Katherine May
[isbn]
Katherine May’s Enchantment is a must-read for anyone seeking to rediscover the sense of wonder we carry about the world as children. A highly relatable and thought-provoking read that’ll help you recognize beauty in the mundane.
Recommended by Rudy K.
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Haruki Murakami, Philip Gabriel
[isbn]
A meditation on the disciplines of running and writing. Murakami reflects upon what he draws on, and his motivation and passion for both. His memoir subtly intersects his development and current undertaking of these pursuits. He insightfully contemplates the synthesis of body and mind. If you like running, if you like Murakami, you should buy this book!
Recommended by Jack M
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Rebecca Ollerton
[isbn]
Reading this was so eye-opening for me. As a mother to a child on the spectrum, I absolutely devoured this book. Reading about firsthand experiences has really helped me to try and understand and empathize with my child. This is an amazing anthology.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Elyn Saks
[isbn]
A shining gem of a book. Elyn Saks's memoir about her experience living with schizophrenia is whip smart and delivered with such clear, brutal intelligence and humor that I could barely put it down after picking it up. While somewhat dated in its language by contemporary standards, I was most struck by what remains relevant when it comes to discourse about mental health — the need to be seen, to retain autonomy, to work with people who allow you... (read more)
Recommended by SitaraG
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Carolyn Hays
[isbn]
I honestly have no idea how I would react to a surprise visit from a caseworker for child services, but I definitely hope I'd be as strong as Carolyn Hays. All her family was doing was loving her child enough to allow them to express their gender the way their child wanted and someone anonymously reported them to child services. Their story made me ugly cry. Every parent should read this book.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Daniel Lieberman
[isbn]
Even athletes struggle with that voice inside telling them that a nap sounds better than running. Why is that? Lieberman does a great job explaining how humanity evolved from being "naturally" active to having to want to move. I loved how he used Jane Austen to explain Darwin's theory of natural selection. And I learned so much about how the human body uses energy. Definitely a great read if you're interested in exercise science.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Shanna H Swan, Stacey Colino
[isbn]
This book completely changed the way I look at what I put on and in my body. Count Down has made me a more informed and conscientious consumer.
Recommended by Sydney W.
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Aja Barber
[isbn]
Aja Barber's Consumed is the sharply written reminder we need that our consumption habits, big and small, have an impact on many lives besides our own. It's nonfiction but feels conversational, a.k.a. it's very approachable! I recommend this for folks looking to learn more about consumer culture and history.
Recommended by Charlotte S.
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Susan Cain
[isbn]
I loved Cain's Quiet for showing us our cultural bias against introverts and helping us celebrate their value. In Bittersweet, she similarly liberates those of us who willingly feel sorrow and longing, and she celebrates their healing value. Truly the "bitter" makes the "sweet" sweeter.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Arthur C Brooks
[isbn]
Brooks has written a smart book about how to find greater meaning and joy in the second half of life, when striving becomes less valuable to well-being. Anyone in their middle years or beyond will appreciate the wisdom found here.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Steven Pinker
[isbn]
Really a powerpoint presentation as much as a book. If you can make it through all the data, it's quite informative.
Recommended by Justin Horein
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Michelle Obama
[isbn]
Michelle Obama's Becoming put me in a good mood for weeks after I read it. I trust that her new book will do the same. I could really use it!
Recommended by Matt K.
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Satya Doyle Byock
[isbn]
Psychotherapist Satya Doyle Byock has penned a soulful, socially aware take on Quarterlife that shifts the conversation away from just social media, or helicopter parenting or elite college students. This is a book that is accessible and insightful for anyone between adolescence and midlife, and beyond.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Shannon Stocker, Devon Holzwarth
[isbn]
Evelyn Glennie has long been a personal inspiration of mine, and now with this lavishly illustrated book, the younger generation can be introduced to the joy of a life dedicated to music.
