Top 10 Nonfiction Books of 2024

📺 Nonfiction Favorites Playlist 📺
• Nonfiction Favorites |...
📚 Books Discussed 📚
The Evolution of Beauty by Richard O. Prum: amzn.to/33GqgYI
The City Game by Matthew Goodman: amzn.to/31SZPQI
The Devil's Element by Dan Egan: amzn.to/49z6M7Y
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan: amzn.to/48uHnfd
American Sirens by Kevin Hazzard: amzn.to/3RXpbDy
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant: amzn.to/3KsOOsy
The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop: amzn.to/3yR9jg1
Infused by Henrietta Lovell: amzn.to/4adH1cY
Scenes from My Life by Michael K. Williams & Jon Sternfeld: amzn.to/4gAUD5E
The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal: amzn.to/4gvBfGV
What I use to record my videos:
🎥 Camera: amzn.to/3o3CvWG
🎤 Microphone: amzn.to/3n4W9Ah
(All above product links may be affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase, I will receive a very small commission that goes toward the operating expenses for this channel.)
Outro music by Antony Raijekov under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) License (creativecommon....
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Storygraph: app.thestorygr...
TikTok: / nonfictionnovember
My written reviews: bookmarks.revi...

[@laurenwhitaker17]

If there is ever a time that you feel called to and comfortable with sharing your wellness journey, I would love to hear the story and lessons and knowledge you can share. ❤

[@daram5257]

I was going to ask this too. I’d love to hear more about your journey. I think it would help me.

[@a_bookish_gemini]

So, I have to admit, you’re number one is the book I’m least interested in from your list, BUT (hear me out), I’ve seen your transformation and have been silently but ardently admiring it with each new video. I have myself put on about 40 lbs over the last year and being the couch potato that I am, I don’t see that changing anytime soon. What I’m challenging myself with TODAY, after watching this video, is getting this book - your FAVORITE NONFICTION - and giving it an honest chance to give me a push in the right direction. This is why I love this community, this channel, and you. Thank you for sharing and being real and vulnerable with us, Olive. ❤

[@meganngeorge]

Same. All of this.

[@raquelfigueroa5539]

We can do this!! We got this!! 🙌🏻💃🏻

[@abookolive]

I've meant to reply to this comment a million times but kept getting pulled in so many different directions! But here's what I thought you might like to hear: I'm right at the finish line when it comes to my ultimate goal, but there's a part of me that wishes I could go back and do the whole thing again. I was so impatient the whole time, wishing I could progress faster, getting frustrated with plateaus, feeling bad about days I didn't do as well as I could. But now, almost 1000 days into this, I'm sad to think it's almost "over." The whole journey was so incredible - getting stronger. Feeling my brain fog clear. Proving to myself that I could do it. It's not just the most rewarding thing I've ever done for myself, it was downright fun, in retrospect. Certain days were excruciating, sure. But my god, it was all worth it. So if you're going to do it, ENJOY IT! You'll get there so much faster than you know.

[@RachelB.BookReferences]

You lost 120 lbs?! Holy cow. Nice work! I need to lose 50, and so I'll be putting The Joy of Movement on my TBR, lol.

[@catsandbats77]

I haven't watched much of the video yet, but I absolutely adore your sweater. Edited to add that I need that tea book. In June, I got to see the oldest tea plantation in Japan, which is at a temple in the mountains in Kyoto.

[@terrik8577]

A Chorus Line has always been my favorite Broadway show, and hearing the behind the scenes stories from The Third Gilmore Girl was my favorite part. Dirty Dancing is one of my favorite movies and loved Kelly Bishop’s role. I bought Michael K Williams book when it first came out because I am such a huge fan. It’s now at the top of my TBR thanks to your review.

[@JillYoung-v7p]

Olive, you are an excellent book talker! I enjoyed your enthusiasm as you described each book. I plan to find infused and Joy of Movement. I congratulate you on your weight loss. Since my preteens I have been challenged with being overweight. Losing it and gaining it back again. Keeping it off is the real challenge. Thank you again for an wonderful presentation. Happy New Year!

[@susanspisak65]

Hello, fellow Pittsburgh girl, here!!! Glad to have come across your channel! 😊

[@jasmeenmalhotra2225]

I love hearing your enthusiastic and joyous reviews of your favourites! I always look forward to your lists My favourite non-fiction reads this year were Everything is Predictable by Tom Chivers, Growth by Daniel Susskind and The New Breadline by Jean Martin Bauer. Also I am blown away and so inspired by your fitness journey (I have always hated exercise and wish I didn’t)… and also by how you find time to work, exercise, READ SO MUCH, and be a loving wife and family member. I continually struggle to fit it all in! Hats off, as ever :)

[@hannahwhittaker3951]

Olive, thanks to you I have found delight in nonfiction works! As a tea drinker, I enjoyed Infused. The City Game might stay on my top 10 for ‘25…really enjoyed it. (Strong Inside by Andrew Maraniss is another basketball themed one you might like, too.). My top nonfiction for 2024 was Bourbon Land b Chef Edward Lee. Thank you for bringing nonfiction to the forefront of!!

