Top Ten Tuesday used to be a weekly post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. “It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.” This is definitely something I can understand and want to participate in.
Today’s post coincides with April Fool’s Day! In honor of this lighthearted holiday, today’s prompt is books you’d be a fool not to read. I can’t believe it’s already April, but I have been on a nonfiction kick lately, and want to share my top ten nonfiction reads that I highly encourage everyone to read. In addition, I can promise that none of these are boring, dry, textbook-like reading; they read like fiction books. Here we go, in no particular order:
- Ghosts of a Holy War: The 1929 Massacre in Palestine That Ignited the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Yardena Schwartz. I just read this one, and have been telling everyone I know to pick it up. It’s such a fantastic exploration of the factors that contributed to the massacre, and the long-reaching effects that it has had, even tying it to events in the present day.
- Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood by Cheryl Diamond. This is another of my recent reads, and it absolutely blew my mind. This woman lived in more countries than most adults even visit, all by the age when I was begging to be able to ride around the block by myself on my bike. She’s incredibly strong, and this is a really powerful memoir.
- Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans From Colonial Times to the Present by Harriet A. Washington. Although I prefer reading stories about joy in different groups, I think it is also important to educate myself to fill in the gaps that my whitewashed education left. This book was incredibly eye opening, and taught me so much.
- Daily Mindfulness: A 30-Day Guide to Mental Clarity by Alex Smith-Powell. I’m always looking for ways to slow down and incorporate a little more mindfulness in my days. This book offers a short chapter for each day, offering simple ways to be more mindful. I love that it allows me to try out 30 different techniques to see what works best for me.
- Outspoken: My Fight for Freedom and Human Rights in Afghanistan by Sima Samar. This is an outstanding read that I will always recommend to anyone and everyone. A woman doctor who works with people in rural areas in Afghanistan, Samar shares her experiences and has such a strong message of hope and inspiration.
- Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues by Jonathan Kennedy. I’ve been a science nerd for so much of my life, and this book appealed to the inner nerd in me. The author talks about major plagues that have affected societies and influenced the course of history.
- Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices by Mosab Hassan Yousef. Amidst all of the conflicting narratives being presented made me curious to see what Yousef had to say, as the son of one of the founding members of Hamas. I can promise that you will learn so much more about Palestinian society and what Hamas is actually about than you can get on TikTok.
- Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew by Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby. I was so impressed with how easy of a connection Acho and Tishby have together, and highly recommend the audiobook, which is narrated by both authors and flows like a conversation. It allows readers to get a clear understanding of the answers to the questions posed throughout the book, and get a little insight into a tiny minority that is so misunderstood.
- Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This book was recommended to me, and I loved how the author combined Indigenous knowledge passed down through generations with her passion for learning about and teaching botany. In a time when people are increasingly becoming aware of the need to become more ecologically conscious, this book is the perfect read.
- Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne. An exceptional rarity, Gagne chronicles her life as a female sociopath. This felt like a really important read for the mental health community, and public perception, and gives readers a peek into how she navigates life in a socially acceptable manner (no, she’s not the female version of Dexter).
What are some of your favorite nonfiction reads? Have you read any of these?
Categories: Top Ten Tuesday
Leah's Books 
I’m so gland you found some nonfiction books worth sharing with fellow readers. I’ve probably read, three to five biographies in my adult life. I’m sure there are lots of amazing books in that and other nonfiction categories but I never seem to reach for those. Maybe someday I will though! I feel like reading tastes do change the longer we read. 🙂
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Reading tastes can change so surprisingly! I never liked nonfiction except for memoirs or biographies, but now I’m drawn to so many different topics to learn more about.
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An interesting list. You make them sound good. I do struggle with non fiction.
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
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I always struggled with nonfiction too, but something changed in the last few years, when I realized how many gaps the education system left me with.
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Yes, it is quite worrying. When I see what my son is learning compared to what I did. Maybe I should sort myself out 😂
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Don’t feel bad, I passed calc in college, and I have no idea what the new math they’re teaching my 10 year old great-niece is about. It made me feel like maybe I need to brush some dust off my childhood textbooks.
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It is ridiculous! It is gradually getting worse. My son is only 6 🤣 all my stuff is at mums 🤣
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My great-niece was trying to teach me how to subtract a two digit number from a 3 digit number. It took me 2 seconds to just carry the ones and get the answer. Meanwhile, her way involved telling me a story about borrowing cookies and it was like 15 minutes of her just running off with her imagination but never actually answered the question. Imagine going to a cashier who learned that kind of math!
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😂 that’s so funny. Imagine having to sit in an exam and having to think about cookies 😂
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They are going to have to leave more time open for busywork/storytelling on tests involving math! 🤣
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They will 😂
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I loved Braiding Sweetgrass so much. It is such a helpful book, too.
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I was thoroughly fascinated by Braiding Sweetgrass. As someone with a background in biology/ecology, it was especially meaningful to see it gaining so much traction and hype.
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Glad you enjoyed these! Nonfiction is not for me, especially not when it’s not in my native language.
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2025/04/01/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-would-have-been-a-fool-to-have-missed/
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I’m endlessly impressed by people who can read books for pleasure in a language that isn’t native to them. I’m hoping to eventually get there. But I can see why nonfiction that isn’t translated would be unappealing.
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I haven’t read any of these. Actually, the only one I’ve heard of is Braiding Sweetgrass. So thank you for introducing me to some new nonfiction reads.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/tongue-in-cheek-book-titles-titles-to-make-you-smile/
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I’m so glad to know that you and others are benefiting from this list! That’s such a great thing to hear.
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I’m on a long library waitlist for Braiding Sweetgrass and am excited to read it!
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It is so good. I think you’re going to really enjoy it.
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I have not read any of these, but your list has many that I will be adding to my TBR shelf. One NF book I read and learned a lot from is I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey by Izzeldin Abuelaish. I have recommended it to others many times.
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I’m glad to know that I am expanding your TBR – it’s the best compliment that a blogger can get! I’ve added I Shall Not Hate to my own TBR.
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I hope you get a chance to read it, Leah. I learned a lot from it when I read it.
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I’m really looking forward to it!
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Interesting list! I’ve only read Braiding Sweetgrass and enjoyed it. Happy reading.
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That one was so good. It really changed how I look at my surroundings.
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Non fiction that reads like fiction! That’s a feat!
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It really is, so I figured that others might benefit from knowing that there really are nonfiction books that read like nonfiction!
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These books look like they’re all about very important topics people should learn about
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Thank you! I certainly think so.
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I haven’t read nonfiction in awhile, I’m not really in that space. However, I do enjoy books about other religions and looked for Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew at my library. Unfortunately they don’t have it but I’m going to put in a request for the audiobook. Sometimes they wind up purchasing my requests.
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I really hope your library orders it, because it is such a great book. It took me a really long time to have any interest in reading nonfiction, but I’ve been on a kick lately. Learning more about other religions and cultures is fascinating to me.
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I meant religions other than my own. Don’t think that was clear.
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I knew what you were aiming for, at least!
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Braiding Sweetgrass was one of my favorites last year.
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It’s such a great read! She just recently came out with a new book, but I haven’t gotten my hands on it yet.
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