The Best Nonfiction Book Gifts for Every Reader on Your List

For the book lover seeking wisdom from extraordinary lives…

National Geographic photographer and Academy Award–winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin digs into “what really matters” in Rules to Live By. He leads us through ten conversations with the iconic mentors he has turned to for insight and truth over the years, and he shares the guiding wisdom they’ve offered. These mentors range from artists and creators like filmmaker Ridley Scott and renowned actress Annette Bening to elite gymnast Simone Biles and free-solo climber Alex Honnold. Other high-achieving and passionate individuals he speaks with include cellist Yo-Yo Ma and conservationist Kristine Tompkins. In Chin’s own words: “None of them gave [him] rules. They gave [him] honesty.”

For the book lover who loves getting lost in immersive journalism…

In The Italian Job, New York Times correspondent Jason Horowitz guides us through Italy, from its dazzling settings to its populist politics. But this is no surface profile: Horowitz dives deep to bring out a true character study of the country. Like so many of us, the author has been charmed by Italy’s culture, history, and cuisine. Yet he also knows the country intimately from his many years as Rome bureau chief for The New York Times and his daily life at home with his Italian wife and their two children. He draws on all the candor, insight, and observation of a seasoned journalist to share this vision of Italy with his readers. Publishers Weekly says “this clear-eyed portrait of a nation in transition makes for essential reading.”

For the sports superfan…

Sports superstar Tom Brady is a household name. From bestselling author and former Sports Illustrated journalist Lars Anderson, Brady is the deep-dive sports biography of the football legend’s life and career. Through in-depth reporting, with more than 350 interviews, Anderson delivers a vivid, intimate portrait of a man obsessed with the game that made him. He details the drive and discipline that carried Brady to success, as well as the personal sacrifices that came with it. Indeed, Brady tackles the question that has haunted so many sports icons — what does it take to achieve greatness? And what does it cost?

For the at-home gourmand ready to seize the supper…

Chef Erin French follows up The Lost Kitchen Volume 2: Big Heart Little Stove with Seize the Supper. In this new installment of her The Lost Kitchen cookbook series, the bestselling author and founder of award-winning restaurant the Lost Kitchen celebrates seasonal cooking and encourages connection around the table. Filled with gorgeous pictures and simple, season-forward recipes, this cookbook delivers meals that will satisfy and sustain you, from spring picnics to winter nights by the fire.

For the book lover who enjoys a delicious chef memoir…

Nestled in the Virginia countryside, you’ll find the Inn at Little Washington — a Michelin-starred restaurant founded and run by chef Patrick O’Connell. Main, Middle, & Gay tells the story of the world-renowned restaurateur and the Inn he built from a former garage, delivering “an elegant memoir of love in food, work, and life” (Kirkus). As a young man, O’Connell lived on farms with friends and traveled around Europe, learning cooking skills along the way. The self-taught chef is now recognized as a pioneer of American cuisine, and the Inn at Little Washington is a global destination for food enthusiasts and travelers alike. 

For the American history buff fascinated by untold stories of the past…

While most Americans are familiar with the Founding Fathers, there’s one name that’s often left out of the story — James Wilson. A young lawyer during the country’s earliest days, Wilson wrote the first draft of the Constitution, including the famous words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” He was a fierce advocate for the people’s power and instrumental in the development of a strong central government and the function of the presidency. But rather than being remembered as a pioneer of American democracy, he’s been all but erased, written off to a land speculation scandal. New York Times journalist Jesse Wegman finally tells Wilson’s story in The Lost Founder.

For the book lover intrigued by iconic artists — and how they made a living…

Artists have always been doubly creative — they work hard on their art, while doing whatever it takes to get by without giving up their craft. In Making Art and Making a Living, Mason Currey chronicles the many ways iconic artists have made ends meet. From day jobs and temp positions to wealthy relatives and financial supporters — if there’s a will, there’s a way. Currey’s book explores the many, many methods for paying the rent and staying true to your art. 

For the creative spirit in your life…

We all know that maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes getting the right nutrition, enough movement, and good sleep. In Art Cure, Daisy Fancourt, director of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Arts and Health, advocates for adding engaging in the arts to that list. She lays out the science-backed benefits of creative pursuits, from decreasing depression and medication dependence to developing new neural pathways and guarding against dementia. Art, she reveals, is nothing short of a necessity — the fifth pillar of health alongside diet, sleep, exercise, and nature. 

