Noting that practical advice for getting published is plentiful for fiction writers, but sparse for nonfiction writers, debut author and Gernert Company VP Habib offers the latter an essential guide to “the ins and outs of the publishing side.” Rather than a reassuring feel-good like Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird (which the author references knowing it’s on many aspiring writers’ shelves), Habib’s book is a nitty-gritty, roll-up-your-sleeves how-to for academics, journalists, and experts hoping to carve out a path for publishing their work. The author addresses key questions asked by many writers—do I need a platform? an MFA? a book proposal? a query letter? an agent?—and incorporates actual sample content that resulted in representation, contracts, and publication. Habib recommends that aspiring nonfiction authors pitch articles and essays in national newspapers, magazines, and literary journals; the “golden ticket to nonfiction book publishing” is “writing an original piece and having an agent see it and reach out to you.” She also emphasizes developing the book proposal over completing the manuscript, as agents and publishers prefer to help authors shape the work for their audiences. Habib lifts the curtain on how agents decide what books to represent and how editors choose titles to acquire, as well as offering detailed explanations on everything from author advances to what to expect as publication day nears. For aspiring nonfiction authors, it’s a must. (Jan.)

Reviewed on 01/23/2026 | Details & Permalink

Today Ukraine, tomorrow Estonia, warns Masala, a professor of international politics at Munich University, in his English-language debut, an immersive work of speculative nonfiction. A bestseller in Germany, the book envisions a near future in which Russia succeeds in holding onto Ukraine; a cash-strapped Europe abandons rearmament; and America normalizes relations with Russia while pivoting toward Asia. The result is a 2028 surprise Russian attack on Estonia, under the guise of protecting the country’s Russian-speaking citizens from discrimination. Estonia, a NATO member, then calls on that organization to defend it, leading to an international crisis. Masala’s novelistic narrative astutely depicts the ensuing diplomatic wrangling: the Baltic States, Eastern Europe, and Germany demand a decisive response, as the French, echoed by Hungary and Italy, take the lead in equivocating; a Trumpian U.S. president declares that America’s not paying for Europe’s defense; and the U.S. national security adviser is spooked by Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling. Masala’s what-if about a West that crumbles before Russian brinksmanship has the excitement of a thriller, but less convincing is his depiction of the other side: his scenario never adequately explains why Russia would nip at the NATO alliance as opposed to gobbling up another NATO outsider like Ukraine. Still, this provocative thought experiment will appeal to geopolitics wonks. (Jan.)

Reviewed on 01/23/2026 | Details & Permalink

When Paul Kutchinsky, heir to a London jewelry dynasty, risked his fortune to create a massive bejeweled egg, the price of failure was his business, marriage, and legacy, according to this spellbinding debut investigation by his eldest daughter, journalist Serena Kutchinsky. The author’s great-great-grandfather Hersh, a watchmaker, fled antisemitic violence in Poland for London in 1893 and taught his trade to his son Moshe, who opened the first Kutchinsky jewelry shop. By 1986, Paul was helming the company. After his first collections “fell flat,” he sought to dream up “something spectacular” enough to “upstage” European competitors like Cartier and Bulgari and landed on “jeweled artworks” to rival Fabergé’s. The author traces the challenging, intricate construction of the first of these artworks, an egg the size of “a small child” that was encrusted with pink diamonds and encased in a gold shell that opened to reveal a diamond clock. The demanding process of making and attempting to profit off the egg—whose sky-high price (initially, £7 million) and persistent mechanical problems made it unsellable—sent Paul into a tailspin of drinking and drugging that broke up his marriage. Eventually, the company and the egg were seized by creditors. The author unearths the story with a journalist’s doggedness and a novelist’s flair for detail, bravely seeking answers to childhood mysteries many would leave unsolved. This is riveting. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 01/23/2026 | Details & Permalink

