Best Essay Books

Close the textbooks, open a book, and open your mind! Let the magic of essays unfold, one captivating sentence at a time.

School may be over, but the learning does not have to stop! As a grown-up, you get to choose the books that make you curious and excited. And what is better than a collection of cool essays, each one like a mini adventure for your brain?

Whether you love science, history, or just a good laugh, there is an essay book out there for you. But with so many choices, it can be tough to know where to start. Don't worry, bookworm! This list will guide you to 12 of the best essay books that will rock your world.

Oliver Sacks, The Mind's Eye. ISBN: 9780307473028

Oliver Sacks composed a cool book called "The Imagination" in 2010. Everything unquestionably revolves around how we see and envision things. He recounts genuine individuals, some popular, some not. He even discusses his eye disease!

Sacks make sense of science in a manner everybody can get and makes us believe about being human. A few stories, like "Sound system Sue" and the musician Lillian Kalir, are additionally exceptional. Every story resembles a fortune, showing Sacks as a whiz narrator.

John Jeremiah Sullivan, Pulphead. ISBN: 9780374532901

"Pulphead" is like a crazy road trip through the USA, going to strange places and meeting interesting people. Think rockstar Axl Rose hanging out with old-fashioned writers or Jesus' music jams with reality TV, all told with jokes and smart thinking.

The writer, John Jeremiah Sullivan, is like a word wizard. He makes up amazing stories that seem like they came straight from his brain, only way cooler. He paints pictures with words, like fancy cameras, and does cool tricks with stories, making you feel like you are right there, whether it is a big concert or a talk with a super smart old person.

The Book of My Lives by Alexander Hemon. ISBN: 9781250043542

Hemon writes beautiful words, like magic sparkles and heart-filled hugs. His book is not just a story; it is a love letter to two cities, his family, and life's crazy patchwork.

Sarajevo, a city with beauty and war scars, comes alive! We play soccer with Hemon as a kid, and then follow him to Chicago, where exile is a tricky game. Chess with neighbors, giggles on soccer fields, all woven with humor and heartbreak.

Hemon tells the truth, even the ouch parts, and the best story? A little girl's illness and her dad's love - it will break your heart beautifully.

This book is not just words; it is an invitation to Hemon's world. Laughter, tears, and thinking about life's amazing messiness wait.

Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass. ISBN: 9781571313560

Earth hurting? Book lady fixes it! - Robin Wall Kimmerer authored a book called "Braiding Sweetgrass". It is not just about how sad the earth is, but also what we can do to help it.

Kimmerer is a Potawatomi woman and a scientist. She uses stories from her ancestors and science to teach us how to take care of the earth.

One story is about Franz Dolph. His home was destroyed, but he planted new trees and helped the land get healthy again. This shows that even when things are bad, we can make them better.

Just like cornstalks help beans grow and beans help squash grow, we all need each other to be healthy. Kimmerer wants us to understand that we are all connected to the earth and to each other.

Kimmerer's book is full of great ideas for how to help the earth. We can learn from her and make the world a better place.

When we take care of the earth, we are taking care of ourselves. It is good for everyone! Let us all work together to make the earth a healthy and happy place for everyone.

Hilton Als, White Girls. ISBN: 9781940450254

Boom! Als' book explodes like an art gallery party! Paintings whisper secrets; music shouts stories, all about people, race, and how we create. Forget museum snooze – this is a wild carnival!

Imagine Basquiat's paintings dancing with Michael Jackson's beats, and then diving into Flannery O'Connor's stories where angels and sinners tango. Als throws the door open, inviting you to see it all!

But it is not just a show. Als whispers his own stories too, sharing like a close friend. It is raw, it is real, it makes you see yourself and the world in a whole new light.

ROSS GAY, The Book Of Delights. ISBN: 9781643753287

Ross Gay's book "The Book of Delights" is not like other books. It is more like a walk in a sunny garden, noticing the tiny wonders hiding among the leaves.

Instead of big adventures, Gay finds joy in the everyday things - a friend's text, a ripe apple's red, a shared look with a stranger. He shows us that happiness is not about grand gestures, but about slowing down and appreciating the little moments.

Each page feels like a warm hug, reminding us to be kind to ourselves and see the beauty in the ordinary. It is like the book is whispering, "Hey, life is amazing, even when it's not."

So, if you are looking for a break from the rush, curl up with "The Book of Joys." Let Gay be your guide on a journey to rediscover the simple pleasures that make every day worth living.

Esme Weijun Wand, The Collected Schizophrenias. ISBN: 9781555978273

Esmé Weijun Wang's book, "The Collected Schizophrenias," is not a shocking story about crazy people. It tells a different story, peeling away the layers of schizophrenia and showing it is not exactly how movies show it.

Wang starts by saying good-bye to myths that make us think of weird-looking strangers. Then, she talks about the science of it, explaining it in a way that anyone can get, even if you are not a doctor.

But this is not just a textbook. Wang shares her own story, saying how being told she had schizophrenia messed with her life, from friends to being a mom. She thinks we should see people with schizophrenia not just as their illness but as complete people dealing with it.

It is like she puts a blanket over someone, but you can still see their face. Illness is there, but it is not everything.

