In case you were unaware – and missed my last post – it is currently Nonfiction November! Which is basically when everyone attempts to read more (or any) nonfiction. I read a lot of nonfiction anyway, but I always try to ramp it up in November. So far, I have finished three (and a half) nonfiction books. My reading hasn’t been great lately, but I’ve discovered that I wasn’t so much in a reading slump as I was in a fiction slump. Because I am flying through the nonfiction.

So today, I thought I’d talk about ten of the books that have been released in 2022 that would make perfect Nonfiction November reads. I know it’s somehow already halfway through the month, but there is still time! Also, you can read nonfiction whenever you want, so it doesn’t matter.

The first four books on this list are ones I either have read or am currently in the middle of reading, and the rest are books that I’ve added to my reading list. I have plans to get to at least one or two more of them this month, so fingers crossed. I also tried to choose from a wide variety of subjects, so hopefully there’s something here that catches your eye.

There are a few memoirs on this list, but I avoided including celebrity memoirs. I enjoy them, but I think most people have heard of those already and you’ll really only read them if you’re a fan. (I personally loved both I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy and Mean Baby by Selma Blair, and also want to read Viola Davis’s new memoir. In case you were curious.)

What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo

This is actually my most recent read, and I fully expect it to make an appearance on at least one of my favorites lists next month. I’ve spoken about it before, but I have CPTSD from childhood trauma, and reading more about it has really helped me heal. I’ve learned a lot so far, but this was the first book I’ve seen that was a memoir by someone who has CPTSD. So I obviously had to read it. And it was not an easy read. I don’t like quantifying things like pain or abuse, but what Stephanie Foo went through feels so much worse than what I suffered.

But while this was a pretty painful book, it was also validating to hear from someone else who had experienced similar effects of their childhood. I also think this is a valuable read because it talks about how you never really know what someone when through, or the effect it had on them. I know The Body Keeps the Score is big right now (I’m currently reading it, and it’s also mentioned in this book), but I liked the more personal element of this memoir. Highly recommend this one!

The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O’Rourke

I read this book earlier in the year, and found it to be very insightful. Honestly, as someone with a chronic illness, it wasn’t super groundbreaking – I have encountered a lot of what this book talks about. But I do think it’s immensely valuable, since chronic illnesses (especially invisible ones) are really not handled well by society as a whole. Especially in the US. Quite frankly, it sucks. And Meghan O’Rourke examines that while also discussing her own experience.

This book felt like an important read in that it discusses a lot of things people don’t talk about or completely ignore. How chronic illnesses are both viewed and treated needs to massively change. I can say without hesitation that the process of having a chronic illness and how I’m treated because of it is so much worse than the my illness itself. And that’s not okay. This book might not be the answer to that huge problem, but it’s a great step towards talking about the problem. I definitely think more people should be reading this, whether you have a chronic illness or not (because I promise you know someone who does, even if you’re not aware of it).

The Monster’s Bones: The Discovery of T. Rex and How It Shook Our World by David K. Randall

Onto a more fun subject: dinosaurs. I love dinosaurs and I love reading about them (I can’t rave about The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte enough). This one was interesting because it talks about both the process of discovering the Tyrannosaurus rex, and the impact that’s had on our society. Think about it: if you can only name one dinosaur, which one is it? T. rex. It’s terrifying, it’s huge, it was the villain of Jurassic Park. It’s the dinosaur that got normal people interested in dinosaurs.

To be fair, I might have enjoyed this one as much as I did simply because I am a huge nerd. But the blend of science and history and pop culture was just so fun to read. Give me all the adult dinosaur books! (He even released a young readers’ edition, if you know a young reader who might enjoy some dinosaur history.) I hadn’t read anything by David K. Randall before this book, but he is absolutely on my list of nonfiction authors to watch now.

How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question by Michael Schur

I am currently listening to this as an audiobook. Which (although I also own a physical copy) was completely necessary because it’s not only narrated by the author, but almost the entire cast of The Good Place. Which is why I picked this book up in the first place. I adore that show. And it did make me want to learn more about philosophy. So what better way to do that than with a book about philosophy written by the show’s creator?

So far, I am thoroughly enjoying it. I think it’s a brilliant way to make philosophy feel more accessible. I’m definitely a fan. And the audiobook read by the cast of one of my all-time favorite shows is just amazing. As of my writing this, I’m not too far in – though I’m trying to get this post finished so I can go back to listening to it – but it’s really interesting. I’m looking forward to learning more! If you want to read some philosophy without hurting your brain, I’d absolutely recommend this book.

In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet, translated by Sophie R. Lewis

I took an entire course in the Salem Witch Trials in college. I have always been fascinated by that history, and it’s been a while since I’ve delved into it at all. However, now seems like the perfect time since watching the news is feeling a little too familiar right now. This book was written by an acclaimed French feminist and talks about the witches that have been persecuted throughout history. And by “witches,” she’s writing about the women who refused to play the patriarchy’s stupid games.