For the sober curious reader…

Whether you’re curious about alcohol’s effects on our bodies or embarking on a sober journey, there’s plenty to learn from Dr. Charles Knowles’s Why We Drink Too Much. Drawing from both science and experience, Knowles gets into what actually happens when we drink and why alcohol can affect different people to varying degrees. He also explores the big question — Why do we drink at all, when we all know it’s bad for us? Whatever our relationship with alcohol may be, Knowles invites us to give it some informed consideration in this eye-opening work.

For the bona fide cinephile…

A New York Times bestseller, The Last Kings of Hollywood draws from hundreds of interviews and extensive research to pull back the curtain on three legendary filmmakers whose work has shaped American cinema: Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg. In the early days of their careers, Coppola, Lucas, and Spielberg became fast friends. Over the next 15 years, they would continue to orbit each other, moving through eras of bitter competition and supportive celebration, and producing several of our most beloved and iconic films along the way. The Last Kings of Hollywood is a must-read for film buffs everywhere.

For the book lover fascinated by the science of connection…

In Why We Click, Kate Murphy introduces readers to interpersonal synchrony — something you may not have heard of but have most likely experienced. Interpersonal synchrony is a social phenomenon that has recently received increased scientific study. It refers to the way we as humans tend to match rhythms and find resonance with one another — from expressions to heart rates to hormones. Whether it’s a first date, a family night, or a work meeting, our ability to “click” is a driving force in our social interactions. In Why We Click, Murphy helps us understand that special synchrony and apply that understanding in our personal and professional lives. 

For the history buff who loves a true-life spy story…

In Family of Spies, Christine Kuehn delivers a staggering tale of secrecy and deceit that will rewrite your understanding of World War II. The book explores how Kuehn’s family led secret lives as Nazi spies after her aunt had an affair with Nazi leader Joseph Goebbels. Dispatched to Hawaii, they passed secrets to the Japanese — and ultimately played a role in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Alternating between the never-before-told spy history and Kuehn’s present-day search for the truth, Family of Spies is sure to captivate the history buff in your own family. 

For the music lover…

Ian Leslie’s John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs is a spectacular gift for the Beatles fans on your list — as well as anyone who cherishes the magic of music. Leslie’s bestselling Beatles biography focuses on the 23-year relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Their productive partnership was incredibly complex, defined by affection, jealousy, and profound creativity. Here, Leslie traces the ups and downs of their bond alongside the music they created. The result is a stunning portrait of the legendary pair that captures their collaborative passion as well as the deeply human nature of their close relationship.

For the book lover wanting to change their emotional life for the better…

Dr. Marc Brackett’s Dealing with Feeling is packed with sage advice on improving your emotional health. You can’t go wrong with gifting it — even when it’s a gift to you. Across its pages, Brackett explores the science of emotion regulation, providing skills and strategies to help you connect with your feelings and succeed in all areas of life. Brackett channels his expertise as the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence into Dealing with Feeling, producing a “must-read for anyone hoping to thrive in today’s emotionally charged world ― which should be everyone” (Lisa Damour, New York Times bestselling author).

For the book lover who likes to get lost in riveting journalism…

The Tragedy of True Crime is a first-of-its-kind work of immersive journalism. It’s written by John J. Lennon, who was sentenced to 28 years in prison after killing a man in 2001. After taking a writing workshop at Attica Correctional Facility, Lennon began reporting from behind bars, striving to understand his own life and the lives of the inmates around him. The Tragedy of True Crime examines four men who have killed, including the author. Across its pages, Lennon asks powerful questions about justice, redemption, and the stories we tell ourselves as he challenges our cultural obsession with true crime as entertainment.  

For the book lover hoping to simplify their life…

No New Things is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to break free from their consumerist impulses and reclaim control of their space. Award-winning sustainability expert Ashlee Piper draws on her own transformative journey of buying nothing new for two years to teach us how to clear out the clutter, lighten our financial burden, shrink our carbon footprint, and set out on the path to a healthier, happier life. This insightful read is just what the doctor ordered.  

For inquisitive new dog owners…

Puppy parent in your life? You can’t do much better than gifting them Kerry Nichols’s Puppy Brain. While her book about dogs is designed to help train a puppy, it offers far more insight than most other training manuals. In fact, Puppy Brain not only answers questions many canine owners have pondered, it also proposes strategies and approaches they’ve likely never considered. The focus here is not just on training your dog to use a crate or obey commands but understanding the inner workings of the canine brain to raise healthy, happy, and resilient pups. Puppy Brain is also packed with humor and adorable photos, making it as engaging as it is paws-itively delightful. 

