David Shields and Shane Salerno
[isbn]
Culled from over 200 interviews with friends and associates, this extensive oral biography pieces together the mystery of Salinger's disappearance from the public eye. Including previously unpublished photos and letters, the authors present Salinger not as a recluse but as a man with a full, yet private, life.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Toews, Miriam
[isbn]
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews is a frank, semi-autobiographical story examining sisterhood, complicated relationships, existential depression, and the lengths we will go in order to save someone we love. Toews manages to portray family tragedy in a realistic yet strangely uplifting way. Her ability to focus on the small details with clarity and humor is a reminder that even in the face of unspeakable grief, life does indeed go on.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Patti Smith
[isbn]
In Patti Smith's second memoir, M Train, she muses on everyday obsessions such as coffee, art, cafes, and literature — recounting stories of how they've shaped her past and present. Complete with Polaroid photos, M Train is a poetic and intimate look at Smith's life and loves.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Dexter Palmer
[isbn]
In this captivating work of literary sci-fi set in a not-too-distant future of self-driving cars and "personal" electronic communications from the president, Palmer offers up a biting commentary on technology and human relationships. A provocative twist on time travel and the nature of reality.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Ed Tarkington
[isbn]
In this sharply rendered coming-of-age story, Rocky idolizes his older brother, Paul. His admiration is tempered, though, when Paul disappears after an unlikely betrayal. Only Love reckons sunny nostalgia with bitter truths and shows how family secrets can reverberate with unforeseen consequences.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Colin Beavan
[isbn]
Whether you aim to change a habit or completely transform your life, use this book as a blueprint for inspiration. More a lifestyle guide than self-help book, How to Be Alive presents research, personal stories, and exercises so you can live the happy life you were meant to.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Tom Robbins
[isbn]
In this funny, rambling tale about a pair of counterculture roadside attraction operators, Robbins asks: What if Jesus wasn't really resurrected? True to form, his first novel explores spirituality while questioning organized religion and social mores through philosophical parables and clever prose.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Mark Leibovich
[isbn]
At the intersection of politics, media, and money, Leibovich's scathing, funny, and sometimes shocking tell-all offers an insider's glimpse of who's who in our nation's capital. You'll never look at D.C. the same way again.
Recommended by Jen C.
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David Gilbert
[isbn]
With piercing wit, And Sons is a hilarious and heartfelt look at the generations of two prominent East Coast families. Skewering everything from the publishing world to Hollywood to father/son relationships, Gilbert is spot-on with his satire and crafts a great story.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Scott Anderson
[isbn]
In Lawrence in Arabia, Anderson masterfully separates fact from fiction, revealing a truer version of T. E. Lawrence and his conquests than his 1962 portrayal by Peter O'Toole. An insightful glimpse into an important part of world history.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Martha Holmberg and Alanna Hale
[isbn]
Consult with The Bar Book before your next cocktail party and make it extra special. Morgenthaler utilizes his many years of practice behind the bar giving expert tips and techniques that transform even the most basic gin and tonic into a work of art.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Ivan Doig
[isbn]
This charming story from Ivan Doig reintroduces the personable Morrie Morgan — now newly married and finding himself in charge of a rundown mansion and as a novice newspaper editor in 1920s Butte, Montana. Readers will find much to love in this look back at a fascinating time in American history.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Matthew Thomas
[isbn]
This touching family saga follows Eileen Tumulty from childhood through late midlife. Stoic and resourceful, she strives to make a better existence for herself and her family than her hard-luck upbringing would allow. A realistic portrayal of the triumphs, tragedies, and regrets many of us face.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Stephen King
[isbn]
Jamie Morton can't seem to shake the charismatic preacher he first meets as a child, later appearing randomly throughout his life. Each encounter becomes increasingly strange — right up to the astonishing conclusion. This gripping thriller demonstrates what King does best: evoking sinister, supernatural forces into the lives of seemingly ordinary people.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Wes Moore
[isbn]
In this follow-up to his compelling memoir The Other Wes Moore, Moore continues his story as a new Rhodes Scholar through the next 10 years of his life. Broken down into chapters of "lessons," The Work is an inspiration, encouraging service to others as a way to find meaning.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Sharma Shields
[isbn]
Did Eli's mother actually leave home with a sasquatch-like creature, or just a very hairy man? To the dismay of those around him, Eli makes it his life's mission to find out. Whether the strange characters and situations we encounter are allegorical or "real," there's no doubt this novel is immensely enjoyable.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Helen Macdonald
[isbn]
Shocked by her father's unexpected death, lifelong falconer Helen Macdonald decides to take on training the fearsome goshawk, considered amongst the most difficult birds to train. This beautifully written and touching memoir traverses the obscure world of falconry to living through grief, ending up in a place of hope and recovery.
Recommended by Jen C.