Clearly, I would have been called a witch if I existed during the witch trials. And I’m very proud of that. I think this might be my next read after I finish How to Be Perfect, and I can’t wait. Not only is this a book by a woman in translation (which I did a whole post about a few months ago), the audiobook is narrated by Carmen Maria Machado, an author I really like. So I’m pretty excited about this late addition to this month’s reading list. And if, like me, you enjoy reading about badass women, you might want to also pick this one up.

An Immense World by Ed Yong

I don’t think I’ve read any science books this year, and it’s a shame. Honestly, I don’t know that I’ll get around to this one, but if I do pick up a science book, it’ll probably be An Immense World. I really enjoyed I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong a few years ago. That one is all about all of the microbes that our bodies contain. Do not read it if you’re squeamish, but if you like weird science-y things, it’s a good one!

An Immense World, on the other hand, is all about the hidden realms of animal senses that humans don’t really experience. It sounds absolutely fascinating. And the monkey on the cover is freaking adorable and I love him. I’m in kind of a weird mood at the moment, so there is a chance this book will make me sad that I don’t have bat sonar and can’t see that whales sparkle. Ok, I’m already sad about that. But I’m sure it will add to the library of mostly useless facts taking up space in my brain. Which is absolutely worth it!

The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human by Siddhartha Mukherjee

No, I have not read The Emperor of All Maladies yet. But I have read and loved another book by Siddhartha Mukherjee, The Gene: An Intimate History. This one sounds like it’s in a similar vein, but it’s about medicine and our newfound ability to manipulate cells. Which I learned about (somewhat) in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Jennifer Doudna, The Code Breaker. Which was one of my favorite books of last year.

Of the two science books on this list, this one seems a lot more dense and intimidating, but I am still intrigued enough to want to read it. I love when books talk about not just the science, but the history behind the science as well. I don’t plan on getting to this book this month (or year), but if you like science books or have enjoyed any of Mukherjee’s other books, this might be a great pick for your Nonfiction November reading list.

The Forever Witness: How Genetic Genealogy Solved a Cold Case Double Murder by Edward Humes

Technically, I guess you could call this one a science book. But in my head, it’s mostly true crime. And it sounds fascinating! I love true crime (binge watching Investigation Discovery documentary shows is one of my guilty pleasures). I was completely immersed in the Golden State Killer case back when I read I’ll Be Done in the Dark by Michelle McNamara. And was engrossed in reading all the news articles about how they used DNA to catch him.

This book seems like exactly what interests me about a lot of true crime. So if you’re into true crime like me, I feel like this is a good new release option to pick up.

Ma and Me by Putsata Reang

This book is similar to What My Bones Know in that it’s a memoir that deals with trauma and the lasting effects of said trauma. Both memoirs explore the relationship between mother and child and the varying ways that relationship can be hurtful. But this memoir also delves into the experience of being part of a refugee family. The author was less than a year old when her family fled a war-torn Cambodia. Her mother chose to resist orders to throw her sick child overboard, and instead took her to nurses and doctors who saved Putsata’s life.

Because of this event, Putsata Reang spent her life endeavoring to please her mother. She repeatedly fails to meet her mother’s high expectations. But it all breaks when Put tells her mother that she is finally in a relationship, but with a woman. This memoir has so many facets, and I was immediately curious about it. I think it’s important to read stories from perspectives very different from my own experience, and this book definitely fits the bill. If you’re looking for a memoir, maybe check this one out.

Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life by Alice Wong

My first encounter with Alice Wong was earlier this year when I read Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century, which is a collection of essays assembled and edited by Alice. She is known for being a disabled disability rights activist. And is generally kind of a badass. So when I saw that she was releasing a memoir this year, I immediately added it to my TBR. I am so curious to learn more about her and her life, and this is the perfect way to do it!

This year is the year of the tiger, so it’s fitting that now is when Alice Wong chose to release a memoir in which she relates to the brave and powerful animal. But this book is more than a memoir, it’s a call to create a space for disabled people. She encourages people to have that conversation and to do better. Which is something our society really needs. I already picked up a copy, and am hoping to get to it before the end of the month. If not the end of the year. I know I could read this book at any time, but I feel like I have to read Year of the Tiger in the year of the tiger. Right?)

I hope you enjoyed this post! I’m working on getting back into the swing of things this month, both with reading and blogging. If there are any posts you’d like to see from me, let me know in the comments. I am definitely in the groove with reading a lot of nonfiction this month, so hopefully I have some great reviews for you in my November wrap up.

Are you participating in Nonfiction November? Do you enjoy reading nonfiction? Any nonfiction books on your reading list this month? Or any you think I should check out?

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