Some Good Books From 2016

The politics of 2016 has seemed sometimes like the plot of a novel rejected as much too implausible. That kind of year can be a tough time for non-fiction books, which can never quite compete with the drama of the moment. But this year has actually been a great one for non-fiction, I would say. In no particular order, here are five of my favorites published this year: Hillbilly Elegy, by JD Vance: This one is an obvious choice, and I mean that in a good way. It has gotten lots of attention because it so well describes a cultural crisis that has had a lot to do with this year's election and its outcome. But I think it's even more valuable as a book about human beings in their fullness, and about why culture and family and community and economics are inexorably intertwined and can't be pulled apart.