The most dangerous fraudulent practice in science is often overlooked, argue social scientists Plümper and Neumayer (coauthors of Robustness Tests for Quantitative Research) in this thorough but dry examination. The authors demonstrate that “tweaking”—which they define as “the intentional manipulation of model specifications and research designs” typically to increase the likelihood of publication or to get results that align with the authors’ beliefs—is a widespread practice that weakens the validity of empirical results and degrades the body of modern scientific inquiry as a whole. They examine common tweaking strategies, such as modifying the level of statistical significance of the data’s effects and conclusions and selecting model specifications based on the data rather than before the data is collected, and offer examples of fraud, like the case of Francesca Gino, a former Harvard professor accused in 2023 of fabricating data in her behavioral research papers. While the arguments are thorough and the authors offer potential solutions, such as robustness tests selected by journal editors and peer reviewers, it is not clear who the authors intend to reach; the text is largely technical in nature with a few humorous interjections and pop culture quotes interspersed throughout. Still, for those concerned with a loss of credibility in science, this is worth a look. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 01/23/2026 | Details & Permalink

Navigating divorce as a parent presents a unique set of challenges, but putting children’s needs at the forefront can help everyone stay grounded, explains psychoanalyst and parent coach Komisar (Chicken Little the Sky Isn’t Falling) in this practical manual. The key to mitigating trauma, according to Komisar, is a “child-healthy divorce,” which involves prioritizing children’s mental and emotional well-being and continuing to approach parenting as a joint act. Making changes slowly, like ensuring the kids continue to attend the same school; involving children in such decisions as how to decorate their room in a parent’s new home; and anticipating conflicts with the ex-spouse, including disagreements over custody, are all ways in which parents can promote a sense of continuity and rebuild trust with their kids in a time of tremendous change. Leaning into new traditions, like exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve if the other parent has custody Christmas Day, or getting a new pet if the family dog now lives with the ex, can be a cause for celebration when life feels heavy. Komisar’s message remains consistent throughout: put children first, and be honest but neutral when discussing the other parent. This is a valuable resource for parents who are separating. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 01/23/2026 | Details & Permalink

Investigative reporter Renevier sheds harsh light on the disappearances and deaths of dozens of Blackfeet tribe members in Montana between 2017 and 2023 in the infuriating latest installment of Crime Ink’s 50 States of Crime series (after Hélène Coutard’s The Chandra Levy Case). “In the land of the free,” Renevier writes, “Native American women were statistically more likely to be raped or murdered than to attend university.” She grounds the account with individual profiles, including of 20-year-old Ashley Loring HeavyRunner, whose family never saw her again after she left home in 2017 to attend a party near Browning, Mont. Despite evidence of foul play and three promising suspects, Ashley’s fate remains unknown, though her sister mounted a robust search effort. Renevier matches visceral descriptions of grieving family and friends with righteous anger at the flagrant, sometimes suspicious lack of response from tribal, local, and federal law enforcement. Evocative prose enhances her probe (“On the Blackfeet Reservation, crimes are like snowstorms. They catch you off guard and hit more often than you’d expect, in winter and summer alike”). It’s a stirring examination of an overlooked tragedy.(Mar.)

Reviewed on 01/23/2026 | Details & Permalink

The inaugural winner of the Yale Nonfiction Book Prize, this debut collection from Gleason contains enlightening and beautifully written essays on illness and medicine. The title entry recounts his time as a medical interpreter at a free clinic who became a patient himself when a blood clot was discovered in his left shoulder. His experiences highlight the challenge of expressing one’s pain and the tendency of doctors to treat diseases and symptoms rather than the person as a whole. “Blood in the Water” is structured as letters written to Gaëtan Dugas, the man who was mistakenly identified as “Patient Zero” of the AIDS epidemic in North America, as Gleason awaits results after an inconclusive HIV test, wishing for “illness unbounded from guilt and history.” In “Gilead,” he discusses his attempts to get on a pre-exposure prophylactic, or PrEP, while in a relationship with an HIV-positive partner. He explains the science and business of PrEP while also showing how “you can lose someone, not by hurting them or forcing them away, but simply by holding them at arm’s length.” Other essays discuss public shootings, prison, opioids, organ donation, and a doctor accused of killing his patients. Each sparkles with clarity and precision, rendering complicated concepts accessible and stimulating. This is a triumph. (Jan.)

