Stephanie Burt
[isbn]
Stephanie Burt is a talented poet who is really, really good at talking about poems, as she does in this friendly, informative guide to the pleasure of reading and interacting with individual poems, and by extension with “poetry.” With chapters like “Feelings,” “Wisdom,” and “Community,” this book provides a fresh approach that will inform those newer to poetry and will delight everyone.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Haruki Murakami and Philip Gabriel and Ted Goossen
[isbn]
Murakami has countless dedicated fans around the world, many of whom have probably long been hungry to learn more about his creative process. So far, in the US, we’ve gotten translations of his musings on running, music, and t-shirts, but this will be the first time (outside of the occasional interview) that we get to read Murakami’s thoughts on his own writing and the nature of the novel as a whole. I’ve always been inspired by his work, making... (read more)
Recommended by Mar S.
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Mitch Albom
[isbn]
A heartfelt and honest read with great nuggets of wisdom. I loved reading Morrie's outlook on life and admired his compassion and the patience he extended to those around him. A heartfelt and inspiring read.
Recommended by Tawney E.
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Travis Wheels Wheeler, Logan Jenkins, Lee Terrill
[isbn]
I listen to a lot of actual play podcasts (I know, I’m incredibly cool), and Very Random Encounters is the cream of the crop. They use a number of systems, but their basic premise is randomizing as much as they can, from stats to names to villains to settings. It’s always a delight, and has made me want to add some randomness to my own games (I know, I’m incredibly cool). The VRE crew’s new book facilitates... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Masanobu Fukuoka and Larry Korn
[isbn]
Out of print and highly sought after in the US for more than 25 years, Masanobu Fukuoka’s natural farming manifesto is no less revolutionary today than it was when it was first published in 1978, and arguably more necessary with time. A radical rethinking of agriculture, global food systems, and the relationship between humans and the earth we inhabit, The One-Straw Revolution contains both practical gardening advice and profound,... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Delanie Holton-Fessler
[isbn]
A praise-worthy projects book for young kids, where basic toy-making (from wooden robots to mini-kites), learning fiber arts, and plenty more is all nicely laid out in clear, understandable steps alongside great photos. The author’s experience running maker workshops additionally shines through in the bonus materials, which include inventor challenges, guiding questions, and ways to adapt the tools and customize creations according to a child’s... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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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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Christopher Emdin
[isbn]
An essential guide and poignant call to arms. Emdin's book is a must-have for all educators seeking to both educate themselves and revolutionize urban education.
Recommended by Caroline 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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Robert A. Caro
[isbn]
If you haven’t yet read Caro’s biographies of Lyndon Johnson or Robert Moses, this book will supply you with enough information about his methodology, his philosophy, and his subjects to whet your appetite. If, like me, you’re a Caro fanatic, this book will give you new insights into the books and their author.
Recommended by Keith M.
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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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Joshua Hunt
[isbn]
I did my undergrad at UO and, full disclaimer, couldn't stand the culture built around football and the Ducks or anything else related to the revoltingly dubbed "Uncle Phil" and his Nike empire. Luckily, I ran in activist and academic circles that had long whispered about his dirty dealings with our administration — including, but not even remotely limited to, his successful attempts at shutting down student protests over Nike's financial... (read more)
Recommended by Cosima C.
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Tara Westover
[isbn]
Educated tells both the story of how Tara Westover grew up, with no birth certificate, no formal schooling, living in rural Idaho, and how she left, not just physically, but how she reclaimed her mind, her view of the world, and her sense of self. It is unbelievable to me that someone could raise their children this way, and even more miraculous that several of them broke free. It is one thing to leave home, but entirely another to leave... (read more)
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Dave Cullen
[isbn]
Dave Cullen's examination of the tragic massacre at Columbine High School is heartbreaking (in ways both expected and unexpected) and emotionally difficult to read. But it's more important than ever that we read it anyway. In the two decades since Columbine, we've proven just how much we have to learn about the causes and effects of our rampage violence disease, and this book has something to teach.
Recommended by Emily F.
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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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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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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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Mario Livio
[isbn]
What makes us curious? In his new book, astrophysicist Mario Livio deftly explores our deeply-ingrained impulse to question. Packed with interviews, stories, science, and explorations into the minds of such thinkers as Leonardo da Vinci and Richard Feynman, Why? is highly recommended for anyone curious about being curious.
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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Monique W Morris
[isbn]
Pushout exposes the unique and daunting challenges black girls face in our schools. They’re singled out. They’re belittled. They’re hypersexualized. And they’re pushed into our juvenile justice system at an alarming rate. In her urgent, compassionate book, Morris shares their stories and compels readers to take action.
Recommended by Renee P.
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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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Jon Krakauer
[isbn]
Any new release by Krakauer is bound to be controversial, but with Missoula, a look at campus rape across America, he's created a lightning rod for vigorous debate. Well-written and incredibly thought-provoking, Missoula assesses the campus rape problem and explores the troubling mechanics of our justice system.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Jon Krakauer
[isbn]
Any new release by Krakauer is bound to be controversial, but with Missoula, a look at campus rape across America, he's created a lightning rod for vigorous debate. Well-written and incredibly thought-provoking, Missoula uses a broad array of case studies and interviews to assess the campus rape problem and explore the troubling mechanics of our justice system.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Mary Appelhof
[isbn]
Composting is a dirty job, but if you've ever tried growing something without the aid of all that nutrient-rich organic matter, you know it's a necessary one. Thankfully, there exists in nature a creature who actually enjoys wading through your kitchen scraps... and makes a mean compost in the process! In Worms Eat My Garbage, Mary Appelhof demystifies the vermicomposting process, equipping readers with all the tools they need... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Lloyd Kahn
[isbn]
The house I grew up in (with my sister, my two parents, a constant but ever-changing assortment of critters, and all the associated clutter one might expect) was 800 sq. ft. In a word: tiny.
But the homes in Lloyd Kahn's Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter give my childhood home a run for its money. Tiny Homes showcases a fantastic assortment of structures under 500 sq. ft. What these buildings lack in square footage,... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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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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