Martin Luther King, Jr. and Michael K. Honey
[isbn]
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered first and foremost as a civil rights leader, but his kinship to the poor, to working people, and to unions helped shape his dynamic legacy. The speeches gathered here — delivered to crowds of union members and striking workers between 1957 and 1968, then left unpublished and largely unknown for decades after — show Dr. King’s dedication to workers’ rights and economic justice, and the scope of his... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Michael Munk
[isbn]
The coolest guide to our city doesn’t mention donuts even once. Instead, it celebrates Portland’s radical past — the people, organizations, protests, strikes, and movements that have made their mark on the City of Roses, and the vestiges of that past that can still be found today (using one of the maps that accompanies each section, or by following one of the walking tours outlined at the end). My endorsement of this guide has nothing to do with... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Markiyan Kamysh
[isbn]
Part Kerouac. Part Barry Lopez. Totally weird and poetic. Travelers make their journeys to the Zone from all over the world for all different reasons. Kamysh guides them through. No stories here exactly, just life — kind of. Sometimes reality can be much stranger than fiction, and here we get what very well could be a final glimpse of a relatively undisturbed Chernobyl, a place the author calls "the most exotic place on Earth."
Recommended by Eric L.
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Ted Chiang
[isbn]
For over 30 years, Seattleite Ted Chiang has slowly and steadily been writing emotionally intelligent, speculative short stories. He’s not a quick writer, or a prolific one. He’s published just 18 stories in that time. But what incredible stories they are. (Sci-Fi award committees agree: Chiang’s won four Hugos and four Nebulas.) Exhalation is Chiang’s second collection, and though it was only published a few years ago, these nine... (read more)
Recommended by Adam P.
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Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing
[isbn]
Set in the PNW's own Cascade Mountains, Tsing's examination of the Matsutake mushroom trade and its far-reaching affects on trade and currency locally and abroad is at once journalistic, scientific, and socially motivated. A fascinating look at how ecosystems emerge and thrive in spite of capitalist excavation, Tsing helps readers imagine a world where life and humanity coexist and even build new value systems together.
Recommended by SitaraG
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Peter Linebaugh and Marcus Rediker
[isbn]
A must-read for any American (or history enthusiast or pirate fan). Rediker and Linebaugh's history of the revolutionary Atlantic is a portrait of resistance and history from the ground up, and their observations on the creation of American infrastructure, the colonization of the Americas, and the creation of class and racial divides has never been more relevant or applicable to our own social and political landscapes. I can't recommend it highly... (read more)
Recommended by SitaraG
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Casey Parks
[isbn]
In Diary of a Misfit, Casey Parks blends research and memoir to tell a complex story of queerness in her childhood, family, and hometown. Part mystery, part journalism, part personal history — Diary of a Misfit tells an important story about identity and belonging.
Recommended by Adam P.
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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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Yuvi Zalkow
[isbn]
Saul can’t stop messing up his life, but you can’t help but love him for being the sad, funny, awkward, self-deprecating mess he is. With endless wit and quirky charm, Yuvi Zalkow examines the myriad ways we lose touch with our lives and with each other, and the ways we fumblingly inch our way back. I Only Cry with Emoticons is the perfect fun read for all of us other awkward, anxiety-ridden, dis- and misconnected messes in this mess of... (read more)
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Joan Didion
[isbn]
Didion articulates my mixed feelings towards my home state in a way I've never encountered before. California is a garden of Eden, populated by a dozen or so men who for some godforsaken reason thought the oil underneath Eden was more important than the fruit she bore.
Recommended by C.J.
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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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New York Public Library, Edmund White
[isbn]
This anthology is so incredibly touching and inspiring. The New York Library has pulled together its extensive collection to bring us multiple first-hand accounts of what happened both inside and outside of the Stonewall, making you feel as if you were there. These are accounts of Stonewall that weren't a part of any documentaries that I'd seen, and I felt lucky to have stumbled upon all the different and unique points of view laid out in this... (read more)
Recommended by Parker W.
