As the crisp air of September rolls in, it’s the perfect time to dive into some thought-provoking nonfiction. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, historical insight, or a deeper understanding of the world, this month’s new releases have something for everyone. From compelling memoirs to groundbreaking research, here are some of the most anticipated nonfiction books hitting the shelves this September.
How to Tell When We Will Die: On Pain, Disability, and Doom by Johanna Hedva
Release Date: September 3, 2024
Trigger Warning: Mention of Disability and Illness
Following her groundbreaking text on disability activism (Sick Woman Theory, 2020), Johanna Hedva (they/them) is a Korean-American writer, artist, and musician and returns with this long-awaited collection of essays. This book continues the quest started in their previous text about their chronic illness and disability. The essays included in this collection expand Hedva’s vision as they engage with the thinking of other distinguished figures, such as Deborah Levy and Susan Sontag, and discuss wrestling, mysticism, death, and the color yellow.
Remember, You Are a Wiley by Maya Wiley
Release Date: September 17, 2024
A powerful, politically-charged memoir by Maya Wiley, an MSNBC legal analyst, professor, civil rights lawyer, and former New York City mayoral candidate. In this book, Wiley explores her journey of overcoming trauma and harnessing the power of activism. Wiley reflects on how her struggles shaped her advocacy, fueling her commitment to representing those who feel voiceless and marginalized. As she confronts and shares her past, Maya offers readers a blueprint for maintaining hope and resilience in challenging times.
What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Release Date: September 17, 2024
This uplifting and thought-provoking book paints an inspiring vision of potential climate futures. Through insightful essays and dynamic conversations enriched by data, poetry, and art, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson explores the intersection of science, policy, culture, and justice. Visionary farmers, financiers, architects, and advocates join forces to help us imagine a thriving future — one that requires collective effort from all of us, using whatever we have to offer.
First in the Family: A Story of Survival, Recovery, and the American Dream by Jessica Hoppe
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Trigger Warning: Mention of substance use disorders and loss of life
This deeply moving and lyrical work is hailed as one of the most anticipated books of 2024. First in the Family offers a courageous and intimate account of what it truly means to break cycles of harm. Amidst the highest recorded spike in drug overdoses during the first year of quarantine, Hoppe lost her cousin to substance use disorder — an affliction that had long haunted her family in silence.
First in the Family takes readers on an extraordinary exploration of Hoppe’s personal journey, her family’s history, the elusive American Dream, and the erasure of BIPOC voices from recovery institutions and narratives. The memoir leaves readers with a powerful and urgent message of hope.
September’s nonfiction offerings are rich with diverse topics and fresh perspectives. Whether you’re looking to be inspired, informed, or challenged, these new releases are sure to satisfy your intellectual curiosity. So, grab a cozy blanket, a warm cup of tea, and one of these books to kick off your fall reading list.
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