The most recommended new nonfiction books

Who picked these books? Meet our 573 experts.

573 authors created a book list connected to new nonfiction, and here are their favorite new nonfiction books.
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Book cover of Roe: The History of a National Obsession

Meir Statman Author Of A Wealth of Well-Being: A Holistic Approach to Behavioral Finance

From Meir's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Professor of finance Interested in culture Interested in society Interested in social policy

Meir's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Meir Statman Why did Meir love this book?

This book taught me about the history of the regulation of abortion in the United States from the 19th century to the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, assuring women’s right to abortion, and its recent Dobbs v. Jackson decision overturning it.

The book also helped me understand why the issue of abortion is never settled in the United States, whereas it is settled in many other countries, including Israel, where I grew up. The book tells the stories of many women who were and continue to be among the leaders in the movement to restrict abortion rights, but it left me wondering why.

By Mary Ziegler,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Roe as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The leading U.S. expert on abortion law charts the many meanings associated with Roe v. Wade during its fifty-year history

"Ziegler sets a brisk pace but delivers substantial depth. . . . A must-read for those seeking to understand what comes next."-Publishers Weekly

What explains the insistent pull of Roe v. Wade? Abortion law expert Mary Ziegler argues that the U.S. Supreme Court decision, which decriminalized abortion in 1973 and was overturned in 2022, had a hold on us that was not simply the result of polarized abortion politics. Rather, Roe took on meanings far beyond its original purpose of…


Book cover of Unmasking the Klansman

Amanda Desiree Author Of The Dark Shadows Event Diary

From Amanda's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Lifelong reader Horror fan Classic movie lover

Amanda's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Amanda Desiree Why did Amanda love this book?

This chilling, shocking book brings to life a dark time in the not-too-distant past through the example of Asa "Forrest" Carter. I'd no idea the Josey Wales author was a pretendian, a speechwriter to George Wallace, and a white supremacist whose unsavory associates committed some of the era's most atrocious crimes. Author Dan T. Carter fleshes out the context for Asa Carter's rise and fall by sharing his own experiences of growing up in the Civil Rights-era South. I was alternately riveted and appalled by what I learned, and I hope this book becomes a template for what the future should not be like.

By Dan T. Carter,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Unmasking the Klansman as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Unmasking the Klansman may read like a work of fiction but is actually a biography of Asa Carter, one of the South's most notorious white supremacists (and secret Klansman). During the 1950s, the North Alabama political firebrand became known across the region for his right-wing radio broadcasts and leadership in the white Citizens’ Council movement. Combining racism and thinly-concealed anti-Semitism, he created a secret Klan strike force that engaged in a series of brutal assaults, including an attack on jazz singer Nat King Cole as well as militant civil rights activists. Exploring his life during these years offers new insights…


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Book cover of Eclipse Chasers

Eclipse Chasers by Nick Lomb,

Forthcoming eclipses coming up in Australia include that of 22 July 2028, which will cross Australia from the Northern Territory to Sydney, home of the internationally famous sights of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Eclipse Chasers will act as a guidebook for both locals and international visitors, giving…

Book cover of The Matter of Everything: How Curiosity, Physics, and Improbable Experiments Changed the World

Richard G. Lipsey Author Of Industrial Policy: The Coevolution of Public and Private Sources of Finance for Important Emerging and Evolving Technologies

From my list on how private and public sector enterprises.

Why am I passionate about this?

Over my lifetime I have been involved in myriad policy issues running from 1970s anti-inflation policies, through the creation of NAFTA in the 1980s, to dealing with climate change in the 2000s. My interest and that of my co-author in technological change and economic growth entailed involvement in innovation policy. We are particularly worried because many citizens have no realisation of the important part that public policy has played in technological changes. Ignorance of this is dangerous in that it may lead legislatures to inhibit the public sector’s future role in such developments without which we have a much-diminished chance of dealing with climate change and holding our own in international economic competition.

Richard's book list on how private and public sector enterprises

Richard G. Lipsey Why did Richard love this book?

Sheehy studies twelve scientific discoveries that created the modern view of the physical world, first the electron and finally the Higgs Boson.

