new york times best seller list biographies

The New York Times Best Sellers - December 22, 2024

Authoritatively ranked lists of books sold in the united states, sorted by format and genre..

This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only.

• Combined Print & E-Book Fiction

New this week

WIND AND TRUTH

by Brandon Sanderson

The fifth book in the Stormlight Archive series. The fate of the Cosmere is imperiled as the fighting and chaos reach an apex.

• Apple Books
• Barnes and Noble
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop.org

4 weeks on the list

by Gregory Maguire

A misunderstood girl named Elphaba is declared a witch; the basis of the musical and the film.

7 weeks on the list

by Percival Everett

A reimagining of “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” shines a different light on Mark Twain's classic, revealing new facets of the character of Jim.

44 weeks on the list

by Kristin Hannah

In 1965, a nursing student follows her brother to serve during the Vietnam War and returns to a divided America.

72 weeks on the list

FOURTH WING

by Rebecca Yarros

Violet Sorrengail is urged by the commanding general, who also is her mother, to become a candidate for the elite dragon riders.

• Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction

3 weeks on the list

CHER: THE MEMOIR, PART ONE

In the first part of her memoir, the multiple award-winning pop culture icon traces her childhood and forays into the world of entertainment.

9 weeks on the list

by Melania Trump

The former and future first lady describes her work as a fashion model, marriage to Donald Trump and time in the White House.

10 weeks on the list

BE READY WHEN THE LUCK HAPPENS

by Ina Garten

A memoir by the cookbook author and Food Network host known as the Barefoot Contessa.

8 weeks on the list

by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

Our criminal justice system viewed through the struggles of 10 wrongfully convicted people to achieve exoneration.

THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES

Essays and drawings by the author of “The Joy Luck Club” and “The Bonesetter's Daughter,” which depict a search for peace through birding.

• Hardcover Fiction

23 weeks on the list

2 weeks on the list

THE HOUSE OF CROSS

by James Patterson

The 33rd book in the Alex Cross series. Three candidates to the Supreme Court are violently attacked.

11 weeks on the list

COUNTING MIRACLES

by Nicholas Sparks

A man in search of the father he never knew encounters a single mom and rumors circulate of the nearby appearance of a white deer.

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• Hardcover Nonfiction

13 weeks on the list

CONFRONTING THE PRESIDENTS

by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

The conservative commentator evaluates the legacies of American presidents.

• Paperback Trade Fiction

QUICKSILVER

by Callie Hart

Saeris is transported to a dangerous land of ice and snow, where she must contend with a Fae warrior who has suspect agendas.

12 weeks on the list

85 weeks on the list

THE HOUSEMAID

by Freida McFadden

Troubles surface when a woman looking to make a fresh start takes a job in the home of the Winchesters.

96 weeks on the list

THE NIGHTINGALE

Two sisters in World War II France: one struggling to survive in the countryside, the other joining the Resistance.

• Paperback Nonfiction

27 weeks on the list

320 weeks on the list

THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE

by Bessel van der Kolk

How trauma affects the body and mind, and innovative treatments for recovery.

99 weeks on the list

by Timothy Snyder

Twenty lessons from the 20th century about the course of tyranny.

87 weeks on the list

HILLBILLY ELEGY

by JD Vance

The vice president-elect, in a memoir written shortly after graduating from Yale Law School, looks at the struggles of the white working class through the story of his own childhood.

243 weeks on the list

BRAIDING SWEETGRASS

by Robin Wall Kimmerer

A botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation espouses having an understanding and appreciation of plants and animals.

• Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous

FROM CROOK TO COOK

by Snoop Dogg with Ryan Ford

UNDER HIS WINGS

by Emily Compagno

263 weeks on the list

ATOMIC HABITS

by James Clear

MAIN STREET MILLIONAIRE

by Codie Sanchez

WE WHO WRESTLE WITH GOD

by Jordan B. Peterson

• Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover

IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES

by Katherine Rundell. Illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie

A young boy is enlisted to save a place where magical creatures reside. (Ages 10 and up)

227 weeks on the list

THE COMPLETE COOKBOOK FOR YOUNG CHEFS

by America's Test Kitchen Kids

Over 100 kid-tested recipes from America's Test Kitchen. (Ages 8 and up)

70 weeks on the list

THE COMPLETE BAKING BOOK FOR YOUNG CHEFS

One hundred plus kid-tested baking recipes. (Ages 8 to 12)

THE MILLICENT QUIBB SCHOOL OF ETIQUETTE FOR YOUNG LADIES OF MAD SCIENCE

by Kate McKinnon

Three sisters attend an unusual etiquette school. (Ages 8 to 12)

THE BLETCHLEY RIDDLE

by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

The siblings Jakob and Lizzie decode wartime secrets during World War II-era London. (Ages 10 and up)

• Children’s Picture Books

DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE SLEIGH!

by Mo Willems

The pigeon has his sights set on driving Santa's sleigh. (Ages 3 to 5)

CHRISTMAS AT HOGWARTS

by J.K. Rowling. Illustrated by Ziyi Gao

Harry Potter celebrates his first Christmas at Hogwarts. (Ages 6 and up)

TAYLOR SWIFT

by Wendy Loggia. Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

A biography of the pop star. (Ages 4 to 8)

5 weeks on the list

CHICKA CHICKA HO HO HO

by William Boniface. Illustrated by Julien Chung

The Christmas edition of "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom." (Ages 4 to 8)

15 weeks on the list

LITTLE RED SLEIGH

by Erin Guendelsberger. Illustrated by Elizaveta Tretyakova

Little Red Sleigh dreams of becoming Santa's sleigh one day. (Ages 4 and up)

• Children’s & Young Adult Series

821 weeks on the list

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney

The travails and challenges of adolescence. (Ages 9 to 12)

KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES

by Shannon Messenger

Loyalties are blurred and mysterious symbols abound, as the Neverseen wreak their havoc. (Ages 8 to 12)

820 weeks on the list

HARRY POTTER

by J.K. Rowling

A wizard hones his conjuring skills in the service of fighting evil. (Ages 10 and up)

46 weeks on the list

THE WILD ROBOT

by Peter Brown

Roz the robot adapts to her surroundings on a remote, wild island. (Ages 7 to 12)

754 weeks on the list

PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS

by Rick Riordan

A boy battles mythological monsters. (Ages 9 to 12)

• Young Adult Hardcover

75 weeks on the list

DIVINE RIVALS

by Rebecca Ross

Two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection. (Ages 13 to 18)

TO SHATTER THE NIGHT

by Katherine Quinn

Kiara is abandoned in the Mist by her love, Jude. (Ages 14 to 17)

19 weeks on the list

HEARTLESS HUNTER

by Kristen Ciccarelli

Rune, a witch, and Gideon, a witch-hunter, fall in love. (Ages 13 to 18)

IF HE HAD BEEN WITH ME

by Laura Nowlin

The coming-of-age love story of Autumn and Phineas. (Ages 14 to 18)

NOTHING LIKE THE MOVIES

by Lynn Painter

In this sequel to "Better Than the Movies," Wes tries to win back the heart of Liz. (Ages 14 and up)

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December 29, 2024

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The Complete List of New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers

Go beyond just the current list of New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers 2024 to discover every bestselling book listed on the NYT Bestseller List in 2024.

Since 1931, The New York Times has been publishing a weekly list of bestselling books. Since then, becoming a New York Times bestseller has become a dream for virtually every writer.

When I first started reading adult books, one of the first places I went for book recommendations was the New York Times Nonfiction Nonfiction Best Sellers. I wanted to know what books were the most widely read, and start with those.

However, scrolling through the list week by week on The New York Times website is rather annoying. I just wanted all the bestselling nonfiction books gathered together in one place.

When I couldn’t find it, I decided to create it.

Here are all the New York Times nonfiction bestsellers from this year. I’ve got the current #1 and this week’s bestselling list, both of which you can find all over the place.

This list also compiles every book that appears on the New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers list in 2024 for Hardcover Nonfiction. Every week I update it so you can get the most accurate view of the year in one place.

Since this is a bit of a sprawling post, feel free to jump to the section that most interests you or take your time scrolling through the complete list of New York Times nonfiction best sellers.