[@LeanneRose]

The Joy of Movement sounds brilliant and exactly what I need to read right now!

[@DCSinUSA]

My favorite nonfiction this year is Mind Fixers: Psychiatry’s Troubled Search for the Biology of Mental Illness. Not for everyone, but the author does a phenomenal job of synthesizing a huge amount of information into a coherent, readable book. From your list I’ve added Infused to my 2025 tbr. Thanks for the wide-ranging nonfiction you included.

[@Nixreads]

I read Cooked by Michael Pollan and really enjoyed it! The Omnivore’s Dilemma is going on my TBR 😊 great list!

[@dhutton77]

I also read American Sirens this year (on your recommendation) and agree it is a great piece of work. This is your best video in a while, and I have added many of the others to my list. Please keep up the non-fiction reviews, Olive.

[@jasmeenmalhotra2225]

Yes!!! I really loved this video too! I think because of how personal and real it was.

[@jillbellaus385]

I would love to hear about your health journey too. You are an inspiration!

[@BrunoDunc]

What a wonderful selection of books, thank you Olive! - The ones that most call to me are the books on Phosphorus, Tea and your number one The Joy of Movement! Will definitely add them to my list!

[@savagereads]

I always love nonfiction so much! I really enjoyed The Omnivore's Dilemma a few years ago. I am adding The Evolution of Beauty and Scenes from my Life to my TBR right now.

[@irenamcg]

I just want to say thank you for all the great nonfiction recommendations. I've started watching you this year and you read the best nonfiction books at least for my reading taste. Happy 2025 and hopefully it will have more amazing reads. 🎉

[@ThatReadingGuy28]

Your enthusiasm and discussion of these books is an absolute joy in itself! It’s so infectious, and in the best way! Thank you Olive.

[@abookolive]

That’s so kind of you to say! I get super excited about books, it’s true. 😂

[@Evalynn]

I have become a bookseller within the past year, and I have loved your videos for years, especially as someone who grew up in and around Pittsburgh. We had Evolution of Beauty by Prum on the bargain cart, and this video reminded me to snatch it up to read this year! I also put Joy of Movement on order, as it seems like a great book to inspire helping my health along after years without movement that brings joy. Infused I had been wanting to read for awhile as well, and I also put it on order. 🍵 My husband hears all of your videos play as I watch them around the house and the other night as I was showing him my books, he said, "The person you were watching talk about these books makes them sound so interesting." He is finally getting it, haha!! 💖 Happy New Year, Olive! 🌟

[@JesseJaneReads]

The power of music and movement hits different. I spent this year recovering from an injury that left me, as defined by the ADA, disabled. Music made it so much easier to do my PT homework.

[@abookolive]

So sorry to hear about your injury. I hope you're doing better after all the work you put in!

[@JesseJaneReads]

@@abookolive Slowly but surely. It's a nerve and spinal issue so it's complicated. Music mad the pain and effort easier to bear. It's why my baby's favorite band is Halestorm.

[@MarilynSStoner]

What a wonderful list of suggestions! I am going to follow-up on most.

[@sandyokey7728]

This year, I read a total of 27 non fiction books, which really surprised me. I didn’t realize it until just now when I added them up. And that pretty much is thanks to you and your channel. In years past, I would read some non fiction but the past few years has found me reading more and more. Some of the highlights from this year for me were The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston, Edith Wharton by Hermione Lee, and three tied for top, Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck, The Boys of Summer by Roger Kahn and An Illuminated Life by Heidi Ardizzone. Thank you, Olive and Happy New Year 💙

[@Movingthebookmark]

You are awesome. I lost 100 lbs a few years ago, all natural through food and movement like you. My lifestyle is forever changed. Walking is everything to me.

[@cathybryant3029]

Thank you for another great list of books. I also like to read nonfiction. I just finished "The Wide Wide Sea" by Hampton Sides. It's the story of the final voyage of James Cook. I really enjoyed this book and Sides' writing style.

[@lisawallace1741]

I'm really looking forward to reading this one!

[@coffemuse]

Thank you so much for telling us more about book no.1. You hinted at this many videos ago and I've been hoping you'd tell us more about what this book meant to you. My relationship with exercise is all in the hate and detest category, so any push out of that is sorely needed. Thanks for taking a leaf out of those memoirist's books and being vulnerable! Also have just moved up my TBR the Phosphorus book and the Omnivore's Dilemma. Happy 2025 to you!

