5 Nonfiction Books Every Nonfiction Fan Should Read

While I don’t find myself reading nonfiction books that often, I have made an effort to read more this year. And that has led to me coming across some books as a result. That is why I will be discussing 5 nonfiction books every nonfiction fan should read!

This list is going to list 5 nonfiction books and is not a top five list. Instead, I will be focusing on five amazing and informational nonfiction books that should be read by avid nonfiction book fans. There are thousands of books to choose from but these are ones that stood out to me.

There is a good chance that you have seen or heard about these books because they are very popular. When you discuss nonfiction books, someone will mention them and I don’t blame them.

Even I find myself doing this because I want everyone to read them and see how amazing they are. You can see the full list below!

5 Nonfiction Books Every Nonfiction Fan Should Read

• Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
• I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
• Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
• Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Crying in H Mart

A book that has received worldwide recognition is Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. In this book, Zauner opens up about her life growing up in a Korean household and growing distance from Korean culture as she moved to the East Coast.

But when Zauner’s mother is diagnosed with cancer, she is forced to come to terms with her identity as she tries to reclaim her heritage and everything her mother has passed down to her. This book will pull on your heartstrings and is a book that will stay with you for a long time.

 I’m Glad My Mom Died

Jennette McCurdy’s autobiography I’m Glad My Mom Died has to be one of if not the best biographies of the 2020s. In this book, McCurdy talks about her childhood and acting career that her mom pushed on her.

As she grows older, she realizes that her relationship with her mother was unhealthy and one that she is glad to have escaped.And despite all her mother’s shortcomings, she still loves her unconditionally.

The book is an honest account of being raised by a mother who lives vicariously through her daughter. It wasn’t Jennette’s dream to be an actress but she can’t let her mother down ever. She is her mom’s best friend and will do anything to please her and make her happy. Even at the detriment of her own well being.

Killers of the Flower Moon

Usually I will read a book and then watch the adaptation afterwards. But that sequence happened in reverse for Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann. His book focuses on the killings of the  Osage Nation in Oklahoma in the 1920s.

If it wasn’t for Grann’s books, most people wouldn’t have heard of this tragedy. His book puts the spotlight on Native Americans and reminds us of the United States dark history. Books like these are what make me appreciate this genre.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Anytime a novel makes Barack Obama’s annual list, you know it is a great book. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari also went on to be listed as one of the Top 100 Books of the 21^st Century by the New York Times.

The book looks back at history to see how biology and history have come to define mankind. There used to be at least six different types of human species that lived on Earth a hundred thousand years ago. But only the homo sapiens exist today.

Harari looks at history and challenges what we have accepted as fact over the years. And uses the correlation of history and science to see other possibilities. As well as what our past can tell us about our future.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

I remember reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot as required reading for high school. And I am glad that it was required reading because I learned a lot. And unfortunately, most schools still don’t teach about Henrietta Lacks and her impact on science.

Henrietta Lacks was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who went on to be immortalized. Her cells were taken without her knowledge and helped advance many importance scientific achievements. But neither she or her family knew that her cells were being used.

Twelve years after her death, scientists turned to Henrietta’s family, using them for research without consent. Her cells helped make companies make millions but Henrietta nor her family made made a dime off it.

Rebecca Skloot showcases how Henreita’s story is one of many of exploitation of African Americans. And made people ask if we have control of the cells in our body? This is a must read book and shines a light on a person who helped push science forward while not receiving the credit she deserves.

Conclusion

These are the 5 nonfiction books every nonfiction fan should read in our opinion. These are powerful and informative books that should be rewired reading. Even if history doesn’t credit people as they should, people will find out the truth one way or another.

For that, we can’t thank authors that do an endless amount of research for books like these. This list has books that give different glimpses into history. And reminding us that some of the best stories are based on history.

How many of these books have you read or plan to read? What other nonfiction books would you recommend to fellow readers? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!

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