For this week, the theme over at ThatArtsyReaderGirl is books on my winter TBR, and my reading list is all nonfiction for now. I am a round 2 judge for the Cybils awards and hoped to get a headstart on reading the nominated books earlier than now. Well, better late than never ..

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Books From My Reading List

Caste

Caste (Adapted for Young Adults) by Isabel Wilkerson (12 years and up).

Description: In this young adult adaptation of the Oprah Book Club selection and New York Times bestselling nonfiction work, Pulitzer Prize–winning author Isabel Wilkerson explores the unspoken hierarchies that divide us across lines of race and class. Revealing and timely, this work will speak to young people who are engaged more than ever with the world around them, or to anyone who believes in a more just existence for all.

My Why: A book that I think everyone needs to read

Discovering Life’s Story: Biology’s Beginnings 

Discovering Life’s Story: Biology’s Beginnings  by Joy Hakim (14 – 17 years, and up).

Description: With Biology’s Beginnings: Discovering Life’s Story, best-selling author Joy Hakim begins a quartet of volumes mapping the path of human discovery as we unlock the biological secrets of our own existence. Richly illustrated with archival source materials and fine art, this STEM treasure trove features a wealth of back matter certain to kindle the appetite of science lovers.

My Why: At one point in my life, I wanted to be a doctor.. and my favorite class (other than English) was biology .. I still love it.

Inuunira: My Story of Survival 

Inuunira: My Story of Survival by Brian Koonoo with illustrations by Ben Shannon (12 – 17 years, and up)

Description: In this harrowing survival story, Brian Koonoo takes off on a hunting trip in Canada’s Arctic. After his snowmobile breaks down, his GPS loses signal, and his camping fuel runs low, he is left alone to survive for seven days. Inuunira is an Inuktitut term that means “how I’m alive,” and this account shows exactly how Brian managed to stay alive

My Why: Survival stories…

Money Out Loud

Money Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff No One Taught Us by Berna Anat with illustrations by  Monique Sterling (13 – 17 years, and up)

Description: In this illustrated, deeply unserious guide to money, Berna Anat—aka the Financial Hype Woman—freaks out her immigrant parents by doing the unthinkable: Talking about money. Loudly. 

My Why: I think I still need to learn more about financial stuff 🙂

A Quantum Life

A Quantum Life (Adapted for Young Adults): My Unlikely Journey from the Street to the Stars by Hakeem Oluseyi and Joshua Horwitz (12 – 17 years, and up)

Description: A NASA astrophysicist narrates his improbable journey from an impoverished childhood and an adolescence mired in drugs and crime to the nation’s top physics PhD program at Stanford in this inspiring coming-of-age memoir.

My Why: So much to admire about people like this

Roads to Family

Roads to Family: All the Ways We Come to Be by Rachel HS Ginocchio (11 – 18 years, and up)

Description: Examine―and appreciate―the many ways in which people can create a family. This informative compendium goes beyond the basics of sexual reproduction to examine the diversity of medical and societal methods people use, including in-vitro fertilization, surrogacy, adoption, and more. Through scientific research, diagrams, and interviews with families, author Rachel Ginocchio provides a thoughtful and thorough examination of the possibilities available.

My Why: Do want to look at

Spare Parts

Spare Parts (Young Readers’ Edition): The True Story of Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and an Impossible Dream by Joshua Davis and Reyna Grande (10 – 14 years, and up)  

Description: A riveting true story about dreams, dedication, and an amazing robot named Stinky, based on Joshua Davis’ New York Times bestseller and now adapted for young readers by bestselling Mexican American author Reyna Grande.

My Why: So very inspiring (and I am yet to read anything by Grande)

The Sum of Us

The Sum of Us (Adapted for Young Readers): How Racism Hurts Everyone by Heather McGhee (10 – 14 years, and up)

Description: The New York Times bestseller, now adapted for a new generation of young readers, leaders, thinkers, and activists. A groundbreaking call to action that examines how racism affects and harms all of us and how we need to face it head-on, together.

My Why: A much needed read in today’s world for everyone

Unbreakable

Unbreakable: The Spies Who Cracked the Nazis’ Secret Code by Rebecca E. F. Barone (10 – 14 years, and up)

Description: Unbreakable is the edge-of-your seat true story of the codebreakers, spies, and navy fighters who helped defeat the Nazis and turned the tide of World War II―perfect for fans of The Imitation Game, Alan Gratz, and Jennifer Nielsen.

My Why: Any book to do with WWII and this one has a bonus appeal – breaking codes…

Unseen Jungle

Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World (Your Hidden Life) by Eleanor Spicer Rice with illustrations by Rob Wilson (8 years and up)

Description: This lively peek into the amazing world of microbes, replete with a kid-pleasing “ick” factor, is chock-full of facts, humor, and fun illustrations.

My Why: Microbes always fascinated me, ever since I first learned about them ages ago in biology..

Where to Start

Where to Start: A Survival Guide to Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health Challenges by Mental Health America and illustrated by Gemma Correll (12 – 17 years, and up)

Description: A comforting and useful resource for anyone who’s struggling emotionally and looking for help―from the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit that addresses the needs of those living with mental illness

My Why: A book that I hope helps me navigate parenthood better

Work with What You Got

Work with What You Got: A Memoir by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch (Author)

Description: Elite wheelchair racer, wrestler, and America’s Got Talent contestant Zion Clark joins with New York Times best-selling author James S. Hirsch for a stunning memoir—recounting childhood adversity, awe-inspiring perseverance, and self-invention.

My Why: Need inspiration – lots of it..

You: The Story

You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory by Ruta Sepetys (Author)

Description: You: The Story is a powerful how-to book for aspiring writers that encourages you to look inward and excavate your own memories in order to discover the authentic voices and compelling details that are waiting to be put on the page. Masterfully weaving in humorous and heartfelt stories from her own life that illustrate an aspect of the craft of writing (such as plot, character development, or dialogue), Sepetys then inspires readers with a series of writing prompts and exercises.

My Why: A how-to for writers by an author I have had on my tbr for too long.

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, which book appeals to you the most? Which of these have you read? Do let me know..