12 giftable books Archives

Eyeliner: A Cultural History

by Zahra Hankir

I didn’t know I wanted to read a history account of eyeliner but this proved to be a fascinating read. Hankir traces the role of this cosmetic in our ideas about beauty and power from Nefertiti to Amy Winehouse. Its uses even go beyond make-up, like shielding eyes from the sun or warding off the evil eye. She profiles geishas, drag queens, and nomads, illustrating what eyeliner means to different cultures and the commonality between us all. Don’t be surprised if you feel inspired to up your eyeliner game after reading!

BLK ART: The Audacious Legacy of Black Artists and Models in Western Art

by Zaria Ware

Whether or not museums or patrons recognized their work, Black people have played a part in the Western art world from the beginning. From unknown models to acclaimed artists and sculptors, BLK ART is a fun, informative exploration centering those who deserve recognition. Team member Shannan brought this art history coffee table book to my attention. It’s the book she wished she would have read growing up. (You can hear her talk about it in this Patreon One Great Book bonus episode.)

The Singers Talk

by Jason Thomas Gordon

Clocking in at 528 pages, this hefty book will appeal to musicians and music fans alike, as well as anyone interested in the creative process. Acclaimed artists, including Emmylou Harris, Mavis Staples, Stevie Nicks, Chuck D, Willie Nelson, and so many more, share how they take care of their voices whether they’re on the road or in the studio. This came across my radar when I developed issues with my voice earlier this year and I found the tips and strategies to be enormously helpful. Plus, I enjoyed learning more about singers I love.

The Joy of Costco: A Treasure Hunt from A to Z

by David Schwartz, Susan Schwartz

Long-time Costco shoppers won’t need to think twice about snapping up this travelogue. Over the course of seven years, the authors visited over 200 of Costco's 850 warehouses in the US and around the world and accumulated so many interesting facts. Sure, you might know about the rotisserie chicken but what about their top sellers or what the color of employee’s badges means? From the origin story to regional fare, this is one fun ride.

Congratulations, The Best Is Over!: Essays

by R. Eric Thomas

If I wasn’t already an R. Eric Thomas fan for life, this collection would have clinched it: I’m not sure I have words for what it meant to me. In his sophomore book of essays, the Here for It author tells hilarious, moving, and deeply insightful tales of love, adult friendship, family, and marriage, and also therapy, Zoom funerals, working alone, COVID isolation, middle age, and his home city of Baltimore. There’s no weak link in this collection: every story feels immediate, intimate, and real. I’ve thought of “Break Room Cake Communion” and “Jericho” nearly every day since reading them. I can’t stop talking about this book. For fans of Samantha Irby’s Wow, No Thank You and Saeed Jones’s How We Fight for Our Lives..

Seeing Things: The Small Wonders of the World According to Writers, Artists and Others

by Julian Rothenstein

What does an Instagram account say about its creator? Rothenstein collected every day images from writers and artists’ pages, instead of the art they’re known for. The result is intimate, moving, and surprising.

The Book of (More) Delights: Essays

by Ross Gay

Award-winning poet Gay returns with another collection of essayettes, compiling a year’s worth of eloquent gratitude for ordinary things—that is, if you consider the satisfaction of being weirdly early for a coffee shop meeting or a cluster of sweet potatoes that looks like snuggled bunnies to be “ordinary.” This is like reading the gratitude journal I wish I could write: there’s no false cheer here, just deep joy and copious appreciation for the wonder and frailty of our everyday lives. Be sure not to miss—and maybe even begin with—the Appendix of Brief Delights and reading list tucked in the back. You could certainly gulp down the whole book at once, but I can’t think of a more delightful fall routine than starting the day with a nice cup of something delicious and one of Gay’s essayettes.

Flight Paths: How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration

by Rebecca Heisman

I had no idea I was interested in ornithology until I read this book about bird migration and the science behind it. Heisman brought the subject alive, from how birds cover thousands of miles every fall and spring to the technology scientists use to chart their path. This would be great for anyone with an inner budding scientist or simply looking for interesting nonfiction.

Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments

by Joe Posnanski

The baseball lover in your life needs this look back at the 50 most memorable moments in baseball history. There are the expected standout hits, like Babe Ruth’s called shot, Bo Jackson running up a wall, and how Shoeless Joe Jackson got his name. Posnanski also covers the Negro League, minor leagues, and unsung heroes and lesser known players. Even if you think you know what happened, the author often approaches it from a different perspective through the eyes of fans in the crowd or the opposing team. A fun, entertaining read.

The Wide World of Graffiti

by Alan Ket

Understandably often written off as vandalism, graffiti nonetheless is an art form. With photographs from the 1970s to today and interviews with taggers, we see how graffiti has evolved over the years and what the art movement means. You’ll never see it the same way again.

Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl

by Allison Horrocks, Mary Mahoney

Did you have or want an American Girl doll when you were growing up? Are you in need of 1990s nostalgia? Historians Horrocks and Mahoney have parlayed their hit podcast into book form with this history/travelogue/memoir. They cover the beloved catalogue, of course, Pleasant Rowland’s inspiration for creating the dolls, and the impact American Girls had on our culture for better and worse. With reflections about what the books got right and wrong and an exploration of the fandom, this is one insightful, entertaining deep dive.

The Blue Machine: How the Ocean Works

by Helen Czerski

As someone who lives in a land-locked state, I haven’t devoted much time to considering the ocean when I’m not on a beach vacation. Physicist Czerski changed that. She makes a compelling argument that the ocean is a vital cog in our global system and so much more than an absence of land. Her writing is approachable for the lay reader as she covers the history, culture, and connections forged by water, as well as the impact of climate change.

12 giftable books