For the open-minded science reader… 

A captivating exploration of the burgeoning field of psychedelic therapy, Ernesto Londoño’s Trippy makes a great gift for the deep thinkers on your list. The book merges in-depth research with first-person reflection as Londoño delves into the many ways psychedelics are being used across the globe for treatment and healing, from Indigenous leaders who view certain drugs as conduits to the spirit world to war veterans with PTSD who credit psychedelic medicine with radically changing their lives. A seasoned New York Times journalist, Londoño writes with authority and grace. Yet it’s the power and candor of his own mental health journey that elevates this book about psychedelics to a different level.    

For the film buff who enjoys a good laugh…

Steve Martin has elevated comedy in Hollywood to hilarious new heights — yet until now, he’s never written about his illustrious career in the movies. That all changes with Number One Is Walking, Martin’s “irresistibly charming” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) new memoir. Filled with gorgeous illustrations by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss, the book is packed with delightful anecdotes and behind-the-scenes antics from Martin’s 40-year career in showbiz, featuring big names and plenty of laughs. Clever and entertaining, Number One Is Walking is sure to be a hit with the movie buffs and comedy fans on your list.

Looking for more hilarity this season? Check out A Wealth of Pigeons, Martin and Bliss’s bestselling humor book from 2020.

For those in need of a hopeful perspective…

We could all use a little extra cheer during the holiday season — and this inspirational New York Times bestseller definitely delivers. In The Book of Hope, renowned naturalist Jane Goodall sits down with Douglas Abrams to discuss her extraordinary career and champion the value of hope in the face of worldwide adversity. Through lively dialogues and candid accounts of her time in the field, Goodall shares the four reasons why she remains optimistic about the future of humankind and encourages readers to join her in the fight for a better world. Timely, intimate, and insightful, The Book of Hope will have you and your family moving into the new year with renewed optimism.

For comedy fans who enjoy delightful celebrity memoirs…

The eminently charming Henry Winkler shares his life story in this celebrity memoir brimming with humor and heart. The bestselling narrative is perfect for Fonzie fans or frankly anyone with a pulse. Winkler’s success spans decades, from his breakout performance on Happy Days to guest turns on Arrested Development and his Emmy-winning role on Barry. But the road to stardom wasn’t easy — and even after “making it,” fresh challenges arose. Winkler covers it all, offering frank reflections on the pressures of stardom, the difficulties of living with severe dyslexia, and the lifelong search to find happiness within yourself. 

For anybody looking to get more done in the new year…

Feel Good Productivity is sure to appeal to everyone on your gift list — after all, who isn’t ready for a fresh start? Written by Dr. Ali Abdaal, the New York Times bestselling productivity book is as transformative as it is enjoyable. In it, the author reveals how the key to being productive isn’t grinding through the workday and burning yourself out, it’s about cultivating joy in what you do. Abdaal draws on scientific research and the stories of accomplished individuals — from Olympic athletes to Nobel Prize–winning scientists — to illustrate the “energizers” that fuel our productivity, the “blockers” we must overcome, and the “sustainers” that prevent burnout and put us all on the path to lasting success. 

For the true crime fanatic…

Unmasked by Paul Holes is the instant New York Times bestseller from the detective who put the Golden State Killer behind bars. In this gritty, unflinching true crime memoir, Holes chronicles his career cracking cold cases and chasing down killers, and he delves into the personal challenges he’s grappled with over the years. Though he’s committed to the job and passionate about helping victims and their families, both the trauma he’s witnessed and the real-life nightmares he has endured have taken their toll — both on Holes himself and on his relationships with his loved ones. Unmasked is a powerful portrayal of the horrors, realities, and rewards of a lifetime of fighting crime and makes the perfect book gift for the true crime aficionado on your list.

For the book lover focused on criminal justice…

Dateline producer Dan Slepian’s The Sing Sing Files shines a powerful light on wrongful incarcerations in America, offering a stark reminder of the fragility of freedom and the deep flaws in our justice system. Slepian’s investigation begins in 2002, when he receives a tip about two men in prison for a 1990 murder they didn’t commit. The disclosure leads Slepian on a decades-long search for the truth that results not only in the freedom of the two innocent men but of four more wrongfully imprisoned individuals. Slepian is a masterful writer, and his commitment to justice and accountability leaps off every page. Especially poignant is his friendship with Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, one of the wrongfully imprisoned men at the center of the book.

