Best Nonfiction Books of 2021

This book underscores the importance of a diversity of voices in science. Robin Wall Kimmerer sees nature unlike any other scientist I have ever met, thanks to her heritage as a Native American (she is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation). America has lost so much value and perspective in suppressing those people who have been here the longest; Kimmerer is bringing some of that back to the cultural forefront. It is nonfiction but at times feels magical.

This is what we field biologists live for: the chance to be outside in the vital presence of other species, who are generally way more interesting than we are.

A history of America as you’ve never read it before. I listened to the audiobook, which was read by a full cast. Four hundred years of African American history beginning with the arrival of the first ones in 1619, before the Mayflower. Four Hundred Souls should be required reading for American high school students.

There is no better word than we.

Mushrooms are amazing! And Merlin Sheldrake has a great name for a mushroom biologist. Whether you are a biologist or not, this book is fascinating. It also has a magical feel to it despite being nonfiction. It presumes no prior knowledge, so dig in and prepare to learn about a foreign branch of the animal kingdom.

Mycelium is ecological connective tissue, the living seam by which much of the world is stitched into relation.

This book was so honest and vulnerable. Writing mostly in the heart of the pandemic, John Green documented what life was like in those dark days. With a lonely and reflective mood, Green dwells on the joy found in the little things.

History, like human life, is at once incredibly fast and agonizingly slow.

This is a pandemic book, published in 2021. Because of its timeliness, I wanted to read it right away, while the injustice of the US government’s response to the pandemic was still fresh in my mind. I expected this book to make me angry. It did, but it also made be believe in the power and courage of individuals. Michael Lewis told the story of those who stood up for their science when no one was listening.

“When you go into the details of the cases, you see it’s not bad people,” he said. “It’s bad systems. When the systems depend on human vigilance, they will fail.”

This book is another argument for diverse voices in science. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein shares her story of a career in science— full of prejudice and unequal opportunity. Any minority—(trans)gender, religion, race— they are all disadvantaged in the world of science. And it should not be that way.

Access to a dark night sky—to see and be inspired by the universe as it really is—should be a human right, not a luxury for the chosen few.

A difficult book, but so powerful. Carmen Maria Machado pours every difficult detail of her life onto these pages. Trigger warnings for trauma and abuse. But also quality warnings for creativity, vulnerability, and truly beautiful writing.

In trying to get people to see your humanity, you reveal just that: your humanity. Your fundamentally problematic nature. All the unique and terrible ways in which people can, and do, fail.

This is the best self-help book I’ve ever read. Habits are behind many of the decisions we make throughout the day, because we simply don’t have the mental energy to be novel all the time. Therefore, habits are responsible for much of what our lives look like. James Clear gives us the information and strategies we need to break bad habits and form good ones. He also writes an amazing, short, weekly newsletter (sign up here).

I wrote a whole book note on this one.

Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.

Just as this list must come to an end, the universe will eventually do so as well. The question is: how? Katie Mack, a brilliant astrophysicist, gives us the 5 possible answers with surprising humor and levity for the discussion of the end of literally everything.

I wrote a whole book note on this one.

[The possibility that the universe might suddenly blink out of existence] is, of course, one of the most fun things I’ve ever worked on, hence this book. I’m not sure why I like it so much. It may be a bad sign.

Although it didn’t quite make my top 10, this book was extremely useful and educational for every single person who has to handle money (which is everyone). Check out my book note for the highlights.

Financial success is not a hard science. It’s a soft skill, where how you behave is more important than what you know.