Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, Michael Witwer
[isbn]
What better fantasy immersion is there than to enjoy the same delicacies at the gaming table that our characters share in the tavern? Why do we settle for Doritos and Mountain Dew when we can gorge ourselves on Twice-Baked Cockatrice Wings, Underdark Lotus with Fire Lichen Spread, Evermead, and Potions of Restoration?
Recommended by Brandon S.
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Zoe Thorogood
[isbn]
Zoe Thorogood, a cartoonist, recorded six months of her life as it fell apart as an attempt to put it all back together. I can't say whether or not this worked for her but it was certainly helpful to me. This story chronicles her struggles with mental health, her family, and her art as the endless wave of day-to-day trials and tribulations make these struggles easier or harder to keep a grip on. Though some parts of this story are silly and we... (read more)
Recommended by Aster A.
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Chris L Terry, James Spooner Spooner
[isbn]
This anthology of modern fiction, nonfiction, art, and comics describe punk today and gives a broader perspective as it delves into all the subgenres, styles, and personalities within Black Punk that are thriving and growing. The anthology approach to this book mixes generations and medias in a way that perfectly reflects the contents of the book and the scene they are highlighting. This technique also allows music lovers, history aficionados,... (read more)
Recommended by Aster A.
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Amy Fleisher Madden
[isbn]
This book truly hit the nail on the head when it comes to what emo was then and now and what it means to so many people. If you ever considered yourself emo, even if it was “just a phase,” and even if the second and third waves weren’t your time, you should absolutely get this book. The only thing that has ever made me feel as seen as this book is the music it's about. This book is for anyone who had their whole world changed by a song. It's for... (read more)
Recommended by Aster A.
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Jeff Yang
[isbn]
The Golden Screen celebrates Asian American cinema through profiles of iconic films — their cultural impact, the stories of success for each picture, and the personal commentary from the actors, writers, directors, and other artists who carry these movies into their work. While Jeff Yang's latest includes the recent renaissance in Asian American film, the book looks back much earlier than 2018 to create a fascinating map of influences... (read more)
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Mitchell S. Jackson
[isbn]
Brilliant wordsmith/storysmith Mitchell S. Jackson is coming to us with what on the surface looks like a beautifully-made sports fashion book — and it’s that, and more. It’s a fascinating history, a well-organized timeline, and most of all, an expansive celebration of a unique and empowering culture. This book is cool.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Sam Reece
[isbn]
I’m obsessed with this hilarious, feel-good craft book! Crafters are often perfectionists, and it’s good to be reminded why we got into craft in the first place — the pure joy of making (shitty) things! Any crafter you know will get a huge kick out of this delightful book.
Recommended by Leah B.
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Tom Stoppard
[isbn]
Follow Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters in Hamlet, as they live through the events of the play. However, from the first scene, it is clear that what they're experiencing is not quite reality... after all, what are the odds of a coin landing heads-up ninety-two times in a row?
Witty, bittersweet, and strange, this play is a breathtaking reflection on art and storytelling — as well as one of the most brilliantly surreal... (read more)
Recommended by Edme G.
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Sona Movsesian, Conan Obrien
[isbn]
Sometimes being the world's worst assistant makes you your boss's best friend? Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it can land you a job talking for a living on his podcast. This book made me realize that the only thing funnier than the original sketches is the stories behind them.
Recommended by Lindsay P
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Greg Marshall
[isbn]
Reading Marshall's memoir reminded me of why I love this genre in the first place. You go into the book expecting one thing (a coming-of-age story alongside Marshall's coming-out story) and then you finish the book examining what it meant for him to have to come out twice: the second time as a gay man with cerebral palsy, which is something that his parents decided not to tell him about, instead telling him that his limp and other various... (read more)
Recommended by Katherine M.
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Halberstam, Judith
[isbn]
For the gays, the theys, the horror fanatics, and the monster apologists. Halberstam delivers some truly phenomenal pop culture critique in this volume, which, while at times theoretically dated (stage cough, Freud, stage cough), still turns over some really interesting rocks in accessible and entertaining language. I'm particularly fond of the "bodies that splatter" chapter.