For the book lover who enjoys an investigative deep dive…

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Paul Pringle delivers a “master class in investigative journalism” (New York Times) in Bad City, which tells the story of how Pringle and his colleagues at the L.A. Times took on one of Los Angeles’s most influential institutions — and won. Pringle lays it all out in this electrifying exposé, chronicling how a tip about a drug scandal at USC exposed a citywide web of corruption, coverups, and criminality that threaded through the exclusive power centers of L.A. Detailed and fast-paced, Bad City will be a hit with the journalistic readers on your list, especially those who enjoyed Catch and Kill or Spotlight.

For the reader who appreciates a good cry…

In While You Were Out, award-winning journalist Meg Kissinger delivers a courageous “chronicle of love, loss, family, and obligation, all refracted through the lens of mental illness” (Lit Hub). Kissinger grew up in the 1960s Chicago suburbs. She was one of eight children in a boisterous family full of life and love. Behind closed doors, however, the Kissingers struggled. The author’s mother was hospitalized for anxiety and depression, her father was manic and prone to violent outbursts, while her siblings grappled with depression and bipolar disorder. Compounding their pain was an overwhelming culture of silence, leaving the Kissingers unsure of where to turn or even how to talk about their struggles. The author’s childhood experiences galvanized her career as a journalist — she would dedicate her life to exposing America’s flawed mental health care system and advocating for greater openness, accountability, and support. 

For the reader who enjoys a profound mother–daughter memoir…

The Manicurist’s Daughter is many things — a superb memoir about mother–daughter relationships, a poignant story about the immigrant experience, and a nuanced examination of body image, grief, and the shortcomings of the American Dream. After five failed attempts, Lieu’s family escaped Vietnam in the 1980s and established a new life in California, where her mother operated two successful nail salons. She was the family’s guiding light. But when Lieu was 11, her mother died after a botched cosmetic surgery. In the years that followed, Lieu wrestled with her grief alongside difficult questions that no one seemed willing to address: Who was her mother before she arrived in America? What could have compelled her to seek out cosmetic surgery? And how could the surgeon who performed the botched procedure still be operating after her mother’s death? Determined, Lieu set out to find answers about the surgeon, her mother, and ultimately herself.  

For the reader who enjoys a thrilling sports biography…

If your gift list includes basketball superfans and readers who love a great sports biography, then Magic is a slam dunk. Acclaimed biographer Roland Lazenby, author of Michael Jordan: The Life, expertly chronicles the life of superstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Johnson’s athletic prowess and dazzling charm revolutionized basketball and ushered in the Showtime era of the Los Angeles Lakers. Lazenby draws on hundreds of interviews with professional and personal insiders to paint the most comprehensive portrait to date of the legendary (and, at times, controversial) sports star in this game-changing basketball book. 

For the reader fascinated by lesser-known histories…

By all rights, everyone should know the name Thomas Smallwood. The 19th-century abolitionist and freedom fighter was a true American hero who named the Underground Railroad and lived a life as extraordinary as it was inspiring. And yet, Smallwood’s incredible story was nearly lost to time — until Flee North. Pulitzer Prize–winning author Scott Shane chronicles the larger-than-life historical figure for the first time in this remarkable narrative, detailing how Smallwood was born into slavery in the early 1800s, bought his freedom by the 1840s, and led hundreds of enslaved men and women out of bondage.

For the reader passionate about American history… 

In You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live, Paul Kix delivers a riveting account of Project C, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s 10-week campaign in 1963 to end segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. Project C was crucial to the Civil Rights Movement in America. Kix brings this pivotal moment to vivid life, ushering readers behind the scenes and into the minds of the four legendary leaders at the heart of the campaign: Wyatt Walker, Fred Shuttlesworth, James Bevel, and Martin Luther King, Jr. In a world where the fight for equality is far from over, this story demands to be heard. 

For the book lover who watched the Royal Wedding live…

An instant New York Times bestseller, HRH is a smart, stylish read that doubles as the perfect book gift for the fashionistas on your list. Veteran style journalist Elizabeth Holmes offers an in-depth look at the style choices of Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. Alongside hundreds of sumptuous photographs, Holmes’s commentary offers dazzling insight into the fashion choices of each royal and delivers a style-focused retrospective of the British royal family from WWII to Meghan and Harry's exit from "The Firm."

For the feel-good sports fan…

On March 11, 2017, the Arlee Warriors brought home the high school basketball state championship title to Montana’s Flathead Indian Reservation. It was an electrifying moment for friends, family, and fans in the Flathead community; the championship season quickly became the stuff of legend, and the players transformed into local heroes. But what did the win mean to the players themselves? In the award-winning Brothers on Three, celebrated journalist Abe Streep follows star players Will Mesteth, Jr. and Phillip Malatare as they reckon with their victory. Many saw the emotionally charged championship season as a crowning achievement, but for the young players, it marked the beginning of their adult lives.

