Curated Reads: Nonfiction Books to Intrigue and Inspire

Posted by Cybil on May 12, 2021
Romance Week 2020
 
Discover lots of new and upcoming nonfiction reads this season
with our author interviews, articles, and book lists!

 


Interviews with Spring's Biggest Nonfiction Authors


 
Walter Isaacson on Scientific Breakthroughs and Revolutionary Thinkers
The famed biographer on the research process behind his latest book


 

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Petra on hiatus but getting better.Happy New 2024! These are all selfhelp books of one kind or another. What about some science and anthropology, I'd love to hear about some new books in these genres that I primarily read.


message 2: by scherzo♫ (new)

scherzo♫ Petra-X Off having adventures wrote: "These are all selfhelp books of one kind or another. What about some science and anthropology, I'd love to hear about some new books in these genres that I primarily read."

I agree. This is an extremely disappointing list especially when linked to non-fiction books that are not self-help.


message 3: by Kim (new)

Kim I have to agree with the previous two commenters. This is a terrible list.


message 4: by Julie (new)

Julie I'd love a look at children's nonfiction books too - there are so many genres of it now, and so many great books!


message 5: by Shannon SA (new)

Shannon SA Agree - nonfiction that is not self-help please!


message 6: by Kate (new)

Kate Mackenzie I agree less self help more science, None of these books interest me.


message 7: by Cathy (new)

Cathy Petra-X Off having adventures wrote: "These are all selfhelp books of one kind or another. What about some science and anthropology, I'd love to hear about some new books in these genres that I primarily read."

I second that.


message 8: by Malcolm (new)

Malcolm Buckley Emotional Clearing - John Ruskan


Emotional Clearing: An East/West Guide to Releasing Negative Feelings and Awakening Unconditional Happiness


message 9: by Sara (last edited Mar 14, 2021 07:05AM) (new)

Sara Petra-X Off having adventures wrote: "These are all selfhelp books of one kind or another. What about some science and anthropology, I'd love to hear about some new books in these genres that I primarily read."

I concur. Plus, 3 books hardly makes a list. Disappointing.


message 10: by Flor (new)

Flor Méndez I agree with all these comments. On the last few articles on fiction books you recommended from 6 to 40 (!) books to check out yet with non-fiction you stick to 3 self-help books. The Women's History recs was great, had a lot of them and was written by the same author.


message 11: by Lunique (new)

Lunique Julia virnon Nice job and it's just so modern and nice!


message 12: by Wera (new)

Wera I agree with the comments!!


message 13: by Kimberly (new)

Kimberly all self help rubbish


message 14: by Teri-K (last edited Mar 14, 2021 10:58AM) (new)


message 15: by superawesomekt (new)

superawesomekt I would also appreciate a list that includes new releases as well as older books—but that wouldn't meet the agenda of the marketing machine.

An example: if you like this (older) book, here is a new release that you might enjoy -- across a number of genres

Another example: Books on a specific subject / of a certain genre: include 3 older books and 2 new releases, etc.

I like to see the new releases but let's not forget the wonderful books that are already out there!


message 16: by Karolina (new)

Karolina Self-help, seriously? Non-fiction genre is MUCH more than that!


message 17: by Kimberly (new)

Kimberly Here’s some nonfiction (not self-help) books that I really enjoyed, since I’m also not that interested in self-help nonfiction.

The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in Human History by John M Barry (about the 1918 influenza pandemic)

The Book of Barely Imagined Beings: A 21st Century Bestiary by Caspar Henderson (a cute bestiary of odd creatures on planet Earth)

Vanished Kingdoms: The History of Half-Forgotten Europe by Norman Davies (really specific history- you’d have to be a big history nerd to like this one)

The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic - and How it Changed Science, Cities and the Modern World By Steven Johnson (About the cholera epidemic in London and the start of modern epidemiology!)

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City By Matthew Desmond (about renting in the United States, eviction, and houselessness)


message 18: by Theresa (new)

Theresa If any of you are on FB, you might be interested in joining the Nonfiction Fans discussion group, which focuses on serious nonfiction like history, science, biography, social sciences, etc. Lots of good recommendations there.


message 19: by Audra (new)

Audra Larson Really?? Three "self help" books? There is much more to nonfiction that this. Disappointing list.


message 20: by Dawn (new)

Dawn Here's a comment echoing those who have said they would love a longer list of nonfiction books excluding self-help books.


message 21: by Sean (new)

Sean O Goodreads editorial is garbage. Paid placement and amazon marketing.

The best non-fiction I've read so far this year is "The American Plague: the Untold Story of Yellow Fever" by Molly Caldwell Crosby.

What's your favorite non-fiction book?


Petra on hiatus but getting better.Happy New 2024! Sean wrote: "What's your favorite non-fiction book?..."

In 2021, Some Assembly Required: Decoding Four Billion Years of Life, from Ancient Fossils to DNA. I like all Neil Shubin's evolutionary book. 10 star books.


message 23: by Debbie (new)

Debbie Would love to see some variation in non fic section such as science, etc. Mostly focused on non fic personally am not interested in (self help etc) and would have liked to expand my tbr list. Next time?


message 24: by Niladri (new)

Niladri Ghosh Spoiler alert: there is more to nonfiction than just tabloid self-help books.


message 25: by Joy (new)

Joy Those three self-help books aren't the full list. Click on them and you can read an interview with those authors. Scroll down past the "list" and you'll find more lists of lists to click on of over 68 memoirs, biographies, and histories. I for one would love to read The Princess Spy.


message 26: by Judi (new)

Judi superawesomekt wrote: "I would also appreciate a list that includes new releases as well as older books—but that wouldn't meet the agenda of the marketing machine.

An example: if you like this (older) book, here is a n..."


I agree about the older books. I don't buy new releases because they cost too much. I get my books from online used booksellers.


message 27: by John of Canada (new)

John of Canada How dare she list self help books as non-fiction! I think it's delightful that put together a list that she thought might be of use to people. Some serious bullying going on here.


message 28: by Holly (new)

Holly I was hoping for some DIY type books, or anything instructional regarding home improvements, gardening, etc. Some of us would prefer to learn useful skills over obsessing about ourselves.


Petra on hiatus but getting better.Happy New 2024! Teri-K wrote: "Agree with comments that this "list" lacks scope. Where's the science, nature, medicine, adventure... (I see history and biography are in a different post.)

I've just finished [book:The Sun Is a C..."


Really great list. I'm going to look them all up. Thanks!


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