Recommended by SitaraG
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Sylvia Plath
[isbn]
This book is one of my favorite works of fiction. However, stating that has earned me more than one concerned glance over the years. The thing about this book is, even sixty years after its publication, it is something that many young girls, and young people in general, still relate to. Truly the most wonderful thing about this novel is its truth and vulnerability, both of which are often the reason people turn away from it. It is meant to be... (read more)
Recommended by Aster A.
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Leonard Cohen
[isbn]
Cohen himself decried his poetry for a lack of sophistication. Yet, his body of work reveals the beauty of losers, the longing in loneliness, and what is illuminated by the light that gets through the crack in everything. If we can grant him that same grace, then it is easy to accept that a poem need not be perfect to be beautiful.
Recommended by Brandon S.
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Miriam Schulman
[isbn]
Whatever stage you're at in your creative-business journey, this book is extremely useful. It is easy to read and she backs up her words with relevant facts and stats. Chapter 7 alone makes this book worth it because it addresses money and pricing which, as an artist, I hate dealing with.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Samantha Irby
[isbn]
When I read this in bed before turning in for the night, I had to stifle my laughter to not wake up my boyfriend. Every essay is like talking to that one friend who always has an outrageous story to tell you while making you do that weird no-sound laugh.
Recommended by Vicky K.
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Reductress
[isbn]
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA *cries*
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Scott Mccloud
[isbn]
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art gives readers an introduction to storytelling via the media of comics or graphic novels. McCloud explains basic theory and concepts in a clear and engaging way for anyone who is new to the genre or seeking to better understand its complexities. While this book would work as a textbook, it would also make an excellent gift for anyone who loves comics and graphic novels.
Recommended by Sarah B.
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Claire Dederer
[isbn]
In the introduction to Monsters, Claire Dederer recollects an adage from poet William Emerson, "life involves maintaining oneself between contradictions that can't be solved by analysis." Dederer wants to know what to do with bad behavior — monstrous behavior — and good — even excellent — art. Can the audience think themself out of that contradiction? Can they feel their way out? Do they just have to sit there… maintaining? What do we... (read more)
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Keith Richards
[isbn]
Stories from the heart of the Rolling Stones. Amazing how many great tales are in here (and that Keith remembered them). All of the musical greats get mentioned and it's all delivered with a humor and charm that's very disarming. A special mention for Charlie Watts, present throughout.
Recommended by Paul S.
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Bioy Casares, Adolfo
[isbn]
This intricate, sun-soaked daydream of a novel influenced classic films like The Shining and Last Year at Marienbad, and Jorge Luis Borges and Octavio Paz both called it "perfect."
Recommended by Kai B.
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David Sedaris
[isbn]
Sedaris at his candid and mischievous best! "I'll Eat What He's Wearing" still brings a little smile and snort/chuckle when I think of it.
Recommended by Adam B.
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Kevin Sampsell
[isbn]
A fantastic new book of collage and poetry, with images carefully crafted like graffiti tags in their juxtaposition of the serious and humorous, the jarring and the beautiful, melded with poems of stark truths and whimsical absurdity splashing about the pages.
Recommended by Nicholas Y.
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Rick Rubin
[isbn]
The Creative Act is a powerfully inspiring book for anyone seeking to pursue a more creative life. Rick Rubin demystifies the creative process, showing that it’s mostly a matter of discipline, experimentation, and self-reflection.
Recommended by Rudy K.
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Scott Aukerman
[isbn]
This book sounds… good to me. For over a decade, the open door policy of the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast has drawn all manner of interesting people into the studio, to the delight and sometimes exasperation of host Scott Aukerman. Now Comedy Bang! Bang!: The Podcast: The Book invites these characters out of the studio (exciting news for Jarles!) and onto the page. A must-read for fans of Dalton Wilcox’s poetry and Bob Ducca’s... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Megan Volpert
[isbn]
A wonderfully idiosyncratic appreciation of the right song at the right time, filled with smart analysis of song construction, the artist’s mindset, the record industry, and the lasting power of a writer and performer committed to truth.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Sarah Andersen
[isbn]
The perfect not so scary read for "scary season," Fangs is a joy to read. Humorous, gothic, and heartfelt all at once, this comic reads as more than the sum of its parts.
Recommended by Charlotte S.
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Bob Dylan
[isbn]
Bob Dylan reflects on the nature of popular music. That's all we know about this book. It's more than enough to get me to read it!
