Justin McElroy, Sydnee McElroy, Teylor Smirl
[isbn]
Justin and Dr. Sydnee McElroy’s first book is as funny, educational, and fascinatingly horrifying as the podcast on which it’s based. Brilliantly illuminated by Teylor Smirl’s fantastic artwork, this is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys strange history, medical facts, or just having a good laugh at human “ingenuity” (with due celebration for the folks who’ve actually gotten things right). Remember: don’t drill a hole in your head!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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John Lewis and Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell
[isbn]
This incredible memoir is a masterful example of what the graphic novel format can accomplish. The emotive art and engaging storytelling work hand-in-hand to immerse the reader in Congressman John Lewis’s early life and activism, and the frame narrative of President Obama’s 2009 inauguration pulls the struggles, efforts, and hopes of the civil rights movement into the modern day. March is an essential reminder that this history is far... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Clemantine Wamariya, Elizabeth Weil
[isbn]
In the most important way, this book was hard to read and harder still to put down. Clemantine Wamariya’s voice is strong, sure, and unafraid to be vulnerable, angry, flawed, and human. This is not a feel-good, rags-to-riches refugee story; nor does it sensationalize the horrors that Clemantine and her sister (and so many others) experienced. Instead, we are granted the incredible gift of sitting beside Wamariya as she constructs and claims the... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Sarah Kurchak
[isbn]
Funny, engaging, and thoughtful, Kurchak examines how being autistic has shaped her life, both long before she was diagnosed and after. Her experiences follow a common pattern for neurodivergent women — be weird, painfully and slowly learn how to maybe not be so weird anymore, repeat until your brain hits an impossible wall of stress. It’s a comfort to know that someone else has experienced a similar journey and come out the other side.
Recommended by Carlee B
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Alexandra Elle
[isbn]
The inner-child reflection and affirmation on page 134 shook me hard, broke me open, and forced me to really examine the childhood trauma I've been trying to heal all my life. Do not pick this book up unless you are prepared to ugly cry as you look your trauma in the face and remind yourself that you are worthy of love in all forms, but most especially self-love.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Raymond Antrobus
[isbn]
This children's picture book follows Little Bear as he, with the help of his father, realizes he is having trouble hearing his teachers and friends. Little Bear goes to the audiologist and takes a few tests, then he starts hearing therapy and lip-reading classes and begins to wear hearing aids. I loved how this book describes both Little Bear's experience hearing clearly for the first time, but also how sometimes Little Bear feels tired or... (read more)
Recommended by Sarah B.
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Brandon Stosuy and Rose Lazar
[isbn]
I’m a crier. I cry easily and often, and for reasons ranging from unwarranted (can’t open a jar) to unavoidable (unexpectedly hearing the song I listened to over and over and over again as a thirteen-year-old wallowing in the heartache of an unrequited love), and even though the aftershock of every outburst lingers on my face long after (please tell me your home remedies for puffy eyes), I love a good cry. So, when I heard about this... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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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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Matthew Zapruder
[isbn]
This is a beautiful book that talks about the making of a poem while sharing a very intimate portrait of the author as he struggles with the weight of a child diagnosed with autism and a planet that’s fragile and failing. He responds by putting word after word on the page, and we get to read it all.
Recommended by Marianne T
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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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Naja Marie Aidt, Denise Newman
[isbn]
I typically stay away from memoirs like this. As a mother, my greatest fear is the death of my own child. But this mother's journey is worth the anguish. That first shower after her son's death... having to divide a lock of his hair with her ex-husband... I was ripped apart with each page, but also, her words put me back together again and I am better for it.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Kwame Alexander
[isbn]
Go to page 81 and read "Good Night." This look into his marriage... it's so relatable. Kwame Alexander's memoir reads like a love letter to his family. One that is open and honest and full of the good and bad. And at the center of it all is food. I love the mix of poetry and essays, with a sprinkling of recipes throughout. If you pick up this book, try the fried chicken on page 125. Yes, it's good.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Tricia Hersey
[isbn]
A truly exceptional manifesto. Her wisdom and guidance cannot be overstated when it comes to resisting capitalist productivity. Listen to Black women! This is required reading.
