Sonoma’s Bestseller List, the week ending June 6
Nonfiction Hardcover
1. “World Travel: An Irreverent Guide” by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever
The last travelogue from the late celebrity chef and TV star that was in the works at the time of his death, completed by his longtime co-worker/co writer.
2. “After the Fall: Being American in the World We Made” by Ben Rhodes
The former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama traveled extensively throughout the world in 2017 and found nationalism, authoritarianism, and disinformation rampant in many countries.
3. “Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment” by Daniel Kahneman, Oliver Sibony and Cass R. Sunstein
The psychology and business professors and legal scholar study errors in decision making, caused by conflicting “noise” in human judgment, with a fascinating exploration of the fields of medicine, law, economic forecasting and others.
4. “How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America” by Clint Smith
The Atlantic staff writer examines the legacy of slavery by exploring the landmarks and monuments throughout the U.S. that serve as symbolic reflections of its violent and inhumane history.
5. “Spirits of San Francisco: Voyages Through the Unknown City” by Gary Kamiya and Paul Madonna
The SF Chronicle columnist explores the city with site based vignettes and accompanied by Madonna’s evocative drawings.
Nonfiction Paperback
1. “100 Things to do in Sonoma County Before You Die” by Yvonne Horn
The prolific travel writer charts an “insiders” guide to seeing the best in Sonoma County.
2. “Hellacious California: Tales of Rascality, Revelry, Dissipation, and Depravity, and the Birth of the Golden State” by Gary Noy
An entertaining compilation of stories and anecdotes of the early settlers of California, including many who led very freewheeling lives.
3. “Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn’t Designed For You” by Jenara Nerenberg
A Neuroscience journalist reframes how we think about mental differences, especially in women.
4. “How Democracies Die” by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
The Harvard University professors examine the collapse of democracies throughout the world, through both violent coups and gradual slides into authoritarianism.
5. “The Munchkin Diary: My Personal Yellow Brick Road” by Betty Ann Bruno
The Sonoma Valley resident’s memoir of her life’s experiences and adventures, notably beginning with being one of the Munchkins in the classic film “The Wizard of Oz.”
Children’s/YA titles
1. “Mango, Abuela, and Me” by Melinda May and Angela Dominguez
Illustrated, ages 5-8. A little girl’s Spanish-only speaking grandmother comes to live with her, and finds that love and patience transcends their language barrier.
2. “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson
Middle readers, ages 10-13. In free verse, the National Book Award winning author tells the story of her life.
3. “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman
Illustrated, ages 4-8. In rhyming text and with vivid illustrations, an urban school with diverse children learn from and celebrate their differences.
4. “Sofia Valdez, Future Prez” by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
Illustrated, ages 5-7.
Another installment in the popular “Questioneers” series, featuring second grader Sofia, who becomes a community organizer after her beloved grandfather is injured while walking her to school.
5. “Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All” by Laura Ruby
YA, ages 14-17. An evocative tale of a teenage orphan in a WWII Chicago orphanage, whose life is entwined with the book’s narrator, a teenaged girl ghost who haunts the orphanage.
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