Curious about the nonfiction books that Seattle’s readers turned to in 2021? This is the second in a series on most popular Library checkouts from last year, including e-books and physical books. (See this post for a list of most popular novels of 2021.)
This list ranks nonfiction books by combined circulation for e-books and physical books, but does not include audiobooks, e-audiobooks or renewals.
1. Nomadland: Surviving America in the 21st Century, by Jessica Bruder: Bruder chronicles the lives of transient older Americans who travel the nation as a new kind of migrant labor force, “workampers.”
2. Caste: the Origins of our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson: Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more.
3. A Promised Land, by Barack Obama: Former President Obama describes in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency – a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil
4. Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner: Zauner’s bestselling memoir is about growing up Korean-American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity.
5. Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know, by Adam Grant: The bestselling author of “Give and Take” examines the critical art of rethinking, which can position you for success at work and happiness at home.
6. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed, by Lori Gottlieb: This hilarious, thought-provoking, and surprising book takes us behind the scenes of a therapist’s world.
7. Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age, by Sanjay Gupta: Globe-trotting neurosurgeon Gupta offers insights from top scientists on how to heighten and protect brain function and maintain cognitive health at any age.
8. The Premonition: A Pandemic Story, by Michael Lewis: Lewis’s nonfiction thriller pits a band of medical visionaries against the official response of the Trump administration to the outbreak of COVID-19.
9. Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America, by Ijeoma Oluo: This history of American white male identity by the author of “So You Want to Talk About Race” exposes the costs of successes defined by racial and sexual dominance, while imagining a merit-based, non-discriminating model.
10. Educated: A Memoir, by Tara Westover: Westover, who was 17 when she first stepped foot in a classroom, crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education offers.
Want more book ideas? Check out these recent Shelf Talk posts:
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