Recommended by Charlotte S.
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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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Stephanie Schroeder, Teresa Theophano
[isbn]
This is an important book that works to destigmatize so many elements about mental illness experienced by those in the LGBTQ+ community. The voices in this anthology are diverse and creative. The comic on page 88 by JR Sullivan Voss is my favorite and I love the poetry from Gabriella M. Belfiglio. But the most important part of this book is the list of mental health resources I can turn to when existing becomes too painful.
Recommended by Rose H.
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McKayla Coyle
[isbn]
Goblin Mode is wonderfully weird and absolutely essential because, as Coyle explains, “The goblin lifestyle pushes back against the idea that we must be clean and smooth and poreless in order to exist in the world.” We ALL need some of this lifestyle, one in which we learn from mushrooms, snails, and the like to relax and be cozy. This is a perfect gift for your diverse and messy friends and for everyone seeking greater harmony!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Richard Tarnas
[isbn]
This book makes a clear and elegant argument for the correspondence between planetary alignments and patterns of human history. What do the French Revolution and the cultural revolution of the 1960s have in common? A Pluto-Uranus conjunction! This book is for historians, sociologists, et.al., and also for anyone interested in astrology’s big picture.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith
[isbn]
Jordan Scott’s language is elegant and tender, and Sydney Smith’s artwork is luminous in this quiet and cozy tale. Another beautiful collaboration between Scott and Smith.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Rebecca Ollerton
[isbn]
Sensory: Life on the Spectrum is an anthology by Autistic artists about their life experiences. There's a variety of ways to be Autistic and/or neurodivergent, and this collection displays that. If you've met one Autistic person, you've only met one Autistic person. I definitely recommend this to readers who want to see themselves or someone they love represented.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Zaji Cox
[isbn]
Written in beautiful, poetic fragments, Plums for Months abounds with the challenges Zaji Cox faced growing up, but, more importantly, is suffused with the joy that can’t help but overflow from this unique, imaginative, thoughtful human.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Thi Bui
[isbn]
This deeply moving, graphic-novel memoir is nuanced, brave, and beautifully illustrated, a feat of visual storytelling. Intimate and powerful, Thi Bui's exploration of her family's experiences as refugees from the Vietnam War asks complex questions and refuses easy answers. Mesmerizing.
Recommended by Claire A.
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Camonghne Felix
[isbn]
This book is like nothing else, both in its radical formal innovation and its bone-deep commitment to being as raw and honest as possible. I don't think I've read anything this open, this real, this unsparing about love and family and desire and pain in a very long time. If you've ever beaten yourself up after a breakup, if you've ever questioned why you gave parts of yourself away to someone or whether it was worth it, this book is for you.
Recommended by Tim B.
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Maxfield Sparrow
[isbn]
This is a collection of experiences and essays from transgender Autistic people. The Autistic and LGBTQ communities often intersect, and this anthology is a wonderful window into that intersection.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Stephanie Danler
[isbn]
If you're seeking a summer read filled with catharsis and palm trees... look no further than Stray.
Recommended by Taylor W.
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Gina Frangello
[isbn]
This memoir crackles with an electric, female rage. It's brutal and entrancing and I couldn't put it down. Frangello refuses to be silenced and covers topics of adultery, familial responsibility, parenting, passion, and chronic illness. So good.
Recommended by Carrie K.
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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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Nicole Chung
[isbn]
Oh, I was so lucky and grateful to read the advance reader copy (ARC) of this book last year. Chung has written another beautiful book about the hardships of life, this time focusing on the American healthcare system, the loss of her parents a few years apart due to various health issues, and what it means when a child parents a parent in the last stages of their life. I managed to hold it together until a scene where Chung's mother calls her on... (read more)
Recommended by Katherine M.
