Nonfiction  Suggestions

#1 Recommendation –  The Oxford Illustrated History of the Book – James Raven, et al.

This splendid volume, the work of editor Raven and fifteen additional scholars, details human publications from the Sumerian cuneiform tablets of 3200 BC to contemporary e-Books. Beautifully enlivened by over 150 photographs and prints, the book contains a broad approach to its subject as it explores printing history in South Asia, the Islamic world, Classical Civilizations, Japan/China, as well as Europe and the Americas. Readers can consume this book cover to cover, or bounce over chapters as their interests dictate. Whatever the choice, they won’t regret opening this fascinating, fun, yet scholarly history.

Biography

Just as I am: a memoir – Cicely Tyson

Kamala’s Way: an American life – Dan Morain

Speak, Okinawa: a memoir – Elizabeth Miki Brina

Cooking

The Vegan Meat Cookbook: 100 impossibly delicious, alternative meat recipes – Isabel Minunni

Low Sodium, Big Flavor: 125 recipes for daily meals plus pantry staples including dressings, condiments, spice blends and more – Lara Ferroni

American History

The American Home Front, 1941-42 – Alastair Cooke

When Women Invented Television: the untold story of the female powerhouses who pioneered the way we watch today – Jennifer Armstrong

The Black Church: this is our story – Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Environmentalism

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: the solutions we have and the breakthroughs we need – Bill Gates

The Language of Butterfiles: how thieves, hoarders, scientists, and other obsessives unlocked the secrets of the world’s favorite insect – Wendy Williams

Religion/Philosophy

Religion and the Rise of Capitalism – Benjamin Friedman

Learning to Pray: a guide for everyone – James Martin

Do Better: spiritual activity for fighting and healing from white supremacy – Rachel Ricketts

The Bible, with and Without Jesus: how Jews and Christians read the same stories differently – Amy-Jill Levine

 Self Help

The Empathy Advantage: coaching children to be kind, respectful, and successful – Lynne Azarchi

Change Your Words, Change Your Life: understanding the power of every word you speak – Joyce Meyer

Together: the healing power of human connection in a sometimes lonely world – Vivek Murthy, MD

 True Crime

Two Truths and a Lie: a murder, a private investigator, and her search for justice

Till Murder do Us Part: true crime thrillers – James Patterson

We Keep the Dead Close: a murder at Harvard and a half-century of silence – Becky Cooper

Writing and Writers

Mastering the Process: from idea to novel – Elizabeth George

Cult Writers:  50 nonconformist novelists you need to know – Ian Haydn Smith