Nonfiction Books I’m Looking Forward to in 2025: First Quarter Picks
Find Your Next Must-Read
Every year, thousands of nonfiction books come out, and I’m always on the lookout for the ones that stand out. Whether it’s a gorgeous cover, an intriguing title, or an author whose work I admire, some books just grab me. I know what I enjoy—and what I don't—so you won’t see me reaching for dense political books, heavy history reads, or anything that feels like a science lecture. Instead, I gravitate toward books that spark curiosity, offer fresh perspectives, or provide a bit of personal insight.
Along with sharing these titles, I’ll tell you why I’m adding them to my TBR. Maybe it’s the subject matter, the author’s voice, or simply a feeling I get when I read the description. Either way, each of these books speaks to something I’m eager to explore this year.
A Quick Request: Pre-ordering is a simple but powerful way to support authors. It helps show there’s real interest in their work, and it keeps the book world turning. If you’re curious about any of these titles, I’ve linked them to my Bookshop.org shop, which helps support independent bookstores. No pressure to buy—just an easy way to explore what’s on my radar.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the nonfiction books I’m most eager to read in the first part of 2025. You might just find a few that catch your eye, too!
January
Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Travels by Caroline Eden
From late-night baking as a route back to Ukraine to capturing the beauty of Uzbek porcelain, and from the troublesome nature of food and art in Poland to the magic of cloudberries, Cold Kitchen celebrates the importance of curiosity and of feeling at home in the world.
I always appreciate a good travel and food memoir. While I’m not familiar with this author, the book sounds like a beautiful tribute to the places she’s explored throughout her career. Also... what exactly are cloudberries?!
How to Share an Egg: A True Story of Hunger, Love, and Plenty by Bonny Reichert
‘When you're raised by someone who once survived on potato peels and coffee grounds, you develop a pretty healthy respect for food.’
Bonny Reichert avoided everything to do with the Holocaust until she found herself, in midlife, suddenly typing those words into an article she was writing.
The cover and title first caught my eye, but it was the synopsis—highlighting a Holocaust survivor and the author’s relationship with food—that truly drew me in.
Immerse yourself in this epistolary bric-a-brac celebrating the intimate (whimsical! expressive!) art of written correspondence, covering every part of the process from courting and keeping a pen pal down to buying the best nibs for your refurbished vintage fountain pen.
Is that the longest title ever? Maybe! But as a fan of letter writing, snail mail, and with 'ephemera' being one of my favorite words, this one was an easy choice.
February
Memorial Days: A Memoir by Geraldine Brooks
A heartrending and beautiful memoir of sudden loss and a journey towards peace from the bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Horse.
This one caught my attention because I remember seeing her novel Horse everywhere online. It turns out this is a grief memoir, which might be a tough read—but I’m intrigued. Plus, it’s already topping the TBR lists of many in my Instagram community.
On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer
Stow away with Rick Steves for a glimpse into the unforgettable moments, misadventures, and memories of his 1978 journey on the legendary Hippie Trail.
I grew up watching Rick Steves on his travel shows—was it just me, or did he always seem so wholesome? This book shares his origin story, and did he really self-publish it? Intriguing!
Source Code: My Beginnings by Bill Gates
Source Code is not about Microsoft or the Gates Foundation or the future of technology. It's the human, personal story of how Bill Gates became who he is today: his childhood, his early passions and pursuits.
This memoir sounds fascinating, especially since I don’t know much about his early life. I can’t help but wonder—did he use a ghostwriter?
Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations by Alton Brown
With his whip-smart and engaging voice, Brown explores everything from wrestling a dumpster full of dough to culinary cultural appropriation to his ultimate quest for the perfect roast chicken.
It seems like this is the year for nostalgia! Travel and cooking shows are always a great pick, and we definitely watched a lot of Alton Brown. I’ve always appreciated his nerdy, science-driven approach to cooking. I don’t know much about his personal life or career, so this collection of essays sounds intriguing.
Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe
Weaving together gripping history with the latest reporting on Covid and other threats to global health, Air-Borne surprises us on every page as it reveals the hidden world of the air.
It’s pretty terrifying to think about the dark side of airborne biological weapons, especially ones designed to spread anthrax, smallpox, and other pathogens. What’s even more unsettling is that the last big biological mystery was so complex—scientists took over two years to agree that COVID was caused by an airborne virus.
March
Permission: The New Memoirist and the Courage to Create by Elissa Altman
Who am I to tell my story? And how can we grant ourselves permission to write the stories we're compelled to tell when we've been told we shouldn't?
I love memoirs and see them as a form of therapy. Since I’d like to write my own one day, I’m constantly collecting books like these. Plus, the author has quite an impressive background.
The Good Death: A Guide for Supporting Your Loved One Through the End of Life by Suzanne B. O'Brien
In The Good Death, O'Brien provides a comprehensive plan and the empowering knowledge to make a beautiful, sacred, and profound experience for everyone involved. Through practical advice, emotional support, and expert insights, O'Brien gently holds your hand through every aspect of the process.
As an only child with an 81-year-old mom, and with my own complicated feelings about death and funerals, this topic really hits home for me. I’ll definitely be checking this one out when it’s released.
Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green
In 2019, John Green met Henry Reider, a young tuberculosis patient in Sierra Leone, and they became close friends. Since then, Green has advocated for better treatment access and awareness of the healthcare inequalities that make tuberculosis one of the deadliest diseases.
I really enjoyed his other nonfiction book, The Anthropocene Reviewed, so this one definitely caught my attention.
The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More by Jefferson Fisher
Jefferson Fisher, trial lawyer and one of the leading voices on real-world communication, offers a tried-and-true framework that will show you how to transform your life and your relationships by improving your next conversation.
I’ve got heart eyes for this book and author! I’ve been following him on Instagram and even heard him speak at a library event last year. He always gives great advice on handling tough conversations. Plus, he's such a family man, which just makes him even more adorable. I’m so happy for his success!
But who was Nakamoto? Whoever he was could rightly claim to have invented one of the most important technologies of the new century. And Nakamoto was a billionaire--his Bitcoin wallet held an untouched eleven-figure fortune waiting to be claimed.
This one might be a bit dense, but the premise is really interesting. I don’t know much about crypto, and I probably should!
Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America by Jane Borden
From our fascination with cowboys and superheroes to our undying love for capitalism and violence and our obsessions with advertising, hard work, and self-help, the United States remains a breeding ground for cult-like thinking. With compelling insight, Borden uncovers the American history you didn't get in school, including how these ideas still brainwash us today and make us a nation of easy marks for con artists and strong men.
It’s true, we’re all so fascinated by cults. I’m curious to see which direction this one takes.
Colleen lives by the motto: Don't do nothing because you can't do everything. Do something. Anything. She knows we'll never be perfect in this imperfect world, but with small, incremental changes, we can each contribute to big change.
I love her motto, and since I’m looking to make some changes to our lifestyle, this one seems like a great place to start.
What books are speaking to you this year? I’d love to hear what’s caught your eye—leave a comment or hit reply! And stay tuned for more updates as I keep adding to my 2025 TBR list. Happy reading! 📚
I can’t believe I didn’t know you were on substack!
Also in March, my favourite author Matt Ridley (the author of The Rational Optimist, The Red Queen, Viral, and other great books) has a new book out. Birds, Sex and Beauty: The Extraordinary Implications of Charles Darwin’s Strangest Idea.