Staff Nonfiction Favorites

This intersectional book about period-having people needs to be read by everyone. It removes the stigma of menstruation which has plagued us all, whether you have a period or not. There are essays from a transgender man, a homeless person, a disabled person as well as 9 other voices. It changed my life. No longer will I hide my tampons! Let's have conversations. Let's make it normal. - Karena

The first and foremost lesson of the Bushido Shushinsu, or Code of the Samurai, is to keep death in your mind at all times. This may seem a bit dramatic, but it allows the warrior to remember that every action is important and all life is precious. With riffs on a broad range of subjects from finance to laziness, The Code of the Samurai is a must read for any modern warrior. - Aric

Randy Morgenson spent 28 seasons as a backcountry ranger, helping countless hikers—some lost, some hungry, some hurt—find their way back to civilization. When he himself disappeared, fellow rangers began a desperate search to find him. Well-researched and written with the urgency of a murder mystery, this is one of the best books about the outdoors you’ll ever read. - Rico

Legendary behaviorist Robert Sapolsky outlines so much of what we assume to be immutable behaviour as nothing more than a confluence of stimuli and their cascading responses. From genes to food to culture, Sapolsky starts small and continues to expound upon himself to illuminate the brain, the body, and the world in which we are all actors. - Ian

Beachy writes a history of Berlin and of the development of our modern conceptions of gender and sexuality, breaking new ground in the politics, activism, and social scenes of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. This book stands out to me for its passionate respect for and interest in the institutional and intellectual creations of gay and transgender people and their legacies. - Clara

Phaidon does it again! I adore this beautiful little collection of secret and not-so-secret gardens and parks throughout the world. You may even discover some hidden gems in your own city. A wonderful collection to inspire your own outdoor sanctuary or to guide your travels. - Natalie

Any book about dinosaurs immediately goes into my to be read pile. I pleased to find that this narrative was incredibly humorous, light, and anecdotal. You’ll learn interesting facts about dinosaurs in addition to getting a glimpse into life as a paleontologist. If you’re looking for a non-fic read that’s informative but also has a friendly narrative give this one a shot. - Rechelle

If you love true crime and haven't read this, get on it! Ann Rule, a former beat cop, worked side by side with Ted Bundy for years at a crisis hotline. She harbored no suspicion that her coworker and friend was a killer. This must-read jumps back and forth between his grisly murders and Rule's perspective of Ted over the years to portray how serial killers truly can hide in plain sight. - Nicole

Once a person is evicted, they often fall prey to the vicious cycle of eviction and homelessness, perpetuated by a slew of absurd laws and inadequate safety nets. Desmond follows families as they struggle to hold down jobs, provide for their children, resist addiction, and evade eviction in a housing system seemingly pitted against them. Heart-wrenching and insightful - a must-read. - Jade

Do yourself a favor and open up this book. Even if you're not a plant/natural history nerd like me, I assure you this book will bring you so much joy. A glorious exploration of the world through its most culturally, economically, and spiritually significant trees, featuring fabulous illustrations and fascinating mini-bios for each tree. - Natalie