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Judith Heumann, Kristen Joiner
[isbn]
I first learned about Judy from the amazing documentary Crip Camp on Netflix and wanted to learn more about her story. So thankful that this book exists and shows the effort and challenges that citizens went through for disability rights in the US. Judy's activism helped made a direct positive change.
Recommended by Erica B.
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Isaac Fitzgerald
[isbn]
As someone who reads a lot of memoirs, it takes a lot for me to read one and think "This book has changed me as a person, a reader, or as a writer." Dirtbag, Massachusetts manages to hit all three in a way that left me clutching the book to my chest when I finished. This book is for every adult who grew up with a traumatic childhood, made some mistakes, and lived to tell the tale. It's for the misfits, romantics, dreamers, doers, and... (read more)
Recommended by Katherine M.
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Oliver Burkeman
[isbn]
I loved this book because it drops a bomb on the tacit societal assumption that "more and faster" is better. Did you ever see the Twilight Zone episode about the little town of Willoughby? This is the book that makes a case for it. A patiently reasoned, illuminating, and firm but humorous rebuttal to the PUSH PUSH PUSH that comes at us every day. I felt so much better by the time I finished it.
Recommended by Warren B.
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Dan Saladino
[isbn]
I could not put this book down! An insightful look at how global homogenization has not only shaped what and how we eat, but has ruthlessly reduced the variety as well. Saladino walks us through the rich and varied food choices of the past that were important cultural markers of the societies that nurtured them. He then describes their loss, be it due to habitat cleared for monoculture crops, war, climate change, or simply time. Saladino rounds... (read more)
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Mitch Albom
[isbn]
A heartfelt and honest read with great nuggets of wisdom. I loved reading Morrie's outlook on life and admired his compassion and the patience he extended to those around him. A heartfelt and inspiring read.
Recommended by Tawney E.
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Cole Arthur Riley
[isbn]
The writing in This Here Flesh is so breathtakingly beautiful. It invites quiet, thoughtful reading and contemplation and is one of those books that leaves your soul just a little bit bigger for having read it. Told as a series of stories in simple, powerful prose, it feels like sitting down with an old friend, someone who knows your deepest truths and seeks to help you rediscover them
Recommended by Deana R.
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Kate Weiss
[isbn]
Whether you know just enough to be dangerous (like me), have made your own clothing for years, or simply want to consider the possibilities, this book will be a good friend. You’ll save money and strut your own style with confidence and pride. Kate Weiss offers really sound advice that’s serious but not too complicated. And you don’t have to make “outfits.” There’s plenty of mending, etc., that we should all be doing, and her instructions are... (read more)
Recommended by Marianne T
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Monte Burch, Joan Burch
[isbn]
This is the real deal, from making soap and sharpening knives to foraging and butchering. All the skills our great-grandparents had and we can use.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli and Isabel Roxas
[isbn]
It is super important to me that my children understand consent. I want to keep them safe and help them keep others safe. This book does a wonderful job of using age appropriate language and examples to show how to say 'yes' and 'no.' I really appreciated the part where they highlight that sometimes a 'yes' can later turn into 'no.' And I am so happy they used the proper names for body parts.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Sophie Blackall
[isbn]
What a wonderful gift this book makes! We all need something to look forward to, and our seemingly mundane day-to-day routines are full of magic we forget to see. Send this book in a care package to a far-away loved one, gift it to a friend who may be struggling, or simply give it to yourself.
Recommended by Charlotte S.
