New Nonfiction Releases: November 2022
by Shelby Jones
Looking for something new read this month? We’ve got your back! This November, check out the following new nonfiction…
Toil and Trouble: A Woman’s History of the Occult by Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson
Categories: Philosophy | History
Release: 1 November
The first nonfiction book of November is a celebration of mystical women and nonbinary people throughout American history, dating all the way from Salem to the current WitchTok movement. Meet the magical folk who have found strength in the supernatural, using spirit mediums and hexes as a form of patriarchal resistance. This book examines how women have turned to the occult for political gain, equality, identity, and fortune. Kröger and Anderson even highlight unrevealed women, such as Dion Fortune who marshalled a supernatural army against the tyranny of Adolf Hitler.
“A fascinating and at times infuriating look at the ways in which women have gained power through the occult, been persecuted by it, and forged relationships with one another through it.” — GeekMom
“Anyone who has dabbled in the craft by way of #witchtok will deepen their knowledge immensely by reading this book. And with a final chapter titled “100% That Witch,” you know you’re going to learn a lot and have some fun.” — BookPage
Egypt’s Golden Couple: When Akhenaten and Nefertiti Were Gods on Earth by Colleen and John Darnell
Categories: Architectural | History
Release: 1 November
From clue to clue, renowned Egyptologists John and Colleen Darnell reconstruct the untold story of Akhenaten and Nefertiti—the former a monotheist tyrant who nearly destroyed the kingdom he sought to rule, and the latter the beloved wife of Tutankamun.
Over three thousand years have passed since these kings and queens ruled, but the vivid life and controversial reign of Akhenaten and Nefertiti still remain revolutionary. They were gods on earth. With new evidence, these Egyptologists teach us how solar worship, art, and urban designs expressed merging religions and politics, transforming the era.
This book is detective suspense—a thrilling adventure of fascinating scholarship, dusting away hieroglyphics, artefacts, and excavations.
“Readers will delight in this accessible study of a consequential period of Egypt’s history.” — Publisher’s Weekly
“In addition to chronicling the complex political, social, economic, and architectural elements of the history, the Darnells offer a touching portrait of family life…Riveting.” — Kirkus Reviews
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
Categories: Biography | Memoir
Release: 1 November
An honest and moving memoir by the beloved Friends star. Perry takes us on a powerful journey through the addiction and disease that accompanied him during all the years his televised presence was making fans laugh. This book is unforgettable as we learn of Perry’s loss, love, and hope throughout his life.
“From worldwide fame as a beloved character in an iconic TV show to a downward spiral of addiction and an inspiring climb out of the abyss, the Friends legend tells his candid, unflinching and frequently hilarious story.” — Waterstones
The Path of Peace: Walking the Western Front Way by Anthony Seldon
Categories: Military History | French History
Release: 3 November
Inspired by Alexander Douglas Gillespie, the young World War One British soldier, Anthony Seldon sets out on a 35-day pilgrimage from the French-Swiss border to the English Channel. This book follows the ‘Via Sacra’ journey sought by soldiers like Gillespie. It is a story of chance discovery and history with its rich European scenery through Vosges, Argonne, and Champagne, into the haunting trenches of Arras, Somme, and Ypres. With touching notes of grief, loss, and legacy, this book mirrors the extraordinary journey of Anthony Seldon’s act of remembrance and rediscovery.
“An incredible journey that will move and inspire—we must never forget.” — Bear Grylls
“A timely, eloquent, and convincing reminder that to forget the carnage of the past is to open the door to it happening again. If anyone needs persuading that a 1,000 kilometre Western Front Way would be both civilising and educational this is the book they should read.” ― George Alagiah
The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
Categories: Biography | Memoir
Release: 15 November
In an uncertain world, former US First Lady Michelle Obama teaches you strategies to find hope and balance. Instead of contemporary affirmations, Obama delves into practical methods of discovery, so you can address difficult topics and understand how to cope with them. Her stories are insightful, human, and personable, which will empower you to find your own connections in a world that seems to be changing so fast.
Something catch your eye? We hope whichever read you choose will be immersive enough for you to forget about the cold outside! If you have any other books to pick up this month, let us know on social media.