NONFICTION

Letter to My Daughter is Angelou's first original collection in 10 years. Combining personal experiences with the distilled knowledge of a lifetime, these short but spellbinding essays take the reader on an inspirational journey that explores ideas from a well-lived life. It's about living well and living good. It's Maya Angelou talking from the heart: down-to-earth, real, and inspiring. -Clytia Fuller

Based on the NPR series that has been aired once a week for the last three years, people across America present what she or he believe in 500 words. Some of the names are well known, from Elie Wiesel to Studs Turkel; others are individuals that have simply lived life and have something to say about it-from a survivor of Katrina to a mother questioning if she's handed down mixed morals to her children. This collection is a grounding gift-an anthology of people from all backgrounds and classes who share their humility, humanity, and hope as offerings for the rest of us to consider for our own. Accompanied with a CD where you can hear some of the essays being read out loud by their authors, this book talks to core values how, when we truly hear our community, we are given gifts in our questioning and concluding; how we can offer one another tools of how to live life and do so fully. -SMC

At their first meeting, a remarkable bond was sparked between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the psychologist Paul Ekman, whose groundbreaking work helped to define the science of emotions. Now these two luminaries share their thinking about science and spirituality, the bonds between East and West, and the nature and quality of our emotional lives. This is an unparalleled series of conversations-such as what are the sources of hate and compassion-that is sure to stimulate further discussion. -Clytia Fuller

Quench your intellectual thirst with an overview of the literature, music, film, personalities, trends, sports, and pop references that have defined the way we live. From the Slinky to Star Wars; Beatlemania to Babe Ruth; flappers to fascism-refreshing your memory and dazzling your friends has never been easier, or more fun.