Notable New Nonfiction Books
Here are some recent nonfiction books in hardcover or in paperback for the first time or books that are featured in our blogposts, books that we think are important or interesting beyond all hype and promotion.
Development note: all books on politics and current events, a broad and somewhat subjective category, have been moved to their own page, Politics & Current Events.
Mind Your Manners: How to be Your Best Self in Any Situation
Mind Your Manners: How to be Your Best Self in Any Situation
Founder of a global etiquette school and star of her own Netflix series Sara Jane Ho teaches readers how to thrive socially in a variety of situations, in person and online.Etiquette, Sara Jane says, is the glue that holds society together. Humans are social creatures, after all—we need connection to survive. But with global cultures in flux and the post-pandemic digital age, shadow epidemics of anxiety and loneliness are on the rise. Plus, the old rules of “decorum” don’t match the times.
Amidst all this withdrawal and change, social growth can feel out of reach. How do we leave the comfort of our homes, step away from our screens, and interact face to face? How do we create genuine bonds with people we’ve just met, and how do we maintain those ties throughout our lives? Even the most resilient social butterflies among us face sticky situations—from accidentally-sent invites to unruly work and family encounters—any advice would help.
In her signature cheeky yet pragmatic style, Sara Jane Ho imparts a lifetime’s worth of lessons, pro-tips, and FAQs on social and digital etiquette across the five main microcultures in our lives: Friendship & Social Life, Work, Dating & Relationships, Family, and Food & Travel. From jumping everyday hurdles to discerning unspoken, cross-cultural cues, Mind Your Manners helps us feel the joy and transformation of social fluency—that deep comfort that comes from connection, inclusion, and presenting our best self in any situation.