The 15 Best Nonfiction Books You Should Actually Read

Look, I've spent years reading nonfiction books—the kind that sit on your nightstand half-finished, the ones you bring up at dinner parties, and the rare gems that actually change how you see the world. So when people ask me about the best nonfiction books, I don't just rattle off a list. I want to tell you why these books matter.

The truth is, the best nonfiction books do something magical: they take real life and make it more interesting than fiction. Whether you're into history, science, memoirs, or self-improvement, these books have earned their spot on countless "best of" lists for good reason.

What Makes a Nonfiction Book Great?

Before we dive in, let's be honest about what separates a great nonfiction book from one that collects dust. The best ones:

• Tell you something you didn't know (and make you care about it)

• Are written by people who actually know their stuff

• Read like a conversation, not a textbook

• Change how you think about something—even if it's small

• Make you want to tell other people about them

With that said, here are the nonfiction books that consistently blow readers away.

History & Anthropology: Understanding Where We Came From

1. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

This book asks a simple question: How did humans go from irrelevant apes to rulers of the planet? Harari takes you through 70,000 years of human history and somehow makes it feel like a page-turner. He covers everything from the Cognitive Revolution to the Agricultural Revolution to where we might be headed next.

Why it's one of the best: Harari doesn't just dump facts on you. He makes you question assumptions about money, religion, and happiness that you've never even thought to question. Plus, he writes in this clear, accessible way that makes complex anthropology feel like you're just chatting with a really smart friend. It's no wonder this book became a global phenomenon, staying on The New York Times bestseller list for 182 weeks.

2. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Henrietta Lacks was a poor Black tobacco farmer whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951. Those cells—called HeLa cells—became one of the most important tools in medicine, leading to breakthroughs in everything from polio vaccines to gene mapping. But her family didn't even know about it for decades.

Why it's one of the best: Skloot spent a decade researching this book, and it shows. She weaves together science, medical ethics, and a family's story in a way that's both heartbreaking and fascinating. It raises questions about medical consent, racial inequality, and who owns our biological materials—questions we're still wrestling with today. This book proves that real-life stories can be just as gripping as any thriller.

3. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Set during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, this book tells two intertwined stories: the architects racing to build the fair and America's first serial killer, H.H. Holmes, who used the fair to lure victims. It sounds like it shouldn't work, but it absolutely does.

Why it's one of the best: Larson is a master of narrative nonfiction. He takes meticulous historical research and turns it into something that reads like a novel. You get a vivid picture of Chicago at a pivotal moment in American history, complete with all the ambition, innovation, and darkness that came with it. If you think history is boring, this book will change your mind.

Memoirs: Real Lives, Extraordinary Stories

4. Educated by Tara Westover

Tara Westover grew up in rural Idaho with survivalist parents who didn't believe in formal education or modern medicine. She didn't step foot in a classroom until she was 17. By 27, she had a PhD from Cambridge. This memoir tells that unlikely journey.

Why it's one of the best: Westover's story is about more than just education—it's about what it costs to leave behind everything you've known. Her writing is honest and unflinching about her family while never feeling exploitative. The book raises big questions about loyalty, identity, and what we owe our families versus ourselves. The memoir debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list and was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2018 by the Times. It's the kind of memoir that sticks with you long after you've turned the last page.

5. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Before he was hosting The Daily Show, Trevor Noah was a kid growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. Being born to a Black mother and white father was literally a crime at the time, which gives the book its title.

Why it's one of the best: Noah's humor shines through even when he's talking about poverty, domestic violence, and systemic racism. He has this gift for making you laugh and think at the same time. The book won the Thurber Prize for American Humor and two NAACP Image Awards. The book also serves as a fascinating look at post-apartheid South Africa that most Americans know nothing about. You learn about history, but it never feels like homework—it feels like Noah is just telling you stories from his life.

6. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon on the verge of completing his training when he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. He went from being a doctor treating death to a patient facing it. This book is his reflection on what makes life meaningful when death is certain.

Why it's one of the best: This isn't a "inspirational cancer memoir." It's a profound meditation on mortality written by someone who spent his career at the intersection of life and death. Kalanithi writes with the precision of a surgeon and the soul of a philosopher. It's devastating and beautiful, and it will make you think about your own life differently. Fair warning: have tissues ready.

Science & Psychology: How We Think and Why It Matters

7. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman breaks down how we make decisions into two systems: the fast, intuitive one and the slow, deliberate one. Turns out, we rely on the fast system way more than we should, which leads to all kinds of biases and errors.