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Douglas Wolk
[isbn]
If you have any fondness for any run of Marvel comics — from Golden Age to the introduction of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur — you will enjoy this remarkable book. Wolk navigates the complex narratives of the Marvel Universe with deftness, while skillfully recounting the biography of Marvel's heroes and villains. I was afraid this book would be dry and overwhelming in scope. Wolk is clearly a fan, but isn't fawning. Thorough, thoughtful, and best... (read more)
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Ben Urwand
[isbn]
A fun tale to revisit as Disney once again unfurls its yearly banner of rainbow capitalism. A truly wild piece of history and a reminder that Hollywood has always and will always have a single overcooked noodle where its moral backbone is supposed to be.
Recommended by C.J.
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John Higgs
[isbn]
There's something about Blake that speaks to me. Well... not so much "speak" as "slaps me across the face with both hands before shaking me by the shoulders while jumping up and down, ranting and raving about god knows what," and I love it. Sometimes though, it would be nice to understand those ravings a little better, and luckily, John Higgs, scribe of The KLF and I Have America Surrounded: The Life of Timothy Leary, has... (read more)
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Nic Goodrick Clarke
[isbn]
A deeply important story to understand, especially for us folks here in the PNW. This lady is the unfortunate link that exists between modern environmentalist movements and literal 20th century Nazis. The mother of what we today call Esoteric Hitlerism: the religion-izing of Nazism and the deification of Hitler. Her beliefs are very very stupid and I do not like her one little bit, but they've spread like a cancer to all corners of the world.... (read more)
Recommended by C.J.
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Bradley W. Hart
[isbn]
A very readable and pertinent history about the (not lacking in quantity, mind you) Americans that would have been happier had Nazism swallowed Europe whole.
Recommended by C.J.
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Chris Stuck
[isbn]
Chris Stuck consistently dazzles throughout this collection of very funny, occasionally brutal, and stylistically varied short stories. My favorites were the Jordan Peele-esque "Lake No Negro" (featuring a narrator who finds himself the fetishized target of suburban swingers), the surprisingly endearing witness protection story "And Then We Were the Norisses," and the hilarious dialogue-driven barroom scenes in "This Isn't Music."
A strong and... (read more)
Recommended by Kevin S.
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Emme Lund
[isbn]
A fantastical story written with queer-punk, coming-of-age verve. Owen and his (literal) live-in bird companion are an unexpected power duo, navigating a world that baselessly fears them, and somehow still avoiding capture.
The emerging romance between Owen and one of his quiet Pixies-loving friends in the second half of the book was beautiful. It's encouraging to see a wild premise like this — it's part allegory, part underdog story, and would... (read more)
Recommended by Kevin S.
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Chelsea Bieker
[isbn]
Proving that her excellent debut novel, Godshot, wasn't a fluke, Bieker comes back with a stunning follow-up. The short stories in Heartbroke explore some of her favorite themes (life in the Central Valley of California, working class characters, coming-of-age, religion versus sexual temptation) and examine them with detailed intensity. Bieker reveals how humans struggle and how they carry on. What a performance.
Recommended by Kevin S.
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Jack Lowery
[isbn]
The past few years have seen some excellent books published that revisit ACT-UP's work during the AIDS crisis in the early 90s (see Sarah Schulman's Let the Record Show). It Was Vulgar & It Was Beautiful focuses specifically on Gran Fury, an affiliate group of artists in ACT-UP, their successes and failures, their iconic images and interpersonal struggles. Jack Lowery has written an eminently readable and ultimately inspiring... (read more)
Recommended by Adam P.
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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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Robert A Jacobs
[isbn]
As terrifying as it is that we once again find ourselves potentially inching towards a nuclear standoff, it's even more terrifying to consider the costs already incurred from nuclear weapons testing — a toll we will pay for centuries. This book is a disturbing read, but as the machinations of the military-industrial complex become more distant and obfuscated, it's one that needs our attention.
