Books like Giving Good Weight by John McPhee

A 1981 nonfiction work by Tracy Kidder that follows a computer‑engineering team building the Data General Eclipse MV/8000—a high‑speed minicomputer—under intense deadline pressure.

David Sedaris’ Barrel Fever is a collection of sharp‑witted essays and short stories that satirise modern American life, from suburban DIY to the absurdities of fame and family.

John McPhee’s survey of North American geology, tracing the continent’s history through detailed fieldwork, maps and essays on plate tectonics and the geological time scale.

Freight and freightage: McPhee's sketchbook of real people and real journeys.

John McPhee’s collection of essays follows four men through three distinct wildernesses—the Atlantic coastline, the Western mountain range, and the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River—examining their varied relationships with nature.

"Where's the butter, Unc Nunkie?" asked Ojo.

C.S. Lewis examines overlooked aspects of fairy tales and science fiction, offering three selected essays that illuminate his thoughts on these genres.

A Grace Paley Reader assembles the author’s most celebrated short stories, poems, and essays, accompanied by a preface from George Saunders and an afterword by Nora Paley, offering a comprehensive view of her diverse literary talent.

A sweeping history of the men whose inventions and explorations built the United States, examining how their daring efforts forged a unified nation and evaluating the lasting impact of their legacy.

A compilation of A. A. Milne’s best short stories and essays, handpicked from his 1921 Punch columns, showcasing his sharp wit and social commentary in a mix of satire, humor, and adventure.

A fascinating and deeply researched investigation into the mysteries of flavor, from our ancestors' first bites to ongoing scientific advances in taste and today's "foodie" revolution.

Two Mark Twain Editorials -- Disgraceful persecution of a boy -- License of the press -- The Sandwich Islands -- A memorable midnight experience -- English as she is taught -- Aix, the paradise of the rheumatics -- At the shrine of St. Wagner -- Mental telegraphy -- The German Chicago -- Marienbad, a health factory -- Switzerland, the cradle of liberty -- In defense of Harriet Shelley -- How to tell a story -- Mental telegraphy again -- What Paul Bourget thinks of us -- A little note to M. Paul Bourget -- Queen Victoria's jubilee --- About play-acting -- Stirring times in Austria -- Concerning the Jews -- Diplomatic pay and clothes -- My debut as a literary person -- To the person sitting in darkness -- To my missionary critics -- Thomas Brackett Reed -- Saint Joan of Arc -- The first writing-machines -- A helpless situation -- A humane word from Satan -- A monument to Adam -- What is man?-- William Dean Howells -- Is Shakespeare dead? -- Marjorie Fleming, the wonder child -- The new planet -- The old-fashioned printer -- Seventieth birthday -- Taxes and Morals -- The turning-point of my life -- The death of Jean -- How to make history dates stick -- A scrap of curious history -- As concerns interpreting the deity -- The bee -- Concerning tobacco -- The memorable assassination -- A simplified alphabet -- Taming the bicycle -- Adam's soliloquy -- Advice to youth -- As regards Patriotism -- Bible teaching and religious practice -- The Cholera epidemic in Hamburg -- Consistency -- Corn-prone opinions -- The dervish and the offensive stranger -- Dr. Loeb's incredible discovery -- Down the Rhone -- Dueling -- Eve speaks -- The finished book -- Foreign critics -- Instructing the soldier -- Letters to Satan -- The lost Napolean -- On speech-making reform -- Samuel Erasmus Moffett -- Skeleton plan of a proposed casting vote party -- Sold to Satan -- Some national stupidities -- The temperance crusade and woman's rights -- That day in Eden -- The United States of Lyncherdom -- The war prayer -- A word of encouragement for our blushing exiles -- Letter from the recording angel

Poet Naomi Shihab Nye offers essays and short stories that celebrate a relaxed, observant pace of life, featuring a cast of memorable characters from across the world.

An anthology of poetry, prose, fiction, and experimental autobiographical pieces by Gloria Anzaldúa, offering fresh insights into her life, work, and groundbreaking theories on Chicana, lesbian, and multicultural feminism.