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Willa Cather
[isbn]
Willa Cather's The Song of the Lark is, to me, an overlooked classic. It is a work that sticks with you. The novel tells the story of protagonist Thea's struggle toward fulfilling her dream of being an opera singer, and in doing so, the novel explores what it means to become, and to be, an artist. The sacrifices, the doubt, the tumultuous and uncertain journey toward discovering one's artistic voice are here captured in a way that any... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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David Sedaris
[isbn]
What a relief it is to have a new David Sedaris collection! Oh sure, much of this book is devoted to the fear and inconveniences of the pandemic, but there’s also many descriptions of encountering awful people all over the world, and that’s a real source of comfort.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Jennette McCurdy
[isbn]
A hard to stomach yet profoundly reassuring sentiment to anyone with an abusive or unsafe relationship with their parent(s). Many of us have been forced to excuse our parents' wrongdoings simply because they're our parents. In truth they are more, if not most, capable of hurting us, often in deeply profound ways. Jennette expertly picks this idea apart and opens up a door some of us can't open ourselves.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Frans de Waal
[isbn]
Gender has become one of the most ubiquitous topics in both popular and academic discourse. While much has been written on the psychological and biological aspects of human gender, what might gender expression among humanity's closest living relatives, the other great apes, tell us about our own experiences with the topic?
Frans de Waal seeks to answer that question in this multifaceted and accessible work of science writing. De Waal draws on... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Mickey Rowe
[isbn]
The best source of information on autism is Autistic adults like Mickey Rowe. Mickey's story is about the ups and downs of an Autistic actor finding his way through the ableism of theater. He becomes the first Autistic actor to play the role of Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
This is a must read for folks interested in disability in theater, and for those who want to know more about Autistic... (read more)
Recommended by Rin S.
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Gina Handley Schmitt
[isbn]
I loved this book because it refuses to demote friendships to anything short of sacred, necessary, special bonds worth prioritizing alongside any other type of relationship. The author provides practical advice for creating healthy friendships and nurturing those friendships with the utmost love and care.
Recommended by Alexis B.
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Evelyn C Rysdyk
[isbn]
This is a book about wholeness, about tapping into the creative energy within and around us in very practical ways through easy and empowering journey exercises. Rysdyk is like a smart, older sibling who writes in a straightforward and encouraging style. From connecting with power animals and ancestors, to freeing up time to grow our creativity, there's so much wisdom and love in this book. I treasure it!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Frank Bruni
[isbn]
As we age, our bodies often fail us in ways that can be surprising, frustrating, and scary. In The Beauty of Dusk, Frank Bruni describes how the loss of sight in one eye changed his perspective on life. This is a touching and wise memoir that entertained and moved me.
Recommended by Adam P.
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Rebecca Solnit
[isbn]
A treatise on the fundamental goodness of humankind, and a condemnation of the powerful people that work to snuff out our impulse to take care of each other.
Recommended by CJ H.
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Louise L Hay
[isbn]
A best-selling classic, this book changes lives. I read it years ago and have used affirmations ever since. Especially these days, we could all use a little improvement in our lives, so why not utilize the power of daily affirmations, as millions do!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Chloe Cooper Jones
[isbn]
Chloe Cooper Jones continually makes incisive observations about the world, her relationships, and herself. By the time I was halfway through reading Easy Beauty, I started telling everyone I knew how I excited I was about her writing. She mixes philosophy, memoir, music, sports and travel writing in service of exploring her own experiences with gender, race, and disability. Easy Beauty acknowledges pain and discomfort, but... (read more)
Recommended by Adam P.
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Melissa Febos
[isbn]
Each time I read a book by Melissa Febos, I learn a bit more about myself and what motivates me. Body Work is more than just an instruction manual on how to create art that is truthful, it's a guide for all aspects of our relationships with others. I don't think I will ever read any memoir again without thinking about what Febos writes here about fear, memory, and shame, but also the pleasure of telling our own story exactly the way we... (read more)
Recommended by Bry H.
