I have been finding it challenging to read fictional stories lately. I just might not be an escapist reader during these times of uncertainty. Thankfully, I have been finding tons of amazing nonfiction titles to keep me uplifted for all ranges of subjects, from the questionable to the serious to the light-hearted. Here is a list of some notable nonfiction titles that were released in 2019. What are some of your favorite nonfiction books?
All of these titles are available through Overdrive’s “Always Available” section, free to check out with your Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh account. You can access Overdrive through our eResources page or by downloading the Overdrive or Libby app to your device. You can view a tutorial video for more information, or email us at info@carnegielibrary.org for more information.
After these, are you interested in more picks? Fill out our Book Recommendation form and a librarian will curate a list of suggestions for you!
A memoir centering around a yellow shotgun house and the family that lived in it, purchased by Sarah’s mother Ivory Mae in a then-promising New Orleans neighborhood in 1961 at the height the Space Age, and the struggle against the house’s entropy as the neighborhood became neglected. This title is also available for checkout as an eBook on Libby and Hoopla.
An essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism and contributing to an equitable and just society. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
A hilarious, big-hearted memoir of former Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon’s journey from a home schooled child in Scranton, Pennsylvania to a self-professed America’s Sweetheart and outrageous success. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Overdrive/Libby and as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
Upon submitting her DNA to a genealogy website, Shapiro wakes up in the spring of 2016 to discover that father is, in fact, not her real father. This is a true story of one woman’s journey to discover her true identity, a story that has been scrupulously hidden from her for fifty years. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Overdrive/Libby and as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
A cross-cultural, traveling love story, one woman discovers the healing powers of food, family, and grace when coping with the untimely loss of her husband, Saro. This memoir explores the three summers Tembi spent in Sicily with her young daughter Zoela following his passing, where she finds nourishment at her mother-in-law’s table. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Overdrive/Libby and as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and Eddie Murphy were the iconic funnymen in Hollywood during the 1980s. This behind-the-scenes story explores their dive into comedy and how the beloved films like Caddyshack and Ghostbusters made them into stars. You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
At age 41, acclaimed poet Anne Boyer was diagnosed with highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. This is an exploration of survival; from the cancer bloggers and hoaxers, the ecological cost of chemotherapy, diving into writings of women dictating their experiences in sickness and death, Boyer opens a space of thinking and feeling about illness for all of us. You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
From the 1990s to current times, this portraits explores the conversations between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Jeffrey Rosen during the past twenty years as they explore a variety of topics from politics, etiquette, and compassion in life. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Overdrive/Libby and as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
At the age of 27, Kwame Onwuachi, winner of the 2019 James Beard Foundation Award for Rising Star Chef of the Year, just opened and closed one of the most talked about restaurants in America. This is a memoir about the intersection of race, fame, and food as he shares his culinary coming-of-age story. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Overdrive/Libby and as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
From the creator of the #DisabledAndCute viral campaign and disability rights advocate, this is an inspiring collection of essays exploring what it means to be black and disabled in mostly abled-bodied white America. You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.