Carolina Law Library’s Annual Holiday Gift Guide

The Correspondent
By: Virginia Evans

For the would-be epistolarian. Told through letters written by retired lawyer Sybil Van Antwerp, The Correspondent brims with charming anecdotes, wry humor, and genuine warmth. Virginia Evans weaves a wonderfully intimate narrative of Sybil’s life from these small, revealing glimpses into her correspondence.

We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution
By: Jill Lepore

For the historian. Countless books have been written about the U.S. Constitution, but in We the People, Jill Lepore focuses on the efforts to advance its promise with amendments and structural change. By tracing these “mechanisms for improvement,” she explores the Constitution’s evolving role and underscores how adaptation has always been essential to its survival.

The Language-Lover’s Lexipedia: An A-Z of Linguistic Curiosities
By: Joshua Blackburn

For the logophile/lexophile/wordsmith/linguist/lexicologist/philologist (otherwise known as the devoted lover of language). Billed as “part-encyclopedia, part-treasure map,” The Language-Lover’s Lexipedia charts the A-to-Z linguistic “rabbit holes” Joshua Blackburn tumbled into while immersed in language. From Abracadabra to Zyzzyva, this delightful compendium leads readers through the quirks, surprises, and wonders of words.

The Traveler’s Atlas of the World
By: National Geographic

For the would-be traveler. The Traveler’s Atlas uses stunning photography to guide readers through every country in the world, pairing each destination with expert recommendations and thoughtful commentary on the most interesting things to see and do. Drawing on the deep knowledge of the “world-savvy travel writers and editors of National Geographic,” The Traveler’s Atlas is a vivid passport to the world’s beauty and to the variety of experiences awaiting any aspiring traveler.

No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson
By: Gardiner Harris

For exposé lovers. No More Tears uncovers the “dark secrets” of Johnson & Johnson, revealing lies, cover-ups, and widespread deception. Both terrifying and gripping, it details how this corporate giant has maintained its image and influence despite years of scandal, offering a hard-hitting look at the power and peril behind one of the world’s most trusted brands.

Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service
By: Michael Lewis

For those curious about the inner workings of the federal government. Michael Lewis curates a collection of stories by some of his favorite writers, spotlighting the government workers who keep the country running, including a former coal miner and an actual cyber sleuth. Contributors such as Casey Cep, Dave Eggers, John Lancaster, Geraldine Brooks, Sarah Vowell, and W. Kamau Bell bring their own insight and perspective to these fascinating, often overlooked roles.

The Age of Extraction: How Tech Platforms Conquered the Economy and Threaten Our Future Prosperity
By: Tim Wu

For those fascinated by the tech world. In The Age of Extraction, Tim Wu traces the rise of the major tech platforms, examining the structures that propelled them to become the tech giants they are today. The book offers a thought-provoking look at the dangers present in concentrated power and considers what can be done to rein in the platforms that shape so much of our lives.

The Library of Lost Maps: An Archive of a World in Progress
By: James Chesire

For the librarian at heart. In The Library of Lost Maps, James Chesire lovingly recounts his experiences at the Map Library of University College London. Through its treasures, Chesire traces the twists and turns of history, revealing how maps can illuminate the past through the stories they carry.