Nonfiction Titles

Including History, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir, Travel, Academic Texts, Philosophy, Journalism, Instruction, Humor, and Commentary.

Works are alphabetized by author. Genres and/or sub-genres are listed beside works. For details about a specific work, refer to author’s Substack. The Library is not responsible for content on individual authors’ Substacks.

(B) Nonfiction Book

(C) Complete / (I) Serial In Progress

(F) Free / ($) Paid / (F)→($) Preview Available

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65 Postcards | Eleanor Anstruther | Memoir (NA) (C) (F)

65 POSTCARDS is a memoir told in one-minute reads which I wrote and published in real time on Substack earlier this year.  It developed as I went along but I kept to the form and the result is 65 postcards telling the story of a girl on the run from the black box of secrets in her head.  It’s shocking and funny and daring and it got me thinking about my life in different ways and got these stories out of my head and onto the page. It was well-received!  It marked the beginning of my substack voyage (which I'm loving).  I hope you enjoy it and will list it in the library.  I’d be honoured for my work to take its place there.

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The Recovery Diaries | Eleanor Anstruther | Nonfiction (B) (C) (F)

THE RECOVERY DIARIES is the follow up to Eleanor's memoir, 65 Postcards. Following the same rules of engagement as inspired by Julia Cameron’s classic The Artist’s Way, she wrote each morning without a plan, allowing whatever needed to come forward to hit the page. The result is a deep dive into the process of somatic experiencing, recovery and what it is to be human. Intimate and universal, from portraits of her every day to memories once buried, this is where stories are conjured out of air, where feelings are opened to the sunshine and worlds, yours and mine, collide. 

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40 Before 40 | Walther Cantu | Memoir (B) (I) (F)

Forty personal essays about one man's journey from faithless to zealous, single to husband/father, and morbidly obese to just obese. All before he turns 40.

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Portraits of Loved Books | Sue Clancy | Art Collection (B) (C) (F)

Over one year Sue Clancy and Judy Sullens read printed books. Sue drew portraits by hand using ink of each book we both loved the most in an accordion style handmade paper book titled Portraits Of Loved Books. Then Clancy made an eBook version of the handmade book and gave it to subscribers for Jolabokaflod (holiday book flood).

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Amar Jibon (my life) | Rassundarj Devi | Memoir (NA) (C) (F)

My Great, Great Great, Great grandmother grew up at a time when women’s education was not very common. But adamant on learning how to read her favorite religious text by herself, she would steal her son school books and teach herself how to read and write and secret. All this while running a full house from morning till evening. She went on to write a memoirs and became the first woman in Bengal to do so. Amar Jibon or My Life, is still taught at universities.

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An Ordinary Disaster | Bowen Dwelle | Memoir (B) (I) (F)

An Ordinary Disaster is one man's proof that despite what may seem like our inability to hear it, and all of our attempts to avoid it, we can all learn to listen to ourselves, and to act upon the inner voice of our self, our sanity and our soul. This raw, gritty, vulnerable memoir takes us from the author's vibrant but emotionally vacant youth in 1980’s San Francisco through a deeply conflicted adulthood of depression, isolation, and addiction that lay hidden beneath a successful careers in the early days of the internet and as a small-business entrepreneur. Starting, growing and eventually selling his own business while desperately trying to escape his inner darkness through sex, travel, and drinking, the author eventually rediscovers his love of the outdoors and his connection to physical movement and adventure, which leads to an awakening of his intuition, the end of his life-long dependence on alcohol, and the rediscovery of his identity as a man. A provocative combination of truth-telling, hard-won life lessons, and powerful prose, An Ordinary Disaster is a concrete and hopeful demonstration that there is a way forwards for anyone who is plagued by a repeating chorus of "I don't know," feels stuck in a state of existential dissatisfaction and depression, or hopelessly disconnected from their inner voice and sense of self.