Why it's one of the best: This book basically created a new field—behavioral economics. Kahneman backs up everything with decades of research, but he makes it digestible. You'll start recognizing these thinking patterns in yourself immediately (and might feel a bit called out). If you want to understand why humans are so predictably irrational, this is required reading.

8. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Van der Kolk, a trauma researcher, explains how trauma actually lives in our bodies, not just our minds. He covers everything from the neuroscience of PTSD to various treatment approaches like EMDR and yoga.

Why it's one of the best: This book changed how we talk about trauma. Van der Kolk combines rigorous science with compassionate storytelling, making complex neuroscience accessible. As of August 2025, it has spent 355 weeks (almost 7 years) on the New York Times bestseller list for paperback nonfiction. If you've ever wondered why trauma doesn't just "go away" or why talk therapy alone sometimes isn't enough, this book answers those questions. It's become essential reading for anyone in mental health—and honestly, for anyone who wants to understand the human experience better.

9. The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Mukherjee traces the story of the gene from Mendel's pea plants to CRISPR gene editing, weaving in his own family's history of mental illness along the way. It's part science, part history, part memoir.

Why it's one of the best: Mukherjee (who also wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Emperor of All Maladies) has this rare ability to make complicated science feel personal and urgent. He doesn't shy away from the ethical quandaries of genetic engineering, and his own family story grounds the science in real human consequences. By the end, you'll understand both the power and the danger of our growing ability to rewrite our genetic code.

10. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert

Kolbert travels the world examining species on the brink of extinction and explores how humans have triggered what scientists call the sixth mass extinction in Earth's history. From dying coral reefs to disappearing frogs, she documents how rapidly we're losing biodiversity.

Why it's one of the best: This Pulitzer Prize-winning book (awarded in 2015) manages to make extinction feel urgent without being preachy. Kolbert's reporting is first-rate—she actually goes to these places and talks to the scientists doing the work. The writing is clear and often darkly funny, which makes the devastating subject matter easier to absorb. If you want to understand climate change beyond the politics, this book shows you what's actually happening to the planet right now.

Personal Development: Books That Actually Help

11. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Clear argues that big changes come from tiny habits, not massive overhauls. He breaks down exactly how to build good habits and break bad ones, backed by science and practical examples.

Why it's one of the best: Unlike most self-help books that are 90% fluff, Atomic Habits is dense with actionable advice. Clear's "1% better every day" philosophy actually makes sense—and more importantly, it works. The framework he provides (cue, craving, response, reward) is simple enough to remember and apply to your actual life. This book doesn't promise you'll transform overnight, which is exactly why it actually helps you transform.

12. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl survived Nazi concentration camps and wrote about how finding meaning can help us endure any suffering. The book is part memoir, part introduction to his theory of logotherapy.

Why it's one of the best: Written in 1946, this book remains relevant because Frankl addresses something universal: the human need for meaning. His experiences give him an authority that's hard to question—if anyone knows about suffering, it's someone who survived Auschwitz. The book is short but profound, and it's helped millions of people reframe their own struggles. It's less about self-help tips and more about fundamental truths about the human condition.

Investigative Journalism: Truth Stranger Than Fiction

13. Bad Blood by John Carreyrou

Carreyrou, a Wall Street Journal reporter, tells the story of Theranos, the blood-testing startup that was going to revolutionize healthcare. Except it was all built on lies, and founder Elizabeth Holmes was willing to destroy anyone who got in her way.

Why it's one of the best: This is investigative journalism at its finest. Carreyrou meticulously documents how Holmes managed to fool investors, board members, and the public—raising over $700 million for technology that didn't work. The book reads like a thriller, complete with surveillance, legal threats, and whistle-blowers. It's also a cautionary tale about Silicon Valley's "fake it till you make it" culture and what happens when unchecked ambition meets billions of dollars.

14. Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe

This book examines the Troubles in Northern Ireland through the lens of a single haunting mystery: the 1972 disappearance of Jean McConville, a widowed mother of ten.

Why it's one of the best: Keefe takes decades of violent conflict and makes it personal. He profiles key figures in the IRA, explores the impossible moral compromises people made, and investigates what happened to McConville. His research is exhaustive, but the writing is so gripping you forget you're reading history. The book raises difficult questions about justice, memory, and whether peace requires forgetting the past.

15. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Lawyer Bryan Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative and has spent his career defending people on death row. This book tells the story of Walter McMillian, a Black man wrongly convicted of murder in Alabama, alongside other cases that expose deep flaws in our criminal justice system.

Why it's one of the best: Stevenson writes with both legal precision and deep compassion. He doesn't just tell you the system is broken—he shows you exactly how, with case after case of injustice. The book is infuriating and heartbreaking but also hopeful, because Stevenson actually wins cases and changes lives. It's required reading for anyone who wants to understand mass incarceration, the death penalty, and racial injustice in America. Plus, Stevenson's humility and moral clarity make this more than just a legal memoir—it's a call to action.

Why These Books Stand Out

What makes these books "the best" isn't just that they're well-written (though they are). They've earned their reputations because:

They're accessible without being dumbed down. These authors respect your intelligence while explaining complex ideas clearly.

They're backed by real expertise. Whether it's Kahneman's Nobel Prize-winning research or Skloot's decade of investigation, these books are authoritative.

They tell stories. Even the science books and history books remember that humans connect with narratives, not just facts.

They age well. These aren't trendy books that'll feel dated in five years. They tackle timeless questions or important historical moments that remain relevant.

They've earned their praise. I'm not just listing books I personally like—these have collectively sold millions of copies, won major awards, and changed conversations in their respective fields.

How to Choose the Right Nonfiction Book for You

With so many great options, here's my advice:

Start with what you're curious about. Don't read Sapiens just because everyone else did if you hate history. Find the subject that already interests you.

Consider audiobooks for memoirs. Books like Born a Crime and Educated are fantastic in audio format, especially if the author narrates.

Don't feel obligated to finish. If a book isn't clicking after 50-100 pages, move on. Life's too short for books you're not enjoying.

Join a book club or reading community. Nonfiction books are often better when you have people to discuss them with. Check out communities on Reddit's r/nonfictionbooks or Goodreads.

Mix it up. Alternate between heavy, serious reads and lighter ones. Follow The Body Keeps the Score with something like Born a Crime.

FAQ: Best Nonfiction Books

What is the #1 best-selling nonfiction book of all time?

The Bible holds this record, but if we're talking about modern nonfiction, books like A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking and The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank have sold tens of millions of copies. More recently, Michelle Obama's Becoming sold over 15 million copies in its first year.

What nonfiction book should I read first as a beginner?

Start with memoirs like Educated or Born a Crime. They read almost like novels, so they're less intimidating than dense science or history books. Once you're comfortable, branch out into other categories based on your interests.

How do I know if a nonfiction book is credible?

Check the author's credentials and expertise in the subject. Look for extensive citations and bibliography. Read reviews from reputable sources like The New York Times Book Review or NPR Books. Be wary of books making extraordinary claims without strong evidence. The books on this list are all well-researched and written by experts or experienced journalists.

What's the difference between a memoir and an autobiography?

An autobiography covers someone's entire life, while a memoir focuses on specific experiences or periods. Educated is a memoir about Westover's journey to education, not a complete life story. Most modern "autobiographies" are actually memoirs.

How long does it take to read a nonfiction book?

Most of these books are 300-400 pages and take the average reader about 8-12 hours. But with nonfiction, speed isn't the goal—comprehension is. Don't rush. Take notes. Let ideas marinate.

What nonfiction book is good for someone who doesn't usually read?

Try The Devil in the White City or Born a Crime. Both read quickly and feel more like entertainment than "learning." Once you finish one book, you'll have more confidence to tackle others.

What makes a nonfiction book win awards?

Award-winning nonfiction typically combines rigorous research with compelling writing, addresses important topics, and contributes something new to public discourse. According to The Pulitzer Prizes guidelines, books like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and The Sixth Extinction won awards because they're both masterfully written and culturally significant.

Final Thoughts

The best nonfiction books don't just inform you—they transform you. They make you see the world differently, question assumptions you didn't know you had, and give you language for things you've felt but couldn't articulate.

You don't need to read all of these books. Pick one or two that genuinely interest you. Read them slowly. Think about them. Discuss them. Let them change you.

Because that's what the best books do—fiction or nonfiction. They remind you that reality is fascinating, humans are endlessly complex, and there's always more to learn about this weird, beautiful world we live in.

So close this browser tab, pick a book, and start reading. Your perspective might never be quite the same again.

Looking for more book recommendations? Check out annual "best of" lists from the New York Times Book Review, National Book Awards, and Goodreads Choice Awards to discover new releases and classics.