She concentrates on the equipment that made each discovery possible and the myriad practical applications that are built on each of them. These range from devices to diagnose illnesses and treat cancer to the internet and to: “All modern electronic devices [all of which] use our understanding of quantum mechanics.

Although these breakthroughs were accomplished in the public sector and mainly to satisfy scientific curiosity, the applications were, to a significant extent, accomplished by the private, for-profit sector.

She observes that “we hear the tale of discovery from the physicists and the tale of innovation and commercial success from the entrepreneurs, but somehow forget about the symbiosis between them.”

By Suzie Sheehy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Matter of Everything as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A surprising, fascinating journey through the experiments that not only unlocked the nature of matter and shaped our understanding of the cosmos but also forever changed the way we live within it

"A book about the fundamental problems of physics written from a viewpoint I hadn’t come across before: that of the experimenter. A splendid idea, vividly carried out.” –Philip Pullman, best-selling author of His Dark Materials

Physics has always sought to deepen our understanding of the nature of matter and the world around us. But how do you conduct experiments with the fundamental building blocks of existence? How do…


Book cover of Task Force Hogan: The World War II Tank Battalion That Spearheaded the Liberation of Europe

Jacqueline Jeynes Author Of Before Hiroshima: A history of the fall of Hong Kong and Singapore and the aftermath during World War II

From my list on futility of War since Helen of Troy.

Why am I passionate about this?

The greatest influence on my interest in the theme of war is, of course, my father. Only later, when I became involved with the FEPOW groups, I heard the real stories of what happened to them as individuals, as well as the poor treatment of families back home in Britain. My book is based on their stories. However, this interest also spread to other areas as I read about the history of war while studying literature and, later, the work of various official War Artists. In all of it, the despair and hopelessness comes through, definitely not any sense of the ‘glory’.

Jacqueline's book list on futility of War since Helen of Troy

Jacqueline Jeynes Why did Jacqueline love this book?

I recently reviewed this book for the nonfiction Author’s Association award. Presenting a different perspective on WWII in Europe, this is a factual story about the author’s father, Sam Hogan, as commander of a tank Task Force during the final stages of the war in Europe.

It is an interesting mix of details about the tactics and strategy of US tanks moving across France and Belgium to drive back the German front. It includes sobering reflections on the stifling conditions within the tanks, their vulnerability against a stronger, better-protected tank force, and the loss/ injuries of comrades as they continued to push forward against the odds.

By William R. Hogan,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Task Force Hogan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A fourth-generation soldier tells the story of his father's tank battalion, the "Spearhead," that selflessly led the charge on the front lines from Normandy into Germany-against impossible odds, technologically superior weaponry, and a fanatical enemy on its home turf-and the heroes whose sacrifice won World War II.

At twenty-eight, Sam Hogan is one of the youngest lieutenant colonels in the US Army. The West Point graduate from Texas stands in the commander's hatch of his Sherman tank, behind him a steel wedge of seventeen other Shermans of his tank battalion. Two weeks after the now-infamous D-Day landings, Sam is preparing…


Book cover of The Kneeling Man: My Father's Life as a Black Spy Who Witnessed the Assassination of Martin Luther  King Jr.

Sylvia Brownrigg Author Of The Whole Staggering Mystery: A Story of Fathers Lost and Found

From my list on maddening dads.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been writing books for a while (don’t make me tell you how long), but mostly novels, and mostly not with dads in them. This finally changed around the time my own lovable, unusual dad died in 2018. I knew I had to write about him and figured I would do this in fiction. But when I really dug into the family secrets my dad kept—and discovered details he didn’t know himself until his last years—I knew I’d need to turn to writing a memoir instead. That got me reading and rereading about all the other vivid, maddening dads who were waiting there on my shelves.

Sylvia's book list on maddening dads

Sylvia Brownrigg Why did Sylvia love this book?

I read two great memoirs for a panel I moderated about daughters and fathers. At the event, I enjoyed watching Leslie Absher and Leta McCollough Seletzky meet and realize how much they had in common.

Both authors had dads who kept secrets— big, political secrets. Leta Seletzky’s dad worked as an undercover officer for the Memphis Police Department in the 1960s: he was “The Kneeling Man” in the famous photograph taken after King’s death. 

