Biography & Memoir

2016 Latino Book Award winners

By ChiPubLib_Adults

Here are some highlights of this year's awards.

Fall 2016 Books Preview

By ChiPubLib_Adults

With summer winding down, we're getting excited for the big books of fall, publishing's biggest season.

Oprah's Latest Picks

Oprah's Book Club 2.0 is back with with not just one, but two acclaimed new books.

National Book Critics Circle 2015 Award…

By ChiPubLib_Adults

Here are the winners for the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Awards.

Exonerated Prisoners Share Their Stories

By Gloriane

As Making a Murderer sparks conversation about exoneration, Gloriane recommends books and movies about wrongly convicted people.

Best Books of 2015: Nonfiction

By ChiPubLib_Adults

In addition to our top ten, we recommend these as the best nonfiction books published in 2015. Also be sure to check out our list of more of… More

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical OR Ho…

By Laura

Before Carole King’s songs were recorded by Aretha Franklin, The Monkees and Amy Winehouse, and before she released her chart-topping, mega… More

The Kennedys

By ChiPubLib_Adults

Check out some of the best book on one of America's most prominent families, the Kennedys.

Between the World and Me

By Coates, Ta-Nehisi

2015 National Book Award Winner in Nonfiction

Need Inspiration? Think About President…

By Kate

President Jimmy Carter doesn't seem to believe in retirement. Despite the fact that he celebrated his 91st birthday earlier this month and … More

2015 Carnegie Medal Finalists

By ChiPubLib_Adults

Here are the finalists for the 2015 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction.

National Book Award 2015 Finalists

By ChiPubLib_Adults

Here are the finalists for the 2015 National Book Awards in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry.

Books Coming to a Screen Near You

By ChiPubLib_Adults

We've rounded up 29 books that inspired recent and upcoming movies/TV projects. How many have you already heard about?

A Guide to Oliver Sacks

By Stephen

Neurologist and popular author Oliver Sacks has died. Here's a guide to his books and others like them.

Say Goodbye to Hollywood: Stars, Real an…

By Bbruins

In these memoirs, three actors explain why they walked away from careers in Tinseltown.

Happy 100th Birthday, Les Paul! Renaissa…

By Laura

Les Paul, born 100 years ago on June 9, was the 20th century’s Ben Franklin—a Renaissance man and inventor—but way cooler. Inducted into both t… More

5 Books to Read After You Read “Reading Lolita…

By Bbruins

Bbruins looks at books detailing the lives of women in revolutionary Iran.

Sad, Sad, Sad, Sad Funny People

By Jeff

If comedy has taught me anything, it's that trauma is hilarious. I have laughed much too often at the horrible things comedians do to themselves. W… More

Happy 75th Birthday, Stan Mikita!

By Ellen

Want to know more about Stosh? Ellen recommends books about the dynamic center and legendary Blackhawk.

Poor Memories

By Jeff

Jeff recommends stories of icons known for fuzzy (or embellished) memories, including Ernest Hemingway and Hunter S. Thompson.

Exonerated Prisoners Share Their Stories

By Gloriane

As Making a Murderer sparks conversation about exoneration, Gloriane recommends books and movies about wrongly convicted people.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical OR Ho…

By Laura

Before Carole King’s songs were recorded by Aretha Franklin, The Monkees and Amy Winehouse, and before she released her chart-topping, mega… More

Need Inspiration? Think About President…

By Kate

President Jimmy Carter doesn't seem to believe in retirement. Despite the fact that he celebrated his 91st birthday earlier this month and … More

A Guide to Oliver Sacks

By Stephen

Neurologist and popular author Oliver Sacks has died. Here's a guide to his books and others like them.

Say Goodbye to Hollywood: Stars, Real an…

By Bbruins

In these memoirs, three actors explain why they walked away from careers in Tinseltown.

Happy 100th Birthday, Les Paul! Renaissa…

By Laura

Les Paul, born 100 years ago on June 9, was the 20th century’s Ben Franklin—a Renaissance man and inventor—but way cooler. Inducted into both t… More

5 Books to Read After You Read “Reading Lolita…

By Bbruins

Bbruins looks at books detailing the lives of women in revolutionary Iran.

Sad, Sad, Sad, Sad Funny People

By Jeff

If comedy has taught me anything, it's that trauma is hilarious. I have laughed much too often at the horrible things comedians do to themselves. W… More

Happy 75th Birthday, Stan Mikita!

By Ellen

Want to know more about Stosh? Ellen recommends books about the dynamic center and legendary Blackhawk.

Poor Memories

By Jeff

Jeff recommends stories of icons known for fuzzy (or embellished) memories, including Ernest Hemingway and Hunter S. Thompson.

Growing Up With Asperger’s and Autism

By Bbruins

We look at biographies about growing up with Asperger’s and Autism.

Rachel Carson, Woman for the Earth

By Leslie

Leslie recommends moving biographies that will draw you into the life of the environmentalist and author of Silent Spring.

Mavis Staples: She’ll Take You There

By Bbruins

A new biography of Mavis Staples and a look at her discography

Alan Turing: An Enigma

By ChgoAnge

ChgoAnge suggests books about codebreaker Alan Turing, whose story comes to life in the film The Imitation Game.

Famous Parents and Their Children

By Jeff

Jeff considers biographies of famous parents and their children

Lives in Science

By Jeff

It's easy to think of scientists as loners absorbed in their own thoughts. Sometimes they are. Their real lives, however, can be just as interestin… More

MacArthur Genius Grants

By Stephen

The annual MacArthur fellows have been announced, and as usual, reading about the winners is inspiring and even intimidating (statistical analyses?… More

It’s Alright to Be a Lefty!

By Amanda

Celebrate International Left-Handers Day this week with biographies of famous lefties.