Danny Caine
[isbn]
Danny Caine's How to Resist Amazon and Why — first published as a 15-page zine in 2019 and now in its second edition as a full-fledged book — was a game changer for me as a consumer, and continues to be an absolute gift for me as a bookseller. I often refer to it as, "the hours-long conversation I wish I could have with every customer, in book form," so my bookseller heart leapt with joy when I heard he had something new in the works,... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Simon Garfield
[isbn]
Simon Garfield is the perfect writer to tackle something as seemingly tedious as encyclopedias. This book packs the entire history of the concept of the encyclopedia into a compellingly readable package. Whether you remember door-to-door salesmen hawking sets of Encyclopedia Brittanica, or you lost yourself in the school library tomes, or you simply use Wikipedia to figure out why that actor seems so darn familiar, you'll enjoy the depth of... (read more)
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Josh Cook
[isbn]
A book about books by a fellow indie bookseller? Sold. What’s more, the bookseller is Josh Cook, whose 2021 chapbook, The Least We Can Do, has been not-so-quietly making the rounds among indie booksellers since its release, prompting much-needed reflection and conversation about the ideas afforded space on our shelves. I’m eager to see Cook expand on that topic and more in The Art of Libromancy, and to chat about it with the... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Randall Munroe
[isbn]
No one speaks to my unending desire for fun facts like Randall Munroe. Always delightful, absolutely hilarious, and yet somehow along the way you’re learning thermodynamics or aerospace engineering. Real science with wacky scenarios — a perfect shared read accessible to curious minds of any age.
Recommended by Sarah R.
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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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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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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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John Koenig
[isbn]
It is only fitting that I would struggle to describe a book like The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. It's a dictionary, a work of art, a song. It wanders through ideas and images like an infinitely scrolling collage. It makes me cry at times, laugh at others, miss the things I have lost, yearn for the moments that haven't happened yet. Give this book to the readers, the artists, the dreamers in your life. I hope they love it as much as I... (read more)
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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Diana Helmuth, Latasha Dunston
[isbn]
Here in the PNW, we have a certain reputation with the general public. We have the brewery reputation, the creative/artsy reputation, and the outdoorsy "let's go outside" reputation. The problem is that even those of us who were born and raised here don't always have the proper skills to make nature trekking safe or even remotely fun. Whether you are a bonafide couch potato, who has been ignoring the outdoor requirements of your own state, or... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Lynda Barry
[isbn]
If you have ever wanted to draw and thought, "I can't even draw a stick figure," pick up this book. Lynda Barry and I share the same philosophy: everyone has the ability to be creative. While this book focuses on the beautiful marriage of words and pictures, I love that the exercises really bring out a passion for drawing regardless of your skill level.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Courtney Maum
[isbn]
I am so grateful to have found this INVALUABLE resource to guide me through the publication of my first book. It contains vital information for writers at all stages in their careers. With tips and advice on everything from querying agents and setting aside valuable writing time to childrearing and doing taxes (Did you know you can write off the lattes you drink while plugging away on your novel??), this book is a holy text of sorts. I feel like... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Chuck Palahniuk
[isbn]
If you know Chuck Palahniuk's writing, you know he goes where others dare not tread. The advice imparted here is similar: explicit honesty that holds nothing back. It is this bold trait that garners him a devoted fan base, and what makes this book so rewarding.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant
[isbn]
Building on their popular podcast with this fascinating book, the SYSK hosts are going to change the way you look at everything — Mr. Potato Head, getting lost, facial hair, and more. The ideal read for anyone who’s ever wondered why things are the way they are.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Jennifer Dasal
[isbn]
Move past the stodgily written museum labels to learn the quirky backstories of the art you visit at the galleries. Monet: not just a blotter of pretty paint, but a rebel badass! Norman Rockwell: painter of cheesy Americana, or really cool and socially conscious artist? ArtCurious is a fun and engaging look art history. No, really, it is!
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Benjamin Dreyer
[isbn]
An English grammar that you can’t stop reading: I, too, thought that an oxymoron until I picked up Dreyer’s English. Enchanting and nerdy, esteemed copy editor Dreyer’s interest in the nitty-gritty of language is buffeted with enough wit and history that even semi-colons shimmer with glamour. An indispensable resource, Dreyer’s English reminds us that words (and punctuation, and spelling) matter, and that wielding them well is... (read more)
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Bill Bryson
[isbn]
I can't think of anything more mind-numbingly boring than following the evolution of the English language — but wait, just kidding! — this book is utterly fascinating. It's a satisfying balm for the book geek hiding in my heart. Bryson is a national treasure, and everything he writes is both hilarious and informative. Trust me, you'll never look at English the same way again.
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Dennis Baron
[isbn]
The contemporary desire for better pronouns — ones that are nongendered and/or nonbinary — is nothing new. In his thoroughly researched book, Dennis Baron documents how many years this gap in the language has been felt (hundreds, at least) and how many new pronouns have been suggested (also hundreds, at least).
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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Susan Orlean
[isbn]
Just as she did with The Orchid Thief, Orlean tells a true story that has the page-turning appeal of great fiction. This time her focus is a devastating fire that struck the LA library in 1986, and it serves as a launchpad for a riveting journey into the history of LA, public spaces, and the vital role of libraries themselves.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Randall Munroe
[isbn]
Cartoonist Randall Munroe’s impish love of physics has driven him to discover and share how to best use it for absurd ends, like moving a house with rockets or boiling a river with tea kettles. Please don’t do either.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Malcolm Gladwell
[isbn]
Malcolm Gladwell’s latest is everything we’ve come to expect: thoroughly reported anecdotes in service of a grand theory, based in social science, assembled to answer an immensely difficult question. In this case, the question is what happened to Sandra Bland? How did a routine traffic stop go so badly, so quickly? To get at an answer, Gladwell guides us through an assemblage of spies, liars, drinkers, accused murderers, poets, and... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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Pamela Paul and Maria Russo and Dan Yaccarino
[isbn]
As someone who works in a bookstore, I thought I knew everything possible about how to nurture the love of reading in a child. But this joyful guide, organized by age group and packed with practical advice, had a lot to teach me. Big bonus: the book recommendations are ample and spot-on.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Cecelia Watson
[isbn]
While not my favorite punctuation mark — that would be the em dash — I hold a great affection for the semicolon. That affection is obviously shared by Cecelia Watson, and it has driven her to write a witty history of this specific mark that extends to explore our relationship with grammar and language more generally. An alternate title could be The Semicolon; Against Pedantry, but some would no doubt quibble.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Mary Norris
[isbn]
Mary Norris's Greek to Me is as warm, beautiful, and inviting as Greece itself. Norris is as witty and charming as ever, and her paean to Greek language and culture is irresistible.
Recommended by Jill O.
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Katherine Dunn
[isbn]
Written originally as a writing lecture and published posthumously, On Cussing (by the beloved author of Geek Love) may be short but it’s far from sweet. Packed with history and advice on how to wield your foulest language like a true swordsman, On Cussing is a spicy, seductive read.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Benjamin Dreyer
[isbn]
Want to know something interesting? The word "namesake" works two ways. That is, if you're named for an older relative, they are your namesake... and YOU are theirs. If you find this sort of information remotely interesting, you'll love Dreyer's English. This witty book is also a bit of a mystery, as I'm hard-pressed to explain how Benjamin Dreyer pulled off the trick of making a writer's guide such a joy to read. Over at the New... (read more)
Recommended by Bart K.
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James Mustich
[isbn]
As a lifelong passionate reader, this epic compilation enthralled me. It's not only a brilliant guide to what to read next, but a satisfying read all on its own, with illustrations and fascinating sidebars of information.
Recommended by Kathi K.
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Grackle & Pigeon
[isbn]
Brimming with colorful photos and sketches to get your creative juices flowing, this whimsical book is all about creating cozy spaces anywhere you happen to be. You’ll find a treasure trove of imaginative ideas — there’s even a book cave!
Recommended by Moses M.
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David Grann
[isbn]
The Lost City of Z is the perfect book to read when you're antsy for some armchair adventuring. This clever tale is both the story of Percy Fawcett, a British explorer who traveled to the Amazon in 1925 and never returned, and Grann, as he retraces Fawcett's steps in an attempt to learn what happened to him. But it's so much more than that — it's also about the Western tradition of exploration and exploitation, the punishing Amazonian... (read more)
Recommended by Leah C.
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Francine Prose
[isbn]
In this celebratory collection that will delight casual readers, bibliophiles, and everyone in between, Francine Prose shares 33 reasons to love literature through essays on such works as Great Expectations, Jennifer Egan’s Manhattan Beach, and the short fiction of the other Elizabeth Taylor.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Chris Baty
[isbn]
Who better to get advice from for NaNoWriMo than the man who invented it? Chris Baty makes novel writing less intimidating by cutting it into bite-sized pieces. Been chewing on a few ideas? Sink your teeth into this book and devour easy instructions for writing stories that apply to more than just NaNoWriMo.
Recommended by Alex K.
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Amy Tan
[isbn]
In Where the Past Begins, Tan shares her memories of growing up, family secrets, and how emotional truth and fiction comingle. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to her work, Tan’s unforgettable prose and wry sense of humor make this a can’t-miss read.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Lonely Planet
[isbn]
Need some inspiration for your next adventure? With its breathtaking photos and truly unique suggestions, Lonely Planet’s new guide may just motivate you to go on a cycle safari through Botswana, try sandboarding in Peru, or camp inside a glacier in Norway.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Natalie Goldberg
[isbn]
This is a book about not only how to write well, but also how to find fulfillment in writing. Writing Down the Bones differs from other how-to-write books by providing useful writing exercises to promote inspiration and improve writing skills, instead of just offering clichéd advice or standard grammar rules. Natalie Goldberg equips writers, whether they are seasoned or just starting out, with tools to effectively reduce stress and the... (read more)
Recommended by Alex K.
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Jeff Vandermeer and Jeremy Zerfoss
[isbn]
Jeff VanderMeer, bestselling author of the Southern Reach trilogy, is hailed for his riveting and genre-bending fiction. It is fascinating to see his creative processes and his book on writing doesn't disappoint!
