The Best Nonfiction Books: Bestsellers, New Releases & More

Follow in the Footsteps of an American Icon - American Rambler by Isaac Fitzgerald - Shop Now

Top Nonfiction Subjects

Art, Fashion & Photography

Biography

Business

Cookbooks, Food & Wine

History

Religion

Self-Help & Relationships

Travel

New Reflections From Lena Dunham - Shop Now - Famesick: A Memoir

A 750-Mile Trek Through Awe-Insipring Country

A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon

By Kevin Fedarko

An ode to nature and the American wilderness that is equal parts personal journey, travelogue and survival story, this is an inspired look at our beautiful world and where we fit in it.

$22.00

Shop Now

Our Nonfiction Monthly Pick

On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer

Rick Steves

If you've ever trusted the work of Rick Steves to guide you through unfamiliar cities and countries, then saddle up alongside him for his first journey. This is the origin story of the travel writing superhero.

$19.99

More Details

More Nonfiction Monthly Picks

Gleaming Streets Hide Dangerous Secrets - Shop Now - London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe

Bookseller Favorites

History & Military History

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

Science & Nature

Cookbooks

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking

Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science

Joshua Weissman: An Unapologetic Cookbook

Knife Drop: Creative Recipes Anyone Can Cook

Biography & Memoir

Personal Development

Religion & Bibles

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts

The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?

Life, Love and the Dogs You Pet Along the Way - Shop Now - Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About by Isabel Klee

Road Trip Through America, One Stop at a Time - Shop Now - This Land Is Your Land by Beverly Gage

From the B&N Blog

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Poured Over Podcast 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 […]

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. Lose yourself in Tom Clavin's deadly submarine WWII story, Running Deep, or learn about the history of the U.S. Constitution in We the People. Grab an endearing memoir like Truly by Lionel Richie, cook up a new recipe in Good Things by Samin Nosrat, or revisit societal and cultural patterns in Malcom Gladwell's Revenge of the Tipping Point.

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 our 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 Heart Life Music by Kenny Chesney, 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! Check out our lists of the best books to read in 2025, for your next interesting read.

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 of the Best Nonfiction Books to Read Now
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin
107 Days by Kamala Harris
Puzzle Mania! by The New York Times Games
Poems & Prayers by Matthew McConaughey
Strong Ground by Brené Brown
Last Rites by Ozzy Osbourne
Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai
The Look by Michelle Obama
The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel

Nonfiction Books

Nonfiction Bestsellers