The Best Nonfiction Books Coming Out Before the End of 2026
Nonfiction publishers tend to drop new books right before the holidays and New Year. Here are some of the most exciting nonfiction books coming out this September through November.
September 1
Situated: Find the People and Places That Bring Out Your Best by Angela Duckworth
I loved Duckworth’s first book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. She returns with a book about how much our surroundings influence personality and performance. Duckworth’s work as a researcher and psychologist gives her plenty of ammunition to load up her books with compelling insights.
Profits, Prophets, Coaches, and Kings: (When) Do Leaders Matter? by Jared Diamond
Diamond’s earlier book Guns, Germs, and Steel sold millions of copies and won a Pulitzer in 1998. Now Diamond turns his focus to leadership, trying to determine whether the actions of individuals shape history as much as we think.
53 Days: How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy by Timothy W. Ryback
Adolf Hitler converted Germany’s constitutional democracy into an authoritarian state in a mere 53 days. This book unearths how he did it—offering a cautionary tale for all of us who want to preserve humanity and decency in the world today.
The Castle: Adventures in a World of Unraveling Men by Jon Ronson
It’s been 11 years since Ronson’s last book. You may know him from books like The Psychopath Test and The Men Who Stare at Goats. In The Castle, he investigates what happens when men fall into conspiracies and toxicity. One of my favorite writers, Patrick Radden Keefe, said this of Ronson’s new book: “Fantastic and intensely of-the-moment…It’s a dogged feat of investigation from one of our greatest non-fiction storytellers.”
September 8
Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft: A Memoir on Writing by Harlan Coben
Coben has been writing mysteries and thrillers for decades and has 100 million books in print. And now, he’s pulling back the covers on his writing process in this book that’s described as 1/2 memoir, 1/2 storytelling masterclass.
→ See a list of my favorite writing advice books here
September 15
Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body by Andrew Huberman
I didn’t even know Huberman’s name until a year or two ago, then it seemed like he was suddenly everywhere. His podcast Huberman Lab has become the world’s leading health podcast, and now he’s coming out with his first book on how to improve physical and mental health.
The Perilous Fight by Colin Kaepernick
Kaepernick’s life changed forever when he took a knee during the national anthem of an NFL game on September 1, 2016. I’m not going to dive into the politics of that decision in this post, but I admire anyone willing to take a principled stand like that. In this memoir, Kaepernick explores what led him to that decision, along with his experience growing up as a Black man in America.
Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made by Kristin Kobes Du Mez
Du Mez’s earlier book Jesus and John Wayne is a hard-hitting book about masculinity and militarism in the American church. It’s one of the books that helped me understand why religion is now closely connected with politics. Her new book dives into the evangelical view of femininity, consumerism, and prosperity.
Simplify: Do 50 Percent More with 50 Percent Less by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz
VandeHei, Allen, and Schwartz co-founded the media company Axios, which gained a fast following with short and impactful articles. The founders call their writing style “smart brevity” and wrote a book of the same name to help business leaders communicate simply and powerfully. Now the trio is back with a book about how to eliminate distractions and identify important tasks that will move the needle.
September 29
The American Way of Killing by Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell conducted a six-part series on gun violence in his podcast Revisionist History. Now he’s expanding that research into an entire book about what sets America’s lethal violence apart from other nations (and what can be done about it).
The Steps by Sylvester Stallone
When I first watched the movie Rocky as a teenager, I didn’t realize that Stallone wrote the script himself. I became much more interested in Stallone and his work after I learned that. In The Steps, he unpacks his difficult upbringing and what eventually helped him break through in Hollywood. I just rewatched the Rocky and Creed movie series to prepare for reading this memoir. (Yep, I’m a total nerd.) Btw, there’s also an interesting movie coming out in November about the making of Rocky. Trailer below.
September 30
Work with the Best: How to Get the Life You Want by Helping Those Who Have It by Jay Yang
Jay’s earlier book You Can Just Do Things is full of advice on how to live a “permissionless life.” This follow-up book goes deeper into how to partner with incredible people. Jay is the perfect guy to write this book because he landed jobs with entrepreneurs like Alex Hormozi and Noah Kagan by helping them—not submitting an application. To support Jay’s launch and get cool bonuses, check out his Kickstarter.
October 6
Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State by Michael Lewis
Lewis brought readers into the secret worlds of FTX, Major League Baseball, Wall Street, subprime mortgages, and high-frequency trading. Now he’s invaded the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to get the inside scoop from public servants about what happened in Trump’s and Musk’s task force.
The New Dark Ages: The Death of Reading and the Dawn of the Post-Literate Society by James Marriott
Marriott is one of my favorite writers on Substack. He’s a thoughtful journalist who’s not afraid to take contrarian opinions or totally nerd out on his passion areas (like literature and the arts). Marriott’s debut book explores how the decline of literacy could impact our world.
Once Upon a Trainwreck: The Fall and Rise of a Child Star by Christy Carlson Romano
Growing up, one of my favorite shows was the Disney comedy Even Stevens. The show introduced the world to goofy young Shia LaBeouf, and Christy Carlson Romano played Shia’s older sister Ren, one of my childhood crushes. But what I didn’t know at the time was Romano’s life behind the camera included exploitation, bullying, and addiction. Similar to Jennette McCurdy’s breakout memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died, this promises to be a sad yet enlightening read about the costs of childhood fame.
October 13
Vibe: The Secrets of Strong Connections in a Lonely World by Adam Grant
Ever wonder why you click with certain people but not with others? Adam Grant wondered that too, so he did what Grant does better than anyone: researched the crap out of that question, then distilled his insights into a relatable book. I’ve read all of Grant’s work, and it’s all amazing, so I already pre-ordered Vibe.
November 10
Look at Me by Dustin Hoffman
Hoffman has been a Hollywood star for nearly 60 years. Chances are, you’ve seen him in films like Rain Man, The Graduate, Hook, or Kramer vs. Kramer. His characters have told countless stories on the big screen, but this November, he’s sharing more about his own story in what his publisher calls “an intimate memoir about art, ambition, family, friendship, love, aging, and the mysteries of a creative life.”
The Law of the Sublime by Robert Greene
Greene is known for his prodigious research and thick tomes on topics like power, war, seduction, and human nature. This book sounds like it will be the most philosophical of his work: trying to nail down the squishy concept of personal meaning and connection with the universe.
I included an affiliate link from Bookshop.org for each book. If you purchase a book, you’ll support me and local bookstores. (Win-win!)
