Dr. Joy Buolamwini, a leading AI researcher, has been warning about the dangers of biased AI for years. Her groundbreaking work exposed racial and gender biases in AI systems from major tech companies. In her book, Unmasking AI, she discusses how these biases can harm marginalized groups. Buolamwini argues that we need to ensure AI is developed ethically and equitably for the benefit of everyone. She founded the Algorithmic Justice League to advocate for algorithmic justice and prevent AI harms.

Local author and founder of Khan Academy, Salman Khan's latest book, Brave New Words, is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of education. Khan explores how AI and GPT technology will transform learning, offering a roadmap for teachers, parents, and students to navigate this exciting new world. Khan examines the benefits and challenges of AI in education, emphasizing the importance of human interaction while leveraging AI for personalized learning. He also delves into the ethical implications of AI, providing insights into how we can use these tools to build a more accessible and equitable education system.

Katalin Karikó, a Nobel Prize-winning biochemist, overcame countless obstacles to revolutionize medicine. Despite facing discrimination and skepticism, she persisted in her research on messenger RNA (mRNA). Her groundbreaking work led to the development of COVID-19 vaccines, saving millions of lives. Karikó's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of pursuing scientific discovery, even in the face of adversity.

Claudia Lin, a sharp-witted amateur sleuth, investigates a missing client while working for a unique online-dating detective agency. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a web of deceit and explores the complexities of love and technology in the digital age. This debut novel offers a clever and incisive examination of modern relationships and the impact of technology on our lives.

Annie Bot, a female robot designed to be the perfect girlfriend, is learning and growing beyond her programmed role. As she becomes more self-aware, she challenges the boundaries of her relationship with her human owner, Doug. This provocative novel explores themes of power, autonomy, and the complexities of human-AI relationships in a world where creations may surpass their creators.

Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert (Pulitzer Prize winning journalist) takes the reader through various fields of study, speaking to experts on ways they are assisting environments, flora, and fauna that are affected by climate change. The intimate nature of the prose makes the reader feel like they're tagging along with a friend. Exploration is conducted on: the impacts of the Asian carp in the rivers of Chicago, the receding coastline of Louisiana, a pond in the middle of Death Valley with a unique species of fish, to name a few. Kolbert is frank about the reality of the situation, but because of her curious and questioning tone, the subject matter doesn't feel overwhelming.

Working to Restore examines revolutionary approaches in agriculture, waste, supply chain, inclusivity for the collective good, women in the workforce, travel, health, energy, and finance. The companies profiled are solving global issues, promoting responsible production and consumption, creating equitable opportunities for all, encouraging climate action, and more. Chhabra highlights how their work moves beyond the greenwashed idea of “sustainability” into a new era of regeneration and restoration across industries and geographies—to paint a broader picture of a global movement through a journalistic lens.

Burnt is Clare Frank’s inspiring, richly detailed, and open-hearted account of an extraordinary life in fire. It chronicles the transformation of a young adult determined to prove her mettle into a scarred and sensitive veteran, grappling with the weight of her duties as chief of fire protection—one of the highest-ranking women in Cal Fire history—while record-setting fires engulf her home state.

Damnation Spring beautifully captures a sense of time and place in 1970s Arcata, California. What sets it apart is its unique take on the traditional conservation narrative. For generations, the community has lived and breathed timber; now that way of life is threatened. Amidst the backdrop of environmental concerns, Damnation Spring introduces an intriguing juxtaposition. The loggers share an intimate bond with the forest that outsiders, advocating for its preservation through protected parklands, can never fully comprehend. This novel opens a new perspective on environmentalism, exploring the intricate relationship between humanity and nature.