It really is the perfect excuse to dip into true stories, witty essays, and areas of personal interest. But let’s be honest: sometimes the thought of starting a 500-page biography feels… ambitious. You certainly won’t find me doing that!

So this month, I’ve rounded up 18 nonfiction books that are quick, engaging, and totally doable, even if your attention span’s feeling a little stretched these days.

These selections range from essay and poetry collections that you can snack on between errands, to slim memoirs that’ll stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Whether you’re in the mood for something funny, heartfelt, thought-provoking, or just plain interesting, there’s something here to match your reading vibe.

Think of it as your Nonfiction November sampler—short on pages, big on payoff.

All of these selections are Basic B approved and under 300 pages. I’ve shared parts of my original reviews as well to give you some quick insight into why I recommend each book.

Enjoy!

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Poetry

What Kind of Woman: Poems by Kate Baer (94 pages)

Never has a collection of poems resonated with me so completely. I started this small collection thinking I might enjoy a handful of the poems. I ended with tears in my eyes and wanting to start it all over again.

There is so much beauty and pain in our lives as women, wives and mothers. Baer expresses it with honesty and clarity that I feel understood and less alone.

Where Hope Comes From: Poems of Resilience, Healing and Light by Nikita Gill (160 pages)

After one full year of the pandemic and social distancing, these are the kind of comforting words we all need right now. Who knew that during the pandemic I would find a new love for poetry. This is going in my favorites stack. Make sure you check out the authors Instagram account.

Empowering and hopeful, I look forward to reading more from Gill. She’s a bright light. ⭐️

Late to the Search Party: Poems by Steven Espada Dawson (96 pages)

This collection of elegies touches on his brothers addiction and disappearance, father’s absence, his mothers sickness and how to sit with all of those losses.

The writing is stunning. You can feel the angst and pain through the pages. Kaveh Akbar BLURBED it. Need I say more?

Essays

I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott (288 pages)

Philpott is warm, honest and witty about midlife. Reading this was like sitting with a friend over coffee and spilling all your hopes and fears. Incredibly relatable and real.

Craigslist Confessional: A Collection of Secrets from Anonymous Strangers by Helena Dea Bala (256 pages)

There are a few big moments in my life when I’ve been reminded how much pain people carry around with them. I see people get angry on the road, yelling at a complete stranger on the street and crying in the checkout lines at a grocery store and I wonder what’s going on that has them in this state. Its easy to be annoyed and impatient but when we stop and think that maybe this person is struggling, we can take the opportunity to maybe lend a hand or smile when someone really needs it.

When I was growing my hair back after chemotherapy, I was stopped a few times in public and told that it was so refreshing to see a buzz cut on a middle-aged woman. Little did they know that I was trying to grow my hair back. One of the side effects of my treatment was damage to my tear ducts. Tears would constantly spill from my eyes. Even when I was having good days it looked like I was miserable. A reminder that the inside and outside of ourselves are often at odds.

In this digital age, we have so many ways to connect but its important to remember that true connection comes from being ourselves. Sharing ourselves and being vulnerable is extremely hard. We open ourselves to criticism but we also open ourselves to healing.

Craigslist Confessional reinforced my desire to connect and be understood but more importantly reminded me to LISTEN. There is so much value in just listening and being present for a friend, family member or even a stranger. I’m so grateful to have a space where I feel heard and understood. I hope I can do the same for all of you.

Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions by Valeria Luiselli (128 pages)

If American Dirt hit you in the gut, just wait until you read TMHIE. These books are a perfect book pairing. I urge you to grab a copy and take the time to fully process what is happening in our world. Keep listening to those around you. We can learn so much.

American Dirt is a fictionalized migrant story but let us NOT forget that is in fact a huge reality in our world. I was deeply affected by American Dirt and truly appreciate that it led me to some soul searching and a further expansion of my understanding and empathy.

While reading Dirt I kept asking myself “What happens to the people without money or luck, as Lydia and her son had?” Lydia’s situation seemed horrific yet still unrealistic and too tidy. Is this really a true representation? Absolutely not. The train scenes where also one of many sections of the book that caused me anxiety and to hold my breath. Luiselli touches on this in her book and reminds us how truly dangerous it is. I look at my twin 8 year olds innocent faces and wonder if they would survive crossing the border. Sadly, I don’t think they would have a chance. Tell me how it ends is just around 100 pages and well worth your time.

Graphic Novels

Book Love by Debbie Tung (144 pages)

Me in a nutshell 🤓. This made me smile, nod my head in agreement and softly chuckle. Buy your favorite book nerd a copy. This makes for such a great gift!

May I also recommend checking out Everything is Ok by this author. It’s not as lighthearted as this book but such a great look inside a persons struggles with anxiety and mental health.

Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Graphic Memoir by Tyler Feder (208 pages)

I feel seen. 💜

For anyone that has lost a parent or wants to to understand the complicated and messy grief journey that so many of us face.

I made it through without balling my eyes out but came close when she talked about how her mother changed when the cancer spread to her brain. I’ll never forget watching my mom struggle to remember my name and the frustration she had during speech therapy after her brain surgery. It absolutely broke my heart into a million pieces.

