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Top Nonfiction of the Year (So Far)
Histories, biographies, memoirs, essays, science, technology, true crime, self-help, how-tos, and so on: The world of nonfiction is vast and varied. To help readers find the nonfiction hits of the year—thus far—we dug into our data to uncover the titles that have both a high amount of anticipation and glowing early reviews.
These 16 top books—all published this year in the U.S.—are ranked in order of anticipation and buzz. We measured that by taking a look at how many times a book has been added to Want to Read shelves. Then we factored in how many times these books have been read and the overall average reader ratings (nothing here has a rating under 3.5 stars).
Browse the books below and add what looks good to your Want to Read shelf.
These 16 top books—all published this year in the U.S.—are ranked in order of anticipation and buzz. We measured that by taking a look at how many times a book has been added to Want to Read shelves. Then we factored in how many times these books have been read and the overall average reader ratings (nothing here has a rating under 3.5 stars).
Browse the books below and add what looks good to your Want to Read shelf.
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Which of these books do you plan to read? Tell us in the comments!
Check out more recent articles:
The 39 Big Books of Spring
The Most Read Books Right Now on Goodreads
28 of Hollywood's Biggest Hits on Audiobook
Check out more recent articles:
The 39 Big Books of Spring
The Most Read Books Right Now on Goodreads
28 of Hollywood's Biggest Hits on Audiobook
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marilyn hamilton
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Apr 16, 2019 06:31AM
I want to read Trouble the Water by Rebecca Dwight Bruff.
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Technically a 2018 book but not 12 months old....God Save Texas, by Lawrence Wright (the man who wrote highly praised and award winning book, The Looming Tower). Not as deep as the latter book, but more of a personal memoir of how life is now in the Lone Star State and why what's happening in Texas is a microcosm (perhaps) of the nation as a whole.
I want to read Rock Needs River by vanessa Mc grady
I'm reading a nonfiction not on your list but which I love and can't put down. Madame Fourcade's Secret War by Lynn Oldson. Would recommend it to anyone!!
marilyn hamilton wrote: "I want to read Trouble the Water by Rebecca Dwight Bruff."Sounds interesting. Need to know more.
This selection doesn't really float my boat but I'm not a huge fan of non-fiction. I did read The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold recently which was very good.
Moberry wrote: "Notes on a Nervous Planet is a great read."Good to know. I like him as a writer, and was thinking about reading this one.
Rachel Hollis is a plagiarizer. I wish her books would disappear. I cannot believe that no one seems to be discussing it. BTW- Google it, if you don't believe me. She doesn't deserve to be on this list.
Cindy wrote: "Rachel Hollis is a plagiarizer. I wish her books would disappear. I cannot believe that no one seems to be discussing it. BTW- Google it, if you don't believe me. She doesn't deserve to be on this ..."I'm glad somebody on this site finally said it. Everybody needs to stop promoting her books.
Cindy wrote: "Rachel Hollis is a plagiarizer. I wish her books would disappear. I cannot believe that no one seems to be discussing it. BTW- Google it, if you don't believe me. She doesn't deserve to be on this ..."THIS!
Plus, she supports MLMs, which are actually dangerous to people's health and wellbeing, to say nothing of the cultural appropriation that is her titles. ("Girl, [do something]")
But the whole idea of using people's anticipation as a measure of "top" or "best" is stupid anyway. Lists like that will always be skewed in favour of stuff that is problematic, authors that have published before, and authors that have amassed a fanbase. That's no measure of quality.
GR, why not call it "Most anticipated/talked about nonfiction of the year so far", instead of trying to insert a value judgment?
I don't know that GR users really need yet another list of overhyped popular books, considering they could just go to the "nonfiction" part of the site and see all those books there.I'd love to see more articles about lesser-known books or topics.
Not on your list, but a good book inspired by a true story is "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate. So hard to put down!
Hello, is it possible for Goodreads to avail me with a visual or audio book.
Mugisha wrote: "Hello, is it possible for Goodreads to avail me with a visual or audio book."It's not, mate. Goodreads isn't a site for sharing books; it's a site for talking about them.
The Collected Schizophrenias because I'm drawn to psychology-based books.
I've only read the parkland book - guess i have some catching up to do!
Lawrence wrote: "Technically a 2018 book but not 12 months old....God Save Texas, by Lawrence Wright (the man who wrote highly praised and award winning book, The Looming Tower). Not as deep as the latter book, but..."Loved God Save Texas. I am a native Texan and thought he nailed it.
I want to read Inheritance by Dani Shapiro. My friend read it and also recommended this book.