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Sheila Darcey, Rachel Smith
[isbn]
We can all do this: pick up a pencil and learn to sketch through the tension and trauma we may not even even be aware of. If you've ever doodled, if you've enjoyed coloring books, if you barely passed your high school art class or sailed through many, you'll find peace and delight in these simple prompts that connect you to parts of yourself pushed away in the ordinary, everyday world. I've been intending to start a daily drawing practice for... (read more)
Recommended by Marianne T
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Amanda Kudo
[isbn]
“Ikigai” means “reason for being,” and it’s the Japanese secret to long life. This journal helps us discover our true purpose, increase life expectancy and live longer. The prompts are fun and creative, and they add up to a lot of self-knowledge and insight. Who wouldn't benefit from greater connection to purpose? This is an excellent daily reminder.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Eric Zielinski, Sabrina Ann Zielinski
[isbn]
This book will get you started safely using essential oils to improve overall well-being and to treat specific health challenges from the minor to the major, such as Alzheimer's, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes, Parkinson's, and more. I've been working with essential oils for a decade, and I highly recommend this accessible guide.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Jenelle Kim
[isbn]
“Key 8" in this beautiful book tells us to "Be Like Bamboo.” Myung Sung living meditation is a centuries old Korean wellness tradition rooted in Tao teachings yet thoroughly relevant today. This lovely book brings us this tradition in a contemporary and practical way. It's a practice I'll definitely be keeping.
Recommended by Marianne T
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M Amos Clifford
[isbn]
John Muir once said, “Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life.” This book explains the “why” and “how” of experiencing the healing power of the forest and thereby discovering that "new way of life." It's amazing!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Erin Elizabeth Downing
[isbn]
Through simple breathing techniques, asanas (poses), meditations, and diet suggestions, this book shows us that Kundalini practice is attainable magic that can gently transform one's life.
Recommended by Marianne T
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PhD Jain Shamini, PhD Turner Kelly A
[isbn]
It's time to change the way we think about healthcare and our own natural healing abilities. This book explains why and how biofield science will revolutionize our lives. It's timely and important.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Diane Stein
[isbn]
As a reiki master myself, I find this book to be a classic guide to this ancient healing art, one that makes the experience of reiki accessible to all in clear and straightforward terms. It's not a substitute for traditional classes and attunements, but it serves as both an introduction and a refresher to hands on healing. I have a copy and have just purchased one for a friend.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Daniel Foor
[isbn]
This is a special book that outlines exercises and rituals, stemming from ancient wisdom sources, that enable us to heal our ancestral lineage of trauma and abuse. It is possible and worthwhile to transform intergenerational pain into present-day healing.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Brittany Ducham, Elana Gabrielle
[isbn]
This book offers a clear presentation and basic remedies to support digestion, mental clarity, sleep, emotions, and immunity, and to manage stress and pain. The "remedies" are widely accessible, sustainable, and really empowering. I'm learning so much!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Meera Lee Patel
[isbn]
This beautiful journal will help you move from anxiety to calm curiosity and from fear to courage and peace. Just pick up some pencils and markers and begin your journey.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Bessel Van Der Kolk
[isbn]
I wish there was an accurate way to describe just how life-changing this book was. As a late-blooming queer adult with a turbulent and abusive relationship with his father, this book not only validated me, but carved me out a path to truly heal, beyond acknowledgement alone.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Jodi Cohen, Terry Wahls
[isbn]
Our brains need to detoxify to stay healthy, and plant-based EOs can help that process. This well-researched book offers a clear, daily plan to ease issues such as poor digestion, anxiety, sleep problems, chronic inflammation, and more. Natural solutions are both effective and affordable!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Devon Young
[isbn]
Learn about the wonderful healing qualities of 50 easily accessible plants and herbs. Make treatments ranging from colicky baby massage to pit paste and menopause management. And gain a real appreciation for those plants around us that often go unnoticed.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Mary Laura Philpott
[isbn]
The world is pretty anxious-making these days, so reading a book in which the author wrestles with their own anxiety might seem counterintuitive, but having read (and loved) Mary Laura Philpott’s debut essay collection, I Miss You When I Blink, I knew I was in the safest of safe hands. In Bomb Shelter, Philpott takes all the fear/messiness/worry of being a human/parent/child and makes it... not all better, necessarily, but... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Jenny Sansouci, Frank Lipman
[isbn]