So much of the authors journey rang true for me. I couldn’t help but finish this is one sitting and will definitely pick up again and again. I can’t wait to share it with my sisters. 💜

Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob (349 pages - okay I broke my own rule)

When I originally heard about GOOD TALK, I thought immediately that this is a book I NEED to read. A graphic memoir in conversations with a six-year old? Wow! I had never heard of such a thing. Having found out that Jacob’s both illustrated and wrote this graphic novel my gut said take a chance and I’m so incredibly grateful that I did.

This memoir of conversations covers race, family, immigration, political climate in the U.S. and how to raise a child in the midst of it all. I laughed, got angry, sad, frustrated, but mostly I was again reminded of how privileged I am.

I have a special spot reserved for this on my book shelves and definitely plan to re-read it over and over. This is a book you can easily pick up and set down, allowing yourself time to take it all in. We live in such a fractured world and it’s scary raising kids. We don’t have all the answers but I do know that we hold a lot of power. We have the power to make a difference and to teach our children what is right and wrong. We can show them that we CAN do better and make the world a better place.

Friendships

Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First: 10 Questions to Take Your Friendships to the Next Level by Laura Tremaine (224 pages)

This is like sitting with a very close friend with a glass or two of wine and skipping the surface level convos and diving deep. Laura inspires me to dive deep within myself and to keep sharing. Forging these kind of next level relationships are important to me and I refuse to give up.

The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs by Laura Tremaine (208 pages)

This was a very quick listen on audiobook. The author narrates herself.

Friendships take work. Make them a priority and being present for friends is absolutely invaluable.

I was happy to hear that I didn’t need 10 friends to enjoy this book. LOL. It really reflects on the different kind of friends we encounter throughout our life and gives us a better way to handle expectations within those friendships.

The NEW FRIEND concept is one of my favorites and a reminder to take the leap and reach out. Keep an empty chair for the new friendship that’s waiting for you.

I'll Be There (But I’ll Be Wearing Sweatpants): Finding Unfiltered, Real-Life Friendships in this Crazy, Chaotic World by Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston (224 pages)

This book was made for me. Encouraging and hopeful this gives me great direction towards forging the adult friendships I desire. Lots of great nuggets of wisdom.

Memoir

Survival Lessons by Alice Hoffman (102 pages)

I binged this short book while at the dog park one morning and loved every minute of it. Narrated by Xi Sands and recommended by Renee on Book Talk Etc podcast.

This book is such a gift and a beautiful reminder of the choices we can make when faced with an illness or hardship. Life is equal parts sorrow and joy.

So much of what Alice mentions rings true for me and my own breast cancer journey. The importance of sharing, talking to your kids, forgiveness and more.

Here After: A Memoir by Amy Lin (272 pages)

Do you want to understand your grieving friend or loved one? This is for you.

“How can grief be so universal and yet still so widely misunderstood?”

“Grief is chronic pain. When will others allow the mourning to live without expecting them to be “cured”?

An intimate portrait of grief after the loss of her husband. The author share glimpses of their relationship before and the crippling devastation after losing him.
I gobbled this up and held it lose to my heart.

Tuesday's with Morrie: an old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lesson by Mitch Albom (224 pages)

“The truth is, Mitch,” he said, “once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.”

How in the world have I managed to wait this long to read this book? I guess it has been 25 years in the making.

Honestly, if I had read it years ago, I don’t know if it would have hit me the same. Sure, I would have come away with a million little nuggets of wisdom but having faced my own death, I see things entirely differently. A cancer diagnosis changes you and I’ll admit some of what I hoped to hold onto has faded a bit but books like this bring me right back to where I want to be.

I fully immersed myself in this book by listening to Mitch Albom narrate while bookmarking every other passage. If it’s been a few years since you’ve read this, I definitely recommend picking up the anniversary edition as it includes some extra bonus content.

This book is a beautiful gift and reminds us of what’s important. It gives us perspective when we are distracted by our busy lives. It reminds us to be present with our people and the power of forgiveness.

Just read it, if you haven’t, and re-read it when you have a few hours of time to yourself. You won’t regret it.

Parenting

10 Rules for raising kids in a high tech world by Jean M. Twenge, PhD (224 pages)

A basic guide to raising kids in a world where technology is EVERYTHING and EVERYWHERE.

For anyone contemplating about getting their kid(s) a phone or have pre-teens that are asking for a smart phone. Even for those whose kids already have phones but you’re struggling with how to manage their time on it.

The fact is…parenting kids with technology is a FULL TIME job. Even if you just do a couple of these things then you’re better off.

Kids do better with rules. Be flexible, communicate and give yourself lots of grace.

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents by Lisa Damour, Ph.D. (256 pages)

When I need advice on how to handle my teens I turn to Lisa Damour almost every single time. After reading this book, I immediately followed her podcast and it has been a weekly listen ever since.

Parenting is NOT for the weak and being a teen can simply SUCK at times.