Recommended by Moses M.
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Minnie Small
[isbn]
If you have ever struggled to finish a sketchbook or you’ve always wanted to start one, this challenge is for you. This book is full of great exercises that makes those blank pages less intimidating and (dare I say it?) fun. I love Minnie Small’s approachable teaching style and definitely enjoyed working through these prompts. Do you find the first page of a sketchbook daunting? The first prompt on page 10 will change your life.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Clinton Walker
[isbn]
You spend enough time as a gigging musician and you start to think you know it all. And then you pick up a book that blows the doors wide open and really makes you question your preconceptions. Clinton Walker has done that to me twice now. Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music is an excellent work of scholarship that is as much fun to read as these impeccable artists are to listen to.
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Sarah Andersen
[isbn]
Sarah Andersen’s new collection is everything we’ve come to expect from her, and more: smartly conceived, truly funny, and monstrously heartwarming.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Vivien Goldman
[isbn]
In the truest punk tradition, instead of writing the cliche "one band, one chapter" music history, Vivien Goldman takes the unique (and ultimately, more rewarding) approach of having each chapter function as a curated mix-tape, allowing the author to more thoroughly examine themes such as money, identity, and protest.
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Joe Vallese, Carmen Maria Machado, Bruce Owens Grimm
[isbn]
Required reading for any queer horror enthusiasts. I can remember feeling very lonely in my adoration of horror as a queer man growing up. Sure, I had friends who loved horror movies like me.But when we'd reflect on our viewing experience, I couldn't help but feel a distinct sense of othering. It Came from the Closet holds the conversations I wish I'd had then. Haven't screamed, "YES, EXACTLY!" this many times in my whole life.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Grady Hillhouse
[isbn]
The engineered environment is all around us and pretty much impossible to escape. While we live so dependently on these systems, we take for granted the profound benefits engineering bring to our lives. In Engineering in Plain Sight we get a front-row view of what it takes to run our cities and a better understanding of the systems around us. With clear illustrations and layman-friendly writing, we get an opportunity to explore (and... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Cookie Mueller, Olivia Laing, Chris Kraus
[isbn]
Maybe I'm just weird, or maybe it's because my mom's favorite filmmaker is John Waters, but stories like Cookie Mueller's help me to see the tragic, paradoxical beauty inherent in being human. Reading these now for the first time is a bit like meeting an old friend I never knew I had.
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Melissa McKinnon
[isbn]
Summer and early fall for me is a time to enjoy the outdoors, especially as it pertains to my back garden. While I usually leave the painting crafts for the confined, wet, and windy months we have here in the Pacific Northwest, I recently came across Textured Art: Palette Knife & Impasto Painting Techniques in Acrylic. Forget the rain and wind of winter — this summer I move outdoors with my acrylics and modeling paste and bring my garden... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas
[isbn]
I’ve often wondered why my unique musical tastes are so very different from friends or relatives. Why don’t the emotions of a specific song or musical artist evoke the same feelings as someone similar to myself? Susan Rogers, award-winning professor of cognitive neuroscience, explores this concept and explains our unique “listening profile” based on our brain’s natural responses to any song. Roger's background as Prince’s chief engineer for the... (read more)
Recommended by Kim T.
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Len Prince and Matt Tyrnauer and Brian Wallis
[isbn]
Joan Archibald is being called “the California Vivian Maier.” Her work was locked in a shed for over 40 years, and only discovered recently after her death. Archibald abandoned her life as a 1960s Long Island housewife to start over in in Malibu as Kali. Once there, she created an enormous body of work — primarily photographic prints and polaroids that she altered and transformed into what I can only call psychedelic visions. Saturated in color,... (read more)
Recommended by Leah B.
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Clinton Walker
[isbn]
England in the 60s. The Pacific Northwest in the 90s. In the late 70s and 80' it was Australia,* and Clinton Walker was right there in the thick of it. Stranded is a classic of rock/punk literature and a must read for anyone who likes Lester Bangs, Hunter S. Thompson, and rock music that sounds like it fell off the rails before they even recorded it.
Bands You Should Know: The Go-Betweens, Warumpi Band, Laughing Clowns, The Triffids, and... (read more)
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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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 CJ H.
