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List: New Nonfiction Books in August 2025


A photo of The art spy : the extraordinary untold tale of WWII resistance hero Rose Valland

The art spy : the extraordinary untold tale of WWII resistance hero Rose Valland

"On August 25, 1944, Rose Valland, a woman of quiet daring, found herself in a desperate position. From the windows of her beloved Jeu de Paume museum, where she had worked and ultimately spied, she could see the battle to liberate Paris thundering around her. The Jeu de Paume, co-opted by Nazi leadership, was now the Germans' final line of defense. Would the museum curator be killed before she could tell the truth--a story that would mean nothing less than saving humanity's cultural inheritance? Based on troves of previously undiscovered documents, The Art Spy chronicles the brave actions of the key Resistance spy in the heart of the Nazi's art looting headquarters in the French capital. A veritable female Monuments Man, Valland has, until now, been written out of the annals, despite bearing witness to history's largest art theft"-- Provided by publisher.

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A photo of Little bosses everywhere : how the pyramid scheme shaped America

Little bosses everywhere : how the pyramid scheme shaped America

"Despite overwhelming evidence that multilevel marketing causes most of its participants to lose their money, and that many MLM companies are pyramid schemes, the industry's dubious origins, inextricably tied to well-known ideological figures like Ronald Reagan, have escaped public scrutiny ... [The author] tells the gripping story of multilevel marketing in full for the first time ..."-- Provided by publisher.

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A photo of Bad friend : how women revolutionized modern friendship

Bad friend : how women revolutionized modern friendship

"A smart and thought-provoking memoir, history, and cultural critique about the turmoil and complexity of female friendship Our culture today is inundated with narratives about the strength of female friendship, whether through images of girl power, BFFs, or work wives. Yet cultural historian Tiffany Watt Smith has always found her own life much messier. She has had dramatic friend breakups, friendships that felt like too much or not enough, friendships that drifted into silence, and friendships built on convenience rather than a meeting of minds.

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A photo of George Grosz in Berlin : the relentless eye

George Grosz in Berlin : the relentless eye

"This overdue investigation of George Grosz's (1893-1959) most compelling paintings, drawings, prints, and collages offers a reassessment of the celebrated German Expressionist during his years in Berlin, the period of his greatest work.

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A photo of The great Mughals : art, architecture and opulence

The great Mughals : art, architecture and opulence

The Great Mughals presents the opulent, internationalist culture of Mughal Hindustan in the age of its emperors Akbar (r.1556-1605), Jahangir (r.1605-1627) and Shah Jahan (r. 1628-1658). Describing the origins of Mughal art, it explores how an Iranian influence permeated the craft traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

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A photo of Shamanism : the timeless religion

Shamanism : the timeless religion

"From a brilliant, young Harvard-trained anthropologist and contributor to the New Yorker comes a fascinating investigation into the spiritual practice of shamanism from its history through to the present day, for readers disaffected with organized religion who seek a more personal approach to spirituality.

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A photo of Whack job : a history of axe murder

Whack job : a history of axe murder

"A brilliant and bloody examination of the axe's foundational role in human history, from prehistoric violence, to war and executions, to newspaper headlines and popular culture.

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A photo of The blue kitchen : 100+ recipes from the happiest, healthiest corners of the world.

The blue kitchen : 100+ recipes from the happiest, healthiest corners of the world.

"Live life to the fullest with this collection of delicious, wholesome, and plant-forward recipes. Unlock the secrets to a happier, healthier life with recipes that embrace centuries-old traditions, nutritional wisdom, and the remarkable power of food. From colorful salads to hearty grain bowls, these dishes are as delicious as they are healthful. The Blue Kitchen isn't just about cooking--it's about transforming your lifestyle.

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A photo of Apocalypse : how catastrophe transformed our world and can forge new futures

Apocalypse : how catastrophe transformed our world and can forge new futures

"A new view on the human tradition of apocalypse, from the rise of Homo sapiens to the climate instability of our present, and a look at how the new tools of archaeology reveal these upheavals as moments that created the world we live in, and continue to offer surprising opportunities for radical change"-- Provided by publisher.

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A photo of Speaking in tongues

Speaking in tongues

"Speaking in Tongues--taking the form of a dialogue between Nobel laureate novelist J. M. Coetzee and eminent translator Mariana Dimópulos--examines some of the most pressing linguistic issues that plague writers and translators well into the twenty-first century.

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A photo of Defining style : the book of interior design

Defining style : the book of interior design

Discover 25 of the most recognizable design styles through 150 residential interiors from the world's leading designers. From Coastal to Contemporary, Maximal to Mediterranean, Tailored to Textured, this inspirational lookbook guides beginners and enthusiasts alike through the most timeless interior design styles of the last century.

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A photo of Animal behavior

Animal behavior

"A thrilling face-to-face encounter with animals in their own environment--their elaborate displays, intimate lives, and extraordinary behavior ... Feature panels throughout the book explore the biology behind these traits, introduce case studies from the field, and highlight critical conservation issues facing these animals."-- Provided by publisher.