Damour is great at making parents and teenagers feel seen and understood. Sometimes its hard to determine when we truly need to worry and when our teens are just expressing themselves like a normal teen. I’m so glad I have a resource to help me through this trying time.

He's Not Lazy: Empowering Your Son to Believe in Himself by Adam Price, Ph.D. (288 pages)

I read this in late 2024 and still think about it on a daily basis!

I did find the book a little elementary at times but it has some VERY good core reminders for parents of boys. Reading this gave me a deeper understanding of them, increased my compassion and gave me a few good tools to use on a regular basis.

I would love to hear some short and sweet nonfiction recommendations from you. Let’s chat in the comments!

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How is your nonfiction reading going so far this year? Did you set a goal to read more nonfiction or are you a seasoned pro?

Before you walk away, thinking this post isn’t for you, I recommend taking a quick glance at the titles below. I’ve included a brief synopsis so you can gauge if it’s a topic of interest to you. My recommendation for nonfiction is always find something you are curious about and keep an eye out for books that broach the subject. Whether that’s a fascination with cults or why your friends all seem to be in MLMs (multi-level marketing). There is a book for almost everything!

Below you will find FOURTY nonfiction titles on my radar for the second quarter. As always, you’ll find a little of everything. From memoirs, essays, poetry, self-help, investigative journalism, true crime and more. We have a celebrity chef’s memoir, private journals from a beloved author, parenting in a digital age, dark corporate secrets and much more.

So let’s dive in!

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1. The Hollow Half: A Memoir of Bodies and Borders by Sarah Aziza

   A brush with death. An ancestral haunting. A century of family secrets. Sarah Aziza’s searing, genre-bending memoir traces three generations of diasporic Palestinians from Gaza to the Midwest to New York City—and back

2. Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for our Complex Lives by Gretchen Rubin

   The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before distills her key insights into simple truths for living with greater satisfaction, clarity, and happiness.

3. The Volunteer: The Failure of the Death Penalty in America and One Inmate's Quest to Die with Dignity by Gianna Toboni

   A riveting account of one death row inmate’s quest to die—and a fearless look at how America’s system of punishment has failed the public it claims to serve.

4. Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery by Maura Casey

   A coming-of-age memoir that follows a large, working-class Irish family as it plunges into chaos in the wake of a terminal diagnosis—and the author's own hidden struggle to endure when her sister's disease becomes the dark star around which they all revolve.

5. Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life by Maggie Smith

   New York Times bestselling author and poet Maggie Smith distills creativity and the craft of writing with a practical guide perfect for fans of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic and Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird.

6. The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman

   From Paris Olympics star and legendary gymnast Simone Biles's longtime coach, an insider's look at the making of a champion.

7. Slayers, Every One of Us: How One Girl in All the World Showed Us How to Hold On by Kristin Russo and Jenny Owen Youngs

   A memoir reflecting on heartbreak, perseverance, and life lessons learned from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, from the hosts of the hit podcast Buffering the Vampire Slayer.

8. Click: How to Make What People Want by Jake Knapp

   From the New York Times bestselling authors of Sprint, a guide for starting big projects the smart way—based on firsthand experience with more than three hundred new products and businesses.

9. No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity by Ashlee Piper

   From award-winning sustainability expert Ashlee Piper, a witty, no-nonsense guide to regaining control over your time, consumerist impulses, and financial and mental wellness.

10. Boat Baby: A Memoir by Vicky Nguyen

    In a memoir where heroism meets humor, NBC News anchor and correspondent Vicky Nguyen tells the story of her family’s daring escape from communist Vietnam and her unlikely journey from refugee to reporter with laughter and fierce love.

11. The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road by E.A. Hanks

    From Vanity Fair and The New York Times contributor comes a beautifully written, deeply felt memoir recounting the solo, cross-country journey she made along the Ten across the American southwest: a mission to uncover both what harrowing violence may or may not have happened to her late mother, but also, to look within and discover who she herself is—where her mother ends and she begins.

12. The Golden Hour: A Story of Family in Hollywood by Matthew Specktor

    A personal and cultural exploration of the struggles between art and business at the heart of modern Hollywood, through the eyes of the talent that shaped it.

13. Notes to John by Joan Didion

    An extraordinary work from the author of The Year of Magical Thinking and Blue Nights
    
    In November 1999, Joan Didion began seeing a psychiatrist because, as she wrote to a friend, her family had had “a rough few years.” She described the sessions in a journal she created for her husband, John Gregory Dunne.

    ***Private journals? Would Joan approve?***

14. The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an inspired life by Suleika Jaouad

    A guide to the art of journaling—and a meditation on the central questions of life—by the bestselling author of Between Two Kingdoms, with contributions from Hanif Abdurraqib, Jon Batiste, Salman Rushdie, Gloria Steinem, George Saunders, and many more.

15. Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love by Rebecca N. Thompson M.D.

    A primary care physician's moving memoir of navigating a complicated path to motherhood, interwoven with the stories of twenty-one of her patients, friends, and medical colleagues—and sharing the intimate truths of their diverse perspectives on being part of all kinds of families, born and built and chosen.