Quick Links

• Current #1 NYT Bestseller
• Current New York Times Nonfiction Best Seller List
• Previous #1 Fiction Best Sellers
• Heavyweights (10+ Weeks)
• Fan Favorites (5+ Weeks)
• Honorable Mention (2+ Weeks)
• One Hit Wonders

Don’t Miss a Thing

Current #1 New York Times Best Seller

Melania Trump

( 10 Weeks ) Former First Lady Melania Trump shares an intimate look at her life. Trump details her childhood in Slovenia and her rise in the high fashion industry in Europe and New York. A chance encounter led her to meet Donald Trump, never realizing she would become the first lady of the United States. Trump expounds on her advocacy work and the causes closest to her.

Publication Date: 8 October 2024 Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Current List of New York Times Best Sellers

The former first lady describes her work as a fashion model, marriage to Donald Trump and time in the White House.

In the first part of her memoir, the multiple award-winning pop culture icon traces her childhood and forays into the world of entertainment.

A memoir by the cookbook author and Food Network host known as the Barefoot Contessa.

Our criminal justice system viewed through the struggles of 10 wrongfully convicted people to achieve exoneration.

A co-author of “The Coddling of the American Mind” looks at the mental health impacts that a phone-based life has on children.

The author of “Braiding Sweetgrass” illuminates how the gift economy in the natural world works and draws lessons for our economy; with illustrations by John Burgoyne.

The conservative commentator evaluates the legacies of American presidents.

The author of “The Splendid and the Vile” portrays the months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the beginning of the Civil War.

Through a series of stories, Gladwell explicates the causes of various kinds of epidemics.

Presley’s memoir, completed by her daughter, explores her relationships and challenges.

The survivors of a shipwrecked British vessel on a secret mission during an imperial war with Spain have different accounts of events.

The dancer and actress, who appeared in “A Chorus Line,” “Dirty Dancing” and “Gilmore Girls,” imparts insights on career longevity.

The drummer of the iconic rock band Van Halen shares stories about his partnership in life and music with his late brother Edward.

The author of “Sapiens” delves into how societies and political systems have used information and gives a warning about artificial intelligence.

A former high school government and law teacher profiles lesser-known Americans who made an impact.

See what Upcoming Releases are coming out soon!

Previous #1 New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers

Greenlights

Matthew mcconaughey.

(99 Weeks) Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey offers a memoir on his approach to getting the most satisfaction out of life. McConaughey poured over decades of his diaries to share the highs and lows of his life and the funny stories that shaped him along the way.

Publication Date: 20 October 2020 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

I’m Glad My Mom Died

Jennette mccurdy.

(88 Weeks) Both vulnerable and hilarious, Jennette McCurdy’s tell-all memoir sends a poignant message of the dangers of child acting. McCurdy brilliantly embraces her inner child by describing how desperately she wanted to please her mom by acting, even if it lead to an eating disordered and a chaotic relationship with her family that she didn’t full understand until attending therapy after her mother’s death. 

Publication Date: 9 August 2022 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Peter Attia

(81 Weeks) Who doesn’t want to live longer? Peter Atria has all the strategies that will help you live longer … and better. Using the latest science, Atria explains how to improve your physical, cognitive, and emotional health so that you can help prevent chronic disease and extend your lifespan.

Publication Date: 28 March 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Hillbilly Elegy

J. d. vance.

( 77 Weeks ) J. D. Vance’s grandparents were part of a large migration from rural Kentucky to the growing industrial areas of Southwest Ohio after WWII. Yet in their new middle-class life, Vance’s grandparents and his mother and her siblings all struggled to break the cycle of violence, abuse, alcoholism, and poverty. Joining the military and eventually attending Law School at Yale, Vance can still feel the trauma of his chaotic family history and forces readers to ponder how culture affects us and what heritage you will pass down to your children.

