Ari Shapiro has traveled the world working for NPR. He has chatted with Obama, Syrian refugees and LGBT activists. He has been in The Oval Office, sung with the international orchestra Pink Martini, performed a cabaret act with Alan Cumming and hosted National Public Radio’s All Things Considered. While relating all these stories, Shapiro tells his own tale about a gay, Jewish guy from Fargo, North Dakota who made it big time.

I have reading a lot of nonfiction lately, and while most of the books were well-written, they were also depressing. The Best Strangers in the World is a real upper. Shapiro describes individuals who represent the positivity of humanity without sounding sappy or smarmy. Every chapter introduced me to folks I’d like to meet in person.