The perfect guide for anyone looking to start identifying the edible plants around them! With beautiful photographs and advice in how to identify each plant, Wiles makes foraging in the Rocky Mountain area easy and accessible. Packed with tips for gathering, guidelines for safety, and recipes for using your harvest, this stunning look at the natural abundance around us makes this a must-have guide for every household.
-Reviewed by Madison
This book captures the complex relations between humans, culture, nature, and capitalism by using mushrooms as the focal point. Through ethnographic storytelling, Tsing introduces us to characters all over the world who have their hands (sometimes literally) in the collection, commodification, sale, and consumption of matsutake mushrooms. A must read for foragers, foodies, and those who ponder the future of capitalism.
-Reviewed by Georgia
Rather than telling the story of England as a nation, Robert Tombs explores the history of “Englishness” as an idea and identity. From the very beginnings of Neolithic tribes to the vast British Empire, Tombs explores how England came to be the nation it is today. This is a very reader-friendly history with both an expansive scope and a remarkable attention for detail. If you’re looking to learn about England, look no further.
-Reviewed by Madison
Are you a good judge of character? Probably not, according to Malcolm Gladwell. He takes us on a deep dive into the problems with communication, detailing the ways in which we misjudge the intentions of strangers, or misinterpret their actions. Gladwell highlights an important modern issue to show that the forces underlying our interactions are never as simple as they seem.
-Reviewed by Trevor
Command and Control tells the harrowing true story of an accident at a nuclear missile silo in Damascus, Arkansas. The pacing, mixed with the twists and turns reads like a thriller that I could not put down and constantly found myself asking, “How have I never heard of this?”
-Reviewed by Georgia
If you — like me — got really into puzzles of all kinds during the pandemic (Wordle, anyone?), you’ll love this funny and enlightening book about the history and people behind the full breadth of the puzzle world. A.J. Jacob’s hands-on approach leads him to participate in an international jigsaw competition, attempt the hardest crossword ever written, and more. The book has tons of historic and new puzzles for you to solve, too!
-Reviewed by Julia
This series of essays is a true gift. Esmé Weijun Wang chronicles her own diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and in so doing gives us a generous look at a very misunderstood condition. This is a moving look at mental illness from the viewpoint of the diagnosed rather than the one doing the diagnosing, with important lessons for all of us on how to treat others dealing with diagnoses laden with stigma.
-Reviewed by Julia
I do not normally gravitate towards memoirs, but this one was an absorbing and quick read into cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s complicated relationship with her father. This book would be a good introduction to full length cartoon style books for individuals who (like me) had never read a graphic novel or memoir before.
-Reviewed by Georgia
Even those with major Godfather trivia fatigue will find something to enjoy about this book. Seal leads his audience through catastrophes, creative conflicts, and triumphs with the tone of a museum tour guide who is genuinely really, really into his job. I recommend this to people who know everything about the Godfather, people who know nothing about the Godfather (yet), and people shopping for gifts for their dads.
-Reviewed by Milo
Even if you’re not a swimmer, this is a fascinating and inspiring read. Bonnie Tsui interviews about a dozen people from around the world to unearth the different intentions and histories behind a seemingly simple sport. Personal yet informative, this book looks at the connection between mind and body and explains why humans are drawn to water despite its dangers.
-Reviewed by Kate
If you're a nerd, you may recognize Maya Phillips from any of the many projects and podcasts she has worked on. In these essays, she describes all the great things about being a nerd, about loving something in such a special way and finding others who share your passion, and the joy of finding a new culture of which you can be a part. As a professional nerd, I loved this book, and I don't know many nerds who wouldn't.
-Reviewed by Brad
David Yaffe does a great job documenting Joni’s life, from her childhood to the recordings and initial reviews of each one of her albums. What truly makes this biography worth reading, however, are the interviews Yaffe conducts with Mitchell, in which she talks about love, songwriting, and life in her typical blunt manner. Reading about Joni’s brief time in Boulder is just an added delight to this in-depth work.
-Reviewed by Kate
Mary Roach is hands down my favorite nonfiction author—I love learning about new things through her eyes and her fantastic sense of humor. And Fuzz is classic Mary Roach, filled with bizarre experiments, strange stories, easy-to-understand Science that never talks down to you, and (of course!) hilarious footnotes. Read this book to learn about killer trees, laser scarecrows, and drunk elephants.
-Reviewed by Stephanie
The Confidence Men has all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster: wartime heroics, daring escapes, the occult, con men running a scheme so imaginative and outlandish that it must be a tall tale. And yet, somehow, all of it is true. I cannot believe I have never heard this story until now. Prepare to lose a weekend to this book; once you get past the introductions, there really is no stopping.
-Reviewed by Constantine
If it isn't clear from the title, this book is full of Robinson's signature unapologetic opinion writing. I had to put the book down regularly, because I didn't want it to end and because I was laughing too hard to read the next brilliant sentence. She moves seamlessly from inspirational essays on how to achieve your goals to frustration with American politics to which underwear to buy. Finish this book then go read her first two.
-Reviewed by Acy
Weeks after finishing this collection of essays, I still feel wildly unqualified to offer anything resembling a "review". But weeks later, I'm still thinking about each of them, about the ways in which they asked me to re-assess some part of how I have thought about Jewish culture and history, and about how grateful I am for the education.
-Reviewed by Constantine
I love color and art history so this book was a sure thing for me, but even if you don't know your ultramarine from your cobalt, this book is a fascinating read. Learn about the toxic history of lead white, the macabre source for "mummy brown," and the stories behind 73 more colors and pigments. Whether you skip around or read it straight through, I guarantee you'll learn something on every page.
-Reviewed by Julia
An intimate dive into the fascinating world of Atlanta rap. Fans of rap will quickly recognize the names of rappers (including Lil Baby) who divulge personal experiences that, paired with other in-depth research by Coscarelli, was highly informative.
-Reviewed by Georgia
I had the honor of meeting this author and I truly believe in amplifying the work of authors not only for their talent but more importantly for who they are as people. Katherine is an outstanding human. She has left a lasting impression on me and has shifted the way I view the world after one interaction. She is a worldshaker: an artist with words and wisdom. Support your local women authors!
-Reviewed by Sara
