W. W. Norton & Company

Robert Macfarlane writes with such agility and scope that when exploring the natural world that lies beneath us, he also plumbs the depths of our cultures, mythologies, and histories—not as an exercise in what has been, but in where we are now, and what can still be done. Tracking across time and the planet, each page is a revelation, a way to think more deeply and place ourselves more fully in the world, making Underland both pleasurable reading and important work. - Melinda

In the world of professional criminals, there’s always one last job, and it’s always a bad idea. In 2015, a crew of aging criminals called the Bad Grandpas almost pulled off one of the biggest heists of their lives—stealing $19 million in cash, gold, and jewels—almost. Former New York Times correspondent Dan Bilefsky weaves this tale from the testimony of the Scotland Yard detectives who busted the crew. A must-read for all fans of true crime. - Aric

I found myself telling everyone I knew how much I enjoyed reading this, and how they needed to read it right now! Norris takes us through her interest in all things Greek, from the language to the place to the literature and how she relates to it all. Her genius lies in moving agilely from one topic to another, giving insight and sparking interest while never letting the reader become weary of the subject. Perfect to delight the brain, spice up your dinner conversation, and to transport you to “the wine-dark sea.” - Jax

Written as imagined life narratives, this is the most interesting history book I've read all year. Hartman revisits old sources about urban, black Philadelphia to interpret them through the overlooked eyes of young black women navigating social change at the turn of the 20th century. Her methodology dials in on women’s lived experiences and reads like short stories. Love! - Clara

With poetic irony, Ackerman tells the little-known true story of two zookeepers in 1930s Warsaw, Poland. Their world-view and extraordinary compassion led them to save hundreds of Jews imperiled by the Nazi invasion. This heroic narrative highlights contradictions of vulnerability and strength, good in the face of loss, and the rich compatibility of beauty and sadness. - Kären

I fell in love with this book for the wonderfully written, humorous, heart-breaking story of Doughty herself. If you’re a fan of weird science or the macabre, chances are you’ve heard of this – the entertainingly honest memoir of a modern-day mortician. If, like me, you put off picking it up, take my word for it and hesitate no longer. I was fascinated by the humanizing facts of death. - Jocelyn

It takes a certain kind of person - animal-lover, star-gazer, adventure seeker - to thrive while living at 9,000 feet. Pam Houston’s full heart and indomitable spirit are on full display in this memoir, which contains all the meditative and hopeful vignettes fans of Houston have come to expect. A great choice for fans of Cheryl Strayed and Terry Tempest Williams! - Jess

Mathematics professor Dr. Hannah Fry has tackled with numbers Santa Claus and love, so it might seem a retreat to safety for her to write about algorithms…if the algorithms weren’t covering everything crucial about being a modern human, from our everyday interactions to our social justice systems. With intelligence and charm, Fry gives a tour through algorithms and lays out a better understanding of the possibilities before us. - Jocelyn

If you found Astrophysics for People in a Hurry to be a fascinating journey through the cosmos, strap yourself in. The story of the connection between astrophysics and the military—laid out by the amazing Neil DeGrasse Tyson (of Cosmos fame) and Avis Lang—is full of fascinating actors, from lone people to whole governments to Earth itself. - Ian

You may know Michael Lewis from his best-selling books on the insider worlds of baseball (Moneyball), football (The Blind Side), the housing market (The Big Short), and the human psyche (The Undoing Project). Now his journalistic sights are on the US government and the current administration. Shying away from personalities and conspiracies, Lewis focuses on the agencies that make the country function—and exactly how and why they are (or aren’t) working. - Jocelyn