My Top 10 Favorite Nonfiction Books {Update!}

It's time for an update to my top 10 nonfiction list since it's looking a little different these days!
-My Videos Mentioned-
The original Top 10 Favorite Nonfiction list: • My Top 10 Favorite Non...
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb | Book Review: • Maybe You Should Talk ...
-My Makeup-
Eyeshadow: colourpop.com/products/going-...
Lipstick: www.beautybakerie.com/product...
-Books Discussed-
84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff: amzn.to/35LOi2X
Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie: amzn.to/2URMQbw
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren: amzn.to/2AzyIgp
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande: amzn.to/3e376P4
Quiet by Susan Cain: amzn.to/2AGulQC
How Music Got Free by Stephen Witt: amzn.to/2SqKAXo
The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery: amzn.to/3ebqauK
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum: amzn.to/2Y4CJlU
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald: amzn.to/2N5KIZs
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb: amzn.to/2V4c6sr
(The above book links are 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 ProleteR & licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License.
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My blog - olivethebooks.com/
My written reviews (all venues): bookmarks.reviews/reviewer/ol...

[@allisonpiazza2317]

Just finished “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” this morning, making it my first #nonfictionnovember book. Loved it! So thought provoking and genuine!

[@LittleMew133]

I love non-fictions so much! And there are so few non-fiction recs on Booktube :(

[@antoniosaavedra7806]

When I started “being mortal” I legit thought I was going to finish it in one go. I was so impressed with his structure and organization of this book...I still think about how well he did. I know quite a bit about the topic, having studied nursing home policy and working as a cna, and I was shocked that he could make a topic about mortality optimistic. I know that is probably only my take, but when you get into the weeds of that realm of medicine, it is so easy to get a bleak perspective. Some of the examples he mentioned, I’ve never heard of and I really do think that this book will inspire new research. It rlly got me inspired to continue down this career path that I started. I think I’m going to read it every yr ngl

[@abookolive]

100% agree with you!

[@SharayaMW]

I think the author did a wonderful job of telling relevant stories that fit the subject of end of life care, while balancing that out with being honest about what medical professionals can do to help facilitate necessary care, in inclusive ways. I never thought that I could get so interested in or excited about the possibilities for navigating what can typically be a very arduous time of someone's life. Definitely one of my best reads, this year!

[@Aunt-Rachel]

I read The Poisoner's Handbook earlier this year and loved it! I really enjoy learning when I read, and this book let me learn, but in a really engaging way.

[@MargaretPinard]

Great breadth and balance for a Top Ten. A good glimpse into your interests, as you do a great job encapsulating why you love each book. Also I read the Lori Gottlieb book and got a TON out of it--so well-crafted 😍

[@sanchari.c]

Just found your channel today while searching for a russian pronunciation and I'm so glad I stumbled upon you! Absolutely love love love the way you talk about books. I usually prefer goodreads over youtube for these things but I've been watching your videos for the past hour and I love them all. Instantly subscribed! You've got such a fantastic range. Always looking for non fiction recs and seems like I've hit a goldmine here. Also love how organized your russian shelves are on GR. Today has been a lucky day haha :)

[@MLLatUtube]

I have 84 Charing Cross Road as one of my own favorites and I really enjoyed H is for Hawk. I have Quiet on my TBR and just added A Poisoner's Handbook. I need to read some of these others too! Have you read the memoir Journey by Robert Massie about his son? I loved that one also

[@cminmd0041]

84 is one of my favorite books and the best example of an epistolary novel.

[@jacih1034]

Thank you for the wonderful list. I have seen the book 84 Charing Cross Road while browsing bookstores, on line stores. I was always curious about it. Thank you for the wonderful review. Such a gifted author who now has a new fan. Again thank you.

[@rupachenthil]

I picked with Catherine the great based on your recommendations. Halfway into it and absolutely loving it

[@Christine5280CO]

I loved The Soul of an Octopus. It’s my favorite non-fiction of 2020 (maybe my favorite of all time!). I’ve read two more Sy Montgomery books since and now she’s an auto-buy author for me! I’m currently reading The Poisoners Handbook. It’s so great.

[@onion6foot]

Loved "The Good, Good Pig" and the one about pink dolphins.

[@melisalilos]

I’ve been waiting for your updated non fiction favorites video for so long 😍

[@abookolive]

I hope it was worth the wait! 😀

[@RubyReads]

I just found your channel, and Im so happy I did!! Two of my favorites on here! Lab Girl and soul of an octopus! I love scientist memoirs so so much but now I simply have to get my hands on some of your other favorites since you obviously have excellent taste!

