Normally, if you wanted a nonfiction recommendation, I would have sent you to a librarian. But that was me prior to 2025 because these past 15 months or so have been amazing when it comes to nonfiction books I've been picking up. For the sake of brevity, let's focus on 2025 (and then by the end of 2026 I'll round up the best of this year, ok? ok).
1. Eloquent Rage, by Brittney Cooper
I feel like I've been telling everyone I know about this book, especially if they're looking to read more feminist works. This book was illuminating in so many ways, mostly because I have been dipping my toes into social commentary and social movements nonfiction literature, and I prefer books that don't feel like a church sermon where I'm falling asleep. While it was not 100% perfect, I think it's an amazing book to read in order to get a better understanding of the struggles that Black women in the U.S. face and how we support each other, ourselves, and our communities.
2. Shrink: story of a fat girl, by Rachel M. Thomas
With the changes I've been experiencing with my body, this book felt like a nice explosion from the imposed trends (more like shames) to be skinny and to have our bodies on a constant watch and diets. In the last four years I've gained weight to the point that I've required some shopping trips to get new clothes that fit comfortably and that make me happy. In those same four years I've also stepped into the publishing world; fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that has appeared in multiple digital and physical magazines, as well as independently publishing my books. I've graduated with my B.A., written more pieces that aren't ready to see the light yet, made some beautiful friends, and gone on trips to see landmarks, animals, people, and bookstores (I just love a diverse bookstore). Thomas' words on the constant push to be smaller and the ideas that the change will inherently make us happier found me at the right time, and I hope that if you decide to read this book, her words resonate with you as well.
3. Quietly Hostile, by Samantha Irby
Sam Irby is hilarious and even though she has at least three books out there, I think that the world needs more of her written work. I am not one who enjoys self-deprecating humor, as I believe that what we say about ourselves becomes ingrained into our psyche; nonetheless, the way that Irby uses that type of humor makes it clear that she's having some funny moments shitting on herself while she is well aware she's the shit. I consumed this book (yes, consumed, as I didn't actually read it with my eyes) in its audiobook format, which I highly recommend. Irby narrates the book, it she had me laughing almost the entire time.
Side note: if you're able to read Irby's other book, Wow, no thank you you totally should! It was hilarious as well.
As I mentioned, nonfiction wasn't really my thing until the end of 2025 - like, the last week of that year, really - and 2026 has brought me some jewels that I hope to share soon. If you read a nonfiction book in 2025 that you're still thinking about, let me know! Also, if you're able to subscribe (and if you enjoy my content) to get email notifications when I make a new blog post, please do so! As much as I love posting on Instagram about books, reading journeys, and literature in general, the platform has been hiding my posts and my followers barely see them. Getting a notification of my posts will make sure you're the first to know when I upload here :)