Recommended by John Ha
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Syan Rose
[isbn]
Open this book to any page and you’re immediately immersed in drawings and conversations that are personal and captivating. From Nube F. Cruz mourning the passing of their Ama, to Kid Cudi sharing people who’ve inspired them, you’ll be touched by their heartfelt words and Syan Rose’s gorgeous art.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Kristin Hannah
[isbn]
This is by far my favorite Kristin Hannah book. With all the well-developed characters surviving against the Alaskan wilderness, you'll have a hard time putting it down. If you like the book Where the Crawdad's Sing, try this one.
Recommended by Erica B.
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Gregg Bordowitz
[isbn]
Artist and activist Gregg Bordowitz has been examining the intersections of queerness, racism, gender, and religion throughout his career. In Some Styles of Masculinity, he explores how rock stars, rabbis, and comedians have helped his form his rebellious, wandering, queer persona. This is a thought-provoking, inspiring, and entertaining book!
Recommended by Adam P.
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Harvey Schwartz
[isbn]
Did you know that Powell's Books is a union shop? Powell's workers chartered their own Local within the ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union) in 2000, and the origin story of ILWU Local 5 appears here, alongside other inspiring tales from and about our ILWU siblings. Labor historian Harvey Schwartz honors the rank and file-led traditions of our Union by allowing workers to tell their own stories, and the result is an engaging,... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Paul Buhle and Nicole Schulman
[isbn]
Published in 2005 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World), this intricate and info-rich book is as rambunctious and inspiring as the Wobblies themselves. A crash course and a work of art for the rebel in your life!
Recommended by Tove H.
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Heather Ann Thompson
[isbn]
Did you know that the list of demands Attica prisoners sent to the state prison commissioner before their infamous 4-day uprising included demands around wages, benefits, working conditions, and the right to form labor unions? Chances are there's a lot you don't know about the 1971 uprising and the years of mistreatment that prompted it. Let this book enlighten you.
Recommended by Tove H.
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Lorene Edwards Forkner
[isbn]
Lorene Edwards starts each chapter with thoughts that make you feel like you are getting advice from your friendly neighbor. I was impressed with the additional tips that help gardeners navigate our Pacific Northwest weather. My favorite part was being able to focus on one month at a time so I didn't get overwhelmed. A must have!
Recommended by Erica B.
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Betsy Beier
[isbn]
Locals and visitors alike will find this a creative and invaluable guide to help discover — and record — new experiences across the Rose City.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Janet Biehl and Peter Staudenmaier
[isbn]
Ever hear an environmental warrior you thought was a leftist suddenly say the most racist thing you've ever heard in your entire life? Chances are, they've fallen prey to ecofascist propoganda. Biehl and Staudenmaier break down the origins of fascist ecology, the reasons behind its resilience throughout the twentieth century, and how to combat ecofascist rhetoric when it emerges in ecological politics.
Recommended by C.J.
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Dale Beran
[isbn]
A wonderfully told though deeply unfortunate story that leaves you furious with the con artists and sympathetic towards, though exhausted by, the countless young men that got conned.
Recommended by C.J.
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adrienne maree brown
[isbn]
In Emergent Strategy, adrienne marree brown guides readers through recipes for shaping change, ourselves, and worlds. Inspired by the work of Octavia E. Butler, this nonfiction book imaginatively brings together science and sci-fi to explore our relationships with change. With loving attention to the body, spirit, and earth, Emergent Strategy is a lighthouse for change and the possible futures change offers.
Recommended by Alexis B.
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Mariame Kaba
[isbn]
In We Do This 'Til We Free Us, Mariame Kaba and a community of contributing writers look not only to the real-world futures we hope to create but at the practical tools with which we can collectively shape caring, liberated, and equitable futures for all. An absolutely stellar guide for the abolition-curious and abolitionist organizer alike, this collection delves into the ins and outs of abolitionist organizing work with special... (read more)
Recommended by Alexis B.