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Evan Ross Katz
[isbn]
With the help of the creators (!), cast (!!), crew (!!!), and fans (!!!!), Evan Ross Katz meticulously unpacks the seven-season run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the controversies that have surrounded the show since its debut. The result is an enchanting oral history/fan memoir/media study that is a celebration of all that Buffy has given us (so much).
Recommended by Chris T.
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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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Isaac Butler
[isbn]
The Method charts the evolution of what became the dominant acting technique of the 20th century on stage and screen, tracing its journey from Tsarist Russia to HUAC-era Hollywood to the present day. Along the way, Isaac Butler dispels the numerous myths and misconceptions about The Method, but what's powerful in this book is something deeper: how an acting style devoted to the truth of the human condition came to flourish in two... (read more)
Recommended by Tim B.
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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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Asbjorn Intonsus
[isbn]
Need some devilishly good vegan recipes with the soundtrack to match? Look no further! Even if they call your favorite music tasteless, they won't be able to say that about your food anymore.
Recommended by Eric L.
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Gretchen Felker-Martin
[isbn]
Both a brutal fist to the teeth and a tender cry, Manhunt is unlike anything I've ever read. Fran and Beth are an insurmountable duo and I was locked in from the very first word. This book is a carbon-fiber arrow to the shoulder — it sticks with you and it hurts like a mother.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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David Sedaris
[isbn]
What a relief it is to have a new David Sedaris collection! Oh sure, much of this book is devoted to the fear and inconveniences of the pandemic, but there’s also many descriptions of encountering awful people all over the world, and that’s a real source of comfort.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Jennette McCurdy
[isbn]
A hard to stomach yet profoundly reassuring sentiment to anyone with an abusive or unsafe relationship with their parent(s). Many of us have been forced to excuse our parents' wrongdoings simply because they're our parents. In truth they are more, if not most, capable of hurting us, often in deeply profound ways. Jennette expertly picks this idea apart and opens up a door some of us can't open ourselves.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Mickey Rowe
[isbn]
The best source of information on autism is Autistic adults like Mickey Rowe. Mickey's story is about the ups and downs of an Autistic actor finding his way through the ableism of theater. He becomes the first Autistic actor to play the role of Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
This is a must read for folks interested in disability in theater, and for those who want to know more about Autistic... (read more)
Recommended by Rin S.
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Bob Odenkirk
[isbn]
At this point, we need to just wake up and accept that Bob Odenkirk is a school of comedy unto himself. Seriously, if I had a dollar for every one of his jokes I've laughed at, I could buy his book.
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Crayola LLC , Lisa Solomon
[isbn]
The history of Crayola is so interesting. I love all the pictures showing how the crayon both changed and stayed the same over time. I can still remember the joy I felt as a kid, opening a fresh box of crayons: how they smelled and looked lined up perfectly in their box. This book fills me with so much joy.
Recommended by Rose H.
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William Shakespeare
[isbn]
Does it truly matter, if it doesn't last? King Lear is a story of loyalty, love, and loss, following the aging Lear as he grapples with the fleetingness of power and praise. A must read for any Shakespeare fan and my personal favorite out of all the Bard's tragedies; this one is the most harrowing... and graphic (careful if you're squeamish about eyes).
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Shawn Levy
[isbn]
Shawn Levy does it again, this time bringing his impeccable research, engaging story-telling, and expansive taste to the telling of the early queens of standup comedy, the women who broke barriers and opened doors for those that followed.
Recommended by Doug C.
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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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Viola Davis
[isbn]
The first African-American actor to receive an Emmy, an Oscar, and a Tony award, Viola Davis has written a beautiful and inspiring memoir, beginning from her working-class upbringing in Rhode Island to her time spent at Julliard and her determination for playing the roles she wanted to play. If you’ve been enthralled by her craft in film, television, and stage, you will enjoy this wonderful memoir by an amazing actor.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Taisia Kitaiskaia, Katy Horan
[isbn]
This beautiful deck is as helpful as it is pretty. It will speak to you honestly, but not too bluntly, and direct you where you need to be. This is a great deck and even better for literature and art enthusiasts.
Recommended by Aster A.
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Warren Ellis
[isbn]
I've often thought that nonfiction can tell you about a person, place, or thing, while fiction is more about the relationships between persons, places, and things. This is the rare book that does both. What could be a rather off footnote of a bearded violin player stealing a piece of gum transforms into an incredible meditation on humanity, collecting things, memory, and so much more.