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Morgan Harper Nichols
[isbn]
If you feel broken, turn to page 44. There is no single path to healing, no one cure-all. This book is something I flip through when my grief feels too heavy. I see this collection of poetry as spiritual instead of religious... I am not religious at all and found the words in this book unbelievably healing.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Melissa Febos
[isbn]
Febos has this way of writing that will break you open and then make you feel whole again. These essays are vulnerable and authentic and so relatable. Gorgeously written and unafraid to shine a light into all the dark, hidden, neglected places — a must read.
Recommended by Carrie K.
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Katherine May
[isbn]
Katherine May’s Enchantment is a must-read for anyone seeking to rediscover the sense of wonder we carry about the world as children. A highly relatable and thought-provoking read that’ll help you recognize beauty in the mundane.
Recommended by Rudy K.
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Haruki Murakami, Philip Gabriel
[isbn]
A meditation on the disciplines of running and writing. Murakami reflects upon what he draws on, and his motivation and passion for both. His memoir subtly intersects his development and current undertaking of these pursuits. He insightfully contemplates the synthesis of body and mind. If you like running, if you like Murakami, you should buy this book!
Recommended by Jack M
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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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Elyn Saks
[isbn]
A shining gem of a book. Elyn Saks's memoir about her experience living with schizophrenia is whip smart and delivered with such clear, brutal intelligence and humor that I could barely put it down after picking it up. While somewhat dated in its language by contemporary standards, I was most struck by what remains relevant when it comes to discourse about mental health — the need to be seen, to retain autonomy, to work with people who allow you... (read more)
Recommended by SitaraG
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Julian Aguon
[isbn]
If I could, I would shelve this book in every applicable section, so as to get the maximum number of eyes on it! It is certainly welcome in the climate change section, as its overarching theme is the threat of rising seas to Guam and other Pacific Island nations. I'd also welcome it in US History, where you can learn about our government's treatment of Guam, its people, its resources. Literature Reference? Yep, the book is full of loving... (read more)
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Carolyn Hays
[isbn]
I honestly have no idea how I would react to a surprise visit from a caseworker for child services, but I definitely hope I'd be as strong as Carolyn Hays. All her family was doing was loving her child enough to allow them to express their gender the way their child wanted and someone anonymously reported them to child services. Their story made me ugly cry. Every parent should read this book.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Daniel Lieberman
[isbn]
Even athletes struggle with that voice inside telling them that a nap sounds better than running. Why is that? Lieberman does a great job explaining how humanity evolved from being "naturally" active to having to want to move. I loved how he used Jane Austen to explain Darwin's theory of natural selection. And I learned so much about how the human body uses energy. Definitely a great read if you're interested in exercise science.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Shanna H Swan, Stacey Colino
[isbn]
This book completely changed the way I look at what I put on and in my body. Count Down has made me a more informed and conscientious consumer.
Recommended by Sydney W.
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Aja Barber
[isbn]
Aja Barber's Consumed is the sharply written reminder we need that our consumption habits, big and small, have an impact on many lives besides our own. It's nonfiction but feels conversational, a.k.a. it's very approachable! I recommend this for folks looking to learn more about consumer culture and history.
Recommended by Charlotte S.
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Susan Cain
[isbn]
I loved Cain's Quiet for showing us our cultural bias against introverts and helping us celebrate their value. In Bittersweet, she similarly liberates those of us who willingly feel sorrow and longing, and she celebrates their healing value. Truly the "bitter" makes the "sweet" sweeter.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Arthur C Brooks
[isbn]
Brooks has written a smart book about how to find greater meaning and joy in the second half of life, when striving becomes less valuable to well-being. Anyone in their middle years or beyond will appreciate the wisdom found here.