16. I Thought It Would Be Better Than This: Rise from Disappointment, Regain Control, and Rebuild a Life You Love by Jessica N. Turner

    Learn how to recover from life's disappointments and rebuild a life you love.

    What happens when you look at your life and think, I thought it would be better than this? You know you can't stay where you are, but have no idea what to do next.

17. No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris

    An explosive, deeply reported exposé of Johnson & Johnson, one of America’s oldest and most trusted pharmaceutical companies—from an award-winning investigative journalist.

18. Accidentally on Purpose: A Memoir by Kristen Kish

    A tender, cleareyed memoir, Accidentally on Purpose charts a journey full of purpose, belonging, and real love--a "recipe for a life worth living" (Stacy London).

19. The Acid Queen: The Psychedelic Life and Counterculture Rebellion of Rosemary Woodruff Leary by Susannah Cahalan

    The untold story of the woman who played a critical role in bringing psychedelics into the mainstream—until her audacious exploits forced her into the shadows—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Brain on Fire.

20. Ginseng Roots: A Memoir by Craig Thompson

    From the celebrated author of Blankets and Habibi comes a new graphic memoir exploring the class divide, childhood labor, family, and our globalized world—all centered on Wisconsin's ginseng farming industry.

21. Authority: Essays by Andrea Long Chu

    A bold, provocative collection of essays on one of the most urgent questions of our time: What is authority when everyone has an opinion on everything?

22. Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones

    In her first book, the popular From the Front Porch podcast host and independent bookstore owner challenges the idea that loud lives are the ones that matter most, reminding us that we don't have to leave the lives we have in order to have the lives of which we've always dreamed.

23. I Am Maria: My Reflections and Poems on Heartbreak, Healing, and Finding Your Way Home by Maria Shriver

    A book like no other, I Am Maria weaves Shriver’s hard-earned wisdom with her own deeply personal poetry. I Am Maria reminds readers there is strength and love on the other side of all of our hardest days.

24. What To Expect When You're Dead: An Ancient Tour of Death and the Afterlife by Robert Garland

    An entertaining and enlightening book about how ancient peoples dealt with death--and what we might learn from them.

25. This is Your Mother: A Memoir by Erika J. Simpson

    From “a writer who’s absolutely going places” (Roxane Gay), a remarkable, inventive debut memoir about a mother-daughter relationship across cycles of poverty, separation, and illness, exploring how we forge identity in the face of imminent loss.

26. I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin: And Other Thoughts I Used to Have About My Body by Carla Sosenko

    A “raw, vulnerable, and utterly hilarious” (Harper’s Bazaar) memoir about one woman’s experience living with a deformity, and her quest to find freedom and joy in her body.

27. Second Life: Having a child in the digital age by Amanda Hess

    At once funny, heartbreaking, and surreal, Second Life is a journey that spans a network of fertility apps, prenatal genetic tests, gender reveal videos, rare disease Facebook groups, “freebirth” influencers, and hospital reality shows. Hess confronts technology’s distortions as they follow her through pregnancy and into her son’s early life. The result is a critical record of our digital age that reveals the unspoken ways our lives are being fractured and reconstituted by technology.

28. Murder in the Dollhouse: The Jennifer Dulos Story by Rich Cohen

    A nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Jennifer Dulos and the aftershocks that rattled a wealthy suburb.

29. The True Happiness Company: A Memoir by Veena Dinavahi

    In this darkly humorous and wrenchingly sincere memoir, a young Indian American woman’s dreams of being a well-adjusted college student get wildly derailed when her struggles with mental health land her in the office of a charismatic alternative therapist and his self-help cult.

30. Bad Friend: How Women Revolutionized Modern Friendship by Tiffany Watt Smith

    A smart and thought-provoking memoir, history, and cultural critique about the turmoil and complexity of female friendship.

31. Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America by Bridget Read

    A groundbreaking work of history and reportage that unveils the stranger-than-fiction world of multilevel marketing: a massive money-making scam and radical political conspiracy that has remade American society.

32. Sister In Law: Fighting for Justice in a System Designed by Men by Harriet Wistrich

    LONGLISTED FOR THE 2025 WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION

    How the UK legal system is failing women, as told by one of Britain's foremost lawyers. 'Sister in Law is compelling, shocking and inspiring in equal measure..this accessible book is a must for anyone interested in justice, society and using the law to achieve change.' -The Times

33. The River's Daughter: A Memoir by Bridget Crocker

    A vivid and propulsive memoir about finding courage and meaning in a life outdoors, by a world-class whitewater rafting guide.

34. I'll Tell You When I'm Home: A Memoir by Hala Aylan

    The rich and deeply personal debut memoir by award-winning Palestinian American poet and novelist Hala Alyan, whose experience of motherhood via surrogacy forces her to reckon with her own past, and the legacy of her family’s exile and displacement, all in the name of a new future.

35. Vegas: A Memoir of a Dark Season by John Gregory Dunne

    "The best book about Sin City ever written . . . [Dunne's] grotesqueries aren't drug-induced, they're very real. His is the genuine Vegas." (Esquire)

    "In the summer of my nervous breakdown, I went to live in Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada." So begins John Gregory Dunne's neglected classic of first-person writing, a mordant, deadpan, grotesque tale that blurs the line between autobiography and fiction, confession and reportage.