Honest and encouraging, Brothers on Three is a story of success on the basketball court. It’s also a moving account of community, growth, and growing up.

For social activist…

In The Viral Underclass, LGBTQ scholar Dr. Steven Thrasher presents an eye-opening examination of America’s broken healthcare system, revealing the outsized role privilege plays in how viruses spread, harm, and kill. Through harrowing accounts of suffering and survival during the COVID-19 era and the AIDS epidemic, Thrasher exposes the staggering disparities in medical access and care based on race, gender, class, and sexuality. The Viral Underclass makes an excellent book gift for anyone looking to better understand the inequities of our present moment and the role that social structures play in shaping the trajectory and impact of disease.

For the book lover who reads historical true crime…

In this Edgar Award–winning true crime narrative, author Elon Green examines the case of the Last Call Killer — a serial murderer who terrorized New York City’s queer community in the 1980s and ’90s. The Last Call Killer claimed multiple lives and evaded capture for years. Yet because of the sexuality of his victims, combined with the era’s soaring homicide rates and the growing AIDS epidemic, his crimes received little media coverage. Last Call is at once a haunting true crime narrative and a compassionate depiction of resilience in New York City’s queer community. It’s an excellent addition to any lit fan’s gift list, delivering a “captivating and thought-provoking read” that puts “a humanity-filled twist on the true crime genre” (Booklist).

For the book lover who volunteers for jury duty…

Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell was the first African American woman to sit on the Superior Court in Northern California. She’s seen the highs and lows of America’s criminal justice system, and in Her Honor, she offers an insider’s look at what goes on behind closed courtroom doors. Through eye-opening accounts of real-life cases, Cordell reveals the inner workings of the U.S. court system, highlighting its strengths and successes as well as its blind spots and shortcomings. While Cordell acknowledges that justice in America is far from perfect, she also looks forward with determination and offers concrete steps to create a more equitable system for all Americans. Candid, authentic, and ultimately optimistic, Her Honor is “an accessible peek into the halls of justice” (Publishers Weekly). Pick up the just-released trade paperback edition as a gift for the budding legal scholar on your list.

For those looking to recenter their lives…

The holiday season is a time of reflection and renewal, an occasion to reconnect with those you love and reset your priorities in pursuit of a more meaningful existence. Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus — better known as The Minimalists — are experts at the art of intentional living, and in Love People, Use Things they present an invaluable guide to purging your life of the unnecessary to make room for the things that really matter. This is not your typical decluttering how-to manual. Instead, Millburn and Nicodemus share their personal experiences — and those of others they’ve met along the way — to reveal how minimalistic living clears the way to healing the essential relationships in your life, from your relationship with the things you own to your capacity for love, creativity, and human connection. Love People, Use Things is a must-read book about minimalism that will motivate you and your loved ones to live with intention this holiday season and beyond — to get more out of life with less in the way.

For the memoir reader and music lover…

Acclaimed musician Mikel Jollett shares his story of childhood trauma, survival, and fierce familial love in his instant New York Times bestseller Hollywood Park. Jollett grew up in the Church of Synanon, one of the most notorious cults in America. At just six months old, he was forcibly separated from his parents and sent to be raised in the cult’s so-called “School.” Though it took years, Jollett, his older brother, and his mother eventually escaped the cult — only to face a fresh wave of hardships from life on the outside. Jollett bravely chronicles the adversity that he and his family endured, from physical and emotional abuse to struggles with addiction, and the hard-won triumphs of his adult years as a writer and the lead singer of The Airborne Toxic Event in what The Wall Street Journal calls “a memoir that is dangerous, immediate and lyrical from the jump.”

For those looking to become a more effective leader…

Mike Hayes knows how to lead under pressure. As the former commander of SEAL Team Two, he’s made countless life-or-death decisions; as a former White House fellow and the director of Defense Policy and Strategy at the National Security Council, he’s negotiated international arms treaties and guided high-stakes meetings in the White House Situation Room. In Never Enough, Hayes shares his key strategies for being an effective leader, offering valuable life lessons that are just as applicable on the battlefield as in the boardroom. Enhanced with dramatic accounts of guts and grit from the author’s career, Never Enough is an insightful leadership book for readers from all walks of life and an inspirational gift for anyone looking to enter the new year with renewed determination and focus.