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Peter Rock
[isbn]
Passersthrough is a gripping, slippery, spooky book about fragile family bonds, loneliness, and what we choose to remember. A welcome return from Peter Rock, this is a thoroughly Oregon book — filled with mountains, forests, lakes, and creatures.
Recommended by Kelsey F.
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Saidiya Hartman
[isbn]
This genre-bending book spotlights the intimate lives of young Black women and their remarkable yet often overlooked contributions to art, music, literature, and social movements in early 20th century New York City. Richly textured and movingly rendered, their stories in Hartman's careful hands indelibly disrupted and expanded my ideas of what historical non-fiction could be, both as a mode of radical attention and reparative imagination.
Recommended by Alexa W.
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Yuri Herrera and Lisa Dillman
[isbn]
This slim volume, which chronicles the 1920 El Bordo mine fire in Pachuca, Mexico, is a brave, diligent, and heartbreakingly beautiful act of solidarity. Herrera travels back in time to restore dignity and a voice to workers who were afforded neither for nearly a hundred years; to show kindness to their families, who were questioned and humiliated as they mourned; and to condemn their employer, who declared his workers dead as they still drew... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Viet Thanh Nguyen
[isbn]
Race & Resistance has firmly planted itself inside my head. It has become a critical reference for me in my perpetual exploration of Asian American culture and politics. Despite being nearly 20 years old at this time, the messages contained within Viet Thanh Nguyen's analysis seem almost years ahead of where we currently stand in terms of Asian American identity and resistance. If we're truly going to make steps in the right direction,... (read more)
Recommended by Jun L.
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Lidia Yuknavitch
[isbn]
Lidia Yuknavitch breaks through every false barrier of genre in her writing, and here she does it like never before. Past and future bound together to uncover stories and save lives, possibly those of her readers.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Kim Kelly
[isbn]
In Fight Like Hell, Kim Kelly celebrates the untold stories and unsung heroes of the American labor movement, taking great care to center voices that have historically been sidelined or silenced in mainstream conversations around workers' rights. The result is an inclusive, fascinating, and galvanizing retrospective that mines the depths of the history of the working class to extract precious insight and inspiration for its future. The... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Emily Meggett
[isbn]
Sit down with a frosty glass of sweet tea and visit for a while with Mrs Emily Meggett, matriarch of Edisto Island and elder of the Gullah Geechee community. In this book, you’ll find rich nuggets of American history tucked in between some of the best Southern cooking there is. The recipes here rely on fresh, seasonal flavors, abundant produce and seafood, as well as the rice that is the basis for all Geechee cooking. The recipes are sized to... (read more)
Recommended by Deana R.
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Richard Dawkins
[isbn]
The Greatest Show on Earth is a fun, engaging, and informative read. You'll find the expertise and passion of Dawkins shining bright on every page as he takes you on a journey of discovery. This is an excellent book both for biology enthusiasts and for those new to this field of science. Simply put, I'd recommend this work to anyone and everyone wanting to know more about the intriguing world of evolutionary biology.
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Diana Abujaber
[isbn]
Diana Abu-Jaber moves seamlessly in the experience of the stranger coming home (but there is no home), and of the slow-motion shock of culture and family and the differences between generations. This book will open your heart and mind to the world outside you.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Jon Krakauer
[isbn]
Alternating between historical accounts of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the more recent murders of fundamentalist LDS groups, Krakauer develops a jarring exposé of this American-born religion in Under the Banner of Heaven. Whether familiar with Mormonism or not, Under the Banner of Heaven will shock and inform readers, while asking how far some are willing to go to prove their religious devotion.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Milton Mayer
[isbn]
The best book to ever make me cry on a ten-minute break and my personal favorite book on WW2. Coiner of the phrase "speak truth to power" and University of Chicago-expulsee for throwing beer bottles at the dean, Mayer is an excellent journalist and his book is a haunting account of the men who by their inaction made the Holocaust possible. Living in Germany soon after the war, he befriends ten former Nazis and unearths dark truths about the... (read more)
Recommended by C.J.