Recommended by Marianne T
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KC Davis
[isbn]
This little book is SO LIBERATING. If you're a perfect housekeeper, do not buy this book — but for the rest of us, it's a new BFF.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Steven Pinker
[isbn]
Really a powerpoint presentation as much as a book. If you can make it through all the data, it's quite informative.
Recommended by Justin Horein
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Michelle Obama
[isbn]
Michelle Obama's Becoming put me in a good mood for weeks after I read it. I trust that her new book will do the same. I could really use it!
Recommended by Matt K.
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Satya Doyle Byock
[isbn]
Psychotherapist Satya Doyle Byock has penned a soulful, socially aware take on Quarterlife that shifts the conversation away from just social media, or helicopter parenting or elite college students. This is a book that is accessible and insightful for anyone between adolescence and midlife, and beyond.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Shannon Stocker, Devon Holzwarth
[isbn]
Evelyn Glennie has long been a personal inspiration of mine, and now with this lavishly illustrated book, the younger generation can be introduced to the joy of a life dedicated to music.
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Judith Heumann, Kristen Joiner
[isbn]
I first learned about Judy from the amazing documentary Crip Camp on Netflix and wanted to learn more about her story. So thankful that this book exists and shows the effort and challenges that citizens went through for disability rights in the US. Judy's activism helped made a direct positive change.
Recommended by Erica B.
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Isaac Fitzgerald
[isbn]
As someone who reads a lot of memoirs, it takes a lot for me to read one and think "This book has changed me as a person, a reader, or as a writer." Dirtbag, Massachusetts manages to hit all three in a way that left me clutching the book to my chest when I finished. This book is for every adult who grew up with a traumatic childhood, made some mistakes, and lived to tell the tale. It's for the misfits, romantics, dreamers, doers, and... (read more)
Recommended by Katherine M.
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Oliver Burkeman
[isbn]
I loved this book because it drops a bomb on the tacit societal assumption that "more and faster" is better. Did you ever see the Twilight Zone episode about the little town of Willoughby? This is the book that makes a case for it. A patiently reasoned, illuminating, and firm but humorous rebuttal to the PUSH PUSH PUSH that comes at us every day. I felt so much better by the time I finished it.
Recommended by Warren B.
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Dan Saladino
[isbn]
I could not put this book down! An insightful look at how global homogenization has not only shaped what and how we eat, but has ruthlessly reduced the variety as well. Saladino walks us through the rich and varied food choices of the past that were important cultural markers of the societies that nurtured them. He then describes their loss, be it due to habitat cleared for monoculture crops, war, climate change, or simply time. Saladino rounds... (read more)
Recommended by Lesley A.
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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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Kate Weiss
[isbn]
Whether you know just enough to be dangerous (like me), have made your own clothing for years, or simply want to consider the possibilities, this book will be a good friend. You’ll save money and strut your own style with confidence and pride. Kate Weiss offers really sound advice that’s serious but not too complicated. And you don’t have to make “outfits.” There’s plenty of mending, etc., that we should all be doing, and her instructions are... (read more)
Recommended by Marianne T
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Monte Burch, Joan Burch
[isbn]
This is the real deal, from making soap and sharpening knives to foraging and butchering. All the skills our great-grandparents had and we can use.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli and Isabel Roxas
[isbn]
It is super important to me that my children understand consent. I want to keep them safe and help them keep others safe. This book does a wonderful job of using age appropriate language and examples to show how to say 'yes' and 'no.' I really appreciated the part where they highlight that sometimes a 'yes' can later turn into 'no.' And I am so happy they used the proper names for body parts.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Willa Cather
[isbn]
Willa Cather's The Song of the Lark is, to me, an overlooked classic. It is a work that sticks with you. The novel tells the story of protagonist Thea's struggle toward fulfilling her dream of being an opera singer, and in doing so, the novel explores what it means to become, and to be, an artist. The sacrifices, the doubt, the tumultuous and uncertain journey toward discovering one's artistic voice are here captured in a way that any... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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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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Frans de Waal
[isbn]
Gender has become one of the most ubiquitous topics in both popular and academic discourse. While much has been written on the psychological and biological aspects of human gender, what might gender expression among humanity's closest living relatives, the other great apes, tell us about our own experiences with the topic?
