political news dominated not only the headlines in 2017, but also the biggest and flashiest book titles of the year, from ta-nehisi coates reflecting on the obama-trump continuum to hillary clinton herself answering the cries of “What happened? ” these books covered the rise of evangelicalism towards the future of humanity in the midst of war and climate disaster. Even stories like David Grann’s tale of the Osage people or Tina Brown’s memoir about succeeding in a man’s world have cultural relevance today. here are 10 of the year’s favorite nonfiction books.
10. the vanity fair diaries, tina brown
Brown’s energetic and delightfully fast-paced tales of the beginning of his illustrious career make for an engaging read, from the first conversations he had with the owner of Conde Nast, Si Newhouse, to landing the Vanity Fair job in 1983. , through the 1980s in new york city, all the way until he took another leap to direct the new yorker.
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9. evangelicals, frances fitzgerald
At this particular moment in the news, when continued support for roy moore baffles observers, it feels essential to understand the history of evangelicalism and its intersection with politics. evangelicals is a guide. “Fitzgerald illustrates how a decades-long relationship between the Christian Right and the Republican Party (later joined by the Tea Party) coalesced into what appears to be a mutually inextricable bloc,” Time History editor Lily Rothman wrote in the article. review of her
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8. the meaning of michelle, veronica chambers
This anthology, edited by journalist and author Veronica Chambers, was published just days before the Obamas left the White House, but the essays it contains feel more relevant than ever. Contributors include Roxane Gay, Ava Duvernay, Hamilton star Philippa Soo, New York First Lady Chirlane McCray and others, examining everything from Obama’s fashion to her marriage to her cultural impact as the first African American First Lady.
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7. blind spot, teju cole
teju cole’s photography and writing come together to form what truly is a book of poetry, gorgeously cloth-bound and the kind of book you want to keep on display long after you’ve finished reading.
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6. hungry, roxana gay
hunger was just one of several cultural moments from 2017 that put its writer front and center in the conversation. Hungry, gay writes about his rape and its knock-on effects on his life, including his ongoing struggle with body image and weight. Gay’s cultural importance as one of today’s most prominent feminists was highlighted when she withdrew a different book from Simon & Schuster (Harper published The Hunger) after the publisher struck a deal (later cancelled) with hate speech evangelist Milo Yiannopoulos. that book was called how to make yourself heard.
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5. rules don’t apply, ariel levy
Levy’s memoir grew out of a widely read 2013 personal essay, Thanksgiving in Mongolia, published in the New Yorker, which won the National Magazine Award. In the book, Eliana Dockterman of Time writes, “Levy confronts a hard truth for women with control and choice: We claim everything, but the universe is often indifferent to our demands.”
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4. homo deus, yuval noah harari
the israeli historian, whose works consistently appear on bill gates best lists, espouses deep philosophies of humanity and ethics, but the stakes in homo deus are basic: what’s next for humanity?
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3. assassins of the flower moon, david grann
grann’s tale of the systemic murder of oklahoma’s osage tribe, rich from their oil farms and wanted dead for it, is an embarrassing tale from the past that still feels all too relevant. “The ending of flower moon leaves the reader with a sense of injustice that hasn’t really been avenged, and it’s not the author’s fault, it’s American history,” Time’s Claire Howorth wrote.
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2. we were in power for eight years, ta-nehisi coates
coates enhanced this collection of columns for the atlantic with new material, both personal and historical, while reexamining eight writings during the eight years of obama’s presidency from the point of view of living under trump’s presidency.
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1. what happened, hillary clinton
clinton offers an answer to the question that collectively resonated with more than half the country on November 1st. 9, 2016. the writing is candid, thoughtful, and a piece of modern history.
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