Halifax Public Library Staff Favourites of 2015 - Adult Non-Fiction

It's that time of year again!  We've polled our staff for their favourite books of 2015 and as always, we have an eclectic bunch of books to recommend.

Here are our picks for Adult Non-Fiction!

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Recommended by Lindsay & Matthew: "Personal, powerful, sincere and visionary"
Read our previous post on Between the World and Me here.

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Eric Larson
Recommended by Jannaya: "Larson provides a well-researched, narrative account of the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 and events surrounding it. I especially enjoyed his incorporation of vivid character descriptions, eyewitness accounts, and a social history perspective."

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
Recommended by Elizabeth: "It's absolutely hilarious."
Read our previous post on Furiously Happy here.  

Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton
Recommended by Alison F: "This book of photographic microstories serves as a great reminder that we all have unique backstories, and we all share a common humanity."

Welcome to Subirdia: Sharing our Neighborhoods with Wrens, Robins, Woodpeckers, and Other Wildlife by John M. Marzluff
Recommended by Joanne: "Birds are changing Suburbia. Suburbia is changing birds."

Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein 
Recommended by Kristina: "The book is a really thoughtful look at the early 1990s and the importance of the counter culture music scene to youth then. This book totally won me over when it described seeing early Riot Grrrl band Heavens to Betsy by saying “They were like really loud librarians.”

Bon Appetempt: A Coming-of-Age Story (with Recipes!) by Amelia Morris
Recommended by Julia: "A well written memoir about food, family, failure and love. This book is full of Morris’ quirky humour and delicious recipes. ​ It is honest, thoughtful, charming and would make a good book club read."

My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem 
Recommended by Amy: "As Steinem chronicles her life of journeys, conferences, and speaking engagements, what emerges is more than a memoir: it's a history of modern feminism, as told by one of its most active supporters." 
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
Recommended by Lindsay: "On making magic in your life and how to rid yourself of the excuses holding you back and get to work."

Rising Strong by Brené Brown
Recommended by Emma: "This book is for anyone who's had the courage to try and fail and get back up again."

Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church by Rachel Held Evans
Recommended by Emma: "An honest and refreshing wrestling with faith and the church."  

Vegetarian India by Madhur Jaffrey
Recommended by Chloe: "All her books on Indian cooking are great, but this one is the one I've been waiting for because it is completely filled with recipes that I would like to make."