This may sound odd, but I related to Leta Seletzky’s emotional tale of how she gradually got to know her father, as an adult, by uncovering the many layers of his life story. 

By Leta McCollough Seletzky,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Kneeling Man as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

BCALA Literary Award Winner

The intimate and heartbreaking story of a Black undercover police officer who famously kneeled by the assassinated Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr--and a daughter's quest for the truth about her father

In the famous photograph of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on the balcony of Memphis's Lorraine Motel, one man kneeled down beside King, trying to staunch the blood from his fatal head wound with a borrowed towel.

This kneeling man was a member of the Invaders, an activist group that was in talks with King in the days leading up to the…


Book cover of The Corporation in the 21st Century

Geoff Mulgan Author Of Another World Is Possible

From Geoff's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Geoff's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Geoff Mulgan Why did Geoff love this book?

This is much the best recent book on business. It shows the changing shapes of companies in the era of platforms, complex supply chains and more. Its greatest value is to remind us that great companies are essentially an expression of collective intelligence, and that their longevity depends on loving what they do. It documents many examples where firms forgot this, pursued short-term profit and ended up destroying their value - not just Enron but also others like Boeing or Deutsche Bank. Its also a healthy alternative to naive views of companies as nothing more than collections of contracts. Anyone with any role in business or finance should read it, and will learn far more than from 99% of airport books on business.

By John Kay,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Corporation in the 21st Century as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

SHORTLISTED FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND SCHRODERS BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

'Original and thought-provoking... A brilliantly erudite account of the major waves in the theory and practice of management' Financial Times

'Instead of theory it has wisdom... an excellent book' New Statesman

For generations, we have defined a corporation as a business that uses its accumulated wealth to own the means of production and exercise economic power.

That is no longer the reality. Corporations no longer control their own industries, and our most desired goods and services aren't stacked in container ships: they appear on your screen, fit…


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Book cover of An Italian Feast: The Celebrated Provincial Cuisines of Italy from Como to Palermo

An Italian Feast by Clifford A. Wright,

An Italian Feast celebrates the cuisines of the Italian provinces from Como to Palermo. A culinary guide and book of ready reference meant to be the most comprehensive book on Italian cuisine, and it includes over 800 recipes from the 109 provinces of Italy's 20 regions.

An Italian Feast is…

Book cover of A Day of Reckoning

Ian Ross Author Of Battle Song

From Ian's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Reader History-obsessed Italophile

Ian's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Ian Ross Why did Ian love this book?

The Viking and Anglo-Saxon age is very popular in historical fiction at the moment, but Matthew Harffy’s new novel, his best yet, takes us away from the familiar environment of north-eastern Europe to explore the world of al-Andalus—Muslim Spain—instead. 

Through the eyes of Hunlaf and his crew, we get to journey through a fabulous and exotic landscape, but the momentum of the storytelling never flags. What I find most impressive is the way that Harffy uses a propulsive action-led plot as a vehicle to explore an amazingly rich and colourful historic environment and to portray a fascinating encounter between very different cultures.

By Matthew Harffy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Day of Reckoning as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Hunlaf battles peril and intrigue on a dangerous voyage to Muslim Spain. AD 796. Sailing in search of an object of great power, Hunlaf and his comrades are far from home when they are caught up in a violent skirmish against pirates. After the bloody onslaught, an encounter with ships from Islamic Spain soon sees them escorted under guard to the city of Qadis, one of the jewels of the Emirate of Al-Andalus and the true destination of their voyage. Hunlaf believes the Emir's lands hold the key to his search, but there are dangerous games at play. To achieve…


Book cover of Jane Austen's Wardrobe

Gillian Dooley Author Of She Played and Sang: Jane Austen and Music

From my list on reveal the real Jane Austen.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love Jane Austen’s novels. I first read Pride and Prejudice when I was about 14, but it’s far too long ago to remember when I first read the others, and I’ve now read them all many times. I’ve also always been a singer, and I learned the piano when I was young, so I immediately noticed the music in the novels. I started writing about it seriously in the 1990s, but it wasn’t until 2007 that I realized that her music collection was still around and started making concert programs out of it. The new book brings all these things together.

Gillian's book list on reveal the real Jane Austen

Gillian Dooley Why did Gillian love this book?