[@abookolive]

Ah, yes. I did hint about it, didn't I? I was trying to work up the courage to make a whole video about my newfound relationship with fitness, but I wasn't quite ready to talk about it yet since it was so, so personal. I feel a little more comfortable about it now. But only a little, haha!

[@b_olson542]

Great recommendations. I am not a nonfiction reader and stumbled upon your channel by accident. Some of these books are now on my tbr. Thank you! Hapoy New Year!

[@KarlaCarlson-oh2fw]

This year I read 29 books, 5 of which were non fiction. I've always read some non fiction, but because of your channel, I've developed more of an interest in 'that side of the library.' And it's thanks to you! So thank you. I'd have to say my favorite non fiction book of this year, and one one that sticks with me is The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Crime Boss. This book is about the fencing system she developed, part of which are still in use today. It was all developed by a woman, and an immigrant at that. So good!

[@KateIrish-y5c]

What a great list! Just saved several in my Everand account....love listening to non-fiction while in the car or doing housework. Looking forward to them!

[@juliemartin8767]

I have just started “the Joy of Movement “ on audio book from library. Thanks for recommending!

[@badfaith4u]

I loved The Omnivore's Dilemma.

[@booksmitin]

I'm currently reading Infused based on your recommendation and it's so good! The Joy of Movement is headed to my TBR now :) Have a great rest of the year :)

[@Varba9]

This is the best list I’ve seen!! Thanks for sharing.

[@abookolive]

I'm so glad you liked it! 😊

[@diannegibb6515]

Thank you for sharing these books. I want to focus more on non fiction this year. I am just putting 3 of these on hold at the library. Michael Pollans book (i have read some of his work and really benefited from it), Infused and The Joy of Movement. Happy reading this year!

[@daram5257]

I printed out the part of the transcript where you talked about how you were adverse to exercise and how you came to value it...posting it on my wall to remind myself that it can happen. And I have the book....now I'll actually read it :). I put some of the others in my TBR and appreciate your recommendations and insight. But the learning to love exercise portion was reallly important to me right now. Thank you.

[@abookolive]

Not only CAN it happen, but given how many people come to value exercise over time, I'd say it's more like it WILL happen for you. Start with things you know you enjoy, then add some challenges. Try some new things. I'm willing to bet that if you stick with it - and that is the single most important thing, the CONSISTENCY - you will grow to love the place exercise holds in your life.

[@daram5257]

@@abookolive Thank you for the response and the encouragment! You are right...this isn't a "dream big and it can happen"...this is a "do it and it WILL happen." I'm shifting my mindset on it!

[@rupindersayal]

Great picks and excellent analysis! Thanks for sharing, and Happy New Year! 🎉🎉

[@britbc4461]

You have gotten me in to nonfiction reading and I am loving it. A book I loved this year that I would recommend is Stoned by Aja Raden.

[@cathy2142]

120👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 congrats Olive🎉😊

[@momwithdelusions]

What a great list of recommendations! Thanks for sharing.

[@KatieCarwin]

I really enjoy your channel. I want to read and educate myself more so I really appreciate your recommendations. I enjoy the way you speak and describe each book. Happy New Year 2025! I'm looking forward to your future recommendations.

[@jmsl_910]

ty: i love this channel! just reserved: joy of movement, the omnivore's dilemma & hidden potential!!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

🙌👏👏👏👏👏 For taking your health back.

[@raquelfigueroa5539]

Year 2024 Im thankful, for finding your channel!!! I just need to pick the nonfiction books to read from your list, that Im really interest in reading. Its hard, I want yo read all of your reads. But I have to start somewhere 😂😂😂

[@esliet]

Your recommendations are always amazing. Will definitely read several of these

[@abookolive]

Hope you enjoy them! 📚❤

[@halfmanhalfbook]

I can't bear tea, but having heard your enthusiasm for it, I now want to read Infused by Henrietta Lovell

[@socialbianca]

Loved The Third Gilmore Girl ❤

[@ToddsBookTube91]

Merry Christmas Olive! I hope you got books for Christmas!

[@abrareads]

I actually read 14 nonfiction books this year and loved all of them. The 5000 year leap was probably my number one.

[@cathy2142]

Mother teresa by kathryn spink was so inspiring for me this year❤

[@sandra7319.]

My favorite non fic books were The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace and Carville's Cure. The latter is a strong history of one of the US' last leper (Hanson's Disease) community in Louisiana , named after the Postmaster, James Carville's grandfather. Olive, I believe you would really like this book as it focuses on a niche but fascinating topic. Having Hanson's Disease was a sentence worse than prison as your community would shun you and run you out of town, different states had different laws regarding what "lepers" were allowed to do i.e. ride public transportation, work, etc. yet Hanson's Disease is not communicable among humans and largely results from 5%of the world has no natural immunity to the condition. Carville started as an isolated hospital and home for patients in an abandoned plantation and became a thriving community largely run by nuns where kids as young as 5 years old were dropped off and lived their lives there.

