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Nonfiction Books

From kitchen to crime scene, from home to the high seas, nonfiction covers all the topics you want to learn about. Pick up a celebrity memoir, treat your tastebuds to a new cookbook, turn over a new leaf with a personal growth book, or see the world from a new perspective in current affairs. There’s no corner of the world you can’t discover with a nonfiction book.

Puzzle Books - Shop Now
Puzzle Books - Shop Now
Your All-Access Pass to the Making of the Hit Show - I'll Believe in Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry Season 1 by Jacob Tierney - Shop Now
Your All-Access Pass to the Making of the Hit Show - I'll Believe in Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry Season 1 by Jacob Tierney - Shop Now
Biography & Memoir - Shop Now
Biography & Memoir - Shop Now
The Host of the Huberman Lab Podcast Shares How to Harness Your Body's Potential - Protocols by Andrew Huberman - Shop Now
The Host of the Huberman Lab Podcast Shares How to Harness Your Body's Potential - Protocols by Andrew Huberman - Shop Now
Cookbooks - Shop Now
Cookbooks - Shop Now
Chuck Klosterman Takes an Alternative Look at Mainstream Music - Rock - Shop Now
The Author of the Tipping Point Investigates a Violent Epidemic - The American Way of Killing by Malcolm Gladwell - Shop Now
The Spy Who Stopped Armageddon - Redwood by Ben Macintyre - Shop Now
An Unprecedented Look Inside the Oval Office - Regime Change by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan - Shop Now
An Unprecedented Look Inside the Oval Office - Regime Change by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan - Shop Now
A Fascinating Guide to History's Iconic Fortifications - Castles by Dan Jones - Shop Now
Reflections From a Hollywood Icon - Look at Me by Dustin Hoffman - Shop Now
Rachel Maddow's Deep Dive on the Department of Justice - Department of Fate - Shop Now
New From the Author of the Big Short and Moneyball - Blockers by Michael Lewis - Shop Now
New From the Author of the Big Short and Moneyball - Blockers by Michael Lewis - Shop Now

Bookseller Favorites

The Baillie Gifford Prize 2026 Shortlist - Shop Now
The Baillie Gifford Prize 2026 Shortlist - Shop Now
Discover Stallone's World, One Step at a Time - The Steps by Sylvester Stallone - Shop Now
Discover Stallone's World, One Step at a Time - The Steps by Sylvester Stallone - Shop Now
Haruki Murakami's Moving Meditation on Family - Abandoning a Cat - Shop Now
The Extraordinary True Bond Between a Man and a Fawn - Penelope a Love Story by Paul Bochner - Shop Now
From '80s Child Star to Oscar-Winning Actor - Never Say Die by Ke Huy Quan - Shop Now

From the B&N Blog

Poured Over: Kevin Fedarko on A Walk in the Park

Poured Over: Kevin Fedarko on A Walk in the Park

By Isabelle McConville|April 2, 2026
A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko is an inspired look at our beautiful world and where we fit in it. Kevin joins us to talk about setting off on his hike, the unique terrain of the Grand Canyon, perseverance, the beauty of the natural world, the National Park Service and more with cohost […]
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The 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction Shortlist

The 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction Shortlist

By BN Editors|March 25, 2026
Amplifying women’s voices from around the world, the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction honors global excellence in narrative nonfiction written in English. The 2026 shortlist features six standout titles that grip, inform and inspire including enlightening explorations of art, science, history, politics and a deeply moving memoir. Without further ado, we’re excited to share this year’s […]
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Wonderous Woodlands: A Guest Post by Dawn Nelson

Wonderous Woodlands: A Guest Post by Dawn Nelson

By Dawn Nelson|April 3, 2026
Beyond the branches, nature tells a story. This engrossing read explores the connection between nature and spirituality through various types of trees. Read on for an exclusive essay from author Dawn Nelson on writing Tree Lore. As a traditional storyteller and folklorist, part of my creative and spiritual practice is to take daily walks on […]
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Poured Over: Jenny Lawson on How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay

Poured Over: Jenny Lawson on How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay

By Isabelle McConville|April 1, 2026
How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson shares tips and tricks for all of life’s messy bits. Jenny joins us to talk about the joys of reading, finding community, doom scrolling, empathy, expectations, Freud and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and […]
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More About Nonfiction Books

Looking for a book that will entertain, educate and broaden your horizons? Good nonfiction books have a way of informing the reader through new ideas and concepts about the world and the people who inhabit it. The best works of nonfiction are well-researched, easy to read and provide insight into information their author is passionate about sharing. Whether you’re interested in the 2027 Old Farmer’s Almanac, want to dive into the hidden world of Cold War espionage in Ben Macintyre’s Redwood, or want to explore technology’s impact on human community and self-government in Jill Lepore’s The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State, we’ve got you covered. Grab Lena Dunham’s latest memoir Famesick, cook up a new recipe in Simply Ina: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, or journey through the heart of the country in America Obscura.

You can unlock a fascinating life story in the biography or memoir section, explore a period of history you’ve never learned about before, stimulate the visual mind in our art section or dissect the political landscape of the world in current affairs and politics. Discover our ever-growing collection of signed editions by noteworthy nonfiction authors. Shop some of the best nonfiction books of all time, from memoirs like Belle Burden’s Strangers to the best self-help books like Mel Robbins' The Let Them Theory, there's a variety of great nonfiction books to read this year. Looking for even more nonfiction recommendations? Visit us on our blog.

What is a nonfiction book?

A nonfiction book is based on true stories and researched information whereas fiction is created from the imagination. Examples of nonfiction literature include biographies, business, cookbooks, political books, diet books, history, music, religion, science, self-help, sports, true crime and more.

10 Popular Nonfiction Books to Read Now