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Cured: The Memoir | Sarah Fay | Memoir (B) (I) (F)

The premise of Cured is simple: We can recover from mental illness, even serious mental illness. It’s the sequel to Sarah Fay’s breakout journalistic memoir Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses (HarperCollins 2022), which was an Apple Best Books pick and hailed in The New York Times as a “fiery manifesto of a memoir.” If Pathological is Sarah’s story of mental illness; Cured is her story of mental wellness. At the same time, Cured isn’t just Sarah’s story. It weaves in the latest research and statistics on recovery, the evidence-based tools Sarah used to become well, and the history of the Recovery Movement, which has been trying to tell us that mental health recovery is possible since the 1970s. Cured is for everyone who’s been told or believes that psychiatric conditions are always lifelong. They’re not. As Cured shows, Sarah and so many others are living proof. www.curedthememoir.com

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Experiments in Style | Terry Freedman | Creative Writing; Oulipo (N) (I) (F/P)

In this series, which will be collated into a book, I take a very simple true story and rewrite it in a different style every week. For example, I have written it as a corporate statement, a soul song, a choose-your-own-adventure, repetition, over-the-top use of adjectives and adverbs, and many more. While these versions are very entertaining in their own right, there is a serious intent behind them: to see how changing the style changes the ‘feel’ of a piece, and also to make readers who are also writers more aware of how the way they write about something can effectively change its meaning. There are 52 versions so far, and I aim to generate 100 and make it available as an ebook for my paid subscribers.

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The Alan Watts Chronicles | Tim Lott | Biography | (B) (I) ($)

The Life And Work of an English Spiritual Genius

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The Angel’s Dictionary: A Spirited Glossary For The Little Devil In You | Sol Luckman | Humor/Satire (B) (C) ($)

In this knee-slapping dictionary—winner of the 2017 National Indie Excellence Award for Humor—for coming to terms with modern culture (or lack thereof), politics (so-called) and life (such as it is), award-winning author Sol Luckman (SNOOZE: A STORY OF AWAKENING) reinvigorates satire to prove that—though we might not be able to change the world—we can at least have a good laugh at it. Then again, maybe laughter can transform the world! Taking a page from Ambrose Bierce’s scathing satirical masterpiece, THE DEVIL’S DICTIONARY, THE ANGEL’S DICTIONARY updates the genre to include blistering contemporary references and no small sampling of risqué humor to make adults giggle like mischievous teens.

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Musings From A Small Island: Everything Under the Sun | Sol Luckman |

Memoir/Fine Art (B) (C) ($)

From professional artist and multi-award-winning and international bestselling author Sol Luckman comes this dazzlingly self-illustrated memoir that will have you alternately bursting with laughter and bursting at the seams with new perspectives on life, death and the curiouser and curiouser cosmos we call home. Luckman—whose latest novel, CALI THE DESTROYER, won a whopping eight book awards—showcases his literary and painterly talents in this one-of-kind story of an uncommon life on the fair shores of Hilton Head Island, a world-famous vacation destination nestled in the Deep South. Combining fascinating memoir, hilarious comedy and inspirational philosophy (to say nothing of a handful of excellent craft cocktail recipes), MUSINGS FROM A SMALL ISLAND is also a stunningly visual coffee table book any Lowcountry lover or contemporary art aficionado would be proud to display. You’ve never read a book like this because, until now, there hasn’t been one. Seen from Luckman’s charmingly eccentric perspective, Hilton Head comes alive in ways few places do in literature or art.

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Playing in the MAGIC: How to Manifest Whatever You Desire in the Simulation | Sol Luckman | Health/Wellness (B) (C) ($)

In this inspiring, empowering ebook, renowned sound healer and international bestselling author Sol Luckman shares a major download of profound (as well as absurd) insights into the “magical” nature of our so-called reality. Riffing off the red-hot research of author Jason Breshears while adding a delightfully stimulating and idiosyncratic take with some critical missing pieces to the manifestation puzzle, Luckman distills an array of life-altering concepts into an easy-to-grasp-and-follow theoretical model for interacting productively (and even miraculously) with “reality.”

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Potentiate Your DNA: A Practical Guide to Healing & Transformation with the Regenetics Method | Sol Luckman | Health/Science (B) (C) ($)

The first DNA activation in the “revolutionary healing science” (NEXUS) of the Regenetics Method, Potentiation employs linguistic codes—produced vocally and mentally—to stimulate a self-healing and transformational ability in DNA. In this masterful exploration of sound healing by bestselling author Sol Luckman (CONSCIOUS HEALING), learn how to activate your genetic potential—in a single, 30-minute session! Besides teaching you a technique you can perform for your family, friends and even pets, POTENTIATE YOUR DNA also: 1) provides tried and true supplemental tools for maximizing your results; and 2) outlines a pioneering theory linking genetics, energy, and consciousness.

