The 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2024

As a reader deeply moved by the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit, I found myself captivated by this year’s list of top books. Each title offers a unique perspective on our world, from the complexities of life and death to the wonders of nature and the struggles for justice.

The best nonfiction books of the year tackle undeniably difficult topics. Many are personal stories about surviving the unthinkable. Salman Rushdie describes the violent attack that nearly killed him. Zara Chowdhary captures the fear of living amid sectarian violence in India. And Alexandra Fuller reflects on the sudden passing of her 21-year-old son. Through the honesty of these authors and more, heartbreak and loss are broken down to their essential, universal parts. In sharing these histories, they remind us that there is no grief without love.

Here, the top 10 nonfiction books of 2024.

10. The Friday Afternoon Club, Griffin Dunne

In his autobiography, actor and filmmaker Griffin Dunne provides a unique perspective on his affluent upbringing, having been friends with Carrie Fisher, collaborated with Martin Scorsese, and spent time with his aunt Joan Didion. However, amidst the glitz and glamour depicted in The Friday Afternoon Club, there is a somber undercurrent: in 1982, Dunne’s sister Dominique was tragically strangled. Dunne paints a heartfelt portrait of his troubled family.

9. Grief is for People, Sloane Crosley

In 2019, author Sloane Crosley experienced two devastating events in quick succession: her apartment was burglarized, resulting in the theft of many cherished items; and a month later, her mentor and dear friend took their own life. These tragic incidents form the core of “Grief Is for People“, Crosley’s raw and honest memoir that delves into this challenging time and its consequences. The book primarily focuses on grief, examining how it presents itself as Crosley struggles to comprehend these massive gaps in her life. Throughout her journey towards understanding, she turns to philosophy and art for a means to express and explore her feelings.

8. There’s Always This Year, Hanif Abdurraqib

Hanif Abdurraqib’s book There’s Always This Year is organized like the quarters in a basketball game and revolves around his deep affection for the sport. It explores what it feels like to return home after attaining success. The narrative unfolds as he recalls growing up in 1990s Columbus, at the same time as LeBron James was rising to fame, another fellow Ohioan. Using poetic language, Abdurraqib examines James’ basketball prowess and ponders why certain Black men are considered exceptional, while those who aren’t go unnoticed. This book demonstrates Abdurraqib’s expertise as a critic by focusing on a specific topic to reveal its wider implications within American culture. In essence, There’s Always This Year offers a basketball-themed book that delves into themes of loss, family, and optimism.

7. Knife, Salman Rushdie

In 2022, Salman Rushdie was assaulted onstage in Chautauqua, New York, by an individual wielding a knife. This incident brought to life a dreadful moment that he had long anticipated, due to the fatwa issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini of Iran, following the publication of his book The Satanic Verses in 1988. With unflinching candor and vivid storytelling, Rushdie chronicles that harrowing day and his subsequent healing process. His brush with death provides him a fresh perspective, culminating in an insightful memoir brimming with thoughts on art, love, and liberty.

6. Whiskey Tender, Deborah Jackson Taffa

In my perspective, truly belonging is a journey I’ve been on, as depicted vividly in Deborah Jackson Taffa’s compelling memoir. This book delves into the author’s unique mixed-tribe Native heritage, examining her personal story that spans from her grandparents’ resilience surviving Indian boarding schools to my own turbulent journey growing up on and off a reservation – Whiskey Tender being just one chapter of it. This narrative interweaves her intimate experiences with an in-depth examination of Native history, revealing the heartbreaking impact of inherited trauma. As I navigate these threads, Taffa also passionately advocates for intergenerational storytelling as a critical tool for preserving not only our culture but also our power.

5. The Light Eaters, Zoë Schlanger

Zoë Schlanger, a journalist, brings back into focus an often overlooked reality: plants are truly extraordinary. Each phase of their growth involves an intricate system, which she elucidates with both wonder and precision. By merging scientific findings with her own experiences, the author offers compelling insights on why plants play such a crucial role in our environment and raises thought-provoking questions about our connection to nature. The outcome is a captivating work of science literature that invites us all to reevaluate our perspective towards the flora we encounter within and beyond our homes.

4. The Lucky Ones, Zara Chowdhary

In the year 2002, as a sixteen-year-old residing in India, I found myself amidst the heartrending tragedy of the Godhra train fire that claimed numerous Hindu pilgrims’ lives. The ensuing three months were a tumultuous rollercoaster for my family and I, along with thousands of other Muslims, as we lived under the constant threat of sectarian violence that swept through our nation like an unrelenting storm. The Lucky Ones, in its gripping narrative, sheds light on this dark period, highlighting how the ideal of democracy often overlooks those who desperately need it the most, underscoring the brutal reality that was our existence during those trying times.

3. Soldiers and Kings, Jason De León

In “Soldiers and Kings,” author Jason De León offers a gripping account of life from the perspective of coyotes, or smugglers, who escort Central American migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border over the course of seven years. Through his compelling narrative, De León sheds light on their struggles and the depth of their humanity. The book’s impact stems from the deep trust he establishes and maintains with his subjects as he carefully explores various aspects of their lives, ultimately earning it a National Book Award.

2. Fi, Alexandra Fuller

One year prior to her 50th birthday, Alexandra Fuller experienced an unbearable loss: her son Fi, age 21, passed away in his sleep. The unexpectedness of this tragedy, as Fi was young and generally healthy, left Fuller shaken to the core. In a memoir titled after their shared name, the author recounts her journey towards healing and supporting her remaining daughters. Through vivid descriptions, Fuller guides readers through a grief sanctuary in New Mexico and a retreat in Canada, as she grapples with the complexities of life and death that continue to elude answers.

1. The Barn, Wright Thompson

In 1955, Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy from Mississippi, was brutally murdered by two white men. Despite being a well-known event in history books, much about this heinous crime remains shrouded in mystery due to its limited perspective. In his groundbreaking book, “The Barn,” Wright Thompson delves into the hidden aspects of this whitewashed account, focusing on the location where the murder occurred. By blending years of meticulous research with his own personal ties to the American South, “The Barn” sheds light on the profound effects of Till’s lynching and the structures that concealed it from public view.

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2024-12-10 20:06