoms over the years lasts a lifetime. Full of wonderful book talk, with Hanff's acerbic wit, and the charming — but struggling — booksellers at Mark's & Co., this is must-read for book lovers everywhere.
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Patrisse Khan Cullors, asha bandele
[isbn]
Patrisse Khan-Cullors's compassionate memoir is, among many things, an imperative to seek connection and build community as a countermeasure to injustice and dehumanization.
Recommended by Hayley H.
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Sarah Knight
[isbn]
I have always been jealous of people who say "no" with confidence and ease — well, no longer! This new book by bestselling author Sarah Knight is helping me learn how/when/why to say no, and I'm loving it. For example: Do I think you can skip this title? NO!
Recommended by Leah C.
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Heather Christle
[isbn]
A fascinating and deeply moving nonfiction debut by an award-winning poet. This fragmentary examination of tears expertly mixes poetic thought, science, and the author's own relationship to sadness, joy, and crying. Everyone who has ever cried should read this book.
Recommended by Kevin S.
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Caren Beilin
[isbn]
Blackfishing the IUD is a full-throttle flamethrower meant to illuminate and dismantle the way gendered illness is discussed and treated RIGHT NOW!
Specifically, it's about the dangers of intrauterine devices (IUDs) and how the copper elements in the author's IUD triggered a crippling ongoing struggle with RA (rheumatoid arthritis). Interspersed with accounts from other people affected (from online discussion boards, which are numerous),... (read more)
Recommended by Kevin S.
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Courtenay Hameister
[isbn]
Writer, producer, and professional worrier Courtenay Hameister spent a year doing stuff that scares her. Like an MRI, a sensory deprivation tank, and professional cuddling. A Brazilian. The result is a collection of surprising, sometimes brutal, sometimes blushworthy, sometimes heartbreaking, always hilarious experiments told with honesty, insight, and ferocious wit.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Frank Mccourt
[isbn]
Is there another memoir so utterly effecting as Angela's Ashes? McCourt's hilarious yet devastating recounting of his Irish Catholic childhood overwhelmed by poverty is in a league by itself. Exploring themes of alcoholism, religious hypocrisy, parenting done both well and poorly, coming of age, both the annoyance and safety of family, the power of stories, the human capacity for suffering, and a scathing condemnation of poverty, McCourt... (read more)
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Nathan W Pyle
[isbn]
This small collection of strange comic strips is quietly hilarious. I found myself grinning over and over as I read through. Completely unique, satisfying, thoughtful, and very funny.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Kira Willey
[isbn]
This book has been amazing for my son who has anxiety. There are so many exercises in this book and each one is easy for my son to follow. Even my 2-year-old sits down to try the techniques with us. They love pretending and playing and this book turns mindfulness into imaginative play.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Martin Gibala, Christopher Shulgan
[isbn]
Leading exercise researcher Martin Gibala has conducted many clinical studies that highlight the superiority of short, high intensity workouts over the traditional long duration ones. He explains the latest scientific understanding of the benefits of certain types of exercises — their effects on our physiology and biochemistry. A good resource for anyone confused or just curious about different types of exercises and their varying levels of... (read more)
Recommended by Manuel H.
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Lisa Brennan Jobs
[isbn]
You will be shocked by what you read about Steve Jobs in this beautifully rendered literary memoir by his daughter, Lisa Brennan-Jobs. You will be equally stunned by the author’s insight and honesty. I’m recommending Small Fry to everyone I know. Vivid, compelling, ambitious — it’s the full package.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Marc Hamer
[isbn]
In this quiet, respectful, and inspiring tome, Hamer uses moles as a framework for his philosophy on nature and life, incorporating prose, poetry and even illustrations. Part natural observation, part memoir of a life spent mostly outdoors, How to Catch a Mole is 100% delightful.
Recommended by Leah C.