Whether it’s to enhance our general health or deal with a serious illness, The Rebel’s Apothecary wants to help. It clearly explains how we can utilize the benefits of cannabis and mushrooms and why we should. I've learned so much reading this smart and timely book, and I look forward to implementing some of its advice right away!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Sarah Farr
[isbn]
This wonderful book makes me feel like a master herbalist! Blending teas for daily well-being and specific concerns is easy and empowering. Release your inner tea diva!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Kami McBride, Rosemary Gladstar
[isbn]
I love this book. It explains the healing properties and traditional uses for 50 herbs and then provides wonderful recipes for their use. Everything from honeys and smoothies to cordials and entire meals, even foot soaks!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Jessica Dore
[isbn]
Whether you’re new to tarot or an experienced reader, this book provides rich psychological insight, stories, and ideas to enhance your practice. I have a lot of tarot books but added this to my collection because it gives me new ideas for work with clients during readings.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Havaz Habib
[isbn]
Do you know the role the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system play in chronic illness? Until this book came my way, I really didn't. But it clearly explains the importance of this giant nerve and provides supportive routines that are easy to follow and incorporate into your routine.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Paul Denniston
[isbn]
I think everyone needs this book even if not currently experiencing grief. We know now that our bodies store trauma and grief and that, over time, this leads to physical illness. These simple yoga "exercises" are a way to process real, immediate grief and even the pain you think you've dealt with long ago. Keep the tissues nearby and be prepared to really feel better.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Viola Davis
[isbn]
The first African-American actor to receive an Emmy, an Oscar, and a Tony award, Viola Davis has written a beautiful and inspiring memoir, beginning from her working-class upbringing in Rhode Island to her time spent at Julliard and her determination for playing the roles she wanted to play. If you’ve been enthralled by her craft in film, television, and stage, you will enjoy this wonderful memoir by an amazing actor.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Roger Fouts
[isbn]
This book will break your heart and then put it back together again.
Recommended by Milo D.
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Ashlee Bennett
[isbn]
My body has gone through so much trauma in my 30+ years — including bringing my beautiful kids into this world. It had gotten to the point where I no longer loved myself and couldn't even recognize the person I saw in the mirror. I'm currently working through the exercises in this book and am learning to accept my body and love all that it does for me. Page 64 has one of my favorite exercises and deals with how to feel safe in your own skin. It's... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
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Ruth Coker Burks, Kevin Carr OLeary
[isbn]
I had been looking forward to this memoir for ages, ever since I first heard the name Ruth Coker Burks. Yes, All the Young Men is about the AIDS epidemic, but it is also about kindness, compassion, and love for other people even when you're afraid or unsure of what it means to be afraid. This book is not for the faint of heart, but as Burks takes you on her journey as she cares for these young men — men exiled by their families — you... (read more)
Recommended by Katherine M.
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Joy Harjo
[isbn]
Harjo's memoir is both gritty and glittering. Her experiences with domestic abuse, poverty, and addiction are sometimes heart-wrenching, but on the other side of her journey is poetry, music, and art. A stunningly intense and beautiful read.
Recommended by Rose H.
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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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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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Sarah Schulman
[isbn]
The story of the AIDS activist group ACT UP is more important than ever in our age of deep inequality, political gridlock, and rampant disease. How social movements arise and make change fast is vital information, and I’m so glad that Sarah Schulman has put years into explaining not just how but why ACT UP succeeded as much as they did. Many of the earlier accounts of the organization have been marred by some of ACT UP’s big personalities, who... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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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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Sarah M. Broom
[isbn]
In The Yellow House, Sarah M. Broom recounts her family history and life in New Orleans by shifting the focus from the French Quarter to New Orleans East in general, and her mother’s house in particular. She highlights a part of the city usually omitted from guide books, and struggles to keep its story from being washed away by rising tides of inequality and storm surges of shame. This incredible memoir is a necessary and compelling... (read more)
Recommended by Adam P.
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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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