Reviewed on 01/02/2026 | Details & Permalink

Leonardi (The Digital Mindset), a technology management professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, delivers a helpful guide to managing the overwhelm created by digital technologies. The platforms that permeate daily life—social media, email, Zoom, ChatGPT, streaming services—are draining users of their energy, desire to do things, and ability to focus, Leonardi contends. Acknowledging that people can’t simply stop using their devices, he argues that they can learn to use them in ways that help them lead happier, more efficient lives. Leonardi unpacks how digital devices cause burnout by fragmenting people’s attention, forcing them to constantly think about how they are perceived, and triggering strong emotions. To build resilience, Leonardi advises readers to cut in half the number of digital tools they use, resist the urge to respond to messages immediately, and establish one’s intention before picking up a device. In the workplace, he encourages managers to stop implementing new digital technologies, and at home, he urges parents to ditch their devices when in front of their kids. While Leonardi’s ideas aren’t particularly innovative, he offers a nuanced perspective of technology use that acknowledges the demands of modern life while providing practical tools for reducing fatigue. Readers will be inspired to reassess their relationship with screens. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 01/02/2026 | Details & Permalink

Reproductive healthcare specialist Quimby debuts with a passionate explainer on contraception, arguing that “everyone, everywhere should have the right to make decisions that impact their families.” She traces the development of birth control, noting ancient Egyptians used a paste made of sour milk and crocodile poop to prevent pregnancy and that today there are more than 15 FDA-approved birth control methods for women but only two for men (condoms and vasectomy). Birth control is ubiquitous—most people will use more than one method in their lifetimes, she explains—but it’s also at risk: The same “right to privacy” that was narrowed in 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade has historically provided the legal support for the right to birth control. Many people face barriers to access, like cost, a lack of insurance coverage, and state policies that create burdensome requirements. Instead of getting frustrated and demoralized, Quimby encourages readers to become well-informed advocates. She outlines the various types of contraception, explaining how they work (Plan B, for example, prevents pregnancy by delaying ovulation), and how to access them (one FDA-approved pill, Opill, is now available without a prescription). Comprehensive and accessible, this effectively demonstrates birth control’s vital role in the U.S. Readers will be educated and energized. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 01/02/2026 | Details & Permalink

This scattershot business history from journalist Steinberger (The Wine Savant) profiles Palantir Technologies, a software company specializing in data analytics. Steinberger describes Palantir’s successes, which include software that tracked the spread of Covid-19 and a military intelligence platform that helped the Ukrainian army identify and target Russian troops, and probes claims that the company is a pillar of the surveillance state whose software is used by police departments to identify likely criminals and crime hotspots, raising issues of racial profiling. As Steinberger notes, opponents of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown also criticize Palantir’s contracts with ICE. CEO Alex Karp, a half-Black, half-Jewish billionaire with a law degree and a doctorate in social theory, emerges in this account as a knot of ideological contradictions. An avowed progressive who insists on high standards of ethics and data privacy, Karp is also a staunch supporter of Israel, Western civilization, and U.S. national-security priorities (he won’t do business with Russia or China) who has moved to the right, voicing opposition to open borders and DEI programs. Though Steinberger paints Karp as a colorful, eccentric figure, his discussion of Palantir’s technology is vague, and his claim that “Palantir was arguably the most interesting company in the world—and possibly also one of the most dangerous” feels overhyped and ill-supported. Readers will be left wanting. (Nov.)

Reviewed on 01/02/2026 | Details & Permalink