36. How to Lose Your Mother: A Daughter’s Memoir by Molly Jong-East

    From the political writer and podcaster, a ferociously honest and disarmingly funny memoir about her elusive mother’s encroaching dementia and a reckoning with her complicated childhood.

37. Culture Creep: Notes on the Pop Apocalypse by Alice Bolin

    From the critically acclaimed author of Dead Girls (“stylish and inspired”—New York Times Book Review), a sharp, engrossing collection of essays that explore the strange career of popular feminism and steady creep of cults and cult-think into our daily lives.

38. The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex by Melissa Febos

    From Melissa Febos, the national bestselling author of Girlhood, comes an examination of the solitude, freedoms, and feminist heroes she discovered during a year of celibacy and a wise and transformative look at relationships and self-knowledge.

39. Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers by Caroline Fraser

    From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Prairie Fires comes a terrifying true-crime history of serial killers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond—a gripping investigation of how a new strain of psychopath emerged out of a toxic landscape of deadly industrial violence.

40. The Story of Abba: Melancholy Undercover by Jan Gradvall

    Through exclusive interviews and over a decade of deep research, renowned music journalist Jan Gradvall explores the secrets to ABBA’s success.

In case you missed it…

Did you get to any of the titles from my first quarter watchlist? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the mentioned titles or anything I happened to miss that need to read asap.

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If you enjoyed this newsletter then please like, comment or share.

Talk soon!

xoxo

Memoirs are traditionally what I’ve leaned into as far as my nonfiction reading goes but over the last few years I’ve expanded my horizons a bit to include other topics of interest.

One of my goals this year was to spend more time researching nonfiction releases. I would love to be more in the know about upcoming nonfiction reads. I’m sharing this with the hopes that it’s a good resource to us all.

Since I’m always chasing the calendar, I’m behind a month but that just means that you have a plenty that are ready for library holds or for purchase at your favorite bookshop.

I’ll be sure to indicate below if I’ve read any of the selections and where you can find my thoughts. This is not meant to be a complete list of releases but books that peeked my personal interest.

I hope you find one or two of interest. Let me know in the comments if there is anything that sounds up your alley.

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The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke (Jan. 7th)

From eldest daughter Shari Franke, the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, and how, in the face of unimaginable pain, she found freedom and healing.

**You can hear my thoughts on this memoir on my January Reading Recap podcast episode**

Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser by Amy Wilson (Jan. 7th)

Amy Wilson, co-host of the award-winning podcast What Fresh Hell, takes a funny and insightful look at how women are conditioned to be “happy to help”―and what happens when things don’t go that way.

The Motherload: Episodes from the Brink by Sarah Hoover (Jan. 14th)

Like most of us, Sarah Hoover grew up imagining a certain life for herself—career, love, marriage, children—and when Hoover moved from Indiana to New York City to study art history, the life she’d imagined began falling into place. She got her degree, landed a job in a gallery, made friends, and went on some exceptionally bad dates. She also met interesting artists, one of whom became her future husband (a whirlwind romance, theirs, exciting even with its imperfections). But when Hoover got pregnant, the life she imagined began to unravel.

The Book of Shadow Work: Unlock the True You - The Must Have Guide to Inner Healing and Authenticity by Keila Shaheen (Jan. 14th)

Unlock your true potential with shadow work – your journey to inner healing begins here. From TikTok sensation and self-help trailblazer, Keila Shaheen, comes The Book of Shadow Work, a must-have guide for anyone seeking deep inner transformation and authenticity.

Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman by Brooke Shields (Jan. 14th)

From generational icon Brooke Shields comes an intimate and empowering exploration of ageing that flips the script on the idea of what it means for a woman to grow older.

The 5 principles of parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans by Dr. Aliza Pressman (Jan. 23rd)

Let go of perfect and become a transformative, positive influence in a child’s life while creating your own definition of success from developmental psychologist and podcaster Dr. Aliza Pressman.

This Beautiful, Ridiculous City: A Graphic Memoir by Kay Sohini (Jan. 28th)

A vibrant graphic memoir of a woman—an immigrant, a survivor, a writer, a foodie, and, ultimately, an optimist—who rebuilds her life in New York City while recovering from the trauma of an abusive relationship.

The Harder I Fight The More I Love You: A Memoir by Neko Case (Jan. 28th)

An unforgettable portrait of an extraordinary life—one forged through a poverty-stricken childhood in “slummy, one-horse towns”; obsessive desire; bursts of comedy; and indispensable friendships, reflecting on the way art, music, and a deep connection to nature helped her on a singular journey to become a beloved, Grammy-nominated artist.

Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations by Alton Brown (Feb. 4th)

From Alton Brown, the New York Times bestselling cookbook author and beloved culinary food personality, a debut collection of personal essays defined by his flair, wit, and insight.