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Lisa Taddeo
[isbn]
A work of engrossing literary excellence that will disturb and entrance readers, Lisa Taddeo's Three Women is at its core about women's desire but is a painstaking achievement in nonfiction. I wouldn't hesitate to compare it's influence to Truman Capote's In Cold Blood; this is a book others will fail to hold a candle to for years to come.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Heather Corinna, Luke Howard, Isabella Rotman
[isbn]
This book goes over an uncomfortable topic and presents it in a way that is relatable and super easy to understand. I love that this is a graphic novel, because a lot of what happens during puberty is visual and can be the root of a lot of self-hatred. But this book reminds the reader that everyone feels weird at this age and that's OK. I wish I had this book growing up.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Jaquira Diaz
[isbn]
Jaquira Díaz’s beautiful memoir is harrowing and haunting. Her stories of a horrendous childhood, a rebellious adolescence, and their lasting repercussions into her adulthood are leavened by the reassurance found in an authorial voice that guides the reader with a true survivor’s knowing generosity.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Barbara Natterson Horowitz, Kathryn Bowers
[isbn]
Safety. Status. Sex. Self-Reliance. Wildhood argues that mastering these four things are the markers of maturity. Using four different species (penguin, hyena, blue whale, and wolf), in addition to humans, the authors demonstrate how adolescent behaviors pertaining to these four competencies are universal, and have been in existence from the beginning. A fascinating, easily readable book, Wildhood is a MUST-READ for teachers,... (read more)
Recommended by Beth C.
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Christopher McDougall
[isbn]
I love this heartwarming true story about a donkey named Sherman. The author and his family rescued him from a hoarding situation. He was in bad shape, but with the help of friends, neighbors, and some fellow animals, Sherman trained to run the World Championship Pack Burro Race.
Recommended by Jennifer H.
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Jenny Slate
[isbn]
There couldn’t be a more perfect title for this book. These tiny and delightfully bizarre essays are an intimate look into Jenny Slate’s inner life. They’re whimsical, hilarious, insightful, and with their short length, you can’t help but speed through them. This book will give you some chuckles, but also all the feels.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Caitlin Doughty and Dianne Ruz
[isbn]
Mortician Caitlin Doughty is a death myth-buster. Will My Cat is made up of kids' questions about death. Her practical approach helps to normalize the post-life we will all face. Her informative answers are sometimes yucky but always funny, making this guide to death good for the whole (slightly ghoulish) family.
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Timothy Egan
[isbn]
On a spiritual journey across 1,000 miles of Europe and 2,000 years of Christian history, Timothy Egan reckons with his skepticism and lapsed Catholic beliefs while confronting a bigger question: What is the role of religion in a world that is rapidly losing its faith?
Recommended by Emily B.
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Oliver Sacks
[isbn]
This collection is one of two books Sacks was working on when he passed away, and with probing essays on time, memory, creativity, and consciousness, it’s a fitting send-off. As usual, his inquiries reveal a dedication to intellectual rigor matched by an extraordinary generosity of spirit.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Dawn Babb Prochovnic, Jacob Souva
[isbn]
Howdy, potty user! Good golly, this here book is the darn tootin' funniest potty book in all the land. You'll bust a gut laughin' and you'll learn somethin' too. I reckon adults and kids and cowpokes will love this book!
Recommended by Christine R.
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Carmen Maria Machado
[isbn]
Carmen Maria Machado’s beautiful, fearless memoir, In The Dream House, spins her memories in a centrifuge and examines the constituent parts. By divvying the tale into tiny, delicate fragments, Machado makes the emotional pain more vivid while also putting the reader in the same removed, dissociative viewpoint that trauma victims often experience. This is one of the smartest and most moving books of the year.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Conn Iggulden
[isbn]
Not teaching children how to be naughty won’t prevent them from finding trouble on their own, and sometimes it’s better to have a few tricks up your sleeve anyhow, as you never know when it may come in handy! Such is the thinking behind this spectacular reference manual that celebrates craftiness and ingenuity, with enough projects to get a child less interested in their phone and more invested in exploring the natural world.
Recommended by Moses M.
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Kate Zambreno
[isbn]
Zambreno's book belongs, in my mind, to a growing collection of memoirs that mourn the loss of complicated, fully human mothers via fragment, memory and meditation, borrowed voices — if you've read and liked Mothers by Rachel Zucker, or Mother Winter by Sofia Shalmiyev, you'd do well to pick Book of Mutter up next.
Recommended by Darla M.
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Jeff Guinn
[isbn]
Guinn's biography of one of the most famous mass murderers in history brings you into the details of Charlie Manson's life. The guy was good friends with the Beach Boys' drummer Dennis Wilson and had big aspirations to not only hide out in the desert while American erupted into another civil war, but also get a recording contract to make him big and famous. Guinn's writing left me looking forward to each chapter and got me up to speed on a story... (read more)
Recommended by Jeffrey J.
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Sara Quin and Tegan Quin
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As for so many, high school was a crucible for Sara and Tegan Quin, during which they discovered their identities and developed their voices. Alternating chapters, they share stories that are both universal and utterly unique, much like their music.
Recommended by Keith M.
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