Essay collections written by authors who focus on topics we may not often consider open us to new worlds of information and thought-provoking ideas. These five collections take readers on journeys of the mind and heart while exploring themes that offer ways to expand our views of the world. Written in bite-sized pieces, they are perfect for reading over a warm cup of coffee in the morning, a glass of wine in the evening or while on vacation. (And two of these collections offer views of beautiful places you may want to visit!) If you want to travel to the deep South and visit the rich culture of Louisiana, check out Song of Belonging, a debut novel by Michelle St. Romain.
World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Immerse yourself in the weird and wonderful world of plants and animals in this essay collection by an author who has lived in many places, from the deserts of Arizona to the cold of Western New York. In each area she has called home, her observations of the small creatures that inhabited the natural world around her brought her a sense of wonder and delight. As readers, we are lucky enough to be able to experience this joy with her as she shares what she has learned about animals such as the peacock and narwhal and about plants and fruit, including the Cara Cara orange and dragon fruit. Have you heard of the vampire squid or the dancing frog? If you are curious, this book is for you. Written in exquisite detail and in prose that touches on both personal and universal themes, this essay collection truly offers insight into the world of wonders around us.
Upstream by Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver is best known for her timeless poetry that reflects her life-long love of the natural world. This collection of essays was written over 50 years after her first collection of poetry was published and is a reflection on a life lived through the eyes of a poet, with close attention to details, reverence for the natural world, and wisdom gained through long hours of reflection. She credits many literary giants who came before her as influencers of her vast body of work and shares with the reader an insight into her life, which is centered in ordinary moments spent in the beauty of the natural world and laid open in the extraordinary collections of poetry and essays she has written. Mary Oliver won numerous literary awards before she passed away in 2019. Her voice will live on for generations through the words she wrote over many decades and this essay collection, published in 2016, offers a rare glimpse into the thoughts of a gifted writer close to the end of her life.
South Toward Home: Travels in Southern Literature by Margaret Eby
When we hear the word home, an image may arise of a particular place where we’ve lived or of a dream home we hope to own one day. It may also conjure images of a different kind of place, of the interior feeling of belonging that isn’t easily quantified. Margaret Eby took a journey through several Southern states, following a map she created using the works of Southern writers as a guide. Having grown up in this part of the U.S., she wanted to understand more deeply the unique characteristics of the South, seen through the lens of famous authors inspired by their environment. Readers follow along as she travels through Georgia and Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. She follows along the trail of the lives of Harper Lee, William Faulkner, Richard Wright, and Flannery O’Connor, among others, unearthing clues about the hidden allure and complexity of the South. Along the way, she offers an opportunity for the reader to consider what it truly means to consider a place home.
When We Are Bold: Women Who Turn Our Upsidedown World Right by Rachel M. Vincent
In this collection of biographical essays, 28 women authors write about 28 women activists whose work has created positive change in big and small ways. The result is a wide-ranging reflection on individual acts of courage that can have an impact on the world far beyond what we may think possible. The authors themselves come from many nationalities and backgrounds, offering a diverse reflection on the power of individual action, and the women they cover include well-known activists such as Jane Goodall and Gloria Steinem, but many are not well-known beyond their own communities. The book takes on many important world issues and provides a look into the lives of women who made the decision to do something about tragedies they witnessed. Brene Brown wrote the foreword to the collection, starting with a single word: courage. This essay collection leaves one inspired to find courage within and to support those who choose to act boldly in the face of injustice.
A Paris All Your Own: Bestselling Women Writers on the City of Light Edited by Eleanor Brown
If you want to spend time in the city of Paris without leaving your home, pick up this collection of essays and travel the city through the eyes of women who have written about it. Eleanor Brown edited this collection and is the author of books set in Paris, and she asked other authors about their experiences in this complex and beautiful city. The essays are often surprising, sometimes funny and always enjoyable romps through a place that is unique in its mix of art, food, politics, iconic buildings, trend-setting style and cultural history. If you read fiction set in France, you will delight in the behind-the-scenes view of authors who visit to do research for their stories, often enjoying food and unexpected surprises — both good and bad — along the way. You don’t have to leave home to travel to the City of Light. Just pick up this book, grab a croissant and a café au lait, and enjoy.