This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light by Allison Holker (Feb. 4th)

Allison Holker Boss opens up for the first time on the loss of her beloved husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the untold story of the emotional weight he carried, and the importance of hope and the power of family in the midst of grief.

Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s by Charles Piller (Feb. 4th)

For readers of Empire of Pain and Dopesick, an arresting deep dive into how Alzheimer’s disease treatment has been set back by corrupt researchers, negligent regulators, and the profit motives of Big Pharma.

Bibliophobia: A Memoir by Sarah Chihaya (Feb. 4th)

“A wise, tremendously moving exploration of what it means to seek companionship and understanding, in books and in life.”—Hua Hsu, author of Stay True.

Pure Innocent Fun: Essays by Ira Madison II (Feb. 4th)

In this nostalgic and raucous collection of sixteen original essays, Ira Madison III—critic, television writer, and host of the beloved podcast "Keep It"—combines memoir and criticism to offer a brand-new pop-culture manifesto.

Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks (Feb. 4th)

A heartrending and beautiful memoir of sudden loss and a journey to peace, from the bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Horse.

***Hear my thoughts on this memoir on January’s Reading Recap podcast episode***

Who I Always Was by Theresa Okokon (Feb. 4th)

For fans of Aftershocks and How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America, a gripping and deeply honest memoir in essays, this debut collection sets out to answer the universal question Why am I like this?

The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber (Feb. 4th)

A groundbreaking work of narrative nonfiction that investigates Munchausen by Proxy from the host and creator of the award-winning true crime podcast Nobody Should Believe Me.

***Currently listening***

Shattered: A Memoir by Hanif Kureishi (Feb. 4th)

On Boxing Day 2022, in Rome, Hanif Kureishi had a fall. When he came to, in a pool of blood, he was horrified to realise he had lost the use of his limbs. He could no longer walk, write or wash himself. He could do nothing without the help of others, and required constant care in a hospital. So began an odyssey of a year through the medical systems of Rome and Italy, with the hope of somehow being able to return home, to his house in London.

How to Win at Travel by Brian Kelly (Feb. 4th)

Turn your wanderlust into reality with expert strategies from Brian Kelly, the founder of The Points Guy—the leading voice in loyalty programs and travel—with this ultimate resource for everything from leveraging airline and credit card points to planning your dream itinerary.

Seeking Shelter: A Working Mother, Her Children, and a Story of Homelessness in America by Jeff Hobbs (Feb. 4th)

From the bestselling author of The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace, a powerful portrayal of American homelessness that follows a single mother of six in Los Angeles courageously struggling to keep her family together and her children in school amidst the devastating housing crisis.

You Didn't Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip by Kelsey McKinney (Feb. 11th)

A delightfully insightful exploration of our obsession with gossip that weaves together journalism, cultural criticism, and memoir, from the host of the massively popular Normal Gossip podcast.

On My Honor: The Secret History of the Boy Scouts of America by Kim Christensen (Feb. 11th)

Pulitzer Prize winner Kim Christensen charts the dramatic rise and fall of an American institution.

No Fault: A Memoir of Romance and Divorce by Haley Mlotek (Feb. 18th)

An intimate and candid account of one of the most romantic and revolutionary of relationships: divorce.

Motherdom: Breaking Free of Bad Science and Good Mother Myths by Alex Bollen (March 4th)

What if the societal expectations about motherhood weren't just unrealistic, but based on fundamental misrepresentations of science?

Sucker Punch: Essays by Scaachi Koul (March 4th)

Sucker Punch is about what happens when the life you thought you’d be living radically changes course, everything you thought you knew about the world and yourself has tilted on its axis, and you have to start forging a new path forward.

Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope by Amanda Nguyen (March 4th)

A revelatory and powerful memoir by the Nobel Peace Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen, detailing her tumultuous childhood and groundbreaking activism in the aftermath of her rape at Harvard.

On Air: The Triumph and Tumult of NPR by Steve Oney (March 11th)

An epic, decade-long reported history of National Public Radio that reveals the unlikely story of one of America’s most celebrated but least understood media empires.

The Tell: A Memoir by Amy Griffin (March 11th)

Is it possible to bury something so deep within yourself that it becomes unknowable, even to you? An astonishing memoir that explores how far we will go to protect ourselves, and the healing made possible when we face the secrets that terrify us and begin to share our stories.

Firstborn: A Memoir by Lauren Christensen (March 18th)

A lapidary memoir of losing a child before she can be born, which the author began writing the day she came home from the hospital—a story about the intimate closeness of our most searing losses and our brightest hopes.

Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith by Phil Hanley (March 18th)

The A-list comedian tells the story of his unlikely path to success while struggling with severe dyslexia.

Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly by Hannah Selinger (March 25th)

In Cellar Rat, Selinger chronicles her rise and fall in the restaurant business, beginning with the gritty hometown pub where she fell in love with the industry and ending with her final post serving celebrities at the Hampton’s classic Nick & Tony’s. In between, readers will join Selinger on her emotional journey as she learns the joys of fine fine dining, the allure and danger of power, and what it takes to walk away from a career you love when it no longer serves you.

