Book Cafe’s Top Picks in Non-Fiction
One of our favourite genres of books, here at the Book Café, is non-fiction. Additionally, with the situation and circumstances happening around the world, we would like to use our platform to introduce some books that helped us become familiar with past and current events. In the past couple of years, so many things have happened both politically and socially around the world that it has become difficult to keep track of everything. However, it has become more important than ever to make ourselves aware of events that have happened and events that are happening.
It’s Not About the Burqa by Miriam Khan
It’s Not About the Burqa is a series of stories told by seventeen Muslim women who are living in the west in the 21st century. The women tackle topics such as arranged marriages, queer identity, racism, and even wavering faith. Each of the seventeen woman lend their voices to call for the ending of misogyny, racism, and Islamophobia that Muslim women face in the west.
Revolt: The World Uprising Against Globalization by Nadav Eyal
Revolt by Nadav Eyal is a thought provoking read about the current situation of the rise of nationalism and populism. Eyal talks about modern globalization and how unsustainable it really is. Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens, describes Revolt as:
A well-written and thought-provoking account of the current crisis of globalization. Not everyone will agree with Eyal’s interpretation, but few will remain indifferent.
Revolt is a must read for anyone trying to make sense of the current power structures, and how technological advances and social progresses are influenceing the world.
Now the next item on this list may be seen as controversial; however, we recommend reading this book no matter your political and social beliefs because it has had such a major impact on the world, all throughout history.
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
The Manifesto was first published on February 21st, 1848. Written about 175 years ago, the Manifesto continues to be one of the most influential books in modern history. Reading such books and comparing it to our current situations is always eye opening, especially books that have been written hundreds of years ago.
Safe Area Gorazde by Joe Sacco
Safe Area Gorazde is a journalistic comic book that tells the experience of Joe Sacco, the author, in Bosnia during the Bosnian War from 1995 to 1996. It shows the experience of the author as well the Bosnians who had become trapped with in the Gorazde enclave. Joe Sacco is one of the most compelling journalistic story tellers and we also highly recommend his other works that have been listed down below.
Other Works by Joe Sacco:
- Paying the Land
- Palestine
- Footnotes in Gaza
If you are looking for another author who writes in a similar style of Joe Sacco, we also recommend checking out the works of Guy Delisle such as:
- Pyongyang
- Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City
- Hostage
These recommendations are only a very, very, very, very small percentage of the countless of fascinating and interesting stories that are out there. If you have read a non-fiction book that you loved let us know!
The Book Café 