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Matt Kracht
[isbn]
Believe it or not, there are dumb birds all over this whole stupid world. In this follow up to The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America, you’ll learn to identify dumb birds on every single idiotic continent. Split into helpful categories like show-offs, dork-legs, and murder birds, you’ll become a true expert on these little jerks.
Recommended by Moses M.
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Maggie Nelson
[isbn]
"Freedom" has never felt so fraught or so complicated as it does in our current moment. In a time when the term is often invoked as an individual right, this book wrestles with the notion that freedom is inseparable from our responsibilities to one another. This is a powerful, rigorous, detailed, nuanced exploration of a concept that is at once central to our self-conception as a society and more misunderstood and misused than any word in our... (read more)
Recommended by Tim B.
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Joshua Clover
[isbn]
What a great introduction to a new series! I read this in the same 24-hour period during which I watched the new Todd Haynes-directed Velvet Underground documentary, and what an excellent pairing they made for each other. I loved Joshua Clover's poetic style and exciting observations about Roadrunner. The book took surprising turns (Cornershop, M.I.A.) that now look inevitable in the rearview mirror. I will gladly read any and every book in this... (read more)
Recommended by Adam P.
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Mary Gauthier
[isbn]
You don't have to be a songwriter to be moved by this book. A fantastic memoir of trauma, healing, and empathy.
Recommended by Greg L.
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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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Fukiharu Toshimitsu , Bone Eugenia
[isbn]
Mushrooms are having a moment (or maybe are always en vogue in the Pacific Northwest). These gorgeous illustrations from the 18th and 19th centuries are captivating, whether you're a fan of fungi in the culinary, scientific, or strictly aesthetic realm.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Haruki Murakami
[isbn]
I'm a sucker for a thoughtful collection, and Haruki Murakami is (despite his own preface claiming indifference) a very thoughtful collector. With photos of his T-shirts accompanied by short essays of associated memories, this is the perfect book for a slightly snoopy fan, or anyone who likes to ponder how printed clothing accumulates in your wardrobe and what it adds up to.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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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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Shea Serrano and Arturo Torres
[isbn]
All the books in the And Other Things series are like the best kind of road trip conversations, when everyone is at their funniest and smartest and willing to dive deep into seemingly silly pop culture debates. Hip Hop (And Other Things) is no exception. Shea is perfect, Arturo is perfect, these essays will give you new (and sometimes goofy) ways to appreciate some top-tier musical greats.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Questlove
[isbn]
A fascinating look at the connections between music and history, filled with lists, personal anecdotes, and a wide-ranging collection of music. Questlove chooses one song for each year and then comments on his choice. His encyclopedic knowledge of musical history makes this a fun and informative read.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Sarah Ruhl
[isbn]
Perhaps it’s because Sarah Ruhl is a genius playwright that the voice of her memoir about motherhood and illness is so wise and true and generous. This is such a beautiful and important book; I know it will be a tremendously helpful and profound reading experience for many.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Joe Pera, Joe Bennett
[isbn]
Joe Pera has written the sweetest, softest, funniest book to address everyday social anxiety. Please consider picking up this gentle book if you've ever appreciated a small room with a lock as a short-lived safe haven from social obligations or responsibilities — or if you just want to be surprised by your own chuckles while reading a very good and kind illustrated guide.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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David Sedaris
[isbn]
The voyeur in me loves to peek inside the daily life of a stranger, especially one who writes with such humor, sarcasm, and whimsy. With this second volume of diary entries, we embark on the daily adventures and observations of a more seasoned, more experienced David Sedaris. The hilarity of the everyday is still there — newspapers blowing across the street, overheard conversations in cafes or airplanes, HOA meetings in Paris — but there is also... (read more)
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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Dave Grohl
[isbn]
The Storyteller recreates Dave Grohl’s journey as a child in Springfield, Virginia, learning to play the guitar at 12, and then joining the DC punk band Scream at 17 and a little three-piece band called Nirvana in 1990. Grohl’s path with the Foo Fighters, his activism in gun control and LGBTQ+ rights, and experiences raising a family while on the road are all explored in this highly anticipated collection of essays by a talented and... (read more)
Recommended by Kim T.