Free: My Search for Meaning by Amanda Knox (March 25th)

Amanda Knox reflects on her world-famous confinement in an Italian prison—and her return to an “ordinary” life—to reveal hard-won truths about purpose and fulfillment that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt trapped in their own circumstances.

***Currently reading***

Trauma Plot: A Life by Jamie Hood (March 25th)

From a rising literary star and the author of How to Be a Good Girl comes a brilliant, biting, and beautifully wrought memoir of trauma and the cost of survival.

Check out all the above titles at Basic B's Guide Bookshop. Please note that all links are affiliate links.

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I hope you enjoyed this list of first quarter nonfiction reads and found something of interest.

Let’s chat nonfiction in the comments!

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All books mentioned in this post are included in the Basic B's Guide to Celebrity Memoirs LibroFM Playlist .

Not familiar with LibroFM? Listen while supporting independent bookstores . Make the switch now!

1. From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough for when you’re wanting a one-of-a-kind memoir. Narrated by actress, Julia Roberts and Riley Keough, this is a heartfelt story about a tortured soul. This memoir includes taped interviews with Lisa Marie before she passed away. While it just scratches the surface of her life, readers are given insight that creates understanding and empathy.

2. Open Book by Jessica Simpson for the reader that wants nothing left unsaid. Simpson is an open book in her memoir and her vulnerability is admirable. This is no fluffy read so be sure to check Storygraph for triggers if need be.

3. The Rural Diaries by Hilarie Burton Morgan if you’re needing a reminder to live the life you want, NOW! How Morgan turned her life into a Hallmark movie.

4. Acne by Laura Chinn for the reader that devoured The Glass Castle. This under the radar gem is not to be missed.

5. Speak by Tunde Oyeneyin for when you need a little motivation, inspiration and assurance. Tunde is such a bright light on and off the bike.

6. Tell Me Everything by Minka Kelly for when you need reminding that you never really know the pain people carry around with them. This absolutely broke my heart.

7. Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten for anyone that used to watch Barefoot Contessa and needs a little inspiration in and outside of the kitchen.

8. The Woman in Me by Britney Spears for anyone wanting to better understand the trials and tribulations that Britney has faced over the years. It’s impossible not to feel for her.

9. Finding Freedom by Erin French when you want the motivation to chase your dreams and understand the path is not always smooth. Be ready to grab a postcard so you have a chance on a seat at the table.

10. Finding Me by Viola Davis for when you want all the insider deets. This is a MUST listen.

11. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey for when you’re wanting a good time. A man that sure knows how to live, laugh and learn.

    Have you read/listened to any of the above memoirs? Do you have one you would like to share?

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    In case you missed it…

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A few reasons I may give an author another chance…

1. I may not have given them a fair chance.

There are many times in my reading life where I set a book down at some point before finishing it . I have no problem not finishing a book if it’s not working for me at the time. Sometimes it’s a maybe later and more often than not I just pass it along in my little free library. When a popular author releases a new book and the hype begins to stir then of course I’m intrigued. I’m more apt to give the author another try if I didn’t give 100% the last round. It’s only fair, right?

2. The length of the book.

Think about the commitment level. A short book has potential for great return or little loss. I like that math.

3. When I pay attention to what my friends are reading and loving.

Just because you see a book everywhere doesn’t mean that YOU need to be reading it too. Ask your friends and family what they’re reading now and if they’re enjoying it. Even better if it’s available immediately through your library or Libby.

FOUR recent 2nd chance winners

1. Sandwich by Catherine Newman

I set aside We All Want Impossible Things fairly early on but when Sandwich showed up at my door as summer break was fading, it seemed like the right book at the right time. While it wasn’t quite a slam dunk, I quite enjoyed my reading experience.

2. Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson

Dawson is the author of The Violence for which I set aside at thirty percent. I found the premise intriguing but the story unnecessarily drawn out and at over five hundred pages I couldn’t commit. Fast forward to September and Libro.fm dropped the advanced listening copy of Guillotine right in my lap. Noticing the audiobook length of just five hours it was an easy decision to give her another go. Inspired by Ready or Not and the Menu, this was a gory one that could be easily adapted for the screen.

3. Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman

I jumped into this one while on my way home from the lake this summer and was immediately intrigued. At around thirty percent I began to wonder why I hadn’t read Steadman before. Upon checking Goodreads I was quickly reminded that I had indeed read Steadman’s previous release and in fact stated “this author may not be for me.” Jokes on me because I LOVED Look in the Mirror and it had me holding my breath in anticipation. I think some of the plot device she used helped immensely with my enjoyment but I can’t tell you for it would be a spoiler. You’ll just have to try it yourself.

3. My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

I’ve been on the hunt for a fantastic fiction audiobook and after chatting with my friend , she mentioned she recently loved listening to My Name is Lucy Barton. I had previously sampled Lucy By the Sea and determined it wasn’t for me BUT starting at the beginning with Lucy seemed like a good idea. The audiobook is also just four hours and was available for download from Libby so that’s a win win. I found this easy to breeze through and I may just give Strout another go.

But of course not all authors are for all readers.

