Non-fiction hardcover:
1. “Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Rule the World”, Anne Applebaum. Applebaum succinctly describes the disturbing new rise of authoritarianism around the world.
2. The Backyard Bird Chronicles, Amy Tan. Daily entries, interesting questions, and beautiful original sketches fill this charming book about birding in her Bay Area backyard.
3. “The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Beginning of the Civil War,” Erik Larson. The story of the crucial five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the beginning of the Civil War.
4. What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds, by Jennifer Ackerman. A science and nature writer’s personal field observations breathe life into new research on owls around the world and throughout human history.
5. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, David Grann. From the author of Killers of the Flower Moon, the unfolding tale of crimes on the high seas after the crew of the titular ship are found adrift in 1742.
Non-fiction paperback:
1. “Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession,” Michael Finkel. The true story of perhaps the most successful art thief, who stole not for money, but for his own private collection.
2. “The Art of Daring,” Carl Phillips. Using lyrical essays, Phillips looks at the poetry of the past and argues for the boldness of writing.
3. “Solito”, Javier Zamora. Memories of the poet’s harrowing journey at the age of nine through Guatemala and Mexico to join his parents in the USA
4. “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” David Grann. In the 1920s, the newly formed FBI is tasked with investigating mysterious murders and deaths of the wealthiest members of the Osage people per capita.
5. “A Brief History of Sonoma,” Lynn Downey. Written by a fifth-generation Sonoman, a general history of our town’s major events and notable people, accompanied by many old photos.
Children and young people:
1. “The New Girl: A Graphic Novel (#1),” Cassandra Calin. Graphic novel, ages 8-12. A story about change and acceptance, inspired by the author’s own immigration experiences.
2. “Always Anthony (Emmie & Friends #8),” Terri Libenson. Graphic novel, ages 8-12. Told from the alternating perspectives of popular Anthony and shy Leah, middle school students grapple with a bullying incident.
3. The Secret Library, Kekla Magoon. Hardcover, ages 8-12. Young Dally is fascinated by a letter from her grandfather that leads to a mysterious library.
4. The Digger and the Dark, Joseph Kuefler. Picture book, ages 4-8. A fun picture book about machines that are ready for bed until raccoons interrupt.
5. “Gamerville,” Johnnie Christmas. Graphic novel, ages 8-12. A graphic novel that explores video games and what happens when they’re taken away.
