General Nonfiction

When Michele Filgate, the editor of What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About, wrote an essay about her stepfather’s abuse, she revealed the fracture that the abuse caused between her mother and her. The essay went viral and Filgate realized that there was much to be learned about what happens in the intimate bond between mother and child when things go unsaid. Filgate gathered 15 writers to explore the topic. Some of the essays are hilarious; others heartbreaking; but there is such strength and resilience in this collection. I kept recalling Leonard Cohen’s line, “There is a crack in everything/That’s how the light gets in.” - S.M.C.

Helen Ellis is everything I would want to be if I were a Southern lady instead of a California girl. Her essays have the kind of wit that warms the cockles of my jaded heart. I cackled at every snark. She’s the one you want sitting next to you at the wedding, spilling dirt (and let’s be honest, probably her wine) about all of the groom’s relatives. She’s brilliant and I want to read everything she writes forever. - Karena

What a treat we have been given by one of our finest writers and thinkers – this is exactly the book I have wanted from Barry Lopez. Horizon is a gorgeous tome that is a journey through his own life and travels around the world, as well as those who came before him, reflecting on a greater history of exploration, and offering thoughtful, fervent, hopeful ways forward for all of us in these uncertain times. Personal, powerful, important, this is narrative nonfiction that we both need and crave. - Melinda

Jenny Lawson's Furiously Happy was the first book that made me cry within the first five pages, and now Burnout is the second, and for the same reason: I've found my people. Burnout strikes that nice balance between easily readable and scientific backing, in addition to recognizing the amount of stress and crap that women are faced with. The authors provide tl;dr "cheat sheets" at the end of each chapter, understanding the need for quick references in high stress times. Burnout and Furiously Happy allow folks to see that they're not alone in their head, burdened with stress, mental illness, self-doubt, and other debilitating thoughts. Everyone goes through those on some level, and Burnout provides the tools needed to thrive during challenging times. - Rachel

I found myself telling everyone I knew how much I enjoyed reading this, and how they needed to read it right now! Norris takes us through her interest in all things Greek, from the language to the place to the literature and how she relates to it all. Her genius lies in moving agilely from one topic to another, giving insight and sparking interest while never letting the reader become weary of the subject. Perfect to delight the brain, spice up your dinner conversation, and to transport you to “the wine-dark sea.” - Jax

Through the years, Neil Gaiman has written on so many subjects, from books to politics to music. This book is worth the price of admission if only for his perspective on genre writing. Collecting these writings together provides a masterclass in how to write non-fiction: widely and often. - Ivy

Skaife, a yeoman warder, describes himself as being ornithivorous in relation to his job, inhaling all that there is about ravens, no matter the area of study (science, mythology, art, etc.). And while he covers some of those topics in this book, it’s his personal stories that kept me reading late into the night. Skaife’s voice feels like you’re just swapping stories over a pint with a friend. - Rachel

Bolin examines iterations of the "dead girl" trope - from the works of Joan Didion and Raymond Chandler to Twin Peaks and Serial. She explores our fascination with the seemingly endless story of violence done to women's bodies. I recommend for readers willing to interrogate their reasons for tuning in to true crime and to reflect on the ethics of how these stories are told and consumed. - Kristi

This eye-opening book explores the impact of ageism on individuals and society. It's a clarion call for action that changed many of my attitudes and assumptions about aging. Applewhite details how unchallenged ageism negatively impacts health, sex, money, the workplace, and all areas of society. Guaranteed to lead to lively discussions, this is a great book club selection. - Trey

This quirky, clever essay collection showcases an impressive variety of topics. Part travelogue, part memoir, and part investigative journalism, Phillips applies his sense of humor and keen observations throughout the work. Phillips’ writing is reminiscent of David Sedaris, but with less snark and more heart. - Jade