Publication Date: 28 June 2016 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

David Grann

( 68 Weeks ) In 1742, a patched-together vessel washed up on the shores of Brazil with thirty emaciated men. They told an astounding tale of surviving after the HMS Wager was shipwrecked chasing a Spanish treasure galleon. After cobbling together a raft, they floated for 100 days and traveled 3,000 miles. The sailors were lauded as heroes until six months later when three more castaways washed ashore accusing the first men of mutiny. With accusations of treachery and murder, a court-martial is convened to find the truth, with the guilty party likely to be hung.

Publication Date: 18 April 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

What Happened to You?

Bruce d. perry and oprah winfrey.

(58 Weeks) Instead of asking What’s wrong with you? , we should be asking What happened to you ? Oprah Winfrey teams up with neuroscientist Bruce D. Perry to discuss how understanding the trauma we faced at a young age can impact our behaviors now. By understanding our past, we can shift our viewpoint and see a clear path to healing.

Publication Date: 27 April 2021 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Anxious Generation

Jonathan haidt.

( 38 Weeks ) The author goes into why moving from a play-based childhood to a screen-based childhood has changed the neurological development children, making them more anxious, along with other mental health problems.  He shows why this causes them to withdraw further into a digital world, and then proposes a solution that he says will reduce the incidence of mental illness in the rising generations.

Publication Date: 26 March 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Matthew perry.

(34 Weeks) Known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends , Matthew Perry gives a behind-the-scenes look at the hit sitcom. Yet, while his career was hitting a high, Perry struggled through some of his darkest days. In this candid memoir, Perry discusses his lifelong battle with addiction and the persistence, hope, and friends who helped him along the way.

Publication Date: 1 November 2022 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Walter Isaacson

(28 Weeks ) From the author of  Steve Jobs  and other bestselling biographies, this is the astonishingly intimate story of the most fascinating and controversial innovator of our era—a rule-breaking visionary who helped to lead the world into the era of electric vehicles, private space exploration, and artificial intelligence. Oh, and took over Twitter.

Publication Date: 14 March 2023 Amazon | Goodreads I More Info

The Demon of Unrest

Erik larson.

( 24 Weeks ) Erik Larson delves into the five months between Abraham Lincoln’s election and the first shots fired on Fort Sumter that started the Civil War. In a period of betrayal, error, and miscommunication, Larson focuses on the stories of four individuals: Sumter’s commander caught between sympathy to the South and loyalty to the Union; a bloodthirsty radical promoting secession at every turn; the wife of a local planter who is conflicted about marriage and slavery; and in the thick of it all, is Abraham Lincoln, desperately trying to avert a war.

Publication Date: 30 April 2024 Learn More: Goodreads | StoryGraph |  More Info Buy Now: Amazon | Apple Books

The Woman in Me

Britney spears.

( 20 Weeks ) In the 1990s, Britney Spears burst onto the scene and became a cultural pop icon and leading the way for the teen pop revival of the 90s and 00s. Yet fame brought personal struggles and a shocking conservatorship that trapped her for decades. In her new memoir, Britney Spears discusses her journey and the power of telling your own story. Though not the best-written memoir of the year, The Woman in Me shocks with details about Spears’s life and contemplates the private pain of a public figure.

Publication Date: 24 October 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Poverty, by America

Matthew desmond.

( 18 Weeks ) The United States of America is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, yet has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Sociologist Matthew Desmond explores the root of poverty in America. From concentrating wealth (and poverty) to subsidizing those already financially secure, Desmond gives a searing look into how America keeps the rich rich and the poor poor.

Publication Date: 21 March 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Rachel Maddow

(17 Weeks ) Rachel Maddow traces the fight to preserve American democracy back to World War II, when a handful of committed public servants and brave private citizens thwarted far-right plotters trying to steer our nation toward an alliance with the Nazis.

Publication Date: 17 October 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Oath and Honor

( 17 Weeks ) The former congresswoman from Wyoming recounts how she helped lead the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol. In relating her experiences during the attack, and everything that came after, she tells the story of this perilous moment in our history, those she believes helped Trump spread the stolen election lie, those whose actions preserved our constitutional framework, and the risks she believes we still face.

Publication Date: 5 December 2023 Amazon | Goodreads  

An Unfinished Love Story

Doris kearns goodwin.

( 16 Weeks ) Having worked closely with John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Robert Kennedy, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and her husband Dick had a front-row seat to the 1960s. Digging through a treasure trove of documents, diaries, and memorabilia from that decade, the Goodwins spent Dick’s last days reflecting on the achievements and failures of those great leaders. Weaving together American history and her personal life, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin gives an intimate look at a tumultuous decade.

Publication Date: 16 April 2024 Learn More: Goodreads | StoryGraph | More Info Buy Now: Amazon | Apple Books

Confronting the Presidents

Bill o’reilly and martin dugard.

( 14 Weeks ) Authors of the popular Killing series, Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard examine the first 45 Presidents of the United States. From their foibles to their achievements, O’Reilly and Dugard describe each president’s term in office and the lasting impacts they have had on American society.

Publication Date: 10 September 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

( 11 Weeks ) Known as the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten is the bestselling author of thirteen cookbooks and a Food Network personality. In her first memoir, Garten shares the challenges and misadventures she had to overcome to build the unexpected career that has turned her into a cultural icon.

Publication Date: 1 October 2024 Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

The War on Warriors

Pete hegseth.

( 11 Weeks ) Political commentator Pete Hegseth shares his experiences serving in the United States Army and his views on the current state of the military. Hegseth criticizes the military, claiming they have abandoned the meritocracy that made it great and have instead fallen victim to cultural wars.

Publication Date: 4 June 2024 Learn More: Goodreads | StoryGraph Buy Now: Amazon | Apple Books

What This Comedian Said Will Shock You

( 10 Weeks ) The book was inspired by the “editorial” Bill delivers at the end of each episode of  Real Time . These editorials are direct-to-camera sermons about culture, politics, and what’s happening in the world. To put this book together, Maher reviewed more than a decade of his editorials, rewriting, reimagining, and updating them, and adding new material to speak exactly to the moment we’re in.

Publication Date: 14 May 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

( 9 Weeks ) Best known for his legal thrillers, John Grisham tackles nonfiction with the help of Jim McCloskey who works on exonerating innocent individuals who have been wrongly convicted. Together, they portray ten true stories of wrongful convictions. Looking at what leads to wrongful convictions and the hard process to get an innocent person exonerated, Grisham and McCloskey show the harrowing journey of people who have had everything taken from them.

Publication Date: 15 October 2024 Learn More: Goodreads | StoryGraph | More Info Buy Now: Amazon | Apple Books

The Situation Room

George stephanopoulos.

( 8 Weeks ) Created under President Kennedy, the White House Situation Room has been the epicenter of crisis management in the United States for the last six decades. A former presidential advisor and well-known political commentator and tv host, George Stephanopoulos describes twelve high-pressure situations that were dramatic turning points in American history: including the moments after Kennedy’s assassination, the hours after planes struck the Twin Towers, the raid on Osama bin Laden, and the staff watching the unfolding events on January 6th.

Publication Date: 14 May 2024 Learn More: Goodreads | StoryGraph |  More Info Buy Now: Amazon | Apple Books

The Small and the Mighty

Sharon mcmahon.

( 7 Weeks ) Sharon McMahon shares twelve stories of everyday Americans who are unknown heroes displaying the courage that makes America great. From a telephone operator to a schoolteacher to a formerly enslaved person, McMahon details the lives and accomplishments of unsung American heroes in her signature style of storytelling.

Publication Date: 24 September 2024 Goodreads | StoryGraph |   Amazon

Blood Money

Peter schweizer.

( 7 Weeks ) Investigative reporter Peter Schweizer presents a plan by the Chinese Communist Party to covertly manipulate America. Looking at Chinese military documents and American financial records, Schweizer claims the Chinese Communist Party has covert operations linked to the American drug trade, the social justice movement and the medical establishment.

Publication Date: 27 February 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

Anthony Fauci

( 7 Weeks ) Anthony Fauci was thrust into the national spotlight during the Covid-19 Pandemic. In his new memoir, Fauci details his life from his childhood in Brooklyn to his desire to become a doctor. Over the last six decades, Fauci has become a leading scientist and public health specialist. Fauci has advised every U.S. President since Ronald Reagan and made significant contributions to the global HIV/AIDS relief efforts as well as the fight against Ebola, SARS, and the anthrax crises.

