r/nonfictionbooks

Favorite US History Books

Hello everyone!

In order to get some more discussions going about different Non Fiction books we will have a weekly thread to talk about different sub-genres or topics.

Which books do you think are good beginner books for someone that wants to learn a bit more about the topic or wants to explore the subgenre? Which books are your personal favorites?

  • The  Mod Team
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u/AutoModerator — 4 hours ago

I want to read more

hi, so I would like to read more and become more educated and focus more because I have a short attention span like most gen z but I've read about 4 books but I can't finish a single book, when I get a book I get super motivated and for the first 2 or 3 weeks I read like half the book but can't finish the other half for example, I got the subtle art of not giving a fuck at the end of 2025 and I've had so much progress in the begging but until but then I didn't read it for 3 months because I didn't feel motivated but now I've returned to reading it but I can only read about 3 pages and then doom scroll, I don't know if it's because my brain doesn't like self development books, I can't focus, or I am lazy, so if you have a recommendation please help.

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u/Aggressive-Crew-7009 — 20 hours ago

Non-Fiction Recs

Hello, I’m looking for recommendations on two separate topics.

  1. Energy/frequency in our bodies/nature

  2. Sunlight and light in general and how that affects our bodies

Would love to find a few books on these topics to take a deep dive into. Thanks!

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u/Savings_Compote7209 — 1 day ago

Need reccomendations

I’ve been in a reading slump for months from reading novels. I want to expand and try to read non fiction books but I haven’t read one in years. As a kid I really loved How They Croaked by Georgia Bragg. What is something that is similar that I would enjoy now as an adult?

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u/Head_Artichoke1061 — 1 day ago

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?

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u/leowr — 2 days ago

What's your system for remembering the best ideas from nonfiction books?

I've realized that consuming information is the easy part.

Actually remembering it months later is much harder.

I've tried highlighting, note-taking, digital notes and even mind maps.

Some work better than others, but I still feel like most great ideas slowly disappear over time.

I'm curious:

What system has genuinely worked for you?

Not while reading...

But months later, when you actually need those ideas.

I'd love to hear real experiences.

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u/Cava001 — 3 days ago
▲ 19 r/nonfictionbooks+1 crossposts

Books about women throughout the ages

What are some history books about women’s lives and generally gender roles throughout time?

Not necessarily looking for super academic – something accessible would be best!

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u/Winter-Election6516 — 3 days ago

Favorite Non-Fiction Book You've Read So Far This Year

Hello everyone!

In order to get some more discussions going about different Non Fiction books we will have a weekly thread to talk about different sub-genres or topics.

Seeing as we are halfway through 2026, what has been your favorite non-fiction book of the year (so far)

  • The  Mod Team
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u/AutoModerator — 6 days ago
▲ 9 r/nonfictionbooks+2 crossposts

If all you could leave your kids are books. What books would they be and why?

I’ve only started to think about this recently but I would want them to read books that have changed me for the better.

What non-fiction books would you want your kids to read and why?

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u/DemoGoGuy — 5 days ago

Reading guide for The Warmth and Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson?

I’m visiting Cape May, NJ and have learned that it’s a hub for discussions about Harriet Tubman and The Underground Railroad. I picked up a copy of The Warmth and Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson at one of the local bookstores, as I’ve seen the title around B&N, BookTok, and other book recommendation sites.

I would like to read this with intention and reflection. For some reason, I feel like book club questions/journal prompts could be a good way to do so. I am open to other suggestions of course!

And if anyone wants to read along with me, I’d love a reading partner :)

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u/a-bingo-bango-bongo — 6 days ago
▲ 11 r/nonfictionbooks+2 crossposts

Book recommendations

Hey guys! Something different here but I was wondering if anyone had any good wealth / financial books that is worth reading. Ive always wanted to expand my knowledge based on wealth but I see handfuls of people (most likely bots) recommending the same book in comments online

Any book helps, even podcasts so anything helps!