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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 C.J.
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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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Nicole Aschoff
[isbn]
Came for the shade to Sheryl Sandberg, stayed for the shade to Bill Gates. Overall, a very readable and enjoyable indictment of neoliberalism as a whole.
Recommended by C.J.
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Erin Gleeson
[isbn]
Erin Gleeson's Forest Feast books are half-cookbook half-artbook and full of tasty vegetarian recipes that are simple enough for a weeknight, but so visually appealing they will take pride of place on your Instagram feed. Her latest edition to the series showcases gorgeous recipes and locations from around her home state of California.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Roddy Scheer
[isbn]
In the Pacific Northwest, we’re gifted with so many natural wonders that it can be hard to keep track: enter Roddy Scheer’s indispensable guide. This book will be my personal tour guide for spring (and summer, fall, and winter, too).
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Rose Cheung, Genevieve Wong
[isbn]
Mother and daughter present traditional Chinese Medicine herbal approaches to healing in this attractive book. Many recipes rely on familiar items, while others stretched my repertoire, but a local specialty store carries everything I need. Did I say this book is beautifully illustrated too?!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Jonathan Clements
[isbn]
In 1853, a fleet of US warships arrived at Japan, and through the threat of violence, ended Japan's 250 years of self-isolation from the world. The destabilization caused by this event led to a government that looked to the Western powers as their example, and they started down the road to creating an empire. Jonathan Clements's new book outlines how a nation that had no living memory of war transformed itself into a militarized, expansionist... (read more)
Recommended by Ryan V.W.
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Jori Lewis
[isbn]
I love learning the history of everyday things. Extra points when these things are so small and ubiquitous you probably never really think about them at all. In her debut book, Slaves for Peanuts, Jori Lewis brings to light the dark and violent history of this unassuming legume. A history that continues to affect the lives of millions.
Recommended by Ryan V.W.
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Bart Van Loo
[isbn]
Located between France, Germany, and England, the Burgundian State was a formidable power in medieval Europe. Currently, the home of the modern nations of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands; the Dukes of Burgundy ruled one of Europe’s major centers of commerce and culture for over a thousand years. The Burgundian State ceased existence as a distinct political entity at the dawn of the 16th century. This lavish history of the Burgundian... (read more)
Recommended by Ryan V.W.
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Sinead Gleeson and Kim Gordon
[isbn]
Kim Gordon of the iconic post-punk band, Sonic Youth, assembles an all-star collection of essays about music, activism, and sexism from icons in the industry, along with award-winning writer, Sinéad Gleeson. Featuring authors Rachel Kushner, Anne Enright, Margo Jefferson, Fatima Bhutto, and Megan Jasper on her ground-breaking work with Sub Pop, these ground-breaking stories from the pioneers of feminism and politics in modern music are... (read more)
Recommended by Kim T.
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Liz Prato
[isbn]
Liz Prato writes with clear vision about the generation that followed the baby boomers, the generation that today moves into the spaces created by that older generation. This book is a long-overdue examination and reconciliation of the people and the era.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Laura Stanfill
[isbn]
The writing is whimsical but transcends whimsy. The story is magical but transcends magic. Laura Stanfill's Singing Lessons for the Stylish Canary is deceptively delightful, exploring real-world themes of connection, loss, feminism, death, and identity, all wrapped up in lyrical language, bountiful cleverness, and endless wit. Resplendent and transcendent.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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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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Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
[isbn]
This book telescopes and concentrates things I think about a lot: governance, gender and women's liberation, cults and religions, undeclared and "forever" wars… crucially, it isn't just about what happened but about what is possible.
Recommended by Sarah A.