Recommended by Kate G.
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Naomi Epel
[isbn]
As Doug Martsch sings, "I wanna see the movies of my dreams." But I don't just want to see my dreams; I want to see the sleep-minds of others. While this book is obviously not a film, it does provide a glimpse of the subconscious minds of writers like Maya Angelou, Art Spiegelman, Isabel Allende, William Styron, Maurice Sendak, and many more. Fascinating!
Recommended by Melissa A.
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Bruce Handy
[isbn]
While revisiting kids’ books can be a lot of fun, reading Bruce Handy’s colorful commentary on beloved children’s classics is even more delightful. His insights are paired with fascinating details about the authors, and while he isn’t afraid to criticize some favorites (The Giving Tree, for one), his passion and enthusiasm are infectious.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Simon Winchester
[isbn]
One of the best nonfiction books I've come across, Simon Winchester's The Professor and the Madman is a riveting read. That seems an unlikely thing to say about the history of the making of The Oxford English Dictionary, but Winchester's genius makes the subject come alive like the best thriller ever written. Delicious!
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Ryan Higa
[isbn]
YouTube sensation Ryan Higa has almost 20 million subscribers on his channel nigahiga. Inspired by his "Draw My Life" video, which has been viewed over 30 million times, Ryan recounts his experiences with growing up in Hawaii, family dynamics, surviving bullies, and choosing a positive attitude in this funny and heartfelt memoir.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Maja Säfström
[isbn]
This book made me giddy. Not only because I learned things like, “Flies can taste with their feet.” But with Maja Säfström’s whimsical drawings and incredibly infectious enthusiasm, every page of this compendium left me laughing and full of wonder at our weird animal kingdom.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Mary Karr
[isbn]
The author of several bestselling memoirs gives us a look under the hood. What makes a successful memoir? How does one handle the wily beast of memory? Karr elegantly dissects several well-known memoirs and gives clear examples of why they work so well. She also discusses her own work and writing process.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Schwalbe, Will
[isbn]
Books for Living is a must-read for any booklover. I found myself wanting to highlight almost every sentence of Schwalbe's introduction — it just hit home so hard! In each chapter, he shares a different book and the impact it had on his life. He's a strong believer that books find us at the right times throughout our lives, lending a new perspective or simply providing a couple of lines of encouragement when we need them most. This tome... (read more)
Recommended by Carrie K.
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Manjula Martin
[isbn]
Making a living can be tricky business; making a living from writing can be filled with twists and turns aplenty. Scratch is a lively collection of essays centered around writing and money. Thought-provoking, funny, and deeply insightful, this book is well worth dipping into even if you're not a writer.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras, Ella Morton
[isbn]
I don't think there is a more perfect coffee table book. It's not just beautiful (but it is really beautiful) — it's full of fascinating information about places I've never heard of.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Tom Wolfe
[isbn]
In distinctive Wolfe fashion, both learned and amusing, this fascinating new work lays out the argument that the capacity for speech, and not evolution, has enabled human achievement. Witty and insightful, be prepared to have your perception of speech forever changed. Recommended by Moses M.
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Mary Norris
[isbn]
This isn’t your stodgy English teacher’s grammar guide. Norris’s endearing and surprisingly entertaining memoir offers a candid look at the glorious subtleties of language — and the trials and tribulations of the copy department in one of our nation’s most revered literary institutions: The New Yorker.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Allison Hoover Bartlett
[isbn]
Wow! What a fascinating book about a fascinating man: John Gilkey, professional book thief. Hoover Bartlett seems to have a hard time untangling herself from her story, which gives the book an interesting discordant feel. It is practically impossible to look away from this man's train wreck of a career, while your loyalties unwillingly waver from book dealers, to Gilkey, to the FBI, and back again. Bibliophiles will alternately salivate and... (read more)
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Laura Stanfill, Yuvi Zalkow, Scott Sparling
[isbn]
This sweet, little book is wonderfully indie (printed solely and beautifully using an Espresso Book Machine, one of which lives at Powell's City of Books) and stuffed full of Oregon authors. A collection of essays and interviews with such local lit figures as Scott Sparling, Lauren Kessler, and Yuvi Zalkow, Brave on the Page is not only about craft and the creative life but also a lovely snapshot of the heart and soul of the incredible... (read more)
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Randall Munroe
[isbn]
Ever wonder how a "food-heating radio box" (i.e., microwave) works? How about those "big flat rocks we live on" (tectonic plates)? Using only the thousand most common words in the English language plus line drawings, Munroe cleverly breaks down complex concepts into simple ideas in this funny and fascinating book.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Daniel Levin Becker and Daniel Levin Becker
[isbn]
Ebullient to those already under the Oulipian spell and likely befuddling to those ingenuity intolerant, Daniel Levin Becker's Many Subtle Channels is a fascinating, engaging, and well-researched account of Ouvroir de Littérature Potentielle (translating loosely as the "workshop for potential literature"), a collective of mostly French writers and mathematicians that employ(ed) a range... (read more)
Recommended by Jeremy G.
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