Like many, I’ve wanted to live inside Neil Gaiman’s head for a long time. And now, for the first time, we can explore and get to know the man himself and the things he cares about. As expert a wordsmith in nonfiction as he is in fiction, Gaiman brings his viewpoint to the quotidian world it turns out he shares with us after all. —Jocelyn
A book about the cultural tidal wave that is the musical Hamilton is here! There are photos galore, behind–the–scenes details, and more importantly, Miranda voicing his passion for Alexander Hamilton, a complex man who still speaks so deeply to our idea of America. If that’s not enough, Hamilton just won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama! —Jax
Throughout history, there have been a multitude of concrete concepts (light travels through the “ether”) and solid truths (the world is flat) that people have considered fact only to discover that the fundamental principles behind them were wrong and often absurd. In his latest work, Chuck Klosterman looks at a number of unconnected ideas in the modern world from the perspective of someone looking back. With his classic wit and humor, Klosterman will have you questioning everything with a smile. —Aric
Author of the best-selling books Cod and Salt, Mark Kurlansky delves into the history of one of the most ubiquitous human-made materials, paper. He explores how paper has helped to shape societies from ancient to modern times and has spread ideas across the globe. As you thumb through this engaging micro-history, you’ll become hyperaware of your own relationship to the page. —Aric
Oh, the places Mary Roach has gone! She’s floated in zero gravity, she’s stuck her hand inside a cow, and she’s gotten busy in an MRI machine. Now she’s on to something completely different: the military. Turns out there is a lot of science that goes into equipping our men and women in uniform, and much of it is quite bizarre. I cracked up twice during the first chapter alone. Don’t miss our event with Mary Roach on June 24th. See page 17. —Kat
The most beautifully made book of quotes I’ve ever seen, especially for the gorgeous typography with never the same style twice. And it’s a great selection on topics dear to my heart, with some newer quotes that you probably haven’t heard before. I sit around reading it and yelling out quotes to my co-workers when I hit a favorite. Lots of fun. –Dave The most beautifully made book of quotes I’ve ever seen, especially for the gorgeous typography with never the same style twice. And it’s a great selection on topics dear to my heart, with some newer quotes that you probably haven’t heard before. I sit around reading it and yelling out quotes to my co-workers when I hit a favorite. Lots of fun. –Dave
This is not your typical memoir, but then again, Amy KR doesn’t see the world typically, and that’s exactly what I love about her. Titled Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal not just because it’s formatted and stylized in such a fun way, but also because it can be interactive with text messages and a website community, every reader open to her vignettes and observations experiences her differently, and I find reading her life incredibly reflective of my own. —Melinda
I often scream “correlation does not imply causation” at the TV, so I’m predisposed to like this book. That said, it’s a delightful explanation of a whole slew of useful tools for critical thinking that will appeal to more people than just those of us who shout statistical clichés at inanimate objects. A Field Guide to Lies describes the ways information can be misrepresented, skewed, or otherwise manipulated to make “the facts” mislead your brain. Even if you think you’re already hip to all these tricks, I think you’ll enjoy Levitin’s charming presentation of the “lying weasels” and the sneaky things they do. —Nici
Reading In the Company of Women was surprisingly emotional for me, as I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book that celebrates such a diverse range of creative women—diverse in age, race, size, sexuality, occupation, and philosophy—with such vibrancy and style. Author Grace Bonney (of Design*Sponge fame) sets the tone in the introduction when she quotes Marian Wright Edelman: “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Visibility and women supporting and inspiring each other are so very important. Writers, chefs, artists, designers, musicians, and others who dream of running their own creative businesses will see themselves reflected in this beautiful and powerful book. —S.B.