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Barbara F. Walter
[isbn]
Walter’s meticulous, urgent analysis of the U.S.’s proximity to civil war — and what war will look like in the age of online radicalism and social media — is terrifying, to say the least. But our country’s slide into anocracy is scary too, and Walter’s ambitious program to resist it provides tentative cause for rallying and resistance.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Maureen Callahan
[isbn]
The modern serial killer you’ve never heard of. This isn’t your average droll retelling of the killer’s crimes, but a compelling recount of the investigation and arrest. Callahan begins with Keyes’s final kill and then goes backwards in time, making you feel like you’re part of the investigation. It’s entertaining and terribly tragic. This has quickly topped my list of true crime favorites.
Recommended by Emily C.
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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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Danny Caine
[isbn]
From cloud computing services and security systems to movie production and book publishing, the everything store is inescapable. Whether you think the Big Tech oligopoly is terrifying or benevolent, we all need to understand the power and pitfalls of the everything store’s inescapable reach. Even if How to Resist Amazon and Why doesn't convince you to give up your Prime subscription, reading Caine's urgent polemic will give you crucial... (read more)
Recommended by Emily B.
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Elissa Washuta
[isbn]
Interwoven with mystical themes it challenges as much as celebrates, White Magic is a layered, structurally innovative memoir. It is many things: a narrative about addiction and what lives beneath it; a map of landscapes, both physical and emotional; an unearthing of generational trauma; a story about feeling lost in a place that’s supposed to be home. Ultimately, heartbreak leads Washuta to find her own authority... as a "powerful... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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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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Marc Ribot
[isbn]
Marc Ribot has an unmistakable musical and now literary voice. This is his first book and it's such a fun read. My favorite book of the year so far.
Recommended by Greg L.
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Andrea Pitzer
[isbn]
There’s something awe-inspiring about the bravery and egoism of 15th- and 16th-century polar explorers. To set off in wooden ships with maps that were half cartographical error and half illustrations of sea monsters remains the height of adventure; that these sailors fought scurvy, icebergs, polar bears, and each other in the name of global hegemony and supply competition is harder to valorize but no less riveting. In Icebound,... (read more)
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Nikole Hannah-Jones
[isbn]
The 1619 Project from The New York Times, as conceived of by Nikole Hannah-Jones, is one of the most influential undertakings in journalism in recent years. And it was met, in many places, with an angry backlash; making this book-length expansion as vital and important as volumes of history get.
Recommended by Keith M.
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David Graeber, David Wengrow
[isbn]
David Graeber passed away in 2020, but before his untimely death he left us with this final gift. Expertly finished by his coauthor David Wengrow, The Dawn of Everything reimagines the human story from its earliest beginnings. Easily one of my favorite books of the year, every chapter left me with something to chew over. This is one of those books that will challenge you to reconsider everything.
Recommended by Emily B.
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AI Weiwei and Allan H. Barr
[isbn]
A powerful and absorbing look at life in China before, during, and after the Cultural Revolution. Whether you are familiar with his work as an artist, human rights activist, and dissident or not, Weiwei will leave you with a new understanding of the importance of art, particularly in the face of repression.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Mo Willems
[isbn]
Mo Willems proves once again that he is a true master of the picture book, this time with an invitation to explore opposites with abstract ideas, clever comparisons, and eye-popping color. The thoughtful prompts Willems provides will have readers, young and old, looking at the world with curiosity and wonder.