Frans de Waal seeks to answer that question in this multifaceted and accessible work of science writing. De Waal draws on... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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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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Gina Handley Schmitt
[isbn]
I loved this book because it refuses to demote friendships to anything short of sacred, necessary, special bonds worth prioritizing alongside any other type of relationship. The author provides practical advice for creating healthy friendships and nurturing those friendships with the utmost love and care.
Recommended by Alexis B.
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Evelyn C Rysdyk
[isbn]
This is a book about wholeness, about tapping into the creative energy within and around us in very practical ways through easy and empowering journey exercises. Rysdyk is like a smart, older sibling who writes in a straightforward and encouraging style. From connecting with power animals and ancestors, to freeing up time to grow our creativity, there's so much wisdom and love in this book. I treasure it!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Frank Bruni
[isbn]
As we age, our bodies often fail us in ways that can be surprising, frustrating, and scary. In The Beauty of Dusk, Frank Bruni describes how the loss of sight in one eye changed his perspective on life. This is a touching and wise memoir that entertained and moved me.
Recommended by Adam P.
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Rebecca Solnit
[isbn]
A treatise on the fundamental goodness of humankind, and a condemnation of the powerful people that work to snuff out our impulse to take care of each other.
Recommended by CJ H.
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Louise L Hay
[isbn]
A best-selling classic, this book changes lives. I read it years ago and have used affirmations ever since. Especially these days, we could all use a little improvement in our lives, so why not utilize the power of daily affirmations, as millions do!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Chloe Cooper Jones
[isbn]
Chloe Cooper Jones continually makes incisive observations about the world, her relationships, and herself. By the time I was halfway through reading Easy Beauty, I started telling everyone I knew how I excited I was about her writing. She mixes philosophy, memoir, music, sports and travel writing in service of exploring her own experiences with gender, race, and disability. Easy Beauty acknowledges pain and discomfort, but... (read more)
Recommended by Adam P.
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Melissa Febos
[isbn]
Each time I read a book by Melissa Febos, I learn a bit more about myself and what motivates me. Body Work is more than just an instruction manual on how to create art that is truthful, it's a guide for all aspects of our relationships with others. I don't think I will ever read any memoir again without thinking about what Febos writes here about fear, memory, and shame, but also the pleasure of telling our own story exactly the way we... (read more)
Recommended by Bry H.
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Sheila Darcey, Rachel Smith
[isbn]
We can all do this: pick up a pencil and learn to sketch through the tension and trauma we may not even even be aware of. If you've ever doodled, if you've enjoyed coloring books, if you barely passed your high school art class or sailed through many, you'll find peace and delight in these simple prompts that connect you to parts of yourself pushed away in the ordinary, everyday world. I've been intending to start a daily drawing practice for... (read more)
Recommended by Marianne T
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Eric Zielinski, Sabrina Ann Zielinski
[isbn]
This book will get you started safely using essential oils to improve overall well-being and to treat specific health challenges from the minor to the major, such as Alzheimer's, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes, Parkinson's, and more. I've been working with essential oils for a decade, and I highly recommend this accessible guide.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Jenelle Kim
[isbn]
“Key 8" in this beautiful book tells us to "Be Like Bamboo.” Myung Sung living meditation is a centuries old Korean wellness tradition rooted in Tao teachings yet thoroughly relevant today. This lovely book brings us this tradition in a contemporary and practical way. It's a practice I'll definitely be keeping.
Recommended by Marianne T
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M Amos Clifford
[isbn]
John Muir once said, “Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life.” This book explains the “why” and “how” of experiencing the healing power of the forest and thereby discovering that "new way of life." It's amazing!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Erin Elizabeth Downing
[isbn]
Through simple breathing techniques, asanas (poses), meditations, and diet suggestions, this book shows us that Kundalini practice is attainable magic that can gently transform one's life.
