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His name is synonymous with high-stakes wilderness survival stories. Now, living literary legend Gary Paulsen portrays a series of life-altering moments from his turbulent childhood as his own original survival story. A moving and enthralling memoir of grit and growing up in the wild, Gone to the Woods is perfect for new readers and lifelong fans alike, from the acclaimed author at his rawest and realest.
It’s been very much an “omg really” kind of year so far, but what a great time to bury yourself in some books. Ready for some of the exciting new releases of 2021? Great, here we go:
Viral BS: Medical Myths and Why We Fall for Them by Seema Yasmin
You know how sometimes you vaguely remember something like talcum powder causes cancer, but you don’t remember where you heard it and have no idea if it’s true? This book is there to give you some solid footing or some solid undercutting of your belief in medical myths. Yasmin has done a pretty good video series on these, and has helped debunk a number of COVID-19 myths this past year. Really looking forward to this one so I can confidently discuss whether we are running out of antibiotics (probably not if it’s in the myth book!).
Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World by Andrea Pitzer
It’s 1597. You’re a Dutch explorer (just go with it). You’re in the Far Arctic and your ship has been crushed by icebergs. Some people love survival-against-the-odds stories, and if you’re one of those people, you’ll love this story of how William Barents and his crew spent nine months fighting polar bears. It also talks about “survival at twenty degrees below, the degeneration of the human body when it lacks Vitamin C, the history of mutiny, the practice of keel hauling, the art of celestial navigation and the intricacies of repairing masts and building shelters.” Omg it sounds so FACT-filled.
You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar
You’ve hopefully seen Amber Ruffin on Late Night with Seth Meyers or her excellent Drunk History episodes. This book, written with her sister Lacey, centers around Lacey’s experiences living as a Black woman in Nebraska. I like how the stories are described as “entertainingly horrifying” and it also references their “laugh-out-loud sisterly banter.” I love sisterly banter! My wife is exTREMEly excited about this book.
For more nonfiction new releases, check out the For Real podcast which I co-host with the excellent Kim here at Book Riot. If you have any questions/comments/book suggestions, you can find me on social media @itsalicetime. Until next time, enjoy those facts, fellow nerds.