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Books similar to ‘The Anthropocene Reviewed’ by John Green
Like Green’s award-winning book, these collections of essays and works of nonfiction explore what makes us human.
Published on September 20, 2023
How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question
Michael SchurLeave it to the creator of “The Good Place” to dish out the most unexpectedly hilarious takes on ethics and morality. Do you really need to return your shopping cart? If your friend is wearing an ugly shirt, should you lie and say you like it? Don’t let the title fool you. This isn’t a step-by-step program to achieving perfection. Rather, it’s an accessible guide that examines history’s most renowned philosophies through a modern lens. Like Green, Schur explores what it means to be human (and a good human at that) with curiosity, thoughtfulness, and joy.
World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments
World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments
Aimee NezhukumatathilNezhukumatathil’s “World of Wonders” is a wonderfully lyrical love letter to the innate connection between the natural world and the human experience. In what NPR called “hands-down one of the most beautiful books of the year,” Nezhukumatathil helps readers find meaning and guidance in the strange and beautiful creatures that surround us.
The Book of Delights
Ross GayIf you want to increase gratitude in your everyday life, take a page out Gay’s collection of vivid and whimsical essays. Like Green, the American poet is a pro at noticing and embracing the oft-overlooked delights that connect us to one another, like pick-up basketball games or exchanging hellos with a stranger. Gay acknowledges the pain and complexities that Black men in America face while celebrating the mundane delights that inspire him.
Goodbye, Again: Essays, Reflections, and Illustrations
Jonny SunSun’s heartfelt and intimate reflections speak to anyone who’s ever dealt with loneliness, burnout, and struggles with productivity. Like “The Anthropocene Reviewed,” “Goodbye, Again” clocks in at under 300 pages and is a quick read that packs an emotional punch.
Let's Talk About Hard Things
Anna SaleLike the name of her hit podcast suggests, the host of “Death, Sex, and Money” isn’t afraid to tackle taboo topics with her guests. In her book, Sale writes about the power of honest communication which can help make it a little less scary to open up. She stresses that we don’t have to agree, but truly listening might help us feel less disconnected.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Robin Wall KimmererLiterary Hub named “Braiding Sweetgrass” one of the top 10 best essay collections of the decade (2010-2019). Kimmerer builds several bridges with this book — between modern science and Potawatomi traditions, and between humankind and the natural world. “The book is all about reciprocity,” says Kimmerer, “and how people enter into reciprocity with the world, giving back in return for the gifts of the earth.”
From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to find the Good Death
Caitlin DoughtyIf anyone can help death-phobic Westerners see the light when it comes to embracing, rather than avoiding, the end of life, it’s Doughty. The mortician and author of “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?” destigmatizes an ordinarily taboo topic by detailing other cultures’ rituals, practices, and attitudes towards death.
Humans of New York: Stories
Brandon Stanton“Humans of New York: Stories” serves as a reminder that each of us has a story worth telling. Based on his massively popular blog of the same name, Stanton shares a stunning collection of portraits and interviews that convey the full spectrum of the human experience. Joy, loneliness, heartbreak, sorrow, hope — it’s all summed up in these intimate vignettes of people from wildly different walks of life.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah HarariWhile Green zooms in on several facets of the current geological age, Harari takes a macro-level approach to exploring the rise of the human species. Beginning with the appearance of modern cognition, the renowned professor of world history traces the evolution of humanity to challenge commonly held beliefs about our biology, our history, and ourselves.