Nonfiction Book Recommendations

Camille Colpoys '23 ~ February 2022

Though many people seek the comforts of fantastical tales amidst the stress of schoolwork and current events, nonfiction works are not always boring. Many offer excitement and intrigue, further heightened by the fact that their events are true. Nonfiction can warm our hearts or bring tears to our eyes, uncover details about the past, or offer fresh perspectives on the present. So give this undervalued genre a chance–it will not disappoint!

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann

Set in the 1920s, Grann follows a series of murders in Oklahoma. The victims were members of the Osage Indian nation– some of the wealthiest people in the United States, as they had settled on land abundant with oil. Drawing upon the mayhem and menace of the Wild West, this book details an appalling conspiracy in American history and the origins of modern federal security in the fearless Texas Rangers. Grann is a nonfiction connoisseur, effortlessly mingling his research with narrative while preserving the thrill of murder mystery novels. Bonus: the book is being adapted into a film, set to release this year directed by Martin Scorcese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers Who Helped Win WWII by Liza Mundy

While society has been exposed to countless details about World War II, the war effort of the thousands of women recruited by the American Army and Navy as codebreakers remains unknown. Sworn to secrecy, these remarkable women, from rural United States to the country’s most prestigious universities, intercepted and deciphered coded enemy messages. Their work was vital to the United States’ success in the war as they saved lives and uncovered planned attacks, including those of Japan on Midway. Perfect for Women’s History Month in March, Mundy hails these under-represented “code girls” in a feminist encomium to their courage and intelligence.

Educated by Tara Westover

An unsettling yet inspirational memoir, Westover accounts her unorthodox childhood in Idaho. Born to a Mormon family, her parents do not believe in education or hospitals. They live in isolation, shunning modern society and preparing for the apocalypse. However, with her older brother’s encouragement, Tara teaches herself enough grammar and math to be accepted into college. In her quest for education, she undergoes a transformation, eyes opening not only to the world, but to her own self-worth, as well. Westover does not hold back. She recounts the fond amusements and startling trauma of her childhood with the candor and wisdom of one who risked everything to break a steadfast cycle. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, Westover’s experience evokes the paradox of family ties as well as the true significance of an education in everyone’s life.

Title Photo: “book stack” by Ginny, Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0