[@Sew_Country]

Beautiful list! ❤❤

[@TimeTravelReads]

I'm glad you're doing better.

[@mynameisno522]

I always have Storygraph open when I watch your videos because I know I'll add something to my TBR 😂 This time, it was Hidden Potential! And I've moved The Joy of Movement (which I'd heard of from you) higher up on my priority list 🫡👀 Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@meljstephan]

I normally never seek out “celeb memoirs”, but the two on your list clearly have more than just acting at the core. Both are going on my tbr

[@joanneskinner5169]

I Loved The Monk of Mohka (Eggers), so I know I will enjoy Infusion.

[@abookolive]

I have The Monk of Mohka on my shelf - guess I need to read it!

[@stephenn3727]

Thank you Olive.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

My favorite non-fiction that I read this year was America is in the Heart by Carlos Bulosan. It was a heart wrenching and tough read. It's about this poet, who dreams of finding a better life in America but when he leaves the Philippines and arrives in America he is met with nothing but contempt and prejudice. His experience made angry, sad, and hopeful all at once.

[@nanimaonovi2528]

I'm reading Robin Wall Kimmerer's new book: 'The Serviceberry'. It's just what we all need this season, help shifting from a mindset of scarcity to one of reciprocity and abundance.

[@zinahollis52]

I just recently finished this book. It was an absolute treasure! 😊

[@susanbybee1458]

Ooh The City Game piques my interest.

[@SophmoricSeptuagenarian]

I can't even remember when I last read a book of fiction. Loved them when I was young though! :)

[@leslie8423]

Yay Olive! 💕

[@tristanquezadadiaz4508]

The nonfiction I enjoyed the most this year was Just Kids by Patti Smith

[@MMjones6459]

Read The Devil's Element on your recommendation. Thanks! And a recommendation: Overdose: heartbreak and hope in Canada's opioid crisis A Canadian relative just finished reading

[@jonigreenwell1778]

Lovely color on you. Is that periwinkle? WOW! 120 lbs. Bravo.

[@nildamager1649]

Love non fiction thanks

[@tonihammes33]

Love your list! And can you please tell me where you bought that top? I love it as well.

[@abookolive]

Thank you! I got this sweater from a Goodwill, but it's originally from Dress Barn. I did a quick Google search and it looks like someone is selling one here (not sure if it'll be the right size, but I thought I'd share it anyway): www.mercari.com/us/item/m45654219449/?srsltid=AfmBOoo_V9zIko1T9Bo_389yzPC_nJQlR_o127vXZOTxk0f1aNGUxdugQXI

[@tonihammes33]

That is so sweet of you to go to all of that trouble! That’s why you are my favorite book tuber. You look great in that sweater and that’s awesome you got it at a Goodwill. I love thrifting, used bookstores, library sales, and cats. That may be why I like your channel so much in addition to our same book tastes. I bought my cat the bird toy you shared last year and they loved it so much I bought my mom’s cats and my daughter’s cats the same toy this year for Christmas. So get even more than great book recs from your channel. 😊

[@rorygardner4525]

What non-fiction books do you recommend for beginners?

[@abookolive]

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg!

[@rorygardner4525]

@abookolive Thanks. I will check it out.

[@JoshsBookishVoyage]

An amazing list as usual. I am intrigued by seceral, eapwciall the one on aptitude abd intelligence. As a first gen grad and PhD, i st onglt beleive everyone is capable if given the opportunity and support system to succeed.

[@AshtheViking]

I haven't read it yet but saw it and immediately thought, "That's an Olive book"-- Woman, Watching by Merilyn Simonds. It's the biography of Louise de Kiriline Lawrence, who was an ornithologist and one of Canada's preeminent nature writers.

[@pepperoni4045]

thanks for the recommendation and love the purple vibe 💜💜💜💜💜

[@Showtunediva]

Olive Thanks for all of your great non fiction recommendations this year. Scenes From My Life and The Third Gilmore Girl were my favorites I also just finished Garlic And Sapphires and Tender At The Bone by Ruth Reichl and can’t wait to try the recipes, Happy New Year to you and your husband.❤

[@marimuthuelakkuvan1011]

❤❤

[@sandeesandwich2180]

Michael K. Williams -- such a loss.

[@diva2000in]

I hope you read my book too someday called NARRATIVES OF A GERIATRICIAN

[@sarahrigg6000]

"glowing reviews". hahah

[@diamondbolton2944]

Definí outgrown young adult. Lol