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5 Nonfiction Books for 2023

Updated: Aug 15, 2023

" Hey there, fellow bookworms! Can you believe it? We're already halfway through 2023, and there's still so much to discover. Don't miss out on the chance to enrich your mind with these incredible nonfiction reads before the year comes to a close. . Here are 5 non-fiction books for 2023










The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland is the story of Rudolf Vrba, a young Jewish man who escaped from Auschwitz in 1944. Vrba was one of only four Jews to ever escape from the camp, and his story is a harrowing account of life in the Nazi death camp.


Vrba was born in Slovakia in 1924. In 1942, he was deported to Auschwitz along with his mother. Upon arrival at the camp, Vrba was assigned to work in the Sonderkommando, a group of Jewish prisoners who were forced to work in the gas chambers and crematoria.


Vrba witnessed the systematic murder of millions of Jews at Auschwitz, and he knew that he had to do something to stop it.


In April 1944, Vrba and another prisoner, Alfred Wetzler, hatched a plan to escape from Auschwitz. They waited for a night when the guards were asleep, and then they scaled the fence and fled into the woods. Vrba and Wetzler traveled for days, and they eventually made their way to Slovakia.


Once they were safe, Vrba and Wetzler wrote a detailed report about what they had seen at Auschwitz. The report was smuggled out of Slovakia and eventually made its way to the Allies. The report was a major turning point in the war, and it helped to convince the Allies to bomb Auschwitz and other Nazi death camps.


Vrba's story is a testament to the human spirit. He survived Auschwitz and went on to live a long and productive life. He was a tireless advocate for Holocaust education, and he worked to ensure that the horrors of the Holocaust would never be forgotten.


The Escape Artist is a powerful and important book. It is a story of survival, resistance, and hope. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.

Here are some additional details about the book:

  • The book was published in 2022 by Simon & Schuster.

  • The book is 320 pages long.

  • The book is based on Vrba's own account of his escape from Auschwitz, as well as on archival research.

  • The book has been praised by critics for its powerful storytelling and its important message.

  • The book has been optioned for a film adaptation.

If you are interested in learning more about the Holocaust, I highly recommend reading The Escape Artist. It is a powerful and important book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.


it's one of the must-read from 5 nonfiction books for 2023


 





How Far the Light Reaches: A Memoir by Sabrina Imbler is a book that explores the intersection of nature writing and memoir.


Imbler tells the story of her own life, from her childhood in a small town on the coast of Maine to her adulthood as a marine biologist.


Along the way, she weaves together stories of her family, relationships, and coming of age with stories of the sea creatures she studies.


The book is divided into ten chapters, each of which focuses on a different sea creature. Imbler uses these creatures to explore themes of adaptation, survival, sexuality, and care.


She writes about the ways in which sea creatures have evolved to survive in their harsh environments, and she shows how their lives can teach us about our own.


One of the most striking things about How Far the Light Reaches is Imbler's ability to see the beauty in the natural world. She writes with lyrical prose that captures the wonder and mystery of the ocean.


She also has a gift for making the reader feel empathy for even the most seemingly strange and alien creatures.


How Far the Light Reaches is a beautiful and thought-provoking book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a reminder of the interconnectedness of all life, and it offers a new perspective on our place in the world.


Here are some additional thoughts about the book:

  • Imbler's writing is clear, engaging, and often lyrical. She has a gift for bringing the natural world to life, and she makes the reader feel empathy for even the most seemingly strange and alien creatures.


  • The book is well-researched and informative. Imbler does a great job of weaving together her personal stories with scientific facts and insights.


  • The book is thought-provoking and challenging. It asks the reader to consider their own relationship to the natural world, and it offers a new perspective on our place in the world.


Overall, How Far the Light Reaches is a beautiful and important book. It is a must-read for anyone who loves nature, science, or memoir.


 




His Name Is George Floyd is a 2022 biography about George Floyd written by Washington Post journalists Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa.


The book tells the story of Floyd's life, from his childhood in Houston to his death in Minneapolis at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin.


Samuels and Olorunnipa interviewed hundreds of people who knew Floyd, including his family, friends, and colleagues. They also drew on extensive archival research to create a comprehensive portrait of Floyd's life.


The book is divided into three parts. The first part, "The Making of a Man," tells the story of Floyd's childhood and early adulthood. Floyd was born in Houston in 1973.


He grew up in a poor neighborhood and faced racism and discrimination from a young age. Despite these challenges, Floyd was a bright and talented young man. He was a good student and a talented athlete.


He also had a strong sense of community and was always willing to help others.


The second part of the book, "The Long Walk Home," tells the story of Floyd's adult life. Floyd struggled with addiction and poverty throughout his adult life.


