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 The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness

Immaculata De Vivo Author Of The Biology of Kindness: Six Daily Choices for Health, Well-Being, and Longevity

From my list on the science behind our current behavior and health.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™m reading books that are centered on science and behavior and health. After decades of research on the interplay between genes and the environment, I had a strong foothold on the genetic part, but I needed to understand the environment part to make any sense of it all. This research has broadened my horizons exponentially. We know that genes are immutable, for the most partā€¦ but parts of the genome are mutableā€”and we can shape our lifestyle/behavior to improve our health. 

Immaculata's book list on the science behind our current behavior and health

Immaculata De Vivo Why did Immaculata love this book?

The stronger our relationships, the more likely we are to live happy, satisfying, and healthier lives. In fact, research reveals that the strength of our social connections can predict our health throughout the life span. Insights in this book are drawn from the personal lives of participants in the Harvard Study of Adult Development, as they were followed for each year of their adult lives, and supported by research data from this and similar studies.

Relationships of all kindsā€”friendships, romantic partnerships, families, coworkersā€”contribute to a happier, healthier life. According to The Good Life, itā€™s never too late to strengthen the relationships you haveā€”and never too late to build new ones.

By Robert Waldinger, Marc Schulz,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

'This captivating, powerful book shows us scientifically and practically how to define, create and most importantly live the good life' Jay Shetty

What is the key to a good life?

It is a question that preoccupies us all and one that the longest and most successful study of happiness ever conducted strives to answer. In this groundbreaking book, directors of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz, bring together over 80 years of research to reveal the true components of a happy, fulfilled life.

The Good Life makes clear that whatā€¦


Book cover of DisConnected: The Roots of Human Cruelty and How Connection Can Heal the World

Diane Dreher Author Of The Tao of Inner Peace

From Diane's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Professor Explorer Nature lover Spiritual seeker Positive psychology researcher

Diane's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Diane Dreher Why did Diane love this book?

As Iā€™ve been struggling to understand the political polarization and rising authoritarianism in our world, DisConnected really opened my eyes. My father was an Air Force pilot, so I moved every year or two while growing up.

Taylor says that children of military families often feel disconnected and anxious. But itā€™s not just me. Major changes from increased mobility, online shopping, remote work, social media, and the Covid pandemic have eroded our sense of community. Disconnected and anxious, weā€™re more vulnerable to conspiracy theories and authoritarian demagogues, those severely disconnected people who lack empathy and seek to control us. But Taylor offers hope, encouraging each of us to cultivate connection.

After reading this book, Iā€™ve been reaching out to cultivate more connection in my own life. 

By Steve Taylor,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

DisConnected offers a new vision of human nature and a new understanding of human behaviour and social problems. Connection is the most essential human trait - it determines our behaviour and our level of well-being. Cruelty is the result of a sense of disconnection, while "goodness" stems from connection. Unfortunately, the most disconnected people gravitate to positions of power, which leads to "pathocracy," the most common form of government during the 20th century. Disconnected societies are patriarchal, hierarchical and warlike. Connected societies are egalitarian, democratic and peaceful. We can measure both social progress and personal development in terms of howā€¦


Book cover of Encounterism: The Neglected Joys of Being In Person

Daniel P. Aldrich Author Of Black Wave: How Networks and Governance Shaped Japan's 3/11 Disasters

From Daniel's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Curious Professor

Daniel's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Daniel P. Aldrich Why did Daniel love this book?

Across the world the world, all of us were stuck in our apartments, homes, and attics for almost two years. Now that COVID has calmed down, many of our behaviors remain the same, and we donā€™t go out and do all the things we used to do.

We donā€™t walk as far, go to as many concerts, see friends at parks, stroll in parks, and check out the new downtown stores on our bikes and scooters.

So this book ā€“ Encounterism ā€“ is a love letter to those moments when we interact with people, whether at the hairdresser, the park, or the movie theater ā€“ and we change just a little.

