I read quite a bit of nonfiction this year, and apparently my favorites were all quite depressing. Choose from historically depressing (The Five, which vividly details how absolutely horrid life could be for women in the Victorian age); environmentally/existentially depressing (Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore); or depressing looks into pressing current issues (immigration in The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez and violence against women in No Visible Bruises). The only selection here that I would not describe as depressing is She Said, which does illustrate some atrocious behavior but is a really great and empowering journalism story and shows how exposing sexual abuse and harassment can eventually at least begin to hold perpetrators accountable. Even though they may not exactly brighten your day, all of these titles are illuminating and powerful and I highly recommend them!
Rogue Readers' Advisory 