IndyPL Staff Picks 2024- Best of NonfictionLike this list

25 items

• There's Always This Year

  on Basketball and Ascension

  Abdurraqib, Hanif, 1983-

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  When I read one of Hanif Abdurraquib's works, I just feel transported, elevated, awash in some sort of trance - it's as if I absorb some of his genius. In this part memoir, he takes the reader on a journey that builds upon his experiences in…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Cue the Sun

  the Invention of Reality TV

  Nussbaum, Emily, 1966-

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  Cue the Sun is a deep dive into the origin/rise of reality TV. From the early days of very few channels to the burgeoning days of cable and beyond, Nussbaum takes us behind the the lights and cameras....the good, the bad, the ugly. Truly unhinged…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Birds Through Indigenous Eyes

  Native Perspectives on Birds of the Eastern Woodlands

  Gaffin, Dennis,

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  There’s a relaxed, thoughtful, generous quality to the conversations that form the foundation of this book. The three bird lovers included in these conversations offer their own unique perspectives about the ways they learn from and engage with the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• When Driving Is Not An Option

  Steering Away From Car Dependency

  Zivarts, Anna Letitia,

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  A really great book that looks at who we leave behind when we build our cities around cars and not people. The author also outlines what cities can do to make their transportation infrastructure safer, comfortable, and more convenient for everyone…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Truth About Immigration

  Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers

  Hernandez, Zeke,

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  This titles goal is not to debunk myths or tackle political talking points, but present factual well-researched information on immigration. However, along the way you hear about how myths on immigration emerge and what the data says about them -…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Other Significant Others

  Reimagining Life With Friendship at the Center

  Cohen, Rhaina,

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  Rhaina Cohen's in depth exploration of intimate friendships (and the function they can hold in our lives) has a little bit of something for everyone. Have you dreamed of living on a farm with your best friend? Coparenting with your neighbor? Let…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• 3 Shades of Blue

  Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool

  Kaplan, James, 1951-

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  James Kaplan tells the story of Jazz and it's rise to popularity by examining the lives of three artists-- Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans. The three musicians storylines converge when they collaborate on the album "Kind of Blue." …Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Pursuit of Happiness

  How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America

  Rosen, Jeffrey, 1964-

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  This book explores the idea that the pursuit of happiness was not the pursuit of an end state where all your wishes come true. Rather, happiness comes from the constant, daily struggle to master one's character. Recommended by Adam Parsons, Chief…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• If You See Them

  Young, Unhoused, and Alone in America

  Sokolik, Vicki,

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  An important book, mind-opening and, I hope, *heart-opening*. There are several million homeless youth in the United States, most of them without responsible adults in their lives. While many live on the streets, others couch-hop with friends, hide…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages

  the World Through Medieval Eyes

  Bale, Anthony, 1975-

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  This book is lively and funny - the best kind of pop history. It's full of interesting details, narratives, and asides, and makes you feel connected to your fellow humans through common experiences across centuries. The brisk pace means it also…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Triumph of the Yuppies

  America, the Eighties, and the Creation of An Unequal Nation

  McGrath, Tom,

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  Tom McGrath has written a cultural history of 'Yuppies' detailing their impact on a wide range of things, including food, fitness, and gentrification. Recommended by Richard S, Library Assistant II

• The Anxious Generation

  How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing An Epidemic of Mental Illness

  Haidt, Jonathan,

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  Compelling and convicting, Jonathan Haidt has pulled together neuroscience, psychology, statistics, and anecdotes to argue that our phones and social networking are actually making our children lonelier, more isolated and depressed, and robbing them…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Be Funny or Die

  How Comedy Works and Why It Matters

  Morris, Joel (Comedy writer),

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  This title takes a deep dive into comedy - from stand-up to parody to the psychology and sociology of humor. It explores teh mechanics, the industry, and the science of humor. Mixed in is enough practical advice that any reader will find themselves…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Nuclear War

  a Scenario

  Jacobsen, Annie,

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  Have you ever wondered what would happen if there was a nuclear missle launched at the United States? This book takes you minute by minute through how our world as we know it would end and it is terrifying. Recommended by IndyPL_ElizabethT, Youth…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Speed Capital

  Indianapolis Auto Racing and the Making of Modern America

  Ingrassia, Brian M.,

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  Indianapolis has long been known for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Dive into the importance the race and other car related entities have been to the city’s development. Of note is the role Carl Fisher, co-founder of the Indianapolis Motor…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Demon of Unrest

  a Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War

  Larson, Erik, 1954-

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  A fascinating look into the the lives of journaling citizens in the days leading up to the Civil War. Larson paints a vivid scene with the emotions escalating within many hearts and hearths, particularly around Charleston and Fort Sumter. These…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Killed by a Traffic Engineer

  Shattering the Delusion That Science Underlies Our Transportation System

  Marshall, Wesley E.,

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  A must read for those interested in learning what goes into the building of our roads in the US. The book is made up of 88 chapters, but each one is very short and digestible. I highly recommend giving it a read. Similar to Jessie Singer's There Are…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Ancient Art of Thinking for Yourself

  the Power of Rhetoric in Polarized Times

  Reames, Robin,

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  Robin Reames is an interesting and effective teacher - if you are interested in learning to think for yourself. No easy answers here. The hallmark of a good teacher is asking the right questions, so we learn to wrestle with our own values. That is…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Lies My Teacher Told Me

  a Graphic Adaptation

  Loewen, James W.,

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  New graphic novel edition of best selling book, which hadn't been updated since 2019. This book doesn't just tell you what lies your teachers told you, or set them right, but also explains how and why you were taught these lies, providing the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ghost Town Living

  Mining for Purpose and Chasing Dreams at the Edge of Death Valley

  Underwood, Brent,

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  Brent Underwood explores the lesson of chasing impractical dreams when he risks it all & purchaese the abandoned silver mine Cerro Gordo in California. It is a story of a man facing harsh challenges, and rising stronger from them. It is a story…Read moreRead more of this annotation