Nonfiction

•The Wonderful Mr. Willughby: The first true ornithologist by Tim Birkhead

If you can tell the difference between a redheaded woodpecker and an ivory-billed woodpecker, then you owe a little something to Francis Willughby. This is a compelling biography of a mostly forgotten scientist and one of the founders of modern zoology.

•Edna Lewis: At The Table with an American Original edited by Sara B. Franklin

Reminisce about Southern cooking at its finest with this collection of essays and anecdotes about legendary cookbook author Edna Lewis. If you love cooking (or just eating!), you’ll love this book.

Fiction

•Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird

Cathy Williams escapes slavery during the Civil War and joins the fight for freedom – by posing as a man and joining the Buffalo Soldiers. This novel is based on the true story of Private Williams.

•The Half-life of Everything by Deborah Carol Gang

What happens when a loving marriage is torn apart by Alzheimer’s Disease? Does David remain faithful to his beloved Kate, who is declining every day? Or does he get a second chance at life and love?

Young adult

•Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

This moving novel is based on the kidnapping by Boko Haram of schoolgirls in Nigeria. It is a harrowing story of survival and hope when life takes you to the darkest of places.