2018 Winter Recommended Nonfiction

How to Be a Good Creature

“Sy Montgomery (The Soul of an Octopus) has led a rich life, full of good creatures, and she has generously shared her experiences throughout the years. This lovely book describes some of the most beloved and memorable critters she has known and the lessons and knowledge she has gained from them. We’ve all had our lives enriched by animals and for better or worse, we are intricately tied to the nature around us. Montgomery helps us feel what we gain from those connections to animals.”

Rachel, Bookshop Santa Cruz

While on a research trip in Peru, science journalist Alice Robb became hooked on lucid dreaming—the uncanny phenomenon in which a sleeping person can realize that they're dreaming and even control the dreamed experience. Finding these forays both puzzling and exhilarating, Robb dug deeper into the science of dreams at an extremely opportune... Read more »

The Souls of Yellow Folk

““For the title of his debut collection of essays on race, gender, and American society, Wesley Yang invokes W.E.B. Du Bois’s 1903 classic study of race in America. These 13 essays explore the ways in which the American dream shapes and distorts an assortment of people: chefs, strivers, pickup artists, and school shooters. Included here is ‘Paper Tigers,’ Yang’s personal, National Magazine Award–winning look at Asian-American overachievers. As Yang’s avid followers already know, his laser scrutiny spares no one—not even Yang himself.””

The Millions, Bookshop Santa Cruz

Accessory to War

“If you found Astrophysics for People in a Hurry to be a fascinating journey through the cosmos, strap yourself in. The story of the connection between astrophysics and the military—laid out by the amazing Neil DeGrasse Tyson (of Cosmos fame) and Avis Lang—is full of fascinating actors, from lone people to whole governments to Earth itself.”

Ian, Bookshop Santa Cruz

Brief Answers to the Big Questions

“In his last message to the people of Earth, the late Stephen Hawking uses his prodigious intelligence and signature wit to explore the biggest questions we have. As A Brief History of Time painted a picture of the past, Brief Answers to Big Questions projects into the future. Told in an accessible and insightful way, Hawking’s farewell is a terrific read for all Earthlings interested in the fate of the universe.”

Aric, Bookshop Santa Cruz

Gmorning, Gnight!

“Taken from the tweets of this excellent man of many talents, each page has a thought, pep talk, or sweet encouragement for your morning or evening. Illustrated by Jonny Sun, the man behind everyone’s a aliebn, this little book is just what I need to help me start and end each day. Truly lovely and the perfect little gift book for everyone.”

Jax, Bookshop Santa Cruz