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A photo of The intermediaries : a Weimar story

The intermediaries : a Weimar story

"Set in interwar Germany, 'The Intermediaries' tells the forgotten story of the Institute for Sexual Science, the world's first centre for homosexual and transgender rights. Headed by a gay Jewish man, Dr. Magnus Hirshfeld, the institute aided in the first gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacements, acting as a rebellious base of operations in the face of rising prejudice, nationalism and Nazi propaganda.

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A photo of Things in nature merely grow

Things in nature merely grow

"'There is no good way to say this,' Yiyun Li writes at the beginning of this book. 'There is no good way to state these facts, which must be acknowledged...

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A photo of The theatrical adventures of Edward Gorey : rare drawings, scripts, and stories

The theatrical adventures of Edward Gorey : rare drawings, scripts, and stories

"The definitive, deluxe art book about Edward Gorey's theater work--from the iconic Broadway production of Dracula to the wildly creative productions to which he devoted the last decade of his life. Beloved for his intricate ink drawings and darkly humorous storybooks, Gorey also nurtured a lifelong passion for the performing arts. This volume is the first to showcase his extensive theatrical work, including his transition from designing major productions to crafting original community theater pieces on Cape Cod. Written by his friend and collaborator Carol Verburg, this deluxe hardcover edition is filled with annotated scripts, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and over 200 images, including archival photos and previously unpublished artwork. It unveils Gorey at work and play, drawing back the curtain on his enigmatic genius, which continues to inspire creatives and collectors today"-- Provided by publisher.

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A photo of The gift of not belonging : how outsiders thrive in a world of joiners

The gift of not belonging : how outsiders thrive in a world of joiners

From a renowned psychiatrist comes the first book to explore the otrovert personality--someone who feels like an outsider in any group--revealing all the advantages of being an otrovert. Were you the kid who never wanted to join after school clubs or go to sleepaway camp? Do you loathe parties but love spending time with close friends one-on-one? Are you allergic to teamwork but thrive creatively and professionally when working alone? Do you struggle to fit in? If so, you are likely an otrovert. Otroverts are not natural born joiners.

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A photo of The spinach king : the rise and fall of an American dynasty

The spinach king : the rise and fall of an American dynasty

""Having left this material for his writer son, my father must have wanted the story told, even if he couldn't bear to tell it himself." Life at the heart of the narrative is a multi-generational succession battle. It's a tale of family secrets and Swiss bank accounts, of half-truths, of hatred and passion--and lots and lots of liquor. The Seabrooks' colorful legal and moral failings took place amid the trappings of extraordinary privilege. But the story of where that money came from is not so pretty"-- Provided by publisher.

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A photo of The Möbius book

The Möbius book

Adrift after a sudden breakup and its ensuing depression, the novelist Catherine Lacey began cataloguing the wreckage of her life and the beauty of her friendships, a practice that eventually propagated fiction both entirely imagined and strangely true. Betrayed by the mercurial partner she had trusted with a shared mortgage and suddenly catapulted into the unknown, Lacey's appetite vanished, a visceral reminder of the teenage emaciation that came when she stopped believing in God.

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A photo of What my father and I don't talk about : sixteen writers break the silence

What my father and I don't talk about : sixteen writers break the silence

"A follow-up to 'What My Mother and I Don't Talk About', this collection of essays from 16 notable writers breaks the silence on the complex--and sometimes contentious--relationships we have with our fathers. A viral sensation online, this is an essential collection that dives into the personal and poignant topics we often struggle to discuss with those who are meant to know and love us best"-- Provided by publisher.

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A photo of The peepshow : the murders at Rillington Place

The peepshow : the murders at Rillington Place

"The tale of two journalists competing to solve the notorious Christie murders in postwar London. In March 1953, London police discovered the bodies of three young women hidden in a wall at 10 Rillington Place, a dingy rowhouse in Notting Hill. On searching the building, they found another body beneath the floorboards, then an array of human bones in the garden.

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A photo of Is a river alive?

Is a river alive?

"Is a River Alive? is a joyful, mind-expanding exploration of an ancient, urgent idea: that rivers are living beings who should be recognized as such in imagination and law. Macfarlane takes readers on three unforgettable journeys teeming with extraordinary people, stories, and places: to the miraculous cloud-forests and mountain streams of Ecuador, to the wounded creeks and lagoons of India, and to the spectacular wild rivers of Canada--imperiled respectively by mining, pollution, and dams.

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A photo of It rhymes with Takei

It rhymes with Takei

"Following the award-winning bestseller They Called Us Enemy, George Takei's new full-color graphic memoir reveals his most personal story of all--told in full for the first time anywhere! George Takei has shown the world many faces: actor, author, outspoken activist, helmsman of the starship Enterprise, living witness to the internment of Japanese Americans, and king of social media. But until October 27, 2005, there was always one piece missing--one face he did not show the world. There was one very intimate fact about George that he never shared...and it rhymes with Takei. Now, for the first time ever, George shares the full story of his life in the closet, his decision to come out as gay at the age of 68, and the way that moment transformed everything.

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