Wang also talks about the weird stuff around her, like locked hospitals and the mess-ups TV shows often make. She wants us to rethink what we think, get it, and even care.

In short, "The Collected Schizophrenias" is a strong book that opens hearts and minds. It is a story about living with something hard but also about finding strength and an effective way forward. It is a book that everyone should read.

Elena Passarello, Animals Strike Curious Poses. ISBN: 9781941411391

Elena Passarello's book, "Animals Strike Curious Poses," is a fun trip through the history of famous animals, giving those voices and stories, we never knew they had.

She mixes history and science to show how different animals have been used, loved, and even feared over time. She starts with Yuka; an old woolly mammoth found in the frozen ground, using her story to talk about how much the world has changed.

One by one, Passarello brings to life various animals, like a bear forced to fight dogs and a horse that can do math! Each story is like a piece of a puzzle, showing how animals have shaped our world and been shaped by it.

It is like a cool guide to animals, but instead of scary monsters, it is about incredible creatures with their own stories. Passarello tells these stories so well that they make you see animals in a new way.

In summary, "Animals Strike Curious Poses" is a wild ride through history, with furry and fluffy companions as your guides.

Roxane Gay, Bad Feminist. ISBN: 9780062282712

"Bad Feminist" by Roxane Gay is cool! Think of the book as your funny friend on the shelf – it is like the one who talks about rom-coms and drops smart quotes, making you want to give her a high-five.

Gay is super smart. She looks at things we all know (like Scrabble nights, YA novels, and "Game of Thrones") and shows us the cool feminist ideas in everyday stuff. It is like seeing the world in a fun way – suddenly, everything looks more interesting.

No wonder that book club got wild in a safe way! "Bad Feminist" starts conversations, tells the truth, and says it is okay to accept all the messy, complicated stuff that comes with being a person and a woman in this wild world. You can talk about politics and stuff until your head spins, but Gay does it with jokes, honesty, and a funny sense of humor that keeps you interested.

Just a heads up: it might make you want to start your own book club, write a cool plan, and even stand up to the guys in charge, all while using Taylor Swift lyrics. You have been warned!

Tressie McMillan Cottom, Thick. ISBN: 9781620974360

"Tressie McMillan Cottom's 'Thick' sounds like a strong and deep book! She wants to connect lofty ideas from academics with real-life stories, tackling tough topics like race and gender – that is interesting.

One essay that stands out is 'Dying to be Competent.' She starts with something ordinary like LinkedIn and then talks about the personal pain of black women in healthcare. It shows how she makes personal stuff important, and the trivial things really matter.

However, it seems like a complicated and even emotional journey. But that is what makes books like this so important – they make us think about the world, understand different experiences, and keep asking questions. So, get ready for a ride!"

Zadie Smith, Feel Free. ISBN: 9781594206252

Zadie Smith is great at making everyday things into smart ideas! Your view on her "Meet Justin Bieber!" essay in "Feel Free" is right on.

She pits Bieber against Buber, which sounds funny. But surprise, Smith dives into lofty ideas like connection and identity, especially in our digital age of quick celebrity moments.

She jokes about the setup being a bit out there, like she is giving you a little wink. And we jump into the game because of her cleverness, keen observations, and unexpected connections.

Mixing high and low culture is not just a trend for Smith – it is her thing. She talks about big stuff and small stuff, and it all feels new and important. Like Hermione Hoby said, Smith celebrates all the different sides of herself and everyone else. She reminds us that everything we go through, from being a Bieber fan to dealing with big political stuff, adds up to who we are.

In short, if you want a book that makes you think, laugh, and appreciate the messy beauty of being human, "Feel Free" is the one. Just get ready to rethink what you thought about high and low culture – she will do that to you.

Valeria Luiselli, Tell Me How It Ends. ISBN: 9781566894951

Valeria Luiselli's "Tell Me How It Ends" is a straightforward talk against a messed-up system. She turns cold immigration forms into powerful stories about kids' journeys. Luiselli shares her family road trip, making us see the difference in luck and privilege. She dives into the legal mess these kids face, showing the pain and uncertainty.

It is not about pity; Luiselli wants action. She wants us to see these kids as individuals, each with a name and a story. If you want a book that makes you think and feel, "Tell Me How It Ends" is it. Get ready to come out a bit mad but more human.

References

SluRss, D. J. Book Essay. The Journal of Developmental Processes, 66.
Hunt, L. (1910). My Books: An Essay. University Press.

FAQs

What exactly is an essay book?

An essay book is a collection of shorter pieces of writing, usually on different topics, that are meant to be engaging and thought-provoking. Think of it as a bunch of mini-books packed into one!

Why would I want to read an essay book?

Essay books are great for people who:

Want to explore new ideas without committing to a long novel
Enjoy a variety of writing styles and topics
Want to be challenged and inspired
Love to learn about different people's experiences and perspectives

What kind of topics do essay books cover?

Literally anything! From personal stories to pop culture to social issues to science, essay books can take you on a wild ride through different worlds and ideas.

How do I find essay books that I'll like?

Check out online recommendations, ask your friends or librarians for suggestions, or browse a bookstore for titles that catch your eye. Don't be afraid to experiment and find authors whose voices resonate with you.