This book tells us more about what Jane Austen looked like in real life than any drawing does. I love how Hilary Davidson delves into every possible piece of evidence for what she wore and provides illustrations from contemporary drawings and actual bits of clothing that survive.

Some of them actually belonged to Austen–like her turquoise ring and topaz cross, her lace shawl, and her brown silk pelisse. How amazing is it to see these items that Austen herself wore and to see the evidence that she was over 5 foot 6 inches tall! 

By Hilary Davidson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Jane Austen's Wardrobe as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Hilary Davidson delves into the clothing of one of the world's great authors, providing unique and intimate insight into her everyday life and material world

What did Jane Austen wear?

Acclaimed dress historian and Austen expert Hilary Davidson reveals, for the first time, the wardrobe of one of the world's most celebrated authors. Despite her acknowledged brilliance on the page, Jane Austen has all too often been accused of dowdiness in her appearance. Drawing on Austen's 161 known letters, as well as her own surviving garments and accessories, this book assembles examples of the variety of clothes she would have…


Book cover of Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning

Douglas Kellner Author Of American Nightmare

From Douglas' 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Douglas' 3 favorite reads in 2024

Douglas Kellner Why did Douglas love this book?

Ms. Cheney's book provides a strong first-hand account of Trump's Jan. 6 Insurrection, her strong case against Trump, a memoir of her life and lastly, and most interestingly, it provides an account of her as a heroic member of the Trump Resistance and the blow-back she received from the Trumpsters and his MAGA MOB that took over the Republican Party. "Thank you Liz"! YOU are a hero of Democracy and I forgive Daddy Dick for his sins!

By Liz Cheney,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Oath and Honor as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

INSTANT #1 BESTSELLER: A gripping first-hand account of the January 6th, 2021, insurrection from inside the halls of Congress, from origins to aftermath, as Donald Trump and his enablers betrayed the American people and the Constitution—by the House Republican leader who dared to stand up to it.
 
In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump and many around him, including certain other elected Republican officials, intentionally breached their oath to the Constitution: they ignored the rulings of dozens of courts, plotted to overturn a lawful election, and provoked a violent attack on our Capitol.   Liz Cheney, one of…


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Book cover of The Lion and the Fox: Two Rival Spies and the Secret Plot to Build a Confederate Navy

The Lion and the Fox by Alexander Rose,

From the author of Washington’s Spies, the thrilling story of two rival secret agents — one Confederate, the other Union — sent to Britain during the Civil War.

The South’s James Bulloch, charming and devious, was ordered to acquire a clandestine fleet intended to break Lincoln’s blockade, sink Northern…

Book cover of Woman, Captain, Rebel: The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain

Nancy Marie Brown Author Of Looking for the Hidden Folk: How Iceland's Elves Can Save the Earth

From Nancy's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Icelandophile Viking enthusiast Saga scholar Random reader

Nancy's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Nancy Marie Brown Why did Nancy love this book?

I love true stories of strong women who defy our expectations. Iceland’s fishing industry in the early 1800s would seem to be a man’s world.

But Captain Thurídur was one of many women who rowed out into the icy North Atlantic in open boats—and in winter, no less—to catch the fish that powered Iceland’s colonial economy.

Haunted by a ghost, a believer in elves and omens, ThurĂ­dur could read the waves and weather like no one else. Her catches were legendary. Best, in her 50 years at sea, not one of her crewmembers drowned. 

By Margaret Willson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Woman, Captain, Rebel as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A daring and magnificent historical narrative nonfiction account of Iceland's most famous female sea captain who constantly fought for women's rights and equality-and who also solved one of the country's most notorious robberies.

Every day was a fight for survival, equality, and justice for Iceland's most renowned female fishing captain of the 19th century.

History would have us believe the sea has always been a male realm, the idea of female captains almost unthinkable. But there is one exception, so notable she defies any expectation.

This is her remarkable story.

Captain Thuridur, born in Iceland in 1777, lived a life…


Book cover of Roe: The History of a National Obsession
Book cover of Unmasking the Klansman
Book cover of The Matter of Everything: How Curiosity, Physics, and Improbable Experiments Changed the World

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