Using his talent for careful observation and in lyrical and taut language, Chris Dombrowski turns his eye toward fly-fishing for the ever-elusive bonefish in the Caribbean. But the story in this book is not what it seems, and through tales of David, one of the island’s oldest sea guides, comes a story of two men at the opposite ends of life. Together they witness a wounded landscape, an environment that is needing to adapt and survive at a hastened pace; and they find the deep wisdom that can come from sharing nature in its pure form. For fans of Terry Tempest Williams, this is your next read. —S.M.C.
Nothing titillates the mind of the modern intellectual quite like a finely crafted essay. In the latest iteration, edited by everyone’s favorite local author and literary icon Jonathan Franzen, The Best American Essays 2016 features excellent nonfiction from the likes of Joyce Carol Oates, Oliver Sacks, and a slew of talented others, including Bookshop’s own Richard “Rico” Lange, whose essay stands out among those of the other luminaries. —Aric
The legendary Ursula K. Le Guin grants us a little further insight into a mind that has shaped worlds and readers for decades. Le Guin’s language is remarkable, poetic, and precise, whether venerating another artist or gently mocking literary critics. This collection of essays, speeches, and short nonfiction runs a gamut of subjects and topics, but always does so with the care and passion of an artist who sees the beauty and gravity of everything around her. —Jocelyn
“This is a book for anyone who ever underestimated a girl.” Jason Porath, former Dreamworks animator, one day started a conversation about inappropriate “Disney princesses.” Years and an incredibly successful website later, we have a book of unique, interesting, real women not found in history books. Rejected Princesses is illustrated with tongue-in-cheek love and labelled with maturity ratings and trigger warnings. You may recognize a few names. You won’t recognize a lot. But you’ll be glad for all. —Jocelyn
My hope is renewed—that being single as I approach 30 is fine, fulfilling, and probably for the best. Reading Liza Monroy’s hilarious new collection of biographical essays about her (many) foiled and fraught romantic endeavors—from cringe-worthy to downright dangerous—is both a pleasure and a relief. Inspired by her controlling yet caring mother (a State Department immigration profiler), Monroy takes a retrospective look at modern love, reaffirming that I’d rather be alone than in a not-quite-right relationship. —Julia
Truevine is a deeply intimate look at a family’s suffering, faith, and experiences through the loss of two sons, stolen away to the sideshow lifestyle at a young age. George and Willie Muse, their kidnapping having made its way to local legend, travelled the world as their mother fought to find them. Battling through the Jim Crow South, against white managers and the justice system, Harriet Muse was ahead of her time as she demanded rights for her own family. Twenty-five years in the making, this book is a heart-wrenching, empowering read. —Rachel
It turns out that Mary Oliver’s essays are almost as poetic as her poems. Fans of her deep powers of observation, love of nature, and carefully crafted phrases will find themselves well cared for by these pieces. Covering a variety of subjects but never far from the subject of artistic creation, Oliver shares her deepest thoughts on the life of the poet in the modern age. —Rico
If you don’t know about The Moth yet or haven’t been obsessively listening to The Moth Radio Hour—where have you been? Welcome to the legendary live storytelling event that showcases the transformative power of empathy, deep listening, and community. True tales as diverse as you can imagine (told by astronauts, refugees, moms, and celebrities), now in print, that might even give you a spark of hope for this stormy world. - Julia
This book delivered exactly what I hoped for from the main creative forces behind Broken Lizard. There are about as many “colorful” jokes as one might imagine, including hilarious misadventures with sex, drugs and the comedy high life. But those jokes are very funny, and his writing is honest, engaging and full of good advice about film, comedy, and just living.
Check it out, right meow. - Jax
After reviewing the history of our species in Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari returns with his accessible and intelligent voice to take readers on a journey into the next epoch of human evolution and beyond. From the role of artificial intelligence to the annihilation of death, Homo Deus offers a glimpse into humanity’s near and distant future that is both frightening and fascinating. - Aric
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book that celebrates such a diverse range of creative women with such vibrancy and style. Writers, chefs, artists, designers, musicians, and others who dream of running their own creative businesses will see themselves reflected in this beautiful and powerful book. - S.B.