Publication Date: 18 June 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

Bob Woodward

( 6 Weeks ) Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward takes you behind-the-scenes of recent American politics. Woodward showcases Joe Biden’s presidency as he tries to stop the world from sliding into nuclear war during the War in Ukraine and the current conflict in the Middle East. But the brewing war in American politics – the 2024 race between Donald Trump v Kamala Harris – might be the most dangerous of them all.

Publication Date: 15 October 2024 Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

The Art of Power

Nancy pelosi.

( 6 Weeks ) Nancy Pelosi, a Democratic Representative from California, describes her transformation from a housewife to the first woman Speaker of the House. Pelosi recalls the awe of being a lawmaker who shapes the country for the better, the courage to stand up to sitting president on January 6, 2021, and the horror of having her husband attacked in their own home.

Publication Date: 6 August 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

Anne Lamott

( 5 Weeks ) Bestselling author Anne Lamott shares her thoughts on love and how necessary in our lives. In each chapter, Lamott shows the transformative power of love, from the aching love for a child who disappoints to love of a community in transition. Lamott shares her own personal experiences and states that love helps us think that tomorrow will be better than today.

Publication Date: 9 April 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

Cher: The Memoir, Part One

( 4 Weeks ) The only woman to top the charts in seven consecutive decades, Cher shares the first part of her two-part memoir. Follow her life as she goes from a dyslexic child to highs and lows of her marriage to Sonny Bono. From meeting him to eventually divorcing, Cher tells the unique story of her life and how her dream of becoming famous came true.

Ketanji Brown Jackson

( 4 Weeks ) The first Black woman on the United States Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson shares an account of her life and how, in one generation, her family went from living in segregation to sitting on America’s highest court. Jackson recalls how the stories her parents tell of battling segregation in the South inspired her to push boundaries throughout her life. She also speaks on the path to becoming a Supreme Court Justice when no one looks like you and the difficulties and joys of marriage and motherhood.

Publication Date: 3 September 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

Luis Elizondo

( 4 Weeks ) Luis Elizondo, the former head of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, discusses his career investigating unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) – former called UFOs. Elizondo discusses the highly classified mission and the prominence of unidentified objects that defy our understanding of physics and how they will change our understanding of our universe.

Publication Date: 20 August 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

The House of Hidden Meanings

( 4 Weeks ) Legendary icon RuPaul reveals a portrait of his life in brutal honesty. From growing up a poor queer Black kid in San Diego to becoming a drag queen and then building one of world’s largest television franchise, RuPaul shares a look at his life and reflects on performance, found-family, self-acceptance and identity.

Publication Date: 5 March 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

Get It Together

Jesse watters.

( 4 Weeks ) Fox New host Jesse Watters interviews radical Liberal activists hoping to understand where their views come from. Watters believes that most activists don’t actually need to change the world but change themselves; a lack of introspection about their own experiences lead them to extreme views that the general American public then buys into.

Publication Date: 19 March 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

Something Lost, Something Gained

Hillary rodham clinton.

( 4 Weeks ) Taking a look back at her life, Hillary Rodham Clinton shares her thoughts on life, love, family, politics, and democracy. Clinton gives insights into her days as a college professor, the bond between the former First Ladies, the pain of moving past the dream of being president and the power of finding new hope in activism for women and democracy.

Publication Date: 17 September 2024 Learn More: Goodreads | StoryGraph | More Info Buy Now: Amazon | Apple Books

Brian Tyler Cohen

( 3 Weeks ) YouTube host and podacaster Brian Tyler Cohen gives his thoughts on the state of the modern Republican Party. Cohen shares how he believes the Republicans have used their historical branding as a cover to now commit actions against their principles, creating a gulf between what they say and what they do.

Publication Date: 13 August 2024 Amazon | Goodreads

Medgar & Myrlie

Joy-ann reid.

( 3 Weeks ) In this groundbreaking and thrilling account of two heroes of the civil rights movement, Joy-Ann Reid uses Medgar and Myrlie’s relationship as a lens through which to explore the on-the-ground work that went into winning basic rights for Black Americans, and the repercussions that still resonate today.