I loved the personal descriptions of his own encounters, which included great facts and tidbits about the field. It is well-written, intensely personal, and strongly recommended.

By Andy Field,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

The light touch of a hairdresser's hands on one's scalp, the euphoric energy of a nightclub, huddling with strangers under a shelter in the rain, a spontaneous snowball fight in the street, a daily interaction with a homeless man-such mundane connections, when we closely inhabit the same space, and touch or are touched by others, were nearly lost to "social distancing." Will we ever again shake hands without a thought?

In this deeply rewarding book, Andy Field brings together history, science, psychology, queer theory, and pop culture with his love of urban life and his own experiences-both as a city-dwellerā€¦


Book cover of Trust: Knowing When to Give It, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken

Ruth Schwertfeger Author Of A Nazi Camp Near Danzig: Perspectives on Shame and on the Holocaust from Stutthof

From my list on authors shaped by education in medicine.

Why am I passionate about this?

I find that one of the advantages of having worked as a professor (now Emerita ) of German at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, is that it helped me gain perspective. When I study literatureā€“especially in languages other than Englishā€“I am forced to step outside of my everyday world to identify the motif and leitmotif of the author. I am proposing that the medical training of these five authors helped them do the same: to dig below the surface to find other structures and root causes and to present their findings and unique diagnoses.  

Ruth's book list on authors shaped by education in medicine

Ruth Schwertfeger Why did Ruth love this book?

Written by a clinical psychologist with a keen eye for dissection, Cloud explores the concept of trust and its components, which he presents as understanding, motive, ability, character, and track record.

The loss of trust is a key issue in todayā€™s world, and this author puts the personal and societal implications under his microscope. Cloudā€™s book will make you think twice before you make a major decision.  

By Henry Cloud,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Trust is the fuel for all of life. We are wired biologically, neurologically, emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically to trust. Trust is the currency that drives every relationship, beginning with the foundational bond between infants and their mothers, extending to the trust networks that undergird every human endeavour - art, science, commerce - and binding together every relationship we have ever had or ever will have. Nothing in our world works without trust.

It is tempting to think that trust is simple, that we should be able to spot a lack of trustworthiness relatively easily. But we all have our storiesā€¦


Book cover of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World

Jennifer Lang Author Of Landed: A yogi's memoir in pieces & poses

From Jennifer's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Creative Writer Yogini Experimenter Wayfarer

Jennifer's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Jennifer Lang Why did Jennifer love this book?

In lieu of attending services on Rosh Hashanah, I sat with a cup of Earl Grey tea in a recliner chair in our living room in Tel Aviv and read from the first to the last page. In one gulp. A beautiful book full of food for thought about society, humanity, the state of our world, human needs, community, Jewish teachings, and love. Everyone could benefit from reading this book, especially now.

By Sharon Brous,

Why should I read it?

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


Book cover of Never Lose An Employee Again: The Simple Path to Remarkable Retention

Mike Michalowicz Author Of Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine

From my list on lead with confidence and grow a thriving business.

Why am I passionate about this?

By my 35th birthday, I had founded and sold two multi-million dollar companiesā€¦and proceeded to lose my entire fortune. I started all over again, driven to find better ways to grow healthy and strong businesses. I've devoted my life to the research and delivery of innovative, impactful entrepreneurial strategies to support the sustainability of businesses everywhere. My ultimate goal is to simplify entrepreneurship and help business owners avoid common pitfalls through keynote speaking and business authorship. It's all about serving!

Mike's book list on lead with confidence and grow a thriving business

Mike Michalowicz Why did Mike love this book?

I love getting opportunities to chat with Joey Coleman. Heā€™s one of the biggest risk-takers Iā€™ve ever met - and those risks have panned out! Joey is one of the world's leading experts on employee experience, and this book reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to recruit top talent, bring them on board successfully, and keep them engaged while they produce remarkable results for years to come.