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Good Eye, Bad Eye: A Memoir of Trauma and Truth | Jeanne Malmgren | Memoir (B) (I) ($)

Can a childhood accident permanently damage our psyche? Or is it possible to heal from the physical and psychological wounds of trauma? At age 2 the author—who is also a psychotherapist—suffered an injury that would scar her forever. Her story will inspire anyone who lives with a disability or has endured trauma of any kind. Good Eye, Bad Eye launches readers on an emotional roller coaster of shame, the poignant yearning to be "normal," and the author's eventual discovery of a spiritual path that brings her peace and acceptance. This is also a detective story as the author searches for the truth of what happened to her in childhood—a truth withheld from her by those who loved her most. The answer she finally uncovers is bittersweet. Good Eye, Bad Eye is a primer on how the human brain struggles to handle overwhelming events, how therapists help their patients heal, and how the truth sets us free.

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Indonesian and American Photography | Michael P. Marpaung | Photography (B) (I) (F)

Enjoy beautiful Indonesia from the perspective (and camera) of a man on the street.

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NaNoWriMo, 2023 | Michael P. Marpaung | Creative Nonfiction, Personal Logs | (NT) (C) (F)

Follow author Michael P. Marpaung as he tackles the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge for the year 2023.

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Accidental Mentors: Inspirational Stories of Women Who Have Shaped My Life by Just Being Themselves | Annette Marquis | Memoir (B) (C) (F)

In "Accidental Mentors," Annette Marquis pays tribute to sixty-five remarkable women who have shaped her life over the course of six decades. Through a collection of poignant vignettes, Marquis reflects on the profound lessons imparted by family members, friends, teachers, colleagues, and even brief acquaintances. From learning to embrace her identity as a lesbian to navigating personal tragedy and professional challenges, Marquis illustrates how each woman left an indelible mark on her journey. With candor and gratitude, she celebrates the power of female connection and mentorship, reminding readers that even the most seemingly insignificant interactions can have a lasting impact. "Accidental Mentors" is a heartfelt testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative influence of the women who guide us along the way. Marquis's engaging storytelling invites readers to reflect on their own "hidden figures" and the wisdom gleaned from unexpected sources. This deeply personal memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, self-discovery, and a renewed appreciation for the unsung heroines in their lives.

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If You Only Knew: A Memoir of Family Secrets and their Undoing | Annette Marquis | Memoir (B) (I) (F)

In this memoir, Annette Marquis takes readers on a journey of self-discovery as she unravels the complex web of family secrets that have shaped her identity. From her early childhood questions about her red hair to her struggles with sexuality and self-acceptance, Marquis candidly shares her experiences of growing up in the shadow of her parents' hidden past. Through a series of revelations and personal challenges, she learns to embrace her authentic self, find forgiveness, and stand up for her beliefs. "If You Only Knew" is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of living one's truth.

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Closing the Gap, a memoir | Monica Nastase | Memoir (B) (I) (F)

'Closing the Gap' is a story of breakthrough. A fictionalized memoir of a sick, poor and underappreciated woman in her 30s and her adventures during the 5 years after getting divorced that led her to live her best life. She first loses everything - people, houses and objects - which was not meant to be in her life, and then she gets rid of her own inner devils: insecurity and self-abandonment. ‘Closing the Gap’ is a warning of what could happen to any woman who silences her own intuition and heart’s longing for too long. It’s a book of comfort for women who go through similar events, a companion to remind them they are never alone through the hardships, the grief and the dark road ahead; a reminder of our shared humanity. Through personal storytelling, the fictionalized memoir ‘Closing the Gap’ represents the voice of a woman who didn’t dare speak her truth until it was almost too late. Read it, chapter by chapter here.

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How to Become a Successful Author | Russell Nohelty | Nonfiction (B) (C) (P)

How to Become a Successful Author is the best book you'll ever read on building a successful author career from the ground up, packed with everything you need to know to become a successful author, starting today. It is broken up into three sections: Mindset, all about how to build focus, grit, and resilience, Writing, where Russell breaks down how to build a successful book from the ground up, and Marketing, where you'll learn how to take your book and share it with the world. 

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How to Build Your Creative Career | Russell Nohelty | Nonfiction (B) (C) (P)

How to Build Your Creative Career is set up in five sections: How to Make Great Content, The Basics of Sales, Building an Audience from Scratch, Making Money at Live Shows, and Launching your Product Successfully. Every creative I’ve ever met is stuck at one of those stages of their career, and this book gives you the tools to open those floodgates, overcome those blocks in your own career, and supercharge your career. This book can’t guarantee you a successful career, but it can give you all the fundamental knowledge you need to set you up for success because it was written by a creative for a creative.