Recommended by Marianne T
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PhD Jain Shamini, PhD Turner Kelly A
[isbn]
It's time to change the way we think about healthcare and our own natural healing abilities. This book explains why and how biofield science will revolutionize our lives. It's timely and important.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Diane Stein
[isbn]
As a reiki master myself, I find this book to be a classic guide to this ancient healing art, one that makes the experience of reiki accessible to all in clear and straightforward terms. It's not a substitute for traditional classes and attunements, but it serves as both an introduction and a refresher to hands on healing. I have a copy and have just purchased one for a friend.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Daniel Foor
[isbn]
This is a special book that outlines exercises and rituals, stemming from ancient wisdom sources, that enable us to heal our ancestral lineage of trauma and abuse. It is possible and worthwhile to transform intergenerational pain into present-day healing.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Brittany Ducham
[isbn]
This book offers a clear presentation and basic remedies to support digestion, mental clarity, sleep, emotions, and immunity, and to manage stress and pain. The "remedies" are widely accessible, sustainable, and really empowering. I'm learning so much!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Meera Lee Patel
[isbn]
This beautiful journal will help you move from anxiety to calm curiosity and from fear to courage and peace. Just pick up some pencils and markers and begin your journey.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Bessel Van Der Kolk
[isbn]
I wish there was an accurate way to describe just how life-changing this book was. As a late-blooming queer adult with a turbulent and abusive relationship with his father, this book not only validated me, but carved me out a path to truly heal, beyond acknowledgement alone.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Jodi Cohen, Terry Wahls
[isbn]
Our brains need to detoxify to stay healthy, and plant-based EOs can help that process. This well-researched book offers a clear, daily plan to ease issues such as poor digestion, anxiety, sleep problems, chronic inflammation, and more. Natural solutions are both effective and affordable!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Devon Young
[isbn]
Learn about the wonderful healing qualities of 50 easily accessible plants and herbs. Make treatments ranging from colicky baby massage to pit paste and menopause management. And gain a real appreciation for those plants around us that often go unnoticed.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Mary Laura Philpott
[isbn]
The world is pretty anxious-making these days, so reading a book in which the author wrestles with their own anxiety might seem counterintuitive, but having read (and loved) Mary Laura Philpott’s debut essay collection, I Miss You When I Blink, I knew I was in the safest of safe hands. In Bomb Shelter, Philpott takes all the fear/messiness/worry of being a human/parent/child and makes it... not all better, necessarily, but... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Jenny Sansouci, Frank Lipman
[isbn]
Whether it’s to enhance our general health or deal with a serious illness, The Rebel’s Apothecary wants to help. It clearly explains how we can utilize the benefits of cannabis and mushrooms and why we should. I've learned so much reading this smart and timely book, and I look forward to implementing some of its advice right away!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Sarah Farr
[isbn]
This wonderful book makes me feel like a master herbalist! Blending teas for daily well-being and specific concerns is easy and empowering. Release your inner tea diva!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Kami McBride, Rosemary Gladstar
[isbn]
I love this book. It explains the healing properties and traditional uses for 50 herbs and then provides wonderful recipes for their use. Everything from honeys and smoothies to cordials and entire meals, even foot soaks!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Jessica Dore
[isbn]
Whether you’re new to tarot or an experienced reader, this book provides rich psychological insight, stories, and ideas to enhance your practice. I have a lot of tarot books but added this to my collection because it gives me new ideas for work with clients during readings.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Havaz Habib
[isbn]
Do you know the role the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system play in chronic illness? Until this book came my way, I really didn't. But it clearly explains the importance of this giant nerve and provides supportive routines that are easy to follow and incorporate into your routine.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Paul Denniston
[isbn]
I think everyone needs this book even if not currently experiencing grief. We know now that our bodies store trauma and grief and that, over time, this leads to physical illness. These simple yoga "exercises" are a way to process real, immediate grief and even the pain you think you've dealt with long ago. Keep the tissues nearby and be prepared to really feel better.
