Written by Samar Feghhi
Happy Nonfiction November! If you asked me a couple of months ago what books I like to read, I would have told you anything BUT non-fiction.
To me, reading has always been an escape to fictional lands and stories, so the idea of reading the “truth” did not seem appealing. Well, in case you haven’t guessed, I was wrong.
I truly did not expect to fall in love with this genre as much as I did. Although fictional stories teach us so much, there is something to be said about using books to explore the world around us and dig deeper into various topics.
There is no better feeling than putting a book down and realizing you’ve learned something and grown as an individual.
So if you’ve been looking to dip into some nonfiction or consider yourself a nonfiction connoisseur I hope you will find something on this list that sounds intriguing! Read on to discover eight nonfiction books you need to read.
In no particular order, because it was too hard for me to rank:
8 Nonfiction Books You Need to Read
So You Want to Talk About Race
by Ijeoma Oluo
From Goodreads: In this breakout book, Ijeoma Oluo explores the complex reality of today’s racial landscape–from white privilege and police brutality to systemic discrimination and the Black Lives Matter movement–offering straightforward clarity that readers need to contribute to the dismantling of the racial divide.
My thoughts: If you’re looking for a simple, effective, and compelling book to break down race for you, this is it. Given the current climate, I think it’s extremely important that we all educate ourselves on the experiences and perspectives of people of color so go read this!
GET THE BOOK: Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
by Yuval Noah Harari
From Goodreads: In Sapiens, Dr Yuval Noah Harari spans the whole of human history, from the very first humans to walk the earth to the radical – and sometimes devastating – breakthroughs of the Cognitive, Agricultural and Scientific Revolutions.
My thoughts: For all the science lovers out there (and not), Sapiens is a must. I personally don’t gravitate toward this genre often, but this was an exception. It’s a best seller for a reason, I promise. You learn so, so much about the history of humans and it’s extremely fascinating.
GET THE BOOK: Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
Difficult Women: A History of Feminism in 11 Fights
by Helen Lewis
From Goodreads: Drawing on archival research and interviews, Difficult Women is a funny, fearless and sometimes shocking narrative history, which shows why the feminist movement has succeeded – and what it should do next. The battle is difficult, and we must be difficult too.
My thoughts: This was kind of a random find, but I listened to a podcast with the author, Helen Lewis, and immediately knew I wanted to check it out. This was my first book about feminism so I don’t have a point of comparison, but I thought it was really well written and clever.
You learn so much about the history of women’s rights, from suffrage and marriage to gay rights and education. Lewis writes this within the lens of society’s tendency to disregard “difficult women” and desire to paint figures as either “good” or “bad,” making it all the more interesting.
GET THE BOOK: Amazon | Goodreads
A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in the Conquered City: A Diary
by Marta Hillers
From Goodreads: For eight weeks in 1945, as Berlin fell to the Russian army, a young woman kept a daily record of life in her apartment building and among its residents. The anonymous author depicts her fellow Berliners in all their humanity, as well as their cravenness, corrupted first by hunger and then by the Russians.
A Woman in Berlin tells of the complex relationship between civilians and an occupying army and the shameful indignities to which women in a conquered city are always subject–the mass rape suffered by all, regardless of age or infirmity.
My thoughts: This is a book I read in a WWII history class in college and it did not disappoint. The book is told through entries from a diary of an anonymous woman in Berlin, immediately after Germany loses the war and is occupied by the Soviets. I think this is a great book to read for a fresh perspective on post-war Germany and the brutal conditions for Berlin’s citizens (especially women) during this time.
P.S.: This book was also made into a movie in 2008.
GET THE BOOK: Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb
From Goodreads: When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. When she was fifteen, she was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.
My thoughts: Okay guys, please, please read this if you are looking for a memoir. I personally love this type of non-fiction because it tends to read more like a novel and Malala’s does NOT disappoint. She eloquently depicts the brutality and darkness of the Taliban while also giving so much inspiration and hope for the future.
As someone from the Middle East, I found Malala’s memoir to be relatable in so many aspects.
GET THE BOOK: Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed
by Lori Gottlieb
From Goodreads: One day, Lori Gottlieb is a therapist who helps patients in her Los Angeles practice. The next, a crisis causes her world to come crashing down.
In Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, Gottlieb explores the inner chambers of her patients’ lives—a self-absorbed Hollywood producer, a young newlywed diagnosed with a terminal illness, a senior citizen threatening to end her life on her birthday if nothing gets better, and a twenty-something who can’t stop hooking up with the wrong guys—and finds that the questions they are struggling with are the very ones she is now bringing to her own therapist.
My thoughts: If you are an avid reader and have been following Yuki, then you have definitely seen this one all over social media. This was all around an enjoyable read. I personally wouldn’t say I took away anything huge, but I loved learning about mental health and therapy through the perspective of a therapist.
GET THE BOOK: Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
Becoming
by Michelle Obama
From Goodreads: As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments.
My thoughts: Another popular one, but a great read! If it’s not obvious yet, I love a good memoir and this hits the spot. Michelle Obama’s life is inspiring and her stories are uplifting. If you’re looking for the best nonfiction books you need to read that aren’t too serious or sad, I would recommend Becoming.
GET THE BOOK: Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
And finally… I know I said this was in no order but I did kind of save the best for last.
Educated
by Tara Westover
From Goodreads: Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her “head-for-the-hills bag.”
Lacking any formal education, Tara began to educate herself. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge.
My thoughts: Again, if you haven’t heard about this book where have you been?! I have told every single person I know to read this book because (not to be dramatic) but it changes your life.
I finished this book with a whole new perspective on life and how it can differ so much person to person. Tara Westover is a genius in her writing and tells her life story in such a captivating way that I could not put this book down. If there is one non-fiction book you read from this list, make it be Educated.
GET THE BOOK: Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
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4 Comments
They are awesome!
Yesss some great books 🙂
Nice list! I’m going to include this in next week’s Book Lists email from Bidwell Hollow.
Ahhh thank you! That’s awesome.