Key Points
- Reddit is a valuable source for nonfiction book recommendations, with popular threads like r/books, r/nonfictionbooks, and r/suggestmeabook providing reliable and diverse suggestions.
- The 15 best nonfiction books according to Redditors include titles like ‘Empire of Ants’ and ‘Kitchen Confidential’.
- Other notable books on the list include ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ and ‘Invisible Women’.
Reddit is a real treasure trove for literary enthusiasts and avid readers. With Reddit users constantly talking about their favorite books, it’s not hard to spot the titles that come up most often. From these talks, we were able to compile a list of the 15 best nonfiction books according to Redditors. These 15 titles have captivated, educated, and inspired the Reddit community like no other. Below, you’ll find the most exceptional books as chosen by Reddit. According to these users, each one is well worth a read.
Where to Find Nonfiction Book Recommendations on Reddit
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r/books, r/nonfiction, and r/suggestmeabook are three popular threads known for providing reliable and trustworthy nonfiction books. Each subreddit offers a unique community of avid readers, book fans, and intelligent experts who gladly share their knowledge and experiences with those searching for the best nonfiction books. No matter your favorite type of book, these threads have established themselves as valuable places to find a diverse range of books that have been closely vetted and highly praised.
r/books
r/books is one of the largest and most active subreddits dedicated to literature and book discussions. While it covers both fiction and nonfiction, it’s a reliable source for nonfiction book recommendations due to its vast and diverse user base. Redditors in this thread often engage in long discussions about the books they recommend, sharing their personal experiences and insights. They often provide detailed reviews and opinions on various nonfiction works, making it easier for you to assess whether a particular book aligns with your interests.
r/nonfictionbooks
As the name suggests, r/nonfictionbooks is solely dedicated to nonfiction books. This makes it a highly dependable source for nonfiction book recs. This thread draws enthusiasts who are passionate about nonfiction. Their collective knowledge creates a valuable pool of resources. Redditors in this community often focus on facts, research, and the depth of content when picking nonfiction books. This ensures that the recommended books meet readers’ high standards.
r/suggestmeabook
r/suggestmeabook is a subreddit dedicated to helping users find book recommendations based on their specific interests. While it covers both fiction and nonfiction, it serves as a great source for nonfiction because of this special approach. You can post specific details about the topics, themes, or writing styles you prefer, and the community responds with personalized and well-curated book recommendations that suit your individual tastes.
Reddit’s Best Nonfiction Books
From gripping true crime tales to moving memoirs to eye-opening explorations of science and history, these highly regarded nonfiction works have resonated with the Reddit community. These 15 titles have sparked meaningful conversations and fostered a love for knowledge and understanding among the most active Redditors. With luck, they can do the same for you.
15. Empire of Ants: The Hidden World and Extraordinary Lives of Earth’s Tiny Conquerors by Susanne Foitzik and Olaf Fritsche
- Authors: Susanne Foitzik and Olaf Fritsche
- Page count: 352
- First published: 2019
The Reddit community loves Empire of Ants because it uncovers the captivating world of those titular tiny conquerors. Foitzik’s book digs deep into the unbelievable lives and hidden society of the average ant. Beyond this, Empire of Ants sheds light on the insects’ fascinating behavior and complex social structures. It’s an eye-opening and enjoyable read for those intrigued by the wonders of nature. By the time you reach the last page, you’ll probably never look at ants the same way again. Plus, you’ll think twice before you squash another one.
14. Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
- Author: Anthony Bourdain
- Page count: 312
- First published: 2000
The late Anthony Bourdain’s iconic memoir is a hit on Reddit. Bourdain’s raw and unfiltered storytelling about the gritty reality of the culinary world will keep you laughing and blow your mind about the restaurant industry — often on the same page. It provides an exciting and behind-the-scenes look into the chaotic and intense restaurant culture, captivating foodies, aspiring chefs, and nonfiction-loving Redditors alike. Not to mention, it’ll change the way you think about going out to eat forever.
13. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van den Kolk, M.D.
- Author: Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
- Page count: 464
- First published: 2014
Bessel van den Kolk’s book The Body Keeps the Score resonates strongly with the Reddit community — just like our trauma resonates with our bodies in ways we’ll never fully comprehend. Dr. Kolk’s book explores the long-lasting effects of trauma on the human body and mind, explaining the true impact of our hardships on our overall wellbeing. The book’s comprehensive approach to trauma and healing offers valuable insights and hope for those seeking to understand and overcome past adversities.
12. The Quiet Zone: Unraveling the Mystery of a Town Suspended in Silence by Stephen Kurczy
- Author: Stephen Kurczy
- Page count: 352
- First published: 2021
What would it be like to live in a disconnected town? What kind of problems would present themselves? And what sorts of benefits might arise? Reddit really appreciates the way Stephen Kurczy looks at the day-to-day experiences of an enigmatic Appalachian town with no cell service. It’s a captivating exploration of the intriguing questions that surround life in an area with no phone signals. Redditors consistently praise it as an engaging and thought-provoking read for the curious minds immersed in the digital age.
11. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis
- Author: Michael Lewis
- Page count: 291
- First published: 2010
Michael Lewis’s book The Big Short is a hit on Reddit for its gripping account of the 2008 financial crisis and the people who predicted it. You may have seen the award-winning Adam McKay movie inspired by the book, but reading is so much more informative than watching. Lewis offers a compelling story about a difficult subject, making complex financial concepts sound much simpler to a wide audience. Plus, Adam McKay was drawn to this source material for a reason: the book’s really funny.
10. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson’s book is beloved on Reddit for its witty approach to complex scientific concepts. Don’t let that daunting title fool you, either. A Short History of Nearly Everything presents the history of our world and the universe in an easily digestible and entertaining manner, appealing to both science enthusiasts and casual readers alike. It tackles some of life’s biggest questions in the most basic terms imaginable. By book’s end, you’ll be left wondering why no one ever attempted to explain these things like Bryson before.
9. A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
Who said that the best nonfiction books had to be contemporary or scientific? Sometimes, nonfiction is the most engrossing when it’s in the form of a personal argumentative essay. Take A Room of One’s Own, for instance. Reddit celebrates Virginia Woolf’s book for its powerful feminist message advocating for women’s independence and female creativity. It remains a thought-provoking and inspiring read nearly a century after publication, encouraging discussions on gender equality and artistic freedom.
8. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Would we even have true crime as a genre if not for In Cold Blood? Truman Capote’s iconic book has gripped the Reddit community with its chilling and masterful account of a real-life murder case and the strange relationship that develops between author and subject. Before Capote’s book, few had ever attempted to write something so controversial. Its engrossing storytelling and meticulous research make it a timeless true crime classic that single-handedly set the stage for the nonfiction subgenre as we know it today.
7. Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
- Author: Caroline Criado Perez
- Page count: 432
- First published: 2019
Reddit has high praise for Caroline Criado Perez’s book Invisible Women. It sheds some light on the gender data gap and its consequences. The book offers a compelling argument about how women are often overlooked in several aspects of society, raising awareness and promoting important discussions about gender equality in the process. Most fascinating of all? Perez’s Invisible Women roots its argument entirely in a massive amount of readily available fact-based evidence. The whole thing is seriously air-tight, making it all the more convincing.
6. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson
- Author: Erik Larson
- Page count: 447
- First published: 2003
Reddit loves a good True Crime story. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America is a prime example of this. Erik Larson’s captivating narrative that intertwines the 1893 World’s Fair with the chilling story of a serial killer. It skillfully combines history and true crime, making it an intriguing and suspenseful read for the nonfiction fans of Reddit. As an added incentive, the book has long been in development for the screen. Now’s your chance to read before production eventually begins.
5. How to Be Miserable: 40 Strategies You Already Use by Randy J. Paterson, PhD
- Author: Randy J. Paterson, PhD
- Page count: 248
- First published: 2016
Don’t be turned away by the presence of a self-help book so high on Reddit’s ranking of the best nonfiction books. Randy J. Paterson’s How to Be Miserable isn’t like the other titles in this subgenre of nonfiction. Reddit appreciates this book for its funny yet wise approach to understanding and avoiding common self-destructive behaviors. Paterson’s work offers a unique perspective on happiness and personal growth that teaches you how to use reverse psychology against your own mind.
4. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
- Author: Bryan Stevenson
- Page count: 368
- First published: 2014
Here’s another nonfiction book you may recognize from the big screen. Recently turned into a film starring Michael B. Jordan, Bryan Stevenson’s book has touched the Reddit community with its powerful account of the criminal justice system’s many injustices. Even the coldest hearts will be moved, inspired, angered, and challenged by this harrowing nonfiction book. Just Mercy provides a moving and eye-opening examination of racial inequality in America and the fight for justice and compassion for all.
3. Walden; or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau
- Author: Henry David Thoreau
- Page count: 348
- First published: 1854
Henry David Thoreau’s classic resonates with Reddit readers due to its reflection on simple living, self-reliance, and nature’s profound impact on human existence. It remains an inspiring and thought-provoking read about the relationship between humanity and the natural world. After finishing the book, you’ll have no problem believing that Thoreau’s Walden formed a cornerstone of the transcendentalist movement. It’s one of the most beautiful, most profound books ever written about life on Earth.
2. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Author: Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Page count: 408
- First published: 2013
Reddit cherishes Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass for its beautiful exploration of indigenous wisdom and the relationship between humans and nature. It offers a refreshing and insightful perspective on ecological responsibility and respect for the natural world. The subtitle Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants really says it all. Braiding Sweetgrass reconciles old traditions with new developments to establish a new path toward a healthier life.
1. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Coming in at #1 in Reddit’s discussion of the best nonfiction books is Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Part coming-of-age story, part memoir, Angelou’s iconic book more than earns this top spot for the sheer impact the book has had since publication around the civil rights movement. Reddit deeply appreciates Maya Angelou’s lovely words that explore themes of racism, identity, and strength. It remains a powerful, emotional, and important book that sparks key discussions on social issues and personal growth.
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