Publication Date: 6 February 2024 Amazon | Goodreads  

Save for Later

Heavyweights (10+ Weeks on the NYT Bestseller List)

The Real Anthony Fauci

Robert f. kennedy jr..

(19 Weeks) Anti-vaccine advocate Robert F Kennedy Jr. gives his views on Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Although hailed a hero by mainstream media for his work during the COVID epidemic, Kennedy expresses his concerns about Fauci’s connections and history.

Publication Date: 16 November 2021 Amazon | Goodreads

The In-Between

Hadley vlahos.

( 17 Weeks ) Hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos shows palliative care teaches as much about how to live your life as how to die. Vlahos recounts the most memorable patients she’s worked with: a woman who never questioned her faith until death, a man seeing visions of his late daughter, and a young patient regretting how much she cared about others’ opinions.

Publication Date: 10 January 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Nuclear War

Annie jacobsen.

( 15 Weeks ) Journalist Annie Jacobsen considers the few minutes after a nuclear weapon is launched and the quick decisions that need to be made to save lives. With the power to destroy the world, nuclear weapons come with safeguards, risks, and emergency scenarios. Through dozens of interviews with military and civilian professionals, Jacobsen paints a terrifying picture of the worse-case scenario.

Killing the Witches

( 13 Weeks ) The 13th book in the Killing series takes on the Salem Witch Trials and the mass hysterical that gripped the town in the 1690s. When young girls began having violent fits, three young women were arrested, accused of being witches. Soon the mania swept the entire New England town, with hundreds accused and almost two dozen executed.

Publication Date: 26 September 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory

Tim alberta.

( 11 Weeks ) Journalist Tim Alberta, a practicing Christian and son of an evangelical pastor, looks at the divisions in evangelical Christianity. For many conservative Christians, love of America has become a strong focus of their religion, leading to right wing Christian nationalism. Alberta examines the ways conservative Christians have pursued, used, and abused power in their quest and the growing disconnect with scripture.

Publication Date: 5 December 2023 Amazon | Goodreads

Being Henry

Henry winkler.

( 11 Weeks ) Henry Winkler rose to stardom starring as the iconic “Fonz” in Happy Days . With poignant humor, Winkler’s memoir tells of his troubled childhood, his struggles with severe dyslexia, and his rise to fame. Yet what do your greatest days seem to be behind you? Winkler writes of the challenge to escape typecasting and his eventual star in other roles, all while staying one of the nicest men in Hollywood.

Publication Date: 31 October 2023 Amazon | Goodreads | More Info

Behind the Seams

Dolly parton.

( 11 Weeks ) Iconic singer-songwriter Dolly Parton shares the story of her lifelong love with fashion and how she developed her own distinctive style. With gorgeous photographs of her costume archive, Parton discusses her boldest dresses and hairstyles, telling never before heard stories that span her illustrious career.

Publication Date: 17 October 2023 Amazon | Goodreads

Democracy Awakening

Heather cox richardson.

( 10 Weeks ) During the impeachment crisis of 2019, historian Heather Cox Richardson started a daily newsletter explaining the historical context of current events. Richardson argues that a small group of wealthy citizens have fought to distort history to lead American into authoritarianism. Explaining several decades of American politics, Richardson suggests a way forward to America’s future.

Publication Date: 26 September 2023 Amazon | Goodreads

My Name is Barbra

Barbra streisand.

( 10 Weeks ) Iconic entertainer Barbra Streisand has dominated the entertainment business throughout her career, winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards for her various performances. In a frank and funny memoir, Streisand takes readers through her life – growing up in Brooklyn, her breakout performance in Funny Girl, her career success, her advocacy, and all her opinions along the way.

Publication Date: 7 November 2023 Amazon | Goodreads

Revenge of the Tipping Point

Malcolm gladwell.

( 11 Weeks ) Twenty-five years ago, Malcolm Gladwell topped the bestseller list with The Tipping Point , analyzing the science of viral trends. Now, Gladwell revisits his bestseller to reframe the lessons for the modern day. Gladwell expands his focus to look at the dark side of contagious phenomena using his trademark mix of fascinating anecdotes and social science.

