cover image
LATEST ISSUE OF
Kirkus Reviews
Check out our interview with Rick Yancey, author of the wildly entertaining YA thriller The 5th Wave.
Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



Best Nonfiction of 2012: Essays & Entertainment

Showing
Cover art for ON CELESTIAL MUSIC
NONFICTION
Released: March 21, 2012
Kirkus Star ON CELESTIAL MUSIC: AND OTHER ADVENTURES IN LISTENING
by Rick Moody
"Thoughtful, heartfelt and frequently moving, like the best music."
The acclaimed novelist shows off his considerable gifts for parsing music. Read full book review >
Cover art for MAGIC HOURS
NONFICTION
Released: April 10, 2012
Kirkus Star MAGIC HOURS: ESSAYS ON CREATORS AND CREATION
by Tom Bissell
"Stellar cultural writing--Bissell has the knowledge and wit to earn his provocations."
A whip-smart, occasionally pugnacious collection of essays on culture from a wide-ranging critic. Read full book review >
Cover art for LIVING, THINKING, LOOKING
NONFICTION
Released: June 5, 2012
Kirkus Star LIVING, THINKING, LOOKING: ESSAYS
by Siri Hustvedt
"At once stimulating and warmhearted, with sentences of drop-dead beauty and acuity on nearly every page."
Another superb essay collection from novelist Hustvedt (The Summer without Men, 2011, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for STELLA ADLER ON AMERICA'S MASTER PLAYWRIGHTS
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 16, 2012
Kirkus Star STELLA ADLER ON AMERICA'S MASTER PLAYWRIGHTS
by Stella Adler, edited by Barry Paris
"An exciting, inspiring and essential book for anyone interested in American theater."
Brilliant lectures on the American masters from the late, legendary acting teacher. Read full book review >
Cover art for I'M YOUR MAN
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
Kirkus Star I'M YOUR MAN: THE LIFE OF LEONARD COHEN
by Sylvie Simmons
"Taking on a looming subject with intelligence and wit, Simmons manages to take the full measure of her man."
An elegant, deeply researched life of the Canadian musician, poet and novelist. Read full book review >
Cover art for HOW MUSIC WORKS
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 12, 2012
Kirkus Star HOW MUSIC WORKS
by David Byrne
"Highly recommended--anyone at all interested in music will learn a lot from this book."
From the former Talking Heads frontman, a supremely intelligent, superbly written dissection of music as an art form and way of life. Read full book review >