Microhistories are popular nonfiction books that allow readers to engage with the world by focusing on a very specific subject. There is something for everyone – whether you like sports, food, fonts, or…cadavers?! Here are some examples:
The Core of an Onion: Peeling the Rarest Common Food – Featuring More than 100 Recipes by Mark Kurlansky
The king of the microhistory, this is Kurlansky’s newest. He includes historical images and his own drawings – and unpeels the layers of a food you didn’t realize could be so interesting! History, stories, and recipes all come together in his talented writing.
Ice: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks by Amy Brady
This new book explores how ice is everywhere and has shaped many aspects of our daily lives. From the sports we play – to the foods we eat – to the drinks we chill – ice is nice. How did it become so prevalent in our lives and, more importantly, what is its future?
Just My Type: a Book About Fonts by Simon Garfield
With humor and charm, Simon Garfield will change the way you look at every typed word. Whether it is the power of Helvetica, the controversy of Comic Sans, or how a humble font like Gotham helped shape a political campaign, typeface has personality! What does your favorite font say about you?
A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage
This engaging book makes world history less intimidating by focusing on six important beverages: beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. Cheers!
Meet Me by the Fountain: an Inside History of the Mall by Alexandra Lange
Okay, a shopping mall is considerably bigger than a microbe…but no less fascinating. In this cultural history we learn of the birth of Malls in the 1950s and their potential demise. Consumerism, socializing, merchants, and shoppers. Check out a copy of this book and read it … at the Mall. (Please, really do that!)