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A grieving astrobiologist searches for life in the universe while raising his unusual nine-year-old son, who is about to be expelled from school. As his son becomes troubled, the father seeks an experimental treatment to control his emotions by training him on the recorded patterns of his mother's brain. This emotional and moving novel explores the connection between father and son, the natural world, and the truth about our planet.
Mark Duplass
2023-01-02T17:24:03.000ZExperience the wild artistic world of downtown New York in the 1980s through the eyes of John Lurie. Founder of The Lounge Lizards, Lurie was at the center of a cultural revolution that included outsider artists, filmmakers, and rebels. In this memoir, he vividly brings to life the gritty and vibrant East Village, sharing frank humor and unforgettable encounters with luminaries like Andy Warhol, Debbie Harry, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The History of Bones is a powerful and insightful journey through a moment in cultural history that will never be forgotten.
Mark Duplass
2023-01-02T17:24:03.000ZThe Sunset Route
Freight Trains, Forgiveness, and Freedom on the Rails in the American West
Follow one woman's journey from a neglected childhood in Alaska to a life of adventure, self-discovery, and healing through freight train travel across the US in 'The Sunset Route.' This powerful memoir explores themes of forgiveness, the redemptive power of nature, and finding belonging in unexpected places. Join the author as she navigates through the unseen corners of America while overcoming the ghosts of her past.
Mark Duplass
2023-01-02T17:24:03.000ZExplore the dark and gritty underbelly of the Seattle music scene in the '80s and '90s with Sing Backwards and Weep. This memoir by a legendary singer and former drug addict chronicles his rise to the forefront of the alternative music scene as the front man of the Screaming Trees, as well as his ultimate fall from grace as a low-level crack dealer and a homeless heroin addict. With unflinching honesty, Mark Lanegan recounts his personal struggles with addiction, the tragic deaths of his closest friends, and his journey back from the brink of destruction. This gripping and raw tale is a must-read for any fan of rock and roll history.
Mark Duplass
2023-01-02T17:24:03.000ZRecommended by
Irvine WelshHorizon by Barry Lopez is a National Book Award-winning work that takes readers on a personal journey spanning six regions of the world, from Western Oregon to Antarctica. Along the way, Lopez explores humanity's history of exploration and our place in a rapidly changing world. This immersive and thought-provoking book is a must-read for anyone who seeks meaning and purpose in our complex world.
Mark Duplass
2023-01-02T17:24:03.000ZRecommended by
Robert Macfarlane"Long Division" is a satirical novel that explores themes of celebrity, authorship, violence, religion, and coming of age in post-Katrina Mississippi. Follow the story of 14-year-old Citoyen "City" Coldson, who becomes an overnight YouTube sensation after a meltdown during a televised quiz contest. Sent to stay with his grandmother in a small coastal community, City receives a strange book without an author, called "Long Division," leading him and his friends on an adventure through time and across racial lines. With two interwoven stories, "Long Division" is a humorous, lacerating, and wise exploration of Black teenagers and their journey of self-discovery.
Mark Duplass
2023-01-02T17:24:03.000ZRecommended by
Chanda Prescod-WeinsteinIn "A Heart That Works," Rob Delaney shares the intimate and deeply personal story of his family's journey after his one-year-old son is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Delaney's exploration of grief and the fragile miracle of life offer solace to those facing devastation and reminds us that grace can appear even in the darkest of times.
Mark Duplass
2022-11-27T13:19:42.000ZRecommended by
Mia FarrowBetween the Mountain and the Sky
A Mother’s Story of Love, Loss, Healing, and Hope
A young woman's life takes a transformative turn when a chance encounter in Nepal inspires her to invest her life savings in opening a children's home. From there, she builds a nonprofit organization that provides tuition-free education to over 400 students. Between the Mountain and the Sky is an uplifting coming-of-age story that shows readers the power of a single person to change the world.
Mark Duplass
2022-08-30T19:28:45.000ZThis powerful memoir by a former army intelligence officer tells a story of impossible choices and the struggle with PTSD. Despite being touted as a potential presidential candidate, the author turns to a mayoral race and eventually drops out of public life due to depression and thoughts of suicide. He candidly shares his fight for healing and the support of his family, offering hope to readers going through similar struggles.
Mark Duplass
2022-05-19T04:20:23.000ZRun Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley
How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur
In The End, It Was All About Love by Musa Okwonga
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch