Goodreads editors have crunched some more numbers to give us a list of 51 of the most popular nonfiction books of 2024 (so far). To do so, they looked at which titles their members had saved under the Read or Want to Read sections on the site, which boasts more than 150 million members. They’ve organized the list into categories that may overlap a bit: Essays, History & Biography, Memoirs, Science, and General Nonfiction. A sampling of Goodreads’ 51 most popular nonfiction books of 2024 is below: Essays There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib Th ..read more

Last year, I became a first-time parent to identical twin girls. As my nurse/midwife will tell you, I’m someone who needs all of the information and data. But because I was living with the very real possibility that children wouldn’t happen for me, I avoided books about pregnancy and parenting until the day my husband and I saw (and were surprised by) two tiny beans on screen at our IVF clinic. After that day, I got on the internet and looked at ALL the lists. JK—as many who’ve Googled before me and will Google after do or will come to know, that’s an impossible feat. There is no end, it seems ..read more

From amanda lovelace, the bestselling author of the princess saves herself in this one, comes an accessible guide to welcoming magic into your life, perfect for beginner witches and the magic-curious alike. This inviting beginner’s guide shows that magic doesn’t have to be fancy, time-consuming, or one-size-fits-all. With simple explanations, twenty all-new inspiring poems, words of encouragement, magical journaling prompts, and more, this book sweeps away the gatekeeping and offers you the tools needed to begin building a strong, long-lasting practice focused on self-love. We’re here ..read more

Books about focusing are something that we all need more of — at least, it often feels that way. In our current world of instant information and short-form entertainment, there is frequent commentary on how we’re all losing our attention spans and that our brains can’t deal with the information overload we experience every day. This is partly true — our current world gives us access to more information than we’ve ever had before, with much greater ease than previous generations, and it can often feel that our focus is suffering as a result, especially for those of us whose brains work a little ..read more

The act of reading is generally thought of as how we cozy ourselves up on a cold or rainy day, how we tune out busy commutes, and how we connect through book clubs. Reading on my break at work is especially satisfying, as it provides a distraction while also letting me silently recharge. Still, why is reading associated with feeling restful and safe, especially since you can have so many different reading experiences? It can make us feel uplifted and wistful, but also anxious and full of dread. Still, no matter what sensations the book might invoke in you, it’s also incredibly healthy for your ..read more

Let’s talk about octopus books. Octopuses (don’t get me started on Octopi) make some of the best literary subjects for fiction and nonfiction alike. As animals who live everywhere, from intertidal zones to the deepest ocean, they’re paradoxically common and deeply mysterious. What do you mean it has mini-brains that control each of its arms? What do you mean they can recognize — and antagonize! — people? And they’re building cities?! They seem like the ultimate nature in a man vs. nature story because they present a true challenge of wits. Did you know octopus wrestling used to be a thing?&nbs ..read more

Set in the Spanish Golden Age, during a time of high‑stakes political intrigue and glittering wealth, The Familiar follows Luzia, a servant in the household of an impoverished Spanish nobleman who reveals a talent for little miracles. Her social‑climbing mistress demands Luzia use her gifts to win over Madrid’s most powerful players but what begins as simple amusement takes a dangerous turn. Luzia will need to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even the help of Guillén Santángel, an immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both. The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo ..read more

Rainy April days are perfect to spend inside with a cup of tea and a great book, especially anything nonfiction. At this time of year, I love to curl up on my oversized couch with my Corgi, Gwen, draped across my lap. An avid Hobonichi Techo fan, I often find myself doodling while I listen to my audiobook of choice. On other days, I spend my time cleaning up the showers of pollen South Carolina receives every spring. When the sun is shining, I sit out on my porch, relaxing as I watch the Corgis run around the yard. But always, I have a story playing through my headphones. In celebration of tru ..read more

There’s a whole lot to love about science fiction and fantasy (SFF): fabulous world-building, epic adventures, fantastical creatures, awe-inspiring technology. Surely no nonfiction title could live up to the excitement that a good SFF book can deliver? As a devoted nonfiction reader, I can assure you that is not true! Nonfiction can weave a tale just as irresistible as anything that sprang from a fiction writer’s imagination. A skillful nonfiction author uses the same methods that make fiction so entertaining and applies them to events that happen in real life. And, in some cases, nonfiction b ..read more

Welcome to Read this Book, a newsletter where I recommend one book that needs to jump onto your TBR pile! Sometimes these books are brand new releases that I don’t want you to miss, while others are some of my backlist favorites. This week, I’m talking about one of my most anticipated memoirs of the season! Splinters by Leslie Jamison I’ve read just about everything Leslie Jamison has put out, and while her writing has matured and changed over the course of time, she still writes some of the most incredible prose. She has a way of writing a sentence that reads like magic. Previously, she h ..read more