/r/nonfictionbooks

Photograph via snooOG

A community to discuss and bring to light the best nonfiction books redditors have read.

Welcome to r/nonfictionbooks!

We share one common idea: nonfiction books are awesome - at worst informative, at best, life altering. Please join us in a lively, intellectual, and exciting festival of curiosity.

Post whatever you would like concerning nonfiction books, from a review of a good read to articles concerning about the genre's finest writers (I'm looking at you John McPhee).

This sub is in need of massive growth: it has so much potential. Let's get it going!

Oh, and please check out our friends over at r/nonfictionbookclub

/r/nonfictionbooks

16,579 Subscribers

5

Books about pre-motherhood health

Hi! I would like to have children in about 4 years. I am someone who suffers from past trauma which can definitely affect my mental and physical health. I’m in therapy, but I would love to read a book specifically about the sciences behind healing the body and mind before embarking on a motherhood journey. I know it probably takes years. Thank you :)

3 Comments
2025/01/28
05:41 UTC

16

My favourite memoir and narrative nonfiction

Some are very well known, other less so. Please recommend anything you'd think I'd enjoy

Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe

Gripping history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Narrative nonfiction at its best

Hellhound on his Trail by Hampton Sides

The story of the killing of MLK and the subsequent manhunt. Reads like a thriller. Superb

The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls

A memoir about Walls’ dysfunctional childhood and her journey toward independence.

Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal by Jeanette Winterson

Poetically written story of an adopted girl's childhood

"The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion

A memoir about Didion's experience with grief after the sudden death of her husband

From Here to Eternity by Lisa Marie Presley

Biography by the daughter of Elvis

Number Go Up by Zeke Faux

Fun and sceptical history of crypto

Sociopath: A Memoir by Patrick Gagne

Dispels the media cliches of what a sociopath is

Brother do you love me? By Ruben Coe

Moving and ultimately uplifting story of a sibling relationship, one of who has downs syndrome and is in an assisted living facility as covid lockdown begins

O Brother by John Niven

Anothet story of a sibling relationship but with drink, drugs and music

Strong Female Character by Fern Brady

Memoir by the autistic Scottish comedian

And Away by Bob Mortimer

Hilarious memoir by the much loved comic

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe

Story of the opioid crisis and the company that helped create it

A Bit of a Stretch by Chris Atkins

Regular guy goes to prison

H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald

A beautiful story of grief and nature. A.memoir that intertwines the author’s journey of grieving her father's death with her experience training a fierce hawk, exploring themes of loss, healing, and the profound bond between humans and animals.

Educated by Tara Westover

A memoir about a woman raised in a strict, survivalist family in rural Idaho who eventually escapes to pursue an education.

8 Comments
2025/01/27
08:00 UTC

34

What Books Are You Reading This Week?

Hi everyone!

We would love to know what you are currently reading or have recently finished reading. What do you think of it (so far)?

Should we check it out? Why or why not?

65 Comments
2025/01/26
10:00 UTC

11

Book recommendation about kink and the brain?

First time poster in this subreddit! Marked this NSFW just in case, but I’m wondering if there are any books out there about how kink specifically or maybe sex in general affects our brain chemistry. Like explaining how exactly kinks develop and what it is in our brain that makes us actually attracted to whatever it may be!

1 Comment
2025/01/25
19:17 UTC

4

Recommendation on book that teach how to become a socially savvy person like a politician.

Something that explains how to network and manage manipulation

2 Comments
2025/01/25
07:53 UTC

1

Mother India book review

Please share your thoughts on mother india by Catherine Mayo.

0 Comments
2025/01/25
06:30 UTC

1

Hazing FD

Great nonfiction book.

0 Comments
2025/01/25
03:36 UTC

3

Fun Fact Friday

Hello everyone!

We all enjoy reading non-fiction books and learning some fun and/or interesting facts along the way. So what fun or interesting facts did you learn from your reading this week? We would love to know! And please mention the book you learned it from!)

  • The /r/nonfictionbooks Mod Team
0 Comments
2025/01/24
17:00 UTC

391

Books the government doesn’t want us to read?

While reading declassified CIA files, I came across the mention of a book called “Final Notice” that talks about a new world government written back in the late 80’s. After reading about it there I decided I wanted to read the book myself, but it is out of print so it was hard to find and pretty expensive. It got me thinking about what other books might be out there that the government doesn’t want us to read/see/know about. Does anything come to mind for anyone?

166 Comments
2025/01/23
19:37 UTC

0

Would u guys prefer reading a non fiction bk just by itself or having a system to actually achieve the purpose with which you read the bk for?

3 Comments
2025/01/22
14:16 UTC

6

Does anyone else struggle with following through on the advice from self-help books?

I’ve read so many that left me feeling inspired but overwhelmed by how to actually put the advice into practice. It’s like the concepts are great, but applying them to my daily life just isn’t clear.

But these days I SUPRISINGLY AM Able to do what I READ IN THE BOOKS, honestly ik think I would able to achieve my goals ;)

Anyone else have the same experience? How do you actually stay consistent with the things you want to change in your life?