I’ve officially thrown in the towel with a few popular authors including; Emily Henry, Riley Sager, Sally Hepworth, Alex North and Kate Alice Marshall to name a few.

These might be HOT takes so feel free to come at me in the comments.

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I would love to hear of a time or two when you gave an author a second chance. Did it work in your favor? What would keep you from giving someone a second chance?

Let’s chat!

xoxo Basic B

In case you missed it…

I don’t necessarily have a method to my madness here so be warned that this series will ebb and flow (just like my mood). Expect the unexpected and enjoy the ride. I really just wanted a space where I can talk about all the ins and out of being a mood reader and perhaps compile a few book lists for when the mood strikes.

Today I want to give you a glimpse into a recent read and how I happened to land on it. I include a mini review at the end as well.

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One of my least favorite parts about being an avid reader is deciding on my next read and starting it. So when I’m looking through my shelves (virtual and physical) I often get overwhelmed. Where do I even begin?! Even as organized as I am, I still often feel like I have nothing I want to read available at that moment. I’m not the only one that feels this way, right?

In this particular case I was finishing up a memoir on audio that I wasn’t thrilled with and figured I needed to lineup my next audiobook. I began scanning all my listening apps (Libro.FM, Libby etc) until I came across OBITCHUARY: THE BIG HOT BOOK OF DEATH .

and here we come to STEP 1: Visual

I am a very visual person and love to tell my husband this when he tries to describe something to me and I respond with “I need to see it in person.” I am who I am.

So you can imagine that book covers are the first thing to grab my attention when I’m scanning for my next read.

I could look into the psychology behind book covers (perhaps another day) but let me keep it basic for today. My eyes are typically drawn to color, font and art on a book cover. The coral color, large font and a dead woman smoking a cigarette most definitely grabbed my attention. In fact it made me pause and want to know more.

It also helped that I had recently spotted it on an anticipated list from on Instagram. She’s a fabulous content creator and reads more than anyone I know.

Okay, so we know that the cover got my attention but what’s next?

Step 2: Length (number of pages or hours)

Determining my next read is also entirely dependent on how much time I have on my hands at the moment. Am I about to enter the weekend where family is around more and my audiobook time goes down? Perhaps it’s a Tuesday morning and I have a house to clean and need a good distraction for a few hours. I also really enjoy short books for when I need to bust a slump or keep the momentum going with my reading life.

Enter Obitchuary at just 5 hours and 40 minutes on audio. At my usual 1.7X audiobook speed, I knew it would be a quick listen.

BUT is this the kind of read I’m wanting right now? How does this fit into what I want out of my reading life at this time?

Step 3: What do I want out of it?

This requires a little more self reflection and I urge you to be very HONEST with yourself. Reading for most of us is a hobby and one that can bring us exactly what we need at the moment. We just have to be open to the experience.

My goal this year is to read more nonfiction and I aim for that to land around thirty percent of my total reading. I failed to read any nonfiction in August so I knew I had some catching up to do. Box checked!

If I’m not reading a memoir, I generally want my nonfiction reading to be FUN and something I can talk about with family and friends. Perhaps a BIG HOT BOOK of DEATH will be a good dinner conversation starter?

Does the topic of this novel seem triggering for me? I mean a book about death is of course going to be talking about funerals, cremations, grief, loss and more but how is my headspace right now? Will any of these topics get under my skin? No. Okay proceed.

Those THREE basic elements are really what lead me to this highly entertaining read. I don’t read reviews or the synopsis, at least not until later. I download the audio and a twenty minute sample on a quick walk is usually all it takes to determine if I will continue listening.

Mini Book Review

Talking about death doesn’t have to be such a no no. It can be FUN and FASCINATING. This book about all things death is narrated by the authors and based on their popular podcast by the same name.

“A smart and funny look at the culture surrounding death and how we’re remembered.”

• Death notices

• Lobotomies

• Necrophilia

• Broken heart syndrome

• Living Funerals

• Last meals

• Executions

• and MORE!

If you’re looking for something to liven up your reading life then give OBITCHUARY a try.

Reflections and Questions

Do any of these 3 basic steps come to mind when you’re selecting your next read?

Would you now consider listening or reading a book about death?

What’s the last book you picked up because of a cover?

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In case you missed it…

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I’ve been through some things…infertility, loss of a parent, breast cancer, to name a few. These things have shaped me as a person and changed my relationships and my perspective.

I think all of what I mention is an important reminder of why our reading preferences change with time. We are ever evolving and always coming into a book with new insights. With that, some things are fresh on our mind and perhaps we’re ready to dive into these fresh scars and other times we need distractions. Knowing ourselves and what we need not only helps with human relationships but also helps to determine what we should be seeking out from stories.

Next time you browse your shelves I want you to think about what you need right now. Do you need a happily ever after? Do you seek to be understood? Do you want grab the popcorn and read until the morning light? All important questions to ask yourself. There are more but we will get to all of that in this series.

I’m excited to dive into the psychology of it all, toss tbrs out the window and hopefully find some gems along the way.

Talk soon,

xoxo Basic B

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