Bestselling books in Sonoma Valley

Non-fiction hardcover:

1. “The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Beginning of the Civil War,” Erik Larson. The story of the crucial five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the beginning of the Civil War.

2. “On Call: A Doctor’s Journey into Public Service”, Dr. Anthony Fauci. The doctor who rose to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic talks about his long career in high-level public service, during which he sat in the room with seven presidents.

3. “Knife: Meditations after an Attempted Murder,” Salman Rushdie. After the attempt on his life, Rushdie reflects on the traumatic events, their consequences, and his path to healing.

4. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, David Grann. From the author of Killers of the Flower Moon, the unfolding tale of crimes on the high seas after the crew of the titular ship are found adrift in 1742.

5. “The Singularity Is Near: When We Merge with AI,” Ray Kurzweil. This sequel to “The Singularity Is Near” is a continued exploration of the history of AI and predictions for what comes next.

Non-fiction paperback:

1. Compassionate Dialogue Journey, Dr. Nancy Dome. This workbook teaches self-regulation and relationship skills in times of conflict and is a testament to the transformative power that education, activism, and empathy can have on our lives and communities.

2. What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds, Jennifer Ackerman. A science and nature writer’s personal field observations breathe life into new research on owls around the world and throughout human history.

3. “Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession,” Michael Finkel. The true story of perhaps the most successful art thief, who stole not for money, but for his own private collection.

4. “Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma,” Claire Dederer. A book critic, essayist, and reporter explores the question of whether we can separate artists from their art.

5. “A Fever in the Heart of the Land: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plan to Take Over America and the Woman Who Stopped It,” Timothy Egan. The gripping story of the Klan’s rise to power in 1920s Indiana, the cunning con man who drove that rise, and the dramatic trial that led to its downfall.

Children and young people:

1. “The New Girl: A Graphic Novel” (Number 1), Cassandra Calin. Graphic novel, ages 8-12. A story about change and acceptance, inspired by the author’s own immigration experiences.

2. “Wires Crossed,” Beth Fantaskey. Graphic novel, ages 8-12. Popularity creates tension between friends, and a middle school science fair can make or break a child.

3. My Little Sonoma Valley Book: Places I Love to Visit in Sonoma, Manette Fairmont. Picture book, ages 4-8. A collection of watercolor paintings by local artist Manette Fairmont depicting historic buildings and places in the Sonoma Valley.

4. Boats on the Bay, Jeanne Walker Harvey. Board book, ages 0-3. Illustrations and easy-to-read text show a variety of vessels, from houseboats to dredging ships, over the course of a busy day on San Francisco Bay.

5. “Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes,” Rick Riordan. Paperback, ages 10-13. A modern-day demigod tells the stories of Perseus, Atalanta, Bellerophon, and the other great Greek heroes.