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Daniel Levy, Eugene Levy
[isbn]
Schitt’s Creek is basically universal: almost everyone I know reveres this show as much as I do. It was essential 2020 comfort watching (or re-watching). I’m so glad this book exists, because I feel like that needs to be celebrated.
Recommended by Keith M.
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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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Billy Porter
[isbn]
As satisfying as celebrity memoirs can get, Porter’s story of childhood trauma and struggle slowly evolving into a rewarding and much-decorated Broadway and TV career hits all the right notes.
Recommended by Moses 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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Laurie Woolever
[isbn]
The story of Tony’s life told simply and honestly by those who knew him best. This book fills a small part of the gaping hole left by his passing, and is an engaging read for anyone his life has touched.
Recommended by Deana R.
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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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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.
|
Michaela Coel
[isbn]
Michaela Coel, British actress, screenwriter, director, producer, and singer, most known for groundbreaking work in the BBC series Chewing Gum and the phenomenal HBO comedy/drama I May Destroy You writes an honest, witty, and powerful personal manifesto that encourages readers to embrace differences and change the narrative, based on her 2018 MacTaggert lecture. A powerful voice from an outstanding artist!
Recommended by Kim T.
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Danny Trejo, Donal Logue
[isbn]
Brutal. And brutally honest. Fascinating life that seems like Trejo has lived many
lives in one. So much love in his heart! Love Danny Trejo! Tremendous memoir.
Recommended by Adrienne C.
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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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Marilynne Robinson
[isbn]
Beautifully quiet, quirky, heartbreaking, transcendent. There are so many reasons to love Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping. Above all for me: the sentences. Her language is so beautiful that it occurred to me one day, simply reading a description of two women looking flushed in the steam of cooking stock in a kitchen, that Robinson’s language made me want to try harder to find things to be joyful about in my day.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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David Sedaris
[isbn]
David Sedaris’s second book — and his first to be composed entirely of autobiographical essays — Naked is the rare sophomore effort that is a truer reflection of the author than the debut. Sedaris was already known for "Santaland Diaries," his essay about working as a Macy’s elf that he read aloud on NPR. His voice is so distinctive that it became inseparable from his writing before he published anything. Sedaris is now an icon of... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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Jeff Chang
[isbn]
Journalist, historian, and music critic (and cofounder of one of the greatest hip-hop labels of all time!) Jeff Chang’s Can’t Stop Won’t Stop is a sweeping cultural, political, and musical history of hip-hop (now the globe’s most lucrative genre). Spanning over three decades from its humble beginnings to the start of the new millennium, Chang’s comprehensive account of hip-hop culture has become its definitive text. As much a... (read more)
Recommended by Jeremy G.
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Bill Watterson
[isbn]
I whiled away many happy hours reading Calvin and Hobbes as a child. The comics are hilarious and delightful, but also something more. In retrospect, they were my first literary introduction to the absurdity of existence and the humor that makes that knowledge tolerable. I know that sounds like a bit much, but hear me out. There’s Calvin’s anguished snowman sculpture entitled, “The Torment of Existence Weighed Against the Horror of... (read more)
Recommended by Leah B.
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Nate Powell
[isbn]
Working with John Lewis on the March trilogy gave Nate Powell an enviable education and perspective on the history of entrenched American inequalities and how to combat them. His new graphic memoir is a thoughtful reflection on how to put that into practice as a parent during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Melissa Maerz
[isbn]
Richard Linklater's classic high school flick, Dazed and Confused, launched the careers of actors like Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and Matthew McConaughey, whose role as the legendary (and rather creepy) Wooderson made famous the titular line, "Alright, alright, alright." All of the stories in the book are firsthand accounts from the director, actors, crew, and friends filled with joyous memories and juicy gossip. Maerz's book is fun for... (read more)
Recommended by Eric L.
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Cisco Bradley
[isbn]
I had the privilege of standing in line behind William Parker about five years ago at Mississippi Studios. I still regret not buying him that cup of tea. He is, without a doubt, without peer as a composer, bass player, activist, and human being whose time is long overdue. This masterful portrait is a must-read for anyone interested in creative music and the idea of art as a force for social change.
