Choosing a non-fiction book can sometimes feel more like a chore than an enjoyable pastime, especially when the reading experience resembles that of a dense school textbook. However, not all non-fiction literature falls into this category. On the contrary, several titles are so engaging that they demand your attention, proving that informative content can indeed be riveting, reports BritPanorama.
Among the standout selections is Killing Thatcher by Rory Carroll, a meticulous reconstruction of the 1984 Brighton bombings. Carroll details the IRA’s attempt to assassinate Margaret Thatcher, blending political history with eyewitness accounts to deliver a tense narrative.
Mudlark, £10.99
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
In Empire of Pain, Patrick Radden Keefe unravels the rise and downfall of the Sackler family, notoriously linked to the opioid crisis. The book combines rigorous reporting with a compelling narrative, spotlighting themes of greed, power, and their consequences.
Picador, £12.99
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
Lisa Taddeo’s Three Women provides an intimate look into the lives of three American women. The narrative has a fictional pull, exploring complex themes of desire and agency, making it a deeply human portrayal of relationships.
Bloomsbury, £10.99
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah’s memoir Born a Crime recounts his childhood in apartheid South Africa. This engaging narrative balances humour and danger, offering a vivid glimpse into a turbulent upbringing marked by resilience.
John Murray, £12.99
A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell
Sonia Purnell’s A Woman of No Importance tells the remarkable true story of Virginia Hall, an American spy who significantly contributed to the Allied efforts in occupied France during World War II, depicting her thrilling missions with cinematic detail.
Virago, £12.99
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Paul Kalanithi’s poignant narrative in When Breath Becomes Air reflects on his journey as a neurosurgeon turned patient after a terminal cancer diagnosis. This account intertwines medical insights and philosophical contemplation about life’s meaning amid adversity.
Vintage, £12.99
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Jon Krakauer’s gripping account of the 1996 Everest disaster, Into Thin Air, captures the harrowing circumstances faced by climbers caught in a blizzard, offering insights into the deadly allure of high-altitude climbing.
Picador, £10.99
Wild Swans by Jung Chang
Jung Chang’s sweeping narrative, Wild Swans, chronicles three generations of women in 20th-century China, intertwining personal histories with the larger narrative of national upheaval, resulting in a compelling family saga.
William Collins, £12.99
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon uncovers the chilling murders of Native Americans in 1920s Oklahoma through a fast-paced and dramatic lens, intertwining a true crime saga with the emergence of the FBI.
Simon & Schuster, £9.99
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
In H is for Hawk, Helen Macdonald writes about training a goshawk in the wake of her father’s death. This memoir blends themes of grief and nature into an immersive narrative that captures a complex emotional landscape.
Vintage, £12.99
Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
Bad Blood relates the rise and fall of Theranos, detailing the deceit surrounding its founder, Elizabeth Holmes. John Carreyrou’s investigative narrative reveals the profound dangers of unchecked ambition within the tech industry.
Picador, £12.99
Educated by Tara Westover
Tara Westover’s Educated describes her extraordinary journey from a strict survivalist upbringing to attending Cambridge University, rendering a powerful narrative that challenges the boundaries of education and personal growth.
Cornerstone, £10.99
Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham
Adam Higginbotham’s Midnight in Chernobyl details the catastrophic 1986 nuclear disaster, interweaving scientific and human elements to provide a comprehensive account of the incident and its aftermath.
Corgi, £12.99
This Is Not a Pity Memoir by Abi Morgan
In This Is Not a Pity Memoir, Abi Morgan recounts the day her partner collapsed, leading to an exploration of life’s unpredictability. Her narrative is considered one of the most articulate and compelling memoirs of recent times.
John Murray, £12.99
