EARLY TORNADO CHASERS in the US, from Ben Franklin through the 20th century, profiled in a lively history.

UPDATES FROM THE HAPPINESS psychology front, with a fresh take on conventional wisdom about joy, satisfaction.

A SPECIALTY FARMER’S IMPASSIONED argument for the preservation of heirloom fruits and vegetables. Convincing!

THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATHEMATICS and science, elegantly explored in a concise meditation on Euclid’s “Elements”.

A PROFESSIONAL CLIMBER LEARNS skydiving, BASE jumping as her way of dealing with a life crisis. Engaging!

COMPLETELY FASCINATING HISTORY of farming, production of food and drink in New York City past and present.

A SURVIVOR OF THE 2004 tsunami shares her grief, anger, confusion at the loss of her family. Touching, frank.

DOMINICAN-AMERICAN FILMMAKER Raquel Cepeda explores her family history, her Latina identity in charming memoir.

ELOQUENT, SLY, INSIGHTFUL travel writing from England’s great Sara Wheeler in a decades-spanning collection.

WITH A POET’S GRACE of language and her keenly observant eye, this New York memoir stands out from the crowd.