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Containment Diaries | Buku Sarkar | Memoir (NA) (I) (F)

Free with occasional paid content of images only

Containment Diaries is a memoir about living with an undiagnosed illness similar to Parkinson’s . I started writing it just when Covid began. Hence the name. Written in a diary form it begins in 2013 in New York and moves on to India. Heavily influenced by Annie Ernaux, it is not a memoir about strength, or survival or courage. Just a simple day to day account— focusing mostly on a strange acupuncturist who promised to heal me. I am simultaneously doing a visual counterpart— self portraits to show and perhaps understand myself, what it means to lose one’s body. The serialised memoir contains chapters and photographs. 

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The New Now | Russell Smith | Nonfiction (B) (I) (F)

The New Now / Manifestos, Reinventions & Declarations is an insightful, free-thinking, and uplifting Neo-Beatnik collection of manifestos and essays about the New Now we’re living through. Deeply embedded, wrongheaded, calcified cultural norms are being pushed against as never before, and we can understand how societal shifts happened in past centuries – within months, days, or hours, and when a tipping point was finally reached. While holding onto heart-centered awareness, humor, and our humanity – we highlight what’s being done to push back against stolen human rights, book banning, and extremist censorship in this updated & expanded edition. Fast forward several years past 2020 (when we released the earlier version of this book), and our world is in turmoil, with a global surge in unbridled authoritarianism, and the gun violence epidemic and the Climate Crisis ramping up, there’s much more at stake when it comes to building the future we want to live in. The New Now offers insights into how we can shift our perspective. During these globally unbalanced times, this book contains ideas on regaining our balance and moving forward in a joyfully grounded way – while staying in touch with our deepest selves using creativity, camaraderie, and wonderment.

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Primorsko Path: My Summer in Bulgaria | Mitchell Todorov | Nonfiction; Mystery/Travel Adventure (NA) (I) (F)

In the summer of 2018, I traveled to Bulgaria to get my condo back from my cousin Doncho, who led me down a wild path through the Primorsko coast, Beglik Tash, the Arkutino School for Gifted Children, and beyond. These ten chapters are my account of what happened six years ago, how I survived, and how I made it back to the States. God Bless Bulgaria, a truly magical country I won't be allowed to visit for a while.

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The Book of the World: A Contemporary Scripture | Unknown, Editor: Phyllis Cole-Dai | Nonfiction, Prose, Secular Scripture (B) (C) (F)

Imagine scripture created for today. Scripture without a religion. Scripture intended not to replace other holy books but to offer alongside them its own poignant witness. Scripture written not by prophet or saint, mystic or messiah, guru or god, but by the world. Scripture nearly 3,000 verses long, woven seamlessly from quotations from around the globe. Scripture whose creator is unknown and whose origins are a mystery. Scripture that first appeared on the Internet, only to be suppressed. Scripture meant not only to be read but also to be tested and transcended . . . Imagine it no more. That scripture is here. Reflected in the pages of this one-of-a-kind book are many of the values and concerns that are central to living a spiritual life in a contemporary world, such as the cultivation of compassion, the expansion of peace and justice, and the growth of respect for this planet and all living things. The book calls us out of complacency, urging us to keep on with the great work of making our soul, which is, at the same time, the great work of making the world.

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Truth and Generosity: How Truth Makes Language Possible | Neal Weiner and Tina Lee Forsee | Philosophy (N) (I) (F → P)

First three chapters are free, subsequent chapters offer previews.

It doesn't matter whether you're conservative or liberal, religious or skeptical, the very fact you are able to understand the words you're reading right now—that we can communicate through language—means we must share a vast body of beliefs. While language may shape the way we think about the world to some small extent, it makes much more sense to say truth shapes language to a very large extent. Truth is the condition that makes language possible.

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CHOICE: Personalized Learning, Personalized Technology | Stephen Woicik | Education and Technology (B) (I) (F)

Many well-funded and well-intentioned technology initiatives fall flat. Failing for any combination of reasons: planning, implementation, culture, understanding, communication, money, and hundreds of others. Having worked in a school system, you have scars from projects like this. A simple idea turns into a monolithic project involving countless stakeholders and issues you never imagined. That is a reality of working in public education. This book is about one of those large-scale technology projects, the 1:1 device. Giving one device/computer to every student. We’ll go through lessons learned, pitfalls to avoid, and learn how to navigate the myriad of obstacles that come with large-scale projects.

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