Recommended by Marianne 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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Roger Fouts
[isbn]
This book will break your heart and then put it back together again.
Recommended by Milo D.
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Ruth Coker Burks, Kevin Carr OLeary
[isbn]
I had been looking forward to this memoir for ages, ever since I first heard the name Ruth Coker Burks. Yes, All the Young Men is about the AIDS epidemic, but it is also about kindness, compassion, and love for other people even when you're afraid or unsure of what it means to be afraid. This book is not for the faint of heart, but as Burks takes you on her journey as she cares for these young men — men exiled by their families — you... (read more)
Recommended by Katherine M.
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Joy Harjo
[isbn]
Harjo's memoir is both gritty and glittering. Her experiences with domestic abuse, poverty, and addiction are sometimes heart-wrenching, but on the other side of her journey is poetry, music, and art. A stunningly intense and beautiful read.
Recommended by Rose H.
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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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Philipp Dettmer
[isbn]
As someone living with an autoimmune disease, I've long had a love-hate relationship with my immune system, but I've rarely thought about the system as a whole. Dettmer rectified that. Immune is an engrossing illustrated primer on the wonders and horrors of the immune system that will leave you with a new appreciation for the human body.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Angela Chen
[isbn]
Angela Chen shares a set of feelings and experiences — her own and others' — that are under-expressed and under-explored, and that is a tremendously valuable project. It's truly above and beyond that she does it so smartly, making this book both delightful and essential.
Recommended by Keith M.
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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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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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Deborah Copaken
[isbn]
If TMI is your jam (and Nora Ephron your muse), grab a copy of Deborah Copaken’s hilarious, cringy account of divorce, grief, and serial, serious illness. Ladyparts is honest in the most embarrassing, most important ways for women, giving our bodies and brains the space to be messy and loud in a society that demands quiet perfection.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Qian Julie Wang
[isbn]
Beautiful Country left me in tears. It's a heartbreaking, powerful, and ultimately hopeful memoir. The hardships Qian Julie Wang went through as such a young child living as an undocumented immigrant in the United States can be painful to read, but it's something many Americans need to hear. The author's clear voice and astonishing self-awareness keep you turning the pages, even as she unearths trauma after trauma. If you have any doubt... (read more)
Recommended by Leah B.
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Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
[isbn]
The origin story of the wildly popular My Favorite Murder podcast is as much about the hosts’ shared fascination with true crime as it is about vulnerability — the two struck up a conversation about Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly at a party, discovered it wasn’t their only common interest, and the rest is podcast history — so it’s fitting that candor and self-reflection would feature prominently in their dual memoir. The stories... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Carrot Quinn
[isbn]
Jumping between her childhood in Alaska and time spent traveling across the country via hopping trains, Carrot Quinn’s book is searing, gut-wrenching, and deeply nomadic. Whether she’s writing about her mother or about how to hop a freight train, Quinn’s prose is evocative, direct, and eloquent.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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John Lewis
[isbn]
At the end of his life, Congressman John Lewis took time to explain his philosophy and give advice to a new generation of activists. In a series of succinct chapters, the "Conscience of Congress” lays out everything you need to know to make a difference and get into “good trouble.”
Recommended by Keith M.
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Kelly Williams Brown
[isbn]
"If things are especially dire, just contemplate Dolly Parton." This is but one nugget of sage advice in Kelly Williams Brown's Easy Crafts for the Insane. Brown's quirky, off-the-cuff style lends itself well to this memoir-cum-crafting how-to. Her heartfelt relatable essays let us know we are not alone. Even in those moments when we feel we have no control over our life, the world, or our glitter glue gun, we can always accomplish a... (read more)
Recommended by Tina M
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