Non-fiction

Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm by DeMar DeRozan (2024)

Sponsor(s): Ahan Jha (Gr 11), Ardavan Tehrani (Gr 11) & Mr. Kadin Burnett 

Six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan made headlines when he spoke publicly about his depression, breaking barriers as a successful Black athlete openly addressing mental health. In Above the Noise, DeRozan shares his full story—from growing up in Compton and facing hardship, to rising in the NBA and grappling with self-doubt and loss. Through his triumphs and struggles, DeRozan shows how he became both a basketball star and an advocate for healing, inspiring others to speak their truth and rise above the noise.

The Big Short by Michael Lewis (2010)

Sponsor(s): Adrian Molina

In The Big Short, Michael Lewis takes you inside the high-stakes world of the 2008 financial crisis, where a few savvy outsiders saw the collapse coming and made a fortune by betting against the system. With wit and sharp insight, Lewis reveals the greed, ignorance, and chaos that led to the global meltdown, showing how the game was rigged—and who played it to win.

The Courage to be Disliked  by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga (2013)

Sponsor(s): Ms. Morgan McLaughlin (Director of Academics)

The Courage to Be Disliked shows you how to unlock the power within yourself to become your best and truest self, change your future and find lasting happiness. Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of 19th-century psychology alongside Freud and Jung, the authors explain how we are all free to determine our own future free of the shackles of past experiences, doubts and the expectations of others. It’s a philosophy that’s profoundly liberating, allowing us to develop the courage to change, and to ignore the limitations that we and those around us can place on ourselves.

Don't Believe Everything You Think  by Joseph Nguyen (2022)

Sponsor(s): Dr. Andrew Woodward (English Teacher)

Don’t Believe Everything You Think shows you how to break free from anxiety, self-doubt, and self-sabotage without relying on willpower or motivation. Discover the root cause of suffering and unlock the power to create the life you want, no matter your past or circumstances. This book offers a new perspective on the mind’s infinite potential, guiding you to peace, love, and joy by expanding your consciousness—not through temporary tactics, but by understanding your true nature.

Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital by Elise Hu (2023)

Sponsor(s): Ms. Sylvia Lau (Business Studies Teacher)

K-beauty has taken the world by storm, promising flawless skin and irresistible allure, but beneath its glossy surface lies a deeper story. In The Perfect Face, Elise Hu explores the $10 billion K-beauty industry, fueled by consumerism and the quest for perfection. Through rich reporting and interviews with South Korean women, Hu uncovers the emotional, physical, and financial costs of beauty culture, questioning the dangerous pursuit of flawless faces and bodies. This eye-opening book challenges the beauty imperative and offers a vision for a more inclusive, empowering future.

A History of Canada in Ten Maps by Adam Shoalts (2017)

Sponsor(s): Ms. Nicole Amatruda (Inclusive Education Teacher)

Ten Maps takes us on an epic journey through the history of Canada as seen through the eyes of those who mapped it—Vikings, explorers, and pioneers. Adam Shoalts, one of Canada’s foremost explorers, uncovers the stories behind ancient maps and the dramatic encounters that shaped the country. Blending storytelling, geography, and history, this book reveals a Canada we’ve never known, bringing to life the myths, characters, and conflicts that forged its identity.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)  by Mindy Kaling (2011)

Sponsor(s): Hugh Storey (Gr 9) and Ms. Alexa Grivakes (Bryd Head of House)

In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy Kaling takes us on a hilarious ride through her many lives—from a timid child of immigrant parents to a comedy writer and actress known for her quick wit. With her trademark humor, she shares quirky insights on friendships, romance, fame, and Hollywood, offering unfiltered observations on what really matters—while making you laugh out loud. It’s the perfect book for anyone who loves a good story and a laugh at the same time.

LeBron by Jeff Benedict (2023)

Sponsor(s): James Sanders (Gr 10) Jack Colquhoun (Gr 10) & Ms. Cara Dey (Head of Languages)

LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of the twenty-first century, and he’s in the conversation with Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time. The reigning king of the game and the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, LeBron wears the crown like he was born with it. Yet his ascent has been anything but effortless and predetermined—the truth is vastly more interesting than that.

Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World by Tim Marshall

Sponsor(s): Ella Rose Mialaret (Gr. 11) and Ms. Nina Pagtakhan (Socials Teacher)

All leaders are constrained by geography. Their choices are limited by mountains, rivers, seas and concrete. Yes, to follow world events you need to understand people, ideas and movements - but if you don't know geography, you'll never have the full picture.

If you've ever wondered why Putin is so obsessed with Crimea, why the USA was destined to become a global superpower, or why China's power base continues to expand ever outwards, the answers are all here.

In ten chapters and ten maps, Prisoners of Geography looks at the past, present and future to offer an essential insight into one of the major factors that determines world history.