Solito by Javier Zamora: Javier’s adventure is a three-thousand-mile journey from his small town in El Salvador, through Guatemala and Mexico, and across the U.S. border. He will leave behind his beloved aunt and grandparents to reunite with a mother who left four years ago and a father he barely remembers. A memoir by an acclaimed poet, Solito not only provides an immediate and intimate account of a treacherous and near-impossible journey, but also the miraculous kindness and love delivered at the most unexpected moments.
Seriously Good Chili Cookbook: 177 of the Best Recipes in the World by Brian Baumgartner: No one takes chili more seriously than Brian Baumgartner, aka Kevin Malone from The Office! Brian Baumgartner’s first cookbook is about his all-time favorite food both on- and off-screen — chili. With an introduction by Brian with a behind-the-scenes look at the infamous chili scene that made him a chili icon, the book shows his devoted passion for this classic comfort food and its rich history. Brian is a true chili master who is just as serious as his fictional counterpart about making the most perfect pot of chili!
Riding the Lightning: A Year in the Life of a New York City Paramedic by Anthony Almojera: As a seasoned medical technician and union leader, Anthony Almojera thought he understood the toll of the job on first responders. So when a strange new virus (COVID-19) began spreading in New York, Anthony thought that his life and training had prepared him for this new challenge. Following one paramedic into hell and back, Riding the Lightning tells the story of New York City’s darkest days through the eyes of one extraordinary medic and the New Yorkers he serves
Stephen King: A Complete Exploration of His Work, Life, and Influences by Bev Vincent: Explore the evolution and influences of Stephen King’s body of work over his nearly 50-year career, and discover how the themes of his writing reflect the changing times and events within his life. Timed with Stephen King’s 75th birthday on September 21, 2022, Stephen King: A Complete Exploration of His Work, Life, and Influences features archival photos and documents from King’s personal collection alongside the stories behind how his novels, novellas, short stories, and adaptations came to be.
Read These Banned Books: A Journal and 52-Week Reading Challenge by The American Library Association: From the American Library Association comes a must-read challenge for book lovers and literary activists to explore! Formatted as an interactive recommended reading list from ALA, this one-year challenge tasks readers with a new read each week, all banned or challenged book from yesterday and today. These titles span categories, from fantasy and graphic novel to nonfiction and romance, but are all were challenged or banned at some point in history.
What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo: By age thirty, Stephanie Foo was successful on paper: She had her dream job as an award-winning radio producer at This American Life and a loving boyfriend. But behind her office door, she was having panic attacks and sobbing at her desk every morning. After years of questioning what was wrong with herself, she was diagnosed with complex PTSD–a condition that occurs when trauma happens continuously, over the course of years. What My Bones Know is a brave narrative that reckons with the hold of the past over the present, and examines one woman’s ability to reclaim agency from her trauma.
Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships by Nina Totenberg: Celebrated NPR correspondent Nina Totenberg delivers an extraordinary memoir of her personal successes, struggles, and life-affirming relationships, including her beautiful friendship of nearly fifty years with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Dinners with Ruth is an extraordinary account of two women who paved the way for future generations by tearing down professional and legal barriers.
Madman in the Woods: Life Next Door to the Unabomber by Jamie Gehring: Madman in The Woods is a haunting account of the sixteen years when a young Jamie Gehring and her family lived closer than anyone to Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber. They shared their Montana land, their home, and their dinner table with a hermit with a penchant for murder. A work of intricately braided research, journalism, and personal memories, this book is a chilling response to the question: Do you really know your neighbor?
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy: A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life. Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.