In Never Lose an Employee Again, Coleman offers a step-by-step playbook for creating a retention plan with long-term success. With more than fifty proven case studies from organizations on seven continents, Coleman details how you can forge a relationship with your people during each of the eight phases of the employee journey. For each phase, Coleman walks you through the six forms of communication integral to success (in-person, email, phone, mail, video, and even gifts) so you can betterā€¦

By Joey Coleman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Never Lose An Employee Again as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER

If keeping employees is a challenge for you, Never Lose an Employee Again offers a proven framework for increasing retention, engagement, and in the process, profits.

Joey Coleman, one of the world's leading experts on employee experience, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to recruit top talent, bring them onboard successfully, and keep them engaged while they produce remarkable results for years to come.

Finding and keeping quality employees is one of the greatest challenges facing businesses today. With more people quitting their jobs each month than ever before and employees demandingā€¦


Book cover of How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen

Kymberly Dakin-Neal Author Of Head, Heart, and Hands Listening in Coach Practice: The Listening Coach

From Kymberly's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Kymberly's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Kymberly Dakin-Neal Why did Kymberly love this book?

Brooks is a terrific storyteller - and these stories are filled with compassion and heart. He does not position himself as an expert and shares his own vulnerability and learnings.

By David Brooks,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked How to Know a Person as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ā€¢ A practical, heartfelt guide to the art of truly knowing another person in order to foster deeper connections at home, at work, and throughout our livesā€”from the author of The Road to Character and The Second Mountain

As David Brooks observes, ā€œThere is one skill that lies at the heart of any healthy person, family, school, community organization, or society: the ability to see someone else deeply and make them feel seenā€”to accurately know another person, to let them feel valued, heard, and understood.ā€

And yet we humans donā€™t do this well. All around usā€¦


Book cover of Quick Confidence: Be Authentic, Boost Connections, and Make Bold Bets on Yourself

Todd Dewett Author Of Dancing with Monsters: A Tale About Leadership, Success, and Overcoming Fears

From my list on how people skills support great leadership.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™m fascinated by the relationships component of leadership. Iā€™ve worked for major service firms, taught MBAs for years, advised many teams and organizations, and educated millions via my courses on LinkedIn Learning. When I look at performance, I see the same issues popping up over and over: people issues! You can know a lot about how to run a team operationally or how to roll out a change step by step ā€“ but itā€™s all for nothing if you donā€™t know how to positively relate to and lead others. Communication, motivation, empathy, etc. ā€“ these are the essential people skills required to allow you to actually add value with your business knowledge.  

Todd's book list on how people skills support great leadership

Todd Dewett Why did Todd love this book?

I am a big fan of this book! Selena uses a voice that is warm, positive, and personal to share her ideas. 

From building confidence, to interacting with others, and dealing with challenges and setbacks, this is a career ā€œmust read.ā€ Itā€™s ostensibly about confidence, but really, itā€™s way more. I was an organizational behavior for years teaching MBA students, and this has all of the topical coverage youā€™d want to convey in any course related to leadership and career success. 

But instead of being boring like a textbook, it stays focused on crisp actionable advice for improving how you think, interact, and achieve. Not to mention, her use of short examples and anecdotes makes it a fast fun read too. Highly recommended.

By Selena Rezvani,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Quick Confidence as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Hands-on, bite-sized strategies for improving your confidence

In Quick Confidence: Be Authentic, Create Connections and Make Bold Bets On Yourself, best-selling author and renowned leadership speaker Selena Rezvani delivers an effective and eye-opening new approach to building confidence and presence for professionals. In the book, the author walks you through-and helps you leap over-the 9 most common obstacles that stand in the way of building authentic confidence. She offers digestible actions, behaviors, and exercises you can use to change the way you think and the way you present yourself to others.

Relying on sound, scientifically validated data, the book helpsā€¦


Book cover of The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness
Book cover of DisConnected: The Roots of Human Cruelty and How Connection Can Heal the World
Book cover of Encounterism: The Neglected Joys of Being In Person

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