Best of 2022: Adult Nonfiction
Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz
Belinda says, "Buy this book, read it, do what it tells you to do, and you will see results. You, and everyone you talk to, write to, or present to, will understand your message and value your brief, complete, informative style."
Good Enough: A Cookbook: Embracing the Joys of Imperfection and Practicing Self-Care in the Kitchen by Leanne Brown
From Ginger: "The October Farro recipe is phenomenal, but the true selling point of this particular cookbook is its message to the readers to be gentle to themselves. Everyone deserves to eat well, even though mental health issues make that harder (either energy-wise or belief-wise). [And to those who know my eating habits - this is decidedly NOT a vegetarian cookbook, but I'm enjoying the parts I'll eat.]"
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Amber says, "A brutally honest memoir from Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a child star who never wanted to act in the first place, with an abusive mother."
Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm by Dan Charnas
From Matt: "Want to know more about Detroit’s history and geography, its layout and politics, its broad Black music history? Have you ever considered what actually makes music “funky” instead of accepting it at face value? Are you a fan of Rap and Hip-Hop in its vast and shimmering forms? Perhaps electronic music, and the nuts and bolts of how it works? Then it’s DILLA TIME for you! A quality read, from which I learned a lot."
How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question by Michael Schur
Lizzy says, "The perfect, accessible, funny explanation of ethical theories and moral teachings that are explored in the show The Good Place."
Half Baked Harvest Every Day by Tieghan Gerard
From Emma: "Great cold weather cookbook, decadent but the recipes are still fairly easy."
Ten Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation by Hannah Gadsby
Amber says, "As hilarious and honest as her comedy specials, Hannah Gadsby's memoir about her journey into finding comedy and herself is a great read."
The Nineties: A Book by Chuck Klosterman
From tee: "Fun and informative. It kept me engaged even during topics I normally wouldn't care about."
The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science by Sam Kean
Emma says, "Perfect for science, history and true crime fans alike. Each chapter is a new scientific crime, starting with a truly horrifying Cleopatra introduction and including everything from Nazi surgeons to biopiracy."
Life on the Mississippi: An Epic American Adventure by Rinker Buck
From Bill: "Buck loves history so much that he tries to re-create it. He builds a flatboat and sails it down the Mississippi. Incredibly researched."
Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America by Pekka Hamalainen
Bud says, "Noted scholar Pekka Hamalainen eschews traditional explanations popularized by “manifest destiny/colonialism theories” in this retelling of American history from the perspective of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous Continent restores Native peoples to their rightful place at the very fulcrum of American history."
