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Biography and Memoir August 2019
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| Places and Names: Reflections on War, Revolution, and Returning by Elliot AckermanWhat it is: a reflective memoir in essays detailing former marine Elliot Ackerman's five tours of duty in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Don't miss: Ackerman's unlikely friendship with a former jihadi.
About the author: A National Book Award finalist for the novel Dark at the Crossing, Ackerman has also earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart for his military service. |
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You All Grow Up and Leave Me : A Memoir of Teenage Obsession
by Piper Weiss
What it is: a coming-of-age memoir that describes the author's inappropriate teenage relationship with a middle-aged tennis coach who committed suicide amid revelations about his failed attempt to kidnap one of his students.
Why it's important: the account discusses the psychological factors that render teens vulnerable to predators.
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| Grinnell: America's Environmental Pioneer and His Restless Drive to Save the West by John TaliaferroWhat it is: an absorbing biography of conservationist George Bird Grinnell (1849-1938).
Notable accomplishments: Grinnell formed the Audubon Society, spearheaded efforts to establish national parks, lobbied for Native American rights, and saved Yosemite and Yellowstone from developers.
Why you might like it: John Taliaferro draws on Grinnell's correspondence and diaries to present an engaging portrait of an advocate who fought tirelessly to preserve America's natural beauty. |
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| More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) by Elaine Welteroth; foreword by Ava DuVernayWhat it's about: Former Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Elaine Welteroth's breakthrough in the predominantly white worlds of fashion and media, and the setbacks she endured on her path to success.
Did you know? Welteroth is the youngest person and the 2nd African American to be named editor-in-chief in magazine publisher Condé Nast's 110-year history.
Reviewers say: "The millennial Becoming...inspiring and empowering" (Entertainment Weekly). |
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| How to Write An Autobiographical Novel : Essays by Alexander CheeWhat it's about: how novelist Alexander Chee's identities as a gay man, a Korean American, and an activist inform his life and writing career.
What sets it apart: Boasting numerous awards and accolades, Chee's unconventional yet immersive narrative is as wide-ranging as it is intimate.
For fans of: reflective writing memoirs like Where the Past Begins by Amy Tan and The Writing Life by Annie Dillard (a mentor of Chee's). |
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You're Not Doing It Right : Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations
by Michael Ian Black
What it is: A series of comedic essays by the actor known for roles in such productions as "Stella" and "Wet Hot American Summer" shares acerbic observations about his family life in suburbia, from shopping for an unnecessary divorce home to attending kindergarten recitals.
Kirkus Reviews calls it: "reliably amusing look at masculine insecurity and confusion."
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| Essays After Eighty by Donald HallWhat it is: a witty and reflective collection from America's 14th Poet Laureate and National Medal of Arts recipient Donald Hall.
Essays include: "Garlic with Everything," a passionate ode to Hall's favorite food; "Rejection and Resurrection," which tackles professional ambition and legacy.
Further reading: Hall's posthumous follow-up, Carnival of Losses: Notes Nearing Ninety, was published only two weeks after his death. |
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| Maeve in America: Essays by a Girl from Somewhere Else by Maeve HigginsStarring: Maeve Higgins, an Irish comedian and podcaster living in New York.
What it is: a collection of funny yet thoughtful essays about Higgins' time in the United States that discusses everything from the Irish immigrant experience in America to renting expensive clothing for formal affairs.
Don't miss: "Pen as Gun," describing a comedy workshop in Iraq. |
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The Opposite of Fate : A Book of Musings
by Amy Tan
What it covers: In this collection of sometimes humorous and occasionally wrenching essays, Amy Tan reflects on her family's Chinese American legacy, her experiences as a writer, her survival of natural disasters, and her struggle to manage three family members afflicted with brain disease.
The author also wrote: The Joy Luck Club, The Bonesetter's Daughter, and The Valley of Amazement, among many other titles.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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