Non-Fiction
Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua Foer. “The little brother of Jonathan Safran Foer (Everything is Illuminated) delves into the quirky world of memory champions and winds up one himself.” The little brother of Jonathan Safran Foer (Everything is Illuminated) delves into the quirky world of memory champions and winds up one himself. Networking For People Who Hate Networking by Devora Zack. Great ideas for introverts who need a stronger personal or professional network.
The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity toward Truth, Justice and Freedom by Michael Shermer. "This book came as a recommendation from an uncle who is an atheist and an engineer. If you’re either and want an ‘atta boy’ for your beliefs, this is your book. From what I understand, it is a classic in that space. For me, a Christian and conservative, it provided insight into how others think and why. It’s long and wanes at time but backs up theory with facts and history."
Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture
Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder. "This book on Paul Farmer, the founder of Partners in Health in Haiti is a fabulously compelling story of a struggling country and a man committed to its people that reads like a beautiful novel. The book stayed with me long after I put it down."
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder "Kidder chronicles several year in the life of a doctor who turns his life to helping Haiti’s poor." Annie Dillard writes: "Here is a genuine hero alive in our times. It unfolds with the force of gathering revelation. Like all of Tracy Kidder’s books, it is as hard to put down as any good and true story." Note: This got several positive mentions."
My Life in France By Julia Child and Alex Prud’Homme. “Lots of food talk, haven't finished yet.” Looks like a good one for the foodies.
My Losing Season by Pat Conroy – (NB: This one, like Blind Side, also recommended by Drew and perhaps more interesting for your husbands/fathers/etc.) "Great read for anyone who has played competitive basketball. True story of Pat Conroy’s senior season at the Citidel with life lessons he learned from basketball. Great themes for younger readers, but some rough language."
My Promised Land; The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel by Ari Shavit "an authoritative and deeply personal narrative on the state and existence of Israel. I wanted answers to questions like: Why does Israel exist and how is it that the issues are so completed and seemingly unresolvable? So far the book is a page-turner and gets rave reviews on its accuracy, richness and insight."
My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor. "inspirational and educational story of this 37-year-old Harvard brain scientist’s massive stroke." As she observed her mind deteriorate to the point that she could not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life-all within four hours-Taylor alternated between the euphoria of the intuitive and kinesthetic right brain, in which she felt a sense of complete well-being and peace, and the logical, sequential left brain, which recognized she was having a stroke and enabled her to seek help before she was completely lost. It would take her eight years to fully recover.
My Turn to Make the Tea
Night By Elie Wiesel. “His acct of the Holocaust, I hadn’t read it since I was in 8th grade & clearly didn’t get it all. Unbelievable. Short & dense.”
The Night of the Gun: A reporter investigates the darkest story of his life. His own by David Carr. “I'd forgotten this book existed until I saw the NYT documentary on Netflix, which featured Carr pretty prominently. This is a memoir of sorts, and is so well written and journalistic in its nature, you almost forget he's writing about himself. I loved it."
No One Understands You and What To Do About It by Heidi Grant Halvorson. “One of my favorite books of all time. Practical, research-based tactics to communicate better and more fully in all aspects of your life. Halvorson (who is a friend) is funny, quirky and totally passionate about her subject.”
Not Buying ItBy Judith Levine. “The author, a writer, chronicles her year without spending. It's a bit high brow and delves into philosophy, anthropology, and economics. A bit heavy for the beach but thought provoking.”
Notes from the Underwire: Adventures from My Awkward and Lovely Life
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik. “While presented in a lighthearted and partially bloglike manner (that was its origin), this book illuminates why Justice Ginsburg is such an important figure in the United States. It also highlights just how far women have come and how we have her to thank for systematically knocking down the barriers one case at a time. I was also fascinated to read that so many of the victories are once again being challenged and how she is very worried that the progress is slipping backwards. Notorious RBG is a can't-put-it-down book unlike "Sisters-in-Law" which I read some of. I found the biography of Justices O'Connor and Ginsburg oddly written and difficult to enjoy.”
Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin
Oh the Glory of it All by Sean Wilsey, son of a San Francisco bsinessman and a socialite/peace activist, and stepson of another socialite. He had a wildly extravagant but in many ways very sad childhood. "A much talked about memoir...some of us know the players...I found it sad, funny, insightful, and a little self-serving." It has a great first line: "In the beginning we were happy. And we were always excessive. So in the beginning we were happy to excess."
The Omnivore's Dilemma for Kids: The Secrets Behind What You Eat