4 Comments
2025/01/22
11:37 UTC

3

Looking for Rec: Night Witches

I'm looking for books on the Soviet Night Witches. My friend is interested in learning more about them, but does not usually read non-fiction books. So, I'm trying to find a good book on the subject that may not read as dry for her. Any suggestions?

0 Comments
2025/01/21
14:13 UTC

5

Books about education

Hey,

First time poster.

I am looking for books to understand the education trends within western countries.

I am a social worker in England and want to understand why Education, particularly in low socio economic families has seized to be an element of importance. I am looking for socio-economic, psychological and historical perspectives on this.

Any reccomendations?

3 Comments
2025/01/21
12:40 UTC

2

Book recommendation

Please suggest me a great motivational kinda book.

2 Comments
2025/01/20
05:51 UTC

4

What is the best George Soros biography?

I'm interested in learning a lot more about George Soros, so I want to read a George Soros biography. I've found multiple George Soros biographies, which one should I buy?

1 Comment
2025/01/20
05:51 UTC

7

Does anyone have/know of a good modern but detailed book series with a general overview on the history of the world?

8 Comments
2025/01/19
16:08 UTC

29

What Books Are You Reading This Week?

Hi everyone!

We would love to know what you are currently reading or have recently finished reading. What do you think of it (so far)?

Should we check it out? Why or why not?

52 Comments
2025/01/19
10:00 UTC

6

Any books about intrusive thoughts?

I don’t mean a workbook necessarily, but I’m more interested in one that talks about the research on intrusive thoughts

3 Comments
2025/01/18
20:14 UTC

2

Fun Fact Friday

Hello everyone!

We all enjoy reading non-fiction books and learning some fun and/or interesting facts along the way. So what fun or interesting facts did you learn from your reading this week? We would love to know! And please mention the book you learned it from!)

  • The /r/nonfictionbooks Mod Team
1 Comment
2025/01/17
17:00 UTC

3

Something like A Short History of nearly Everything

I just finished this book by Bill Bryson, and it was perfect for me, someone who didn’t do well in history in school. What else can you recommend me that offers a basic history overview in a storytelling format?

9 Comments
2025/01/16
23:00 UTC

28

Books to understand Oligarchic control of Media and hence politics

Recently read a though-provoking article by Francis Fukuyama who pointed out Silvio Berlusconi was the first western businessman to control politics via his control of media and he points out Elon Musk is now following footsteps, Putin, Erdogan and Ukrainian leaders have also done this a lot.

This got me interested and would like to read something on this topic, looking forward to your recommendations

15 Comments
2025/01/14
07:11 UTC

5

I want a fun easy way to learn lots of interesting things about history. On audible please.

Basically I want to learn history of the world through fun stories and facts about history. But I need it on audible.

World or American history. And all different eras not just focused on one era or event.

7 Comments
2025/01/12
13:44 UTC

28

What Books Are You Reading This Week?

Hi everyone!

We would love to know what you are currently reading or have recently finished reading. What do you think of it (so far)?

Should we check it out? Why or why not?

51 Comments
2025/01/12
10:00 UTC

4

Fun Fact Friday

Hello everyone!

We all enjoy reading non-fiction books and learning some fun and/or interesting facts along the way. So what fun or interesting facts did you learn from your reading this week? We would love to know! And please mention the book you learned it from!)

  • The /r/nonfictionbooks Mod Team
2 Comments
2025/01/10
17:00 UTC

5

looking for a book that have multiple thoughts process , thinking models , Human biases listed

basically a book that helps take better decisions in general

Thank you

11 Comments
2025/01/10
10:44 UTC

15

Bad Blood Type Non Fiction

Hello there!

Looking for investigative journalism nonfiction that explores a topic and is culturally relevant for the times. Page turner.

AI/Medical/Tech/Science

Empire of Pain (Opioid Epidemic/Sackler Family) Bad Blood (Holmes/Theranos Fraud of Blood Testing)

Thank you!

29 Comments
2025/01/08
16:02 UTC

2

History of future

I recently read 'The World in 2050' and it is a compelling visualisation of the economic order and structure 25 years down the line. I was wondering if there are similar books, possibly visualising how the society in general will look like, from a lifestyle, culture, employment etc. perspective?

1 Comment
2025/01/07
18:49 UTC

10

Book to understand Scandinavian society and culture

The comparison of Scandinavia and rest of the world often comes up and often very astonishing for me, I come from south asia so the comparison is often more stark. For example, this week i was reading in the economist how certain scandinavian companies like IKEA, Ericsson, Legos have been running hugely successful global franchise and more profitable than other european firms. Everyone knows scandinavia leads in all aspects of human-development. Lot of things that are suggested to promote gender-equality, welfare and fertility rate already seem in place there and working well.
So i wanted to understand more about the scandinavian society and culture, this also includes understanding the history, polity and economy but they are minor interests. Please suggest me books/documentaries/reviews that can help me understand Scandinavia better and how it came to be

14 Comments
2025/01/07
14:46 UTC

4

Best Muhammad Ali biography?

I wanna read a book about Ali. His life, career, and cultural impact. Anyone know the best one?

I'm not a big boxing fan and a lot of the books I see listed seem geared towards enthusiasts. I'm thinking more of a Isaacson/Chernow/Maraniss type biography or something, if you know what I mean.

5 Comments
2025/01/07
04:44 UTC

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