W. W. Norton & Company

When I’m not knitting, chances are I’m thinking, talking, or reading about knitting. In between reading the stories in Knitting Pearls, you could be knitting one of the many patterns that are part of the book. And as much as I think everyone in the world should learn to knit, these stories aren’t just for the knit-obsessed. These essays by some of my favorite creative people are about love, heartbreak, family, personal identity, and making sense of it all. —Megan

Most famous for his long free solos (climbing with nothing more than shoes and chalk), Alex Honnold takes us on his adventures around the world in his memoir Alone on the Wall. Giving us an inside look at a person operating in such a different plane, on a level of adrenaline that would give most of us a heart attack, Honnold leaves the reader gripping the pages of the book as he describes being alone 2,000 feet off the ground—and off course. His excitement and passion for climbing and exploring will leave you itching to get outside after reading this book.  —Centa

Michael Lewis, famed sports and business author (The Blind Side, Liars Poker, The Big Short), tackles his toughest subject yet: Fatherhood. Chronicling the first few months after the birth of each of his three children, Lewis’ infectious wit and candidness provide one of the most accurate (and funny) portrayals of fatherhood I’ve ever read. Favorite moment: Lewis recalling his exhausting and excruciating father-daughter camp-out at Berkeley’s Fairy Land only to later decide that it was one of the best nights of his life.  -Casey

What does a woman who wants to work the land need to do to follow her dream? Should she do an internship or jump right in? How does she find a farm or handle one that she’s inherited? How does she incorporate animals as part of a farm ecosystem? Audrey Levatino shares her experiences of running a farm and offers advice on how to get started, whether you have hundreds of acres or a simple lot for an urban community garden. 

Many of Rick Bayless’ fantastic dishes have become staples in our house, so I’m really excited about his new collection. A follow-up to his bestseller, Mexican Everyday, Bayless has written a book designed to not only celebrate the vibrant flavors of the Mexican kitchen, but to get us to cook more—and more confidently. More Mexican Everyday emphasizes vegetables, go-to meals, and techniques to maximize flavor. From Egg-Chorizo Tortas to Roasted Tomatillo Enchiladas, I can’t wait to cook my way through this book. 

The Wild West has always captured our imagination, and few writers have evoked its magic like Edward Abbey and Wallace Stegner, two very different people who presented distinctive sides of the West and worked tirelessly on conservation efforts. This readable book balances the life of both authors with the author’s Western travelogues, history, and the passionate argument for the need to continue the conservation that Abbey and Stegner fought for.                                                                                      

How would you feel if your friend of 15 years turned out to be a con man and a murderer? Walter Kirn knows. This is the true story of Kirn’s friendship with a man who pretended to be a Rockefeller until his arrest for murder and the subsequent trial. This is true crime at its best—personal and shocking, it seems like it must be fiction, yet isn’t. I couldn’t put this down.

In her early 20’s, Caitlin Doughty worked in an Oakland mortuary running the cremation machines. In her memoir, Doughty blends mortuary stories with the history of death rituals and argues for a cultural need to become more familiar with death. Her charming voice makes this an enjoyable, fascinating read. It may seem unorthodox, but we all know someone who will love this!