Publication Date: 1 October 2024 Learn More: Goodreads | StoryGraph | More Info Buy Now: Amazon | Apple Books

From Here to the Great Unknown

Lisa marie presley and riley keough.

( 10 Weeks ) For years, Lisa Marie Presley had been working on her memoir and she finally asked her daughter, Riley Keough, for help finishing it only to die a month later. Using tapes of her mother telling stories of her life, Keough places together a memoir of a passionate conflicted woman. From the neverending grief and trauma from the death of her father, Elvis Presley, to living with her mother while constantly getting kicked out of schools, Lisa Marie shares her complicated life, her various relationships (including a marriage to Michael Jackson), and her struggles with addiction.

Publication Date: 8 October 2024 Learn More: Goodreads | StoryGraph Buy Now: Amazon | Apple Books

Fan Favorites (5+ Weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List)

My Effin’ Life by Geddy Lee

Amazon | Goodreads (9 Weeks) The musician known for his work with the band Rush chronicles his life as the child of Holocaust survivors and his time in the limelight.  

Ghosts of Honolulu by Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll Jr.

Amazon | Goodreads (8 Weeks) The story of a Japanese American naval intelligence agent, a Japanese spy and events in Hawaii before the start of World War II.  

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Amazon | Goodreads | More Info (8 Weeks) The author of “Between the World and Me” travels to three locations to uncover the dissonance between the realities on the ground and the narratives shaped about them.

Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari

Amazon | Goodreads | More Info (8 Weeks) The author of “Sapiens” delves into how societies and political systems have used information and gives a warning about artificial intelligence.

Brothers by Alex Van Halen

Amazon | Goodreads (7 Weeks) The drummer of the iconic rock band Van Halen shares stories about his partnership in life and music with his late brother Edward.

The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides

Amazon | Goodreads (6 Weeks) The author of “On Desperate Ground” depicts Captain James Cook’s final voyage and the controversies surrounding its legacy.  

The End of Everything by Victor Davis Hanson

Amazon | Goodreads (6 Weeks) The author of “The Dying Citizen” and “The Case for Trump” looks at how some societies obliterate their foes.  

Teddy and Booker T. by Brian Kilmeade

Amazon | Goodreads (6 Weeks) The Fox News host gives an account of the relationship between President Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington.  

Burn Book by Kara Swisher

Amazon | Goodreads (6 Weeks) The tech journalist and podcast host gives an overview of the tech industry and the foibles of its founders.

King by Jonathan Eig

Amazon | Goodreads (5 Weeks) A biography of the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., which includes new archival material and reflections from some who worked, lived and fought with him.  

You Never Know by Tom Selleck

Amazon | Goodreads (5 Weeks) The actor charts his journey from his California childhood to success in Hollywood.  

The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne

Amazon | Goodreads (5 Weeks) The actor and director mixes stories from his family with tales of celebrities.  

A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko

Amazon | Goodreads (5 Weeks) The author of “The Emerald Mile” goes with a friend on a journey to hike the Grand Canyon from end to end.  

Love & Whiskey by Fawn Weaver

Amazon | Goodreads (5 Weeks) A portrayal of the bond between Jack Daniel and the African American distiller Nearest Green.  

Blind Spots by Marty Makary

Amazon | Goodreads (5 Weeks) The author of “The Price We Pay” examines the ways modern medicine might cause harm.

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

Amazon | Goodreads | More Info (5 Weeks) The dancer and actress, who appeared in “A Chorus Line,” “Dirty Dancing” and “Gilmore Girls,” imparts insights on career longevity.

Honorable Mention (2-4 Weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List)

One Hit Wonders (1 Week on the New York Times Best Seller List)

Do You Agree with The New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers?

What books do you think are the best of the year? Do you think The New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers deserve the hype? As always, let me know in the comments!

More New Book Releases:

• The New York Times Fiction Bestseller List
• The Most-Anticipated Upcoming Releases of 2024
• The 2023 New York Times Nonfiction Bestsellers
• The Current Celebrity Book Club Picks
• The Top 50 Books of the Last Decade

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