Recs if you like Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World...

Niche nonfiction, aka micro-histories!

This list was a winner of the Q2 2026 Community Voting event - if you'd like to participate in the Quest, a link is pinned in the comments.

microhistory: the intensive historical investigation of a well defined smaller unit of research (such as an event, community, individual or a settlement); it aspires to "ask large questions in small places"

Nonfiction exploring how better city design (urban planning) and policy can build people-centered cities that are sustainable, inclusive, and future-proof. Very North America centric but applies elsewhere.

Niche nonfiction books that dads are still likely to enjoy that either 1) are not military history at all or 2) a niche area of a war that is not military history

My personal curriculum reading list for a couple of deep dives I have planned, all under the same general category of urbanism, intersectionality, and how to make cities better. This has been a niche interest of mine for a while, but mostly just a thing I watch YouTube videos about. Now I'm looking to dive a bit deeper! I'll add books as I build out my "curriculums" & if you have any suggestions pls let me know! I have a sister list about public transportation.

Companies and industries that suck and why life is miserable because of them.

Books which help to inform urban planning theory

Books for those interested in walking, biking, rolling, buses, streets, roads, and more.

From the podcast series