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Nick Offerman
[isbn]
Join Nick Offerman, Jeff Tweedy, and George Saunders on a journey to Glacier National Park. Offerman’s observations about conservation, history, and geology, and humorous musings about the area, will make you feel like you’re right alongside him, selecting gear from REI, sipping on coffee, and smelling the fresh air together with your pals.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Anthony Doerr
[isbn]
I’m not sure how Anthony Doerr made this beautiful novel simultaneously epic and intimate, but he did. It’s also impressively imaginative, hopeful, and a glorious celebration of the power of books and stories. Just what I needed.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen
[isbn]
When I first heard that the Boss and the former president were collaborating on a podcast, I thought they’d make an odd couple, but then I listened and it made perfect sense. I’m glad to be able to read — and to give — this expansion with photos and additional material.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Andrew Roberts
[isbn]
A royalist apologia for America’s last king, or a correction for centuries of political shade? You choose, after reading Andrew Roberts’s gloriously well-researched biography of (Mad) King George III. Neither the pompous idiot of Hamilton nor the tragicomic figure of The Madness of King George, Roberts’s King George is a talented leader beset by mental illness and the machinations of the 18th-century court. An absolutely... (read more)
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto, Karen Tei Yamashita, Yuki Obayashi
[isbn]
As a Japanese American, this is perhaps one of the most important books in my life so far. It provides a much-needed glimpse into older, traditional Japanese life, while still maintaining a surprisingly large degree of relevance. The author works hard not just to write a good autobiography, but also a great work of art. Her story of life in Japan and America is stunning, and I urge people to jump into this book to better understand Japanese... (read more)
Recommended by Jun L.
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James Cheshire, Oliver Uberti
[isbn]
When we think about data we rarely think about beauty. In their previous book, Where the Animals Go, James Cheshire and Oliver Uberti used data on animal migration and movement to craft fascinating maps and infographics that let us peer into parts of the animal world we could never see on our own. In Atlas of the Invisible, they apply these same techniques to illuminate aspects of the human world normally invisible. Using... (read more)
Recommended by Ryan V.W.
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Ian S Port
[isbn]
A fantastic, multilayered narrative of the history surrounding the creation of the Tele, Strat, Les Paul, and other early, iconic solid body guitars. A really fun read!
Recommended by Greg L.
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Assata Shakur
[isbn]
This may be the book on this list that will have the most altered emotional valence for many — but by no means all — readers today, as opposed to when it was published. In 1977, Assata Shakur was convicted of the murder of a New Jersey State Trooper, after years of acquittals or dismissals of various charges. Perhaps her trial was fair, but her treatment surely wasn’t. In the era of COINTELPRO, Shakur was held up by the government as the face of... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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John Lewis and Andrew Aydind and Nate Powell
[isbn]
First you march, then you run! That’s what John Lewis did after more than five years as a leader in the civil rights movement, after being the youngest speaker at the march on Washington, after getting beaten and arrested for his nonviolent resistance. Lewis then ran for Congress and became a powerful voice for justice from the seat of government. Run follows the great John Lewis in the years following the events of the award-winning and... (read more)
Recommended by Doug C.
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Patrick Nathan
[isbn]
In this powerful work of cultural criticism, Patrick Nathan explores the myriad insidious connections between Fascism, politics, identity, art, and photography. Through surprising and insightful discussions of social media, memes, gifs, films, and literature, Image Control encourages us to watch the world carefully and actively, instead of only looking passively at images and propaganda. Nathan is a thrilling writer and thinker, and... (read more)
Recommended by Adam P.
