For many people, non-fiction books conjure up images of thick tomes of information, dense enough to put you to sleep, but it is so much more than that. Non-fiction is one of the best ways to learn something new and discover more topics that interest you. Non-fiction topics include anything from dictionaries to dead bodies and can range from essays to memoirs and even graphic novels.
For fiction-lovers who want to either broaden their reading horizons or are just looking to start reading more, these nine books are a great place to start your non-fiction journey.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
In this memoir, Bryan Stevenson recounts his experience working as a young Black lawyer in Alabama, taking on death penalty appeal cases, eventually leading him to create the organization Equal Justice Initiative. This book focuses on the misuse of power in the American legal system, the effect on the community when someone is unjustly found guilty of a crime, and the deep-seated racism that fuels every aspect of the legal process. Stevenson expertly weaves his experiences with those of his clients on death row and is a powerful, heart-wrenching story that readers will not forget.
Another recommendation is The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton, which is a memoir by one of Bryan Stevenson’s clients who was freed from death row 30 years after being convicted of a crime he did not commit.
You can purchase the book here.
Stiff by Mary Roach
In this novel, Mary Roach mixes the macabre with humour while delving into the world of human cadavers. Yes, you read that right. Roach explores different aspects of dead bodies, from the history of cadaver use to alternative funeral practices and what happens when bodies are donated to science. This book is not for the squeamish, but it does provide an honest and respectful look at death. This is a wildly fascinating novel that will make you want to pick up Roach’s other books.
You can purchase the book here.
Maus by Art Spiegelman
This Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel is a groundbreaking example of the non-fiction genre. This story is told through two timelines. In the present narrative, Spiegelman depicts the process of interviewing his father, Vladek, about his experiences as a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor around the 1980s when Spiegelman was working on Maus. In the past narrative, Spiegelman depicts his father’s experiences from the mid-30s to the end of the Holocaust in 1945. Spiegelman uses allegory to illustrate his characters through animals—Jews are mice, Nazis are cats, Poles are pigs, and the Americans are dogs. This is a fascinating and insightful tale that everyone should read at least once in their lives.
You can purchase the book here.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is a memoir written by a therapist about her own experience seeing a therapist after an unexpected breakup. In this book, Gottlieb weaves her own experience seeking treatment with those of her clients—taking readers inside the sessions of what therapy is like from a patient dealing with a terminal illness to a woman choosing to stay in a toxic relationship. As Gottlieb attempts to treat them, she is also trying to figure out the next phase of her life with the help of her therapist. This is a compassionate and serious look at the importance of mental health. It is an illuminating and often humorous read that is accessible for people just getting into non-fiction.
You can purchase the book here.
Inferno by Catherine Cho
Barely three months after giving birth to her son, Cho experienced a severe psychotic episode resulting in a stay in a mental hospital while visiting family in America. This postpartum psychosis was so severe it left her seeing her son’s eyes as the devil’s and unable to distinguish what was reality. Cho begins her memoir inside the mental hospital where she recovers but weaves in her own timeline from her childhood growing up as Korean-American to an abusive relationship she ends up fleeing. This memoir is only about 250 pages long, but it is a crucial look at motherhood and mental illness.
You can purchase the book here.
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
John Green is known for his YA bestsellers like The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska, but this collection of non-fiction essays is perfect for every reader. In this anthology, Green reviews different aspects of the world (from velociraptors to the Lascaux cave paintings) on a five-star scale. Within these reviews, he shares his experiences, worldview, musings, and tidbits of information you never knew you needed. You can read them all at once or one at a time and still think about them long after reading. I give The Anthropocene Reviewed five out of five stars.
You can purchase the book here.
From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle
In this 2019 memoir, Thistle details his journey from growing up as Métis-Cree in Saskatchewan, being abandoned by his parents, and his self-destructive cycle of addiction and homelessness, to becoming an Indigenous scholar. This story of survival can often be challenging to read, but it is also a story of success and determination. This is a beautifully written and unforgettable memoir to add to your reading list.
You can purchase the book here.
Word by Word by Kory Stamper
Have you ever wanted to know where the dictionary comes from? Lexicographer and former editor of Merriam-Webster Dictionary delivers a fascinating and humorous look at the history and construction of dictionaries. This might seem like a dull topic, but it’s not just for word-nerds. Anyone who even mildly enjoys the English language will enjoy Stamper’s entertaining stories of lexicography. You might even learn a few new words.
You can purchase the book here.
Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby
This is a hilarious book of non-fiction essays from Irby covering everything from her experience writing for a television show to turning 40. Irby has a raw and self-deprecating style, but she is relatable and will have you laughing out loud. For anyone who needs a pick-me-up, this is for you.
You can purchase the book here.