He was arrested multiple times and spent time in jail. However, he never gave up hope. He always believed that he could turn his life around.


The third part of the book, "The Last Breath," tells the story of Floyd's death.


On May 25, 2020, Floyd was arrested by police in Minneapolis for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes.


During the arrest, Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes, even after Floyd repeatedly said that he could not breathe. Floyd died as a result of Chauvin's actions.


His Name Is George Floyd is a powerful and moving book. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the fight for justice.


It is also a story of the systemic racism that still exists in America. Floyd's death was a tragedy, but his life and his legacy will continue to inspire people for years to come.


The book was a critical success, and it won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting.


It was also a commercial success, and it has sold over one million copies.


His Name Is George Floyd is an important book that everyone should read. It is a reminder that racism is still a problem in America and around the world, and it is a call to action for us to work together to create a more just and equitable society.



 



How to Change Your Mind is a 2018 book by Michael Pollan that explores the history and potential benefits of psychedelic drugs, including LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and mescaline.


Pollan begins by tracing the rise and fall of psychedelic research in the 1950s and 1960s, when these drugs were hailed as potential treatments for a wide range of mental health conditions.


He then goes on to describe his own experiences with psychedelics, as well as the latest scientific research on their potential therapeutic benefits.


Pollan argues that psychedelics have the potential to "change your mind" in a number of ways.


They can help to expand consciousness, increase empathy, and reduce anxiety and depression.


They can also be used to treat addiction, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. Pollan concludes by calling for a more open and responsible approach to psychedelic research, arguing that these drugs have the potential to "heal and transform" our lives.


The book has been praised by critics for its clear and engaging writing style, as well as its comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of the science of psychedelics.


It has also been a commercial success, selling over one million copies in the United States.


Here are some of the key takeaways from How to Change Your Mind the book:

  • Psychedelic drugs have a long history of use in traditional cultures for healing and spiritual purposes.


  • In the 1950s and 1960s, psychedelic drugs were widely studied by scientists for their potential therapeutic benefits.


  • However, research on psychedelics was largely abandoned in the 1970s due to concerns about their potential for abuse.


  • In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in psychedelic research, and several clinical trials have shown that these drugs can be effective treatments for a variety of mental health conditions.


  • Psychedelic drugs can have a profound impact on consciousness, and they can be used to promote healing, transformation, and spiritual growth.


If you are interested in learning more about psychedelics, I highly recommend reading How to Change Your Mind. It is an informative and thought-provoking book that will challenge your preconceptions about these powerful drugs.


 



Constructing a Nervous System: A Memoir by Margo Jefferson is a 2022 memoir that explores the author's identity as a black woman in America.


Jefferson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic, writes about her childhood in the 1950s and 1960s, her experiences as a dancer and writer, and her relationships with her family and friends.


The book is a meditation on race, class, gender, and art, and it is a powerful and moving testament to the power of the human spirit.


Jefferson's memoir is divided into three parts. The first part, "The Nervous System," explores her childhood and early adulthood. Jefferson writes about growing up in a middle-class black family in Chicago, and about the challenges of being a black woman in a white world. She also writes about her love of dance and her early ambitions to be a dancer.

The second part of the book, "The Body," is about Jefferson's experiences as a dancer and writer. Jefferson writes about her training as a dancer, her experiences performing on stage, and her struggles with injuries. She also writes about her work as a writer, and about the challenges of being a black woman in a white-dominated field.


The third part of the book, "The Mind," is about Jefferson's relationships with her family and friends. Jefferson writes about her parents, her sister, and her husband. She also writes about her friendships with other black women, and about her struggles with racism and sexism.


Constructing a Nervous System is a powerful and moving memoir that explores the complexities of race, class, gender, and art. Jefferson's writing is insightful and honest, and her book is a valuable contribution to the canon of American literature.



Here are some of the themes that are explored in the book:

  • The importance of family and community

  • The Challenges of Being a black woman in America

  • The power of art to heal and transform

  • The importance of self-expression

  • The value of hard work and perseverance


Constructing a Nervous System is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.



 

CONCLUSION for 5 nonfiction books for 2023


As we approach the final seven months of 2023, it's the perfect time to reflect on our reading goals and make the most of the time we have left.


These five nonfiction books for 2023 have been carefully selected to inspire, educate, and entertain you.


From memoirs that delve into the depths of the human experience to groundbreaking scientific discoveries, each book offers a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge.


So, don't let these literary gems slip through your fingers. Grab a copy, immerse yourself in their pages, and let these stories shape your understanding of the world.


Happy reading, and here's to a year filled with knowledge, growth, and unforgettable literary journeys!


For more such blogs subscribe to my blog https://www.passionforgrowing.net/. Happy reading and Happy Growing!


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