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u/Automatic-Cup-8936 — 8 days ago
▲ 37 r/nonfictionbooks+1 crossposts

June Reads and Reviews

**Never Home Alone** by Rob Dunn

Funny, warm and written with obvious passion by an author who participated in many of the studies discussed by the book, this was a very enjoyable read. Diving into the small creatures, insects and microbes that occupy the microscopic world around us, it did a wonderful job of building my interest and knowledge in this neglected topic. Loved it!

**Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Life in North Korea** by Barbara Demick

I was initially dubious about how well a Western author could write about life in North Korea, but Demick has published something special with Nothing to Envy. It's a vivid account of the lived experiences of North Koreans in the 80s and 90s. The history is captivating and emotionally devastating, weaving together personal stories with factual information about the regime and surrounding geopolitical issues. It was a broad yet intimate look at what it was to survive such extreme adversity and oppression, and to defect and adjust to the outside world. A great choice for anyone who is interested in human stories.

**Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood** by Trevor Noah

Another excellent example of a book that stitches together fact and anecdote to create powerful narrative non-fiction. I loved Trevor's stories and learned a lot about South Africa's recent history. I really rate the audiobook version, which is narrated by the author. Listening to it feels like hanging out with a good friend and shooting the shit - sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes serious, always a quality time.

**Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger** by Soraya Chemaly

This book is quite dry in comparison to the others on my list this month, but was a great read as an introduction for anyone new to feminism. It discussed the many ways women are disempowered in the world, and the social constructs that prevent women from expressing the fury that this disempowering causes. It links the mental and physical health impacts of all this suppressed rage and encourages women to channel their righteous anger into genuine movement towards equality. It provided good food for thought, especially as a mother raising young daughters.

**A Bunker in Kyiv: The Astonishing Story of the People's Army Defying Putin** by John Lyons

I finished this one on the last day of the month. It wasn't as tightly written as others, feeling much like a series of long-form articles instead of a cohesive book, but I found the stories of courage and resilience inspiring. I'm glad I read about the brave men, women and children of Ukraine and their efforts to resist Russian aggression. If you have an interest in the Russian-Ukrainian war, it provides a unique perspective on the fighting

u/IAmABillie — 7 days ago

Where do people go to discuss ideas they are reading about?

For folks who read a lot, where do you go to talk about ideas that spark your curiosity? Any platforms or forums that you use?

I find that this kind of learning can be a bit of a lonely pursuit if one doesn't have an appropriate social group. And most of the platforms we have today are not suitable for genuine, open-minded conversation about ideas.

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u/verto0912 — 7 days ago

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?

reddit.com
u/leowr — 9 days ago

Mental Models For Stopping Reading

How do you decide when a book isn’t worth reading any further?

I’ve always struggled with a kind of sunk-cost fallacy with reading books where I feel guilty and ashamed for giving up on a book without finishing it completely.
Almost like “I know the first half of this book was boring and completely uninteresting, but what if the second half has a gem in it that I will never find if I give up now?”

Looking to see if there exists something similar to Optimal Stopping Theory (the 37% rule): when trying to pick the best option from a series of options, assess the first 37% then commit to the next option that exceeds the best option from the first 37%.

Since reading books isn’t as clean cut as choosing from a series of options, are there any frameworks that you use to decide if and when to give up on a book?

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u/One-Nothing6371 — 9 days ago
▲ 83 r/nonfictionbooks+4 crossposts

Dayal Patterson (Cult Never Dies) AMA on Friday June 26th @ 12PM EDT

Dayal Patterson is a writer, photographer, and publisher widely regarded as one of the foremost chroniclers of black metal. He is the author of the acclaimed Cult Never Dies book series and the acclaimed Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult book, works that have helped define serious music journalism within the genre. Through his independent publishing house, Cult Never Dies, he continues to document the history, culture, and personalities of underground extreme metal, bringing rare interviews and deep research to readers worldwide and has published official books with the likes of Mortiis, Paradise Lost, Rotting Christ, Moonspell and Peaceville Records.

https://www.cultneverdies.com/

u/SilenceEater — 12 days ago