LibGuides: Readers' Advisory: Non-Fiction

Dewey Decimal System

We use the Dewey Decimal System, a proprietary library classification system first published in the United States by Melvil Dewey in 1876, to organize our non-fiction department. This system organizes subjects into a numerical classification system which follows the three number, three letter format. For example, a Rachel Ray cookbook would be listed approximately under 641 Ray.

000 – Computer science, information & general works
- Computer Help starts at 005
100 – Philosophy and psychology
200 – Religion
300 – Social sciences
- True Crime starts at 364
400 – Language Learning
500 – Pure Science
- Math starts at 510
600 – Technology
- Health starts at 610
- Pregnancy starts at 618
- Gardening starts at 635
- Cooking starts at 641
- Parenting starts at 649
700 – Arts & recreation
- Crafting starts at 745
- Sports start at 790
800 – Literature
900 – History & geography
- Travel starts at 910
- Civil War starts 973

Narrative Non-Fiction

A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan
A historical thriller by the Pulitzer and National Book Award-winning author that tells the riveting story of the Klan's rise to power in the 1920s, the cunning con man who drove that rise, and the woman who stopped them. The Roaring Twenties--the Jazz Age--has been characterized as a time of Gatsby frivolity.
Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
'Poverty, By America' shows how the rest of us benefit by keeping others poor. After Matthew Desmond won the Pulitzer for Evicted, about families struggling to stay housed, the Princeton sociologist realized he still didn't understand why the U.S. has more poverty than any other advanced democracy.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken tells the life story of Louis “Louie” Zamperini, an Olympic runner and military aviator in World War II (WWII). He survived being lost at sea and years of horrific abuse as a prisoner of war (POW) in Japan.
South to America by Imani Perry
This is the story of a Black woman and native Alabaman returning to the region she has always called home and considering it with fresh eyes. Her journey is full of detours, deep dives, and surprising encounters with places and people.
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
Hidden Valley Road (2020) tells the remarkable story of the Galvin family of 12 children, half of whom were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Remarkably, the Galvins went on to become one of our best hopes for understanding the biological nature of this often misunderstood mental illness.

What's New in Crafting?

Travel

Difficult Topics

Self Help

Here are a few popular subject searches within our Library Catalog.

Featured Read

Big Liars by Christian L. Hart; Drew A. Curtis
This book investigates the science behind "big liars"--those rare people who use lies as their principal way of navigating life. Most people are mostly honest, most of the time. And there aren't that many big, pants-on-fire liars in the population overall. But just a few big liars can have an outsized impact on the people around them--ruining personal relationships, bankrupting businesses, and even, when they attain political power, undermining the fabric of society.

Gardening

Here are a few popular subject searches within our Library Catalog.

Cooking

Here are a few popular subject searches within our Library Catalog.

Crafting

General Crafting

Health

Personal Finance

Personal Finance
Consumer Credit
Budgeting
Debt
Home Ownership
Retirement
- Planning for Retirement
- Retirement Income Planning

New in Non-Fiction

The 12-Week MBA by Bjorn Billhardt; Nathan Kracklauer
Based on The 12-Week MBA by Abilitie, a business leadership program taught to professionals at global Fortune 500 companies, The 12-Week MBA offers practical tips for managers and aspiring business leaders.
30 Day Challenge: Embroidery by Jessica Anderson
Challenge yourself to learn dozens of embroidery stitches and use them to create 30 simple projects that are ready to display. If you've always wanted to learn embroidery but haven't known where to start, 30-Day Challenge: Embroidery is the perfect way to jump-start your creativity and get stitching.
The Backyard Homestead Guide to Growing Organic Food by Tanya Denckla Cobb
This essential guide to growing a bountiful food garden includes detailed seed-starting, growing, and harvesting information for 62 vegetables, fruits, and herbs, a complete companion-planting guide, and organic pest-control handbook.

True Crime for Summer

Columbine by Dave Cullen
Ten years in the works, a masterpiece of reportage, this is the definitive account of the Columbine massacre, its aftermath, and its significance, from the acclaimed journalist who followed the story from the outset.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
After graduating from Harvard, Bryan Stevenson heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or those not afforded proper representation. One of his first cases is that of Walter McMillian, who is sentenced to die in 1987 for the murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite evidence proving his innocence. In the years that follow, Stevenson encounters racism and legal and political maneuverings as he tirelessly fights for McMillian's life.
Adnan's Story by Rabia Chaudry
In early 2000, Adnan Syed was convicted and sentenced to life plus thirty years for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee, a high school senior in Baltimore, Maryland. Syed has maintained his innocence, and Rabia Chaudry, a family friend, has always believed him.
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
The Devil In The White City tells the story of Chicago in the late 1800s and how it had a chance to rise above terrible crime and social unrest when it won the bid to host the World's Fair but instead ended up contributing to the creation of the world's first known serial killer.

Time to Plant?

Compost Science for Gardeners by Robert Pavlis
Create your own compost and grow better plants. With breathtaking clarity, Compost Science for Gardeners demystifies composting practices and helps readers determine the best technique for their unique situation. This comprehensive science-based book is your key to building healthier soil and growing better plants.
Beginner's Houseplant Garden by Jade Murray
User-friendly and highly accessible, this is a practical and inspiring guide to indoor gardening for complete beginners by award-winning and self-taught plant enthusiast Jade Murray.
How to Garden Indoors and Grow Your Own Food Year Round by Kim Roman
No room to garden outside? No problem! A complete guide filled with a host of valuable information and DIY projects, Ultimate Guide to Indoor Gardening shares all the knowledge on how to grow a variety of foods inside your home.
Plant Grow Harvest Repeat by Meg McAndrews Cowden
Discover how to get more out of your growing space with succession planting--carefully planned, continuous seed sowing--and provide a steady stream of fresh food from early spring through late fall.
A Gardener's Guide to Botany by Scott Zona
A fascinating look at the inner workings of the plant kingdom, written for gardeners.

Non-Fiction Resources & Reviews

100 best nonfiction titles according to the Modern Library - critics and fan picks compiled in 1998
BookBrowse.com - includes reviews and blurbs of nonfiction
National Public Radio (NPR) - often includes reviews of nonfiction titles
Reviews of Nonfiction at MostlyFiction.com

Readers' Advisory: Non-Fiction

Dewey Decimal System

Narrative Non-Fiction

What's New in Crafting?

Travel

Difficult Topics

Self Help

Featured Read

Gardening

Cooking

Crafting

Health

Personal Finance

New in Non-Fiction

True Crime for Summer

Time to Plant?

Non-Fiction Resources & Reviews

DIY