“It is impossible for you to go on as you were before, so you must go on as you never have.”
Over the past few years, nonfiction books have undergone a noticeable transformation. Instead of the bulky, information-filled tomes that required countless hours of time and attention to get through, nonfiction authors now present far more engaging, compelling, and inspirational narratives that almost read like works of fiction for their readers. Couple these remarkable real-life tales with the writer’s ability to weave them together with spellbinding lyricism, and you have a concoction that can evoke powerful emotions and leave a lasting impression on any reader. So join us today at What We Reading as we present some of the most inspirational nonfiction books that have the power to teach, motivate, and change your perspective. These inspirational nonfiction books cover a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from empowering advice, and heartbreaking memoirs to laugh-out-loud commentaries.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice From Dear Sugar – Cheryl Strayed
First up on our list of the most inspirational non-fiction books is Tiny Beautiful Things, the number one bestselling self-help guide by Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild and host of the Dear Sugar podcast. For thousands of individuals, Strayed has been the person readers turned to for advice on friendship, love, loss, and everything in between.
Tiny Beautiful Things is a curation of all the essential essays and lessons condensed into one valuable resource. Rich with humour, insights, compassion, and the absolute honesty every reader needs to hear when searching for guidance, the latest anniversary edition of Tiny Beautiful Things comes with never-before-seen material, a brand-new preface, and six new columns, bringing even more wisdom for readers to sink their teeth into.
The Year Of Magical Thinking – Joan Didion
Joan Didion is one of the world’s most iconic writers, and her memoir, The Year of Magical Thinking, stands as one of her most timeless works to date. Deeply personal, electric with honesty and incredibly resilient, it is a book that explores life in both good times and bad in a manner that anyone who has ever loved a partner, sibling, or child will be able to resonate with.
The Year of Magical Thinking chronicles the weeks and months of Didion’s life that would see her daughter and husband both suffer life-threatening illnesses. She documents how her mind clouded over with grief as it struggled to make sense of what was happening, whilst all her previous conceptions of illness, life, and death were tossed out the window. One of the most resilient and inspirational books, Didion teaches readers how to deal with grief after losing a loved one, and her brave honesty is sure to provide a remedy for anyone suffering from their sorrows.
Wild Swans: Three Daughters Of China – Jung Chang
Wild Swans is a story of three generations of Chinese women living in the twentieth century that blends eyewitness history with a moving memoir. One of the most eye-opening books about China, Jung Chang’s bestseller explores the impact of Mao Zedong on China, the female experience in the modern world, and the courage and love that can keep a family together.
From being a warlord’s concubine, an idealistic member of the Communist elite to working as a barefoot doctor, how Chang brings to life her own story as well as those of her grandmother and mother is spellbinding to read through. Each tale unfolds at a gripping pace, detailing the turbulent series of events that rocked China’s modern history and impacted millions more around them. Yet Wild Swans is also an uplifting and inspirational non-fiction book, reminding readers of the enduring power of family.
Humankind: A Hopeful History – Rutger Bregman
Bestselling author of Utopia for Realists Rutger Bregman has established his career on the back of challenging conservatism and showcasing how innate goodness and cooperation have always led to success. In his 2019 book Humankind, he condenses over 200,000 years of human history into one accessible read to demonstrate how every progressive idea – from the abolition of slavery to the ratification of marriage equality – was once considered radical and dangerous.
Through this, Bregman debunks the myth that human beings are selfish and self-interested, instead arguing that our basic instincts are wired to trust one another. A fascinating blend of social commentaries, scientific insights, and real-life case studies from across world history, Humankind is one of the most inspiring non-fiction books for rediscovering faith in humanity and our ability to think highly of one another.
Year Of Yes – Shonda Rhimes
Following an optimistic outlook on our list of inspirational nonfiction books, Shonda Rhimes teaches readers how to take more risks and embrace a more positive perspective by saying ‘yes’ in her book, Year of Yes.
The mastermind behind the likes of Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy takes readers on a tour of how her life was dominated by anxieties and living within herself. Prompted by a single comment by her sister, Rhimes explains how she decided to begin saying yes to anything, even if her default response was the opposite. What followed was a life-changing and life-saving journey that pushed her out of her comfort zone and opened all manner of new doors in her life. An impassioned and uplifting call-to-arms, Year of Yes is as entertaining as it is inspiring to read through.
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Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir Of A Family And Culture In Crisis – J.D. Vance
Hillbilly Elegy is the Goodreads Choice Award-nominated bestselling memoir by J.D. Vance. In it, the renowned commentator chronicles his working-class upbringing in a struggling Rust Belt town in Ohio. He takes aim at the archetypal ‘hillbilly’ stereotype, exposes why it is problematic and leads to disillusionment in the American Dream, and inspires with a message on why upward social and economic mobility is crucial.
One of the most important political books for explaining what social and class decline feels like when an individual is born into it. Equally profoundly moving and entertaining thanks to its array of colourful characters, Hillbilly Elegy is an inspirational nonfiction book with its message of how huge chunks of a community can have huge influences on a country’s politics and culture.
Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience And Finding Joy – Sheryl Sandberg And Adam Grant
Option B is a 2017 bestselling memoir by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and top-rated Wharton professor Adam Grant. After the sudden death of her husband, Sandberg was certain that she and her family would never feel joy again. Through the advice of her friend, however, she learns how resilience is something that can be built, and that there are concrete steps individuals can take to recover and rebound from even the most life-shattering of events.
Through a combination of Sandberg’s personal experiences and Grant’s illuminating research, Option B showcases how a wide array of people have overcome adversity ranging from illness, and job loss to natural disasters. Undoubtedly one of the most inspirational nonfiction books for demonstrating how these lessons can be applied to everyday life, the memoir is an incredible resource for finding greater meaning, gaining appreciation, and rediscovering joy.
How To Stay Sane In An Age Of Division – Elif Shafak
Contemporary society is filled with constant anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed by injustice, suffering, and a seemingly never-ending conveyor belt of crisis. Yet, in her 2020 book, How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division, Elif Shafak shows readers how to look after the hopes, trust, and belief in something better even when things seem dark.
The award-winning British-Turkish writer is the most-read female author in Turkey, and Shafak uses a blend of her memories and the power of storytelling to create an uplifting, impassioned call for collective optimism throughout this slender book. One of the most inspirational nonfiction books for lessons in fostering hope for the future, she demonstrates how listening to one another can help generate empathy and restore faith in a kinder, wiser future.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