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Mark Leidner
[isbn]
Leidner's delightfully strange and playful poems constantly break new ground while somehow highlighting the despair of humanity. Employing everything from spoonerisms to haunted epigraphical images, Leidner puts us in his wheelhouse, where Robyn Hitchcock and the ghost of James Tate write the scripts for your next dreams.
Recommended by Kevin S.
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Quinta Brunson
[isbn]
Quinta Brunson's sharp, insightful memoir is filled with essays about her childhood in Philly, nurturing her comedic voice (including a double life of improv practice), and the joys and dangers of the Internet. She Memes Well is a delight, and a fascinating look at how she forged her path as a performer.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Megan Lynn Kott, Justin DeVine
[isbn]
This book is pure fun. A perfectly light and humorous read for animal lovers, young and old, this book will help you to figure out which animal is best suited to be your familiar spirit.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Santi Elijah Holley
[isbn]
Santi Holley takes each song from Nick Cave's infamous Murder Ballads album and delivers fantastic rabbit-hole histories of their lineage, characters, and mysteries. I don't think I've seen another book in the 33 1/3 series get so dang detailed and curious. Though sometimes the book feels less about Nick and his band and more about the history of murder ballads, it gave me a deeper understanding of an album I only recently listened to.... (read more)
Recommended by Kevin S.
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Kristin Hersh
[isbn]
American singer-songwriter Kristin Hersh from Throwing Muses and 50FootWave writes this highly anticipated companion to her bestselling 2010 memoir, Rat Girl. Seeing Sideways picks up in the 1990s while on tour and raising her first son, Doony, and continues with struggles with the music industry and raising three additional children. Seeing Sideways is both beautiful and heartbreaking, much like Hersh’s lyrics.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Michael Duncan and Scott Shields and Ilene Fort and MaLin Wilson-Powell and Catherine Whitney
[isbn]
The Transcendental Painting Group was founded in New Mexico in 1938, a time in American art that is mostly known for social realism in painting. This little-known group focused on abstract work with the goal of spiritual enlightenment. The work is luminous, airy, and feels reminiscent of Hilma af Klint.
Recommended by Leah B.
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Hanif Abdurraqib
[isbn]
Hanif Abdurraqib is a poet and a culture critic — a writer I will follow anywhere. A Little Devil in America is his most expansive book to date and showcases his usual clarity about the pressures that creative pursuits, personal decisions, historical dictates, dreams deferred, and cultural trends all exert. In his new book, he focuses on the intersection of performance and the Black experience in America.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Jenny Lawson
[isbn]
Whether you crave a good laugh, a good cry, or — like me — a weeping, snorting mash-up of the two, Jenny Lawson’s Broken (In the Best Possible Way) has you covered. Pairing her trademark irreverence and infectious sense of humor with candid dispatches from the front lines of mental illness, Broken is an effortless, but not always easy, read (I’d advise keeping tissues handy for “An Open Letter to My Insurance Company”) that... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Foster Huntington
[isbn]
I always wanted to live in a treehouse as a kid, and spend a maybe-embarrassing amount of my adult life watching tiny home TV shows and scrolling through the #vanlife hashtag. Off Grid Life is the perfectly curated collection of my dreams, showcasing beautiful homes — yurts, converted shipping containers, tiny houses of all stripes — in stunning landscapes. With hundreds of photographs and interviews with some fascinating folks living... (read more)
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Dolly Parton and Robert K. Oermann
[isbn]
It’s hard to talk about Dolly Parton without sounding like you’re describing a mythical figure, even outside of her stage presence and myriad hits. She wrote “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” in the same day! Her Imagination Library program has sent hundreds of millions of free books to children to help combat illiteracy! In Dolly Parton, Songteller, she shares the fascinating stories behind the lyrics of her popular songs,... (read more)
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Nathan W Pyle
[isbn]
Nathan W. Pyle's droll moments in time as seen through the eyes of his uniquely formal-tongued space aliens are a balm for the stressed soul, making us laugh at the ridiculousness and poignancy of everyday life. Stranger Planet is irresistibly enchanting.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Alison Bechdel
[isbn]
Before Fun Home and Are You My Mother?, this brilliant creator brought us the long-running, hilarious, insightful, and heartbreaking comic strip, "Dykes to Watch Out For." My all-time favorite soap opera in cartoon form.
Recommended by Doug 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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