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John Waters
[isbn]
When cult film icon John Waters decides to hitchhike across the country, expect the unexpected to happen. This blend of fiction and travel memoir features all the wit and dark humor Waters is known for, with a dose of filth thrown in for good measure.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Laura O'Neill and Ben Van Leeuwen and Pete Van Leeuwen
[isbn]
The Brooklyn-based small-batch ice cream makers reveal the secrets of their amazing, all-natural recipes in this detailed and enticing book. From old favorites like vanilla and chocolate to exotic flavors such as black sesame, stout beer, and masala chai, there's something for everyone — vegans included!
Recommended by Jen C.
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Soman Chainani
[isbn]
In the third and final volume of the School of Good and Evil series, Sophie and Agatha find themselves separated, only to face each other once again when Evil threatens to take over. The thrilling, twisting conclusion to this epic tale is one not to be missed.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
[isbn]
Adichie's ability to write with compassionate, brilliant prose about topics such as civil war, political strife, immigration issues, race, cultural differences, and love has earned her well-deserved critical acclaim and many awards, including a MacArthur "Genius Grant" in 2008. Adichie's most recent novel, Americanah, parallels some of her own experience as a Nigerian coming to America for the first time to attend college. Alternating... (read more)
Recommended by Jen C.
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Erik Brynjolfsson, Andrew McAfee
[isbn]
As we become more technologically advanced as a society, challenges such as job loss and failing industries are inevitable. In The Second Machine Age, a compelling case is made for shifting our policies toward preparing for technological progress and stemming economic decline.
Recommended by Jen C.
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The Onion
[isbn]
Did you know Arby's was once a "legendary Paris restaurant"? Or "electrolyte" is the "clinical name for Yellow No. 2 food coloring"? Learn these fascinating "facts" and more from The Onion Book of Known Knowledge — this is wisdom that can only come from the geniuses at the Onion.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Yotam Ottolenghi
[isbn]
In a follow-up to the wildly popular Plenty, Yotam Ottolenghi once again proves that vegetables can be much more than an unappetizing side dish hastily steamed in the microwave. These beautifully photographed, flavorful recipes are an inspiration to those wishing to eat healthier in the age of the "vegi-renaissance."
Recommended by Jen C.
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Haruki Murakami
[isbn]
Known for his beautiful, haunting, lyrical, and — at times — funny surrealistic stylings, Haruki Murakami is one of the most beloved Japanese authors in the Western world. Although infused with the pop culture of the West, his writing remains at its core firmly rooted in Japan. And as modern as his style is, his work draws upon the country's past while delving deep into the Japanese psyche. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is pure Murakami — a... (read more)
Recommended by Jen C.
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Rachel Kushner
[isbn]
Land art, motorcycles, and '70s revolutionaries meld together brilliantly in The Flamethrowers. In prose both provocative and menacing, Kushner explores this unusual territory through the eyes of her intrepid female protagonist, Reno, and constructs an extraordinary novel that's hard to put down.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Douglas Adams
[isbn]
Parodying practically every well-worn sci-fi plot device in existence, Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has become a classic in its own right. A hapless hero with astonishing luck? Ill-tempered aliens hell-bent on destroying Earth? Pithy advice (e.g., "DON'T PANIC")? Check, check, and check — and so much more. Even non-sci-fi geeks will be charmed by this hilarious and endlessly entertaining read, with (of course) sequels... (read more)
Recommended by Jen C.
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Nancy Horan
[isbn]
This engaging tale of historical fiction indulges the reader with a telling portrait of Robert Louis Stevenson and his fiercely independent wife, Fanny. Fans of Stevenson will especially enjoy this glimpse into the couple's exciting yet turbulent life as they travel the globe.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Howard Zinn
[isbn]
While some of the revelations contained within this classic by Howard Zinn have become familiar since the nearly 35 years after it was published (thanks in part to this book), it is to this day an astonishing and eye-opening read. Several revisions later, it remains a seminal work, in stark contrast to the whitewashed (pun intended) American history most of us learned by rote in school. It's regretful with Zinn's passing in 2010 that new... (read more)
Recommended by Jen C.
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Debra Music and Joe Whinney and Leora Bloom
[isbn]
In Theo Chocolate, company cofounders Debra Music and Joe Whinney present the story of Theo, along with a multitude of sweet and savory chocolate recipes. From cocoa nib prawns to wonderfully decadent marshmallow bars, you'll find unexpected ways of cooking with chocolate and many new favorite recipes.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Lauren Groff
[isbn]
An attractive, charismatic couple who married young, Lotto and Mathilde were exceptional, with a seemingly perfect marriage and happy life together. As recounted from both of their perspectives, Fates and Furies reveals the stunning truth and dark secrets that lie behind their relationship. A tense and vibrant tale.
Recommended by Jen C.
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Garth Risk Hallberg
[isbn]
This ambitious first novel set in 1970s New York City features an array of fascinating characters from a variety of backgrounds with entangled connections, agendas, and stories — with a mystery at its core. City on Fire is an engaging snapshot of a place in time, and a dazzling debut of epic proportions.
Recommended by Jen C.
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