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New Nonfiction November 2025 |
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Buddha, Socrates, and Us : Ethical Living in Uncertain Times
by Stephen Batchelor
A renowned Buddhist teacher explores how the parallel teachings of the Buddha and Socrates—rooted in critical self-inquiry and ethical uncertainty—offer enduring guidance for living a just, courageous and thoughtful life amid modern social and spiritual challenges.
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Water mirror echo : Bruce Lee and the making of Asian America
by Jeff Chang
Drawing on intimate interviews and rare archival materials, this biography examines Bruce Lee's transformation from a sickly child in postwar Hong Kong to a cultural trailblazer whose life and legacy helped catalyze the emergence of Asian America.
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Struck down, not destroyed : keeping the faith as a Vatican reporter
by Colleen Dulle
A Vatican reporter for "America" magazine takes readers for the first time into her own experience of reporting: how the Church has put her own faith into crisis and how she has managed to stay Catholic by meeting again and again the spiritual reality at the heart of the Church -- God and the saints.
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Girl Warrior : On Coming of Age
by Joy Harjo
The three-time U.S. poet laureate presents a lyrical meditation on identity, growth and resilience, with powerful reflections drawn from ancestral wisdom and personal experience to guide young Native women through the challenges of coming of age, creativity and self-discovery.
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As a Jew : reclaiming our story from those who blame, shame, and try to erase us
by Sarah Hurwitz
At thirty-six, Sarah Hurwitz was a typical lapsed Jew. On a whim, she attended an introduction to Judaism class and was astonished by what she discovered: thousands of years of wisdom from her ancestors about what it means to be human. That class sparked a journey of discovery that transformed her life. Years later, as Hurwitz wrestled with what it means to be Jewish at a time of rising antisemitism, she wondered: Where had the Judaism she discovered as an adult been all her life? Why hadn't she seen the beauty and depth of her tradition in those dull synagogue services and Hebrew school classes she'd endured as a kid? And why had her Jewish identity consisted of a series of caveats and apologies: I'm Jewish, but not that Jewish . . . I'm just a cultural Jew . . . I'm just like everyone else but with a fun ethnic twist-a dash of neurosis, a touch of gallows humor-a little different, but not in a way that would make anyone uncomfortable. Seeking answers, she went back through time to discover how hateful myths about Jewish power, depravity, and conspiracy have worn a neural groove deep into the world's psyche, shaping not just how others think about Jews, but how Jews think about themselves. She soon realized that the Jewish identity she'd thought was freely chosen was actually the result of thousands of years of antisemitism and two centuries of Jews erasing parts of themselves and their tradition in the hope of being accepted and safe. In As a Jew, Hurwitz documents her quest to take back her Jewish identity, how she stripped away the layers of antisemitic lies that made her recoil from her own birthright and unearthed the treasures of Jewish tradition. With antisemitism raging worldwide, Hurwitz's defiant account of reclaiming the Jewish story and learning to live as a Jew, without apology, has never been timelier or more necessary.
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Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice : A History of Christians in Action
by Karen J. Johnson
This book explores the important role faith plays in racial justice by: looking at the intertwining of faith and racial justice as a driving force throughout history, examining faith communities who served as catalysts for social change by championing equality and justice, [and] exploring teachings that inspired advocates to confront systemic racism and propagate the message of love, acceptance, and unity. Studying key figures that used faith as a foundation to fuel their activism for civil rights. Faith has often been at the heart of significant strides toward racial justice. From the Civil Rights Movement to present-day challenges, individuals and faith-based organizations have steadfastly committed to justice work, drawing strength and motivation from their spiritual beliefs. Whether you're a scholar, teacher, activist, or avid reader of U.S. history, Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice will enrich your understanding and inspire action as you uncover the stories of those who dared to be different for the greater good and joined the pursuit of justice.
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We the People : A History of the U.s. Constitution
by Jill Lepore
Explores the evolving meaning of the U.S. Constitution, tracing generations of interpretation and amendment efforts, and arguing that the founders envisioned a living, adaptable document—challenging modern originalism and advocating for democratic engagement in shaping constitutional change.
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Paper Girl : A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America
by Beth Macy
The author, who grew up poor in Urbana, Ohio, in the 70s and 80s, faces the darkness in her family and community, people she loves wholeheartedly, even the ones she sometimes struggles to like, and in facing the truth finds sparks of human dignity.
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History matters
by David G. McCullough
This posthumous collection of essays from the legendary historian looks at subjects such as the character of American leaders, the influence of art and mentors and the importance of understanding the past to better navigate the present and future.
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Joyride : A Memoir
by Susan Orlean
This vibrant memoir tracing a celebrated writer's creative journey blends personal stories with reflections on curiosity, discovery and the writing life while offering inspiration and practical insights for anyone pursuing a path shaped by wonder and imagination.
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The outward path : the wisdom of the Aztecs
by Sebastian Purcell
The Aztecs were a philosophical people who held that the top goal in human life is not happiness but the pursuit of what they called 'neltiliztli': a life in truth. Our world, they held, is a 'slippery' one - a place where it is easy to make mistakes and be unwell. A true life avoids slipping by pursuing a communitarian solution, beginning with the formation of relationships and growing deep roots and later moving inward to still the mind. This outside-in approach is the outward path. In 'The Outward Path', Sebastian Purcell carves out a place for Aztec philosophy in popular culture, alongside the ancient Greeks, the Stoics and the Buddhists.
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Rescue at the reef : the miraculous true story of a little boy with big faith
by Jameson Reeder
A two-week vacation to the Florida Keys meant Mary and Jameson Sr. could share the beauty of their favorite turquoise-blue waters with their four children. On that serene day at Looe Key Reef, their oldest, ten-year-old Jameson Jr., was swimming among the marine life, capturing breathtaking footage of a sea turtle when a massive bull shark attacked. Nine miles from shore and even farther from a hospital, their son weakening, the Reeders prayed for help-and it came through a miraculous chain of events. Rescue at the Reef is the true story of a young boy who defied death with an unshakable faith in the power of Jesus to save him. Even in immense suffering, he focused on caring for those around him, so much that it surprised even hospital staff. His unshakeable peace made an impact on patients and visitors, and his story quickly spread, drawing the attention of strangers and the media. With reflections on faith, suffering, and the hidden gifts that often go unnoticed, Rescue at the Reef is a living reminder that with God, even the most fearsome challenges can be faced-and conquered. This unforgettable story will leave you on the edge of your seat, inspired by the ripple effects of hope that overcome impossible odds.
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The lost Mary : rediscovering the Mother of Jesus
by James D. Tabor
A world-renowned historian of early Christianity and ancient Judaism lifts the veil on the life of Jesus' mother, Mary -- revealing her revolutionary role as the matriarch of the Jesus movement.
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Morton Grove Public Library
6140 Lincoln Ave
Morton Grove, Illinois 60053
(847) 965-4220www.mgpl.org |
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