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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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Kat Chow
[isbn]
Rarely have I been so completely sold on a book after reading just the first page. Seeing Ghosts is often doing two things at once: it is deftly guided and also meandering; it is self-possessed while self-interrogating; and, at its heart, it is grieving a loss and honoring a legacy.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Courtney Gould
[isbn]
There’s something dark in Snakebite. In this supernatural thriller debut, Logan’s ghost-hunter dads drag her to their rural Oregon hometown just as a local teen disappears. As Logan starts to fall for Ashley, the missing boy’s girlfriend, she also circles closer to the terrible truth of why her family left in the first place.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Ian Millhiser
[isbn]
Often, Supreme Court coverage focuses on individual personality quirks of the justices or the short-term results that decisions have on political parties. But the Court shapes the nation in fundamental ways via multiple opinions that come out over the course of decades. In other words, the coalitions of justices in the majority are playing multiple long-games simultaneously. In his short but thorough book, Ian Millhiser convincingly shows just... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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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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Simon Orpana, Imre Szeman, Mark Simpson
[isbn]
Graphic storytelling is the perfect format for this book, as its message is simultaneously complex and painfully simple: we are killing our planet, and the means of our destruction is so embedded in our society that we can’t fully see the extent of its influence. Gasoline Dreams makes difficult and urgent truths digestible and actionable.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Susan DeFreitas
[isbn]
Dispatches From Anarres is why I read. This remarkable anthology of short stories in tribute to Ursula K. Le Guin is filled with thoughtful, heartbreaking, funny tales. Some will remind you of Le Guin and others of her spirit. I found myself pausing to think and breathe after many of the stories. This book is both readable and deep.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Nicholas D Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn
[isbn]
From Hillbilly Elegy to Janesville, books purporting to explain the decline and polarization of rural America and the white working class have proliferated in the 21st century. Tightrope rises above the pack with its compassionate portrayal of its subjects, careful research, intersectional analysis, and thoughtful policy solutions. Focusing on the lives of Kristof's childhood peers in the working-class town of Yamhill,... (read more)
Recommended by Emily B.
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Allison Williams
[isbn]
After more than a year stuck at home, we are ready to hit the road! From day trips to weekend jaunts to a two-week adventure through our gorgeous region, author Allison Williams (and the always excellent Moon Travel series) offers fantastic guidance on where to go and stay, what to see, and more.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Kristen Radtke
[isbn]
In Seek You, Kristen Radtke approaches the epidemic of American loneliness from a variety of angles. Each view is taken with tremendous empathy and conveyed with Radtke’s engaging and elegant illustrations. Seek You is a thoughtful exploration of a complex problem that offers understanding, not easy answers.
Recommended by Keith M.
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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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Amy Stanley
[isbn]
This captivating tale of one woman’s life and difficult path to Edo during the Shogun era reads like a novel, but is obviously the product of extensive research. Amy Stanley has beautifully recreated the experience of an “ordinary” woman, the kind of life story that is seldom recorded and rarely told.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Garrett M Graff
[isbn]
While reading The Only Plane in the Sky, my heart broke a thousand times. It is one thing to have witnessed (from the west coast on TV) the 9/11 attacks, yet quite another to see, smell, and hear the events as told by the survivors. My biggest takeaways are how much compassion was expressed for total strangers and how bravely many victims stepped forward into their deaths. Those brave people showed courage that pushed them past their... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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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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Chris Hedges
[isbn]
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Presbyterian minister Chris Hedges is as trenchant a writer as his writing is urgent. A sobering portrait of a nation in swift decline, America: The Farewell Tour is an incisive work equally devastating and disturbing. A failing health care system, the opioid crisis, debt servitude, the resurgence of hate groups, a for-profit carceral state, prostitution and sex trafficking, the decline of union... (read more)
Recommended by Jeremy G.
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Leslie Marmon Silko
[isbn]
A profound portrait of PTSD and cultural marginalization, on and off the Laguna Pueblo reservation, Silko’s classic novel remains cutting-edge 44 years after its original publication. Weaving between past and present, Native folklore and stark depictions of reservation life, Silko uses formal innovation and lyricism to convey how trauma, depression, and colonization coalesce to break the spirit, and the potential of Native storytelling and... (read more)
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Dubravka Ugresic
[isbn]
Yugoslav author Dubravka Ugrešić may well be the smartest, wittiest, most captivating author you’re not (yet) reading. With more than a dozen fiction and nonfiction works available in English translation, Ugrešić's brilliance is amply displayed. American Fictionary (rendered from the Croatian by Celia Hawkesworth and Ellen Elias-Bursac) — first published in 1993 and revised and republished 25 years later — is a collection of keen,... (read more)
Recommended by Jeremy G.
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