The Best Nonfiction Books I Read in 2025 (And Why They Surprised Me)

t’s not exactly a secret that nonfiction hasn’t always been my go-to genre. If given the choice, I’ll usually reach for a fantasy novel or something immersive and fictional. That’s just where my reading instincts naturally take me. But going into 2025, I wanted to change that, at least a little bit.

So I made a conscious effort to read more nonfiction.

Not because I felt like I had to, but because I knew I was probably missing out on some incredible books. And after reading over a hundred books this year across different genres, I can confidently say that adding more nonfiction into the mix was absolutely worth it.

To be clear, I’ve never disliked nonfiction. I actually enjoy learning new things, especially when it comes to history, real-world events, or personal stories. It’s just that fiction tends to grab my attention more easily. When time is limited, it’s hard not to default to what you already love.

But this year, I pushed past that habit. And in doing so, I came across some genuinely great nonfiction books that stuck with me long after I finished them.

So here are the best nonfiction books I read in 2025 and why each one stood out.

The Best Nonfiction Books I Read in 2025

• Waste Wars: The Wild Afterlife of Your Trash by Alexander Clapp
• A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain
• Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
• Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie
• Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe

Waste Wars: The Wild Afterlife of Your Trash by Alexander Clapp

This was one of those books that immediately caught my attention just from the premise alone. The moment I read the blurb, I knew it was only a matter of time before I picked it up.

And I’m glad I did.

Waste Wars is one of the most eye-opening books I read all year. It takes something we barely think about, our trash, and follows it to places most of us will never see.

Alexander Clapp, a journalist, spends two years traveling across five continents to investigate what actually happens to the waste we throw away. What he finds is not just surprising, it’s unsettling.

We’re talking about entire communities built around imported trash. Places in Java, Ghana, Turkey, and Guatemala where waste from wealthier countries ends up, often with devastating consequences. People living among massive piles of garbage. Environments slowly being poisoned by materials that won’t break down for centuries.

It’s the kind of book that shifts your perspective whether you want it to or not.

What makes it even more effective is that Clapp doesn’t just present data, he shows you real people and real places. That human element is what makes the impact stick. It’s not abstract anymore.

Books like this matter because they force awareness. They take something hidden and make it impossible to ignore. And while it’s easy to feel overwhelmed reading it, it also feels necessary.

This is easily one of the most important nonfiction books I read this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up being one of the most talked-about books of 2025.

Anthony Bourdain: Kitchen Confidential & A Cook’s Tour

Before Anthony Bourdain became known for traveling the world on TV, he was a chef writing about his experiences in the restaurant industry. And that background shows in his books in the best way possible.

I decided to finally dive into his work this year, starting with Kitchen Confidential and A Cook’s Tour. And honestly, I get why people love his writing so much.

Kitchen Confidential is exactly what it sounds like, an unfiltered look at the restaurant industry. Bourdain doesn’t hold back. He shares stories, exposes behind-the-scenes realities, and talks openly about things most people wouldn’t expect.

What’s interesting is that he originally thought this book might hurt his career. Instead, it did the opposite. People in the industry recognized the truth in what he was saying, and readers were drawn to the honesty.

It feels raw, personal, and real.

Then there’s A Cook’s Tour, which shifts the focus outward. Instead of staying in the kitchen, Bourdain travels the world exploring food and culture. The concept is simple, but the execution is what makes it work.

His writing style carries everything. It’s engaging without trying too hard, informative without feeling heavy, and personal without being self-indulgent.

Reading this book made me want to travel, not just for the sake of traveling, but to actually experience different cultures through food the way Bourdain does.

Both books complement each other really well. One shows where he came from, and the other shows where he went. And together, they highlight why his voice resonated with so many people.

Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie

This is easily one of the most intense and emotional books I read this year.

Unlike the others on this list, Knife isn’t about exploring the world or uncovering hidden systems, it’s deeply personal. It’s Salman Rushdie reflecting on the attack that nearly took his life and everything that came after.

The subject matter alone makes this a difficult read at times. But what stands out is how Rushdie approaches it. He doesn’t just recount what happened, he examines it. He tries to understand it. He processes the trauma in real time through his writing.

There’s a vulnerability here that you don’t always see, especially from someone of his stature.

He talks about fear, recovery, and the lasting impact of violence. He also reflects on the broader context, how his experience connects to others who have been targeted for their words.

One of the most powerful aspects of the book is how he confronts his attacker, not physically, but intellectually and emotionally. He tries to make sense of something that doesn’t easily make sense.

And through all of it, there’s also a strong thread of resilience. The support he received, particularly from his wife, plays a major role in how he navigates everything.

It’s not an easy book to read, but it’s an impactful one.

Rushdie’s writing has always been strong, but here it feels even more direct. There’s no distance between the author and the reader, you feel every part of what he’s going through.

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe

If there’s one book on this list that feels both expansive and deeply unsettling, it’s Empire of Pain.

Patrick Radden Keefe takes a detailed look at the Sackler family, how they built their wealth, how they maintained their reputation, and how they became tied to one of the most devastating public health crises in recent history.

This book doesn’t rush. It carefully traces the origins of the family, starting with Arthur Sackler and the strategies he used to revolutionize pharmaceutical marketing. Those same strategies would later play a role in the promotion of opioids.

What makes this book stand out is how clearly it connects the dots.

It’s not just about what happened, it’s about how it happened. The decisions, the systems, the messaging, all of it is laid out in a way that makes the bigger picture impossible to ignore.

At the same time, Keefe also explores how the Sackler name became associated with art, philanthropy, and prestige. That contrast is a big part of what makes the story so compelling.

There’s a tension between public image and private reality that runs throughout the book.

And while the subject matter is heavy, the writing keeps it engaging. It reads almost like a narrative, even though it’s grounded in extensive research.

Understanding the opioid crisis requires looking at multiple factors, and this book provides one of the clearest examinations of the people and systems behind it.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I’m glad I made the decision to read more nonfiction this year.

Not every book worked for me, but the ones that did really stood out. They offered something different from what I usually get from fiction, whether that’s insight, perspective, or a deeper understanding of real-world issues.

What I’ve realized is that nonfiction doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It’s not just about absorbing information, it’s about finding stories that are just as compelling as anything you’d find in a novel.

And the books on this list prove that.

They cover completely different topics, from global waste systems to personal trauma to the inner workings of the food industry, but they all have one thing in common: they stayed with me.

That’s really what matters at the end of the day.

I’m definitely planning to keep this balance going. Fiction will always be my favorite, but nonfiction has earned its place in my reading routine.

If you’re someone who doesn’t usually pick up nonfiction, I’d say it’s worth giving it a shot. You don’t have to change your entire reading habit, just start with topics that already interest you.

That’s what worked for me.

And if you’ve read any of these books, or have others you think I should check out, feel free to share. I’m always looking to add more to my list. Until next time, happy reading!

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