[@cherylmusgrove7]

84 Charing Cross Road is my favorite book- the movie is gorgeous with Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins. All her books are lovely!

[@abookolive]

LOVED the movie!

[@ronjaj.addams-ramstedt1023]

@@abookolive ditto! This has been my go-to non-fiction comfort book for years. (The Hobbit is my comfort fiction)

[@theredheadisreading2251]

So many good books! I have read Lab Girl, Quiet, H is for Hawk, and 84 Charing Cross. I have Soul of an Octopus and Maybe You Should Talk... on my TBR.

[@ChaoticBibliophile]

I picked up Maybe you should talk to someone on you review and ADORED it. Two other books from this list are on my NFN TBR so I hope I get to them as well 😊 Thanks for this video!

[@manjiri2]

Brilliant recommendations, Olive! Can't wait to read every one of them after finishing my current read- Peter the Great! 😁

[@vilstef6988]

I saw a KZbin video about the particulars of 84 Charing Cross Road. It gave a lot of the background of the book and made me want to read it.

[@Secret413]

Adds all to TBR list. Great choices. Thanks for sharing.

[@SharayaMW]

Thank you for sharing! I am eternally grateful for Being Mortal and trying to get my mother to read it. Thanks to this list, I'm going to add Quiet, The Soul of an Octopus, The Poisoner's Handbook, and Maybe You Should Talk to Someone to my TBR list immediately.

[@alldbooks9165]

I was surprised by how much I loved Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. It had such a hopeful message.

[@AnniesBookNook]

I really want to read 84 charing cross road, it sounds so charming! Quiet is a very good book. Helped me understand myself better. Definitely adding h is for hawk to my tbr

[@launchedathousand]

I think next year I need to read Catherine the great book and the Poisoners Handbook. Happy nonfiction November!!

[@ieatpaintchips72]

Thx for reloading my TBR. Now I've got seven new books to look forward to!

[@sarahrigg6000]

I am listening to "H is for Hawk" as an audiobook read by the author and it is DELIGHTFUL. Thank you so much for this recommendation, Olive!

[@takingteawithcatherine]

Any list that has 84 Charing Cross Road is a great list! I still have to read H is for Hawk already!

[@marcusmusings]

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but you should try to give The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street a try. It's the sequel of 84 Charing Cross Road where Hanff is doing her book tour for said book and she finally meets some of the people she corresponds with

[@abookolive]

I own the Duchess of Bloomsbury Street! I'm going to read it after rereading 84, Charing Cross Road.

[@JoshsBookishVoyage]

What a way to start the month! Love it!

[@abookolive]

😁😁😁

[@JoshsBookishVoyage]

I heard Hannah Books praise 84 Crossing Roads and the movie, and now seeing it here I want to read it all the more. Lab girl, another intriguing one. I need more science books by women. I bought Being Mortal a while back at your rec, and still need to get to it.

[@sofiareads4668]

Thanks for the great recs! Have you read When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi? It’s one of my fav memoirs/nonfiction

[@abookolive]

I sure have! 😊

[@MegBookishRamblings]

I have many favorite Nonfiction books as well and many more on my to be read list that I hope will become favorites. 84 Charing Cross Road is a favorite of mine too! Lab Girl is another book that I enjoyed particularly the aspects of being in Minnesota as that's where I live. Haven't had a chance to read Quiet but would like to as I am an introvert who occasionally socializes (mostly to go to the Library when it was open to talk to other bookworms). I borrowed a copy of The Soul of An Octopus from my Library!

[@HannahsBooks]

I am so glad you've fallen in love with 84 Charing Cross Road! It is one of my very favorite books (and movies)--and has been for more than thirty years. Sarah at Hardcover Hearts has inspired a bunch of us to read it every January 1st. It is a great way to start a new year.

[@abookolive]

I'll be joining in on that next year!!

[@HannahsBooks]

@@abookolive Wonderful!

[@crazybooklady8682]

Such a diverse list of non-fiction! :) I'm so bad at making top lists of just anything because I just can't choose one thing over another haha

[@carolquade]

Hi Olive! Long time fan of your videos---you are a big part of my rekindled reading life, so THANK YOU! I am curious if you find that format makes a difference in reading nonfiction (what with data points, photographs, etc.)? For instance, I have tried to read H is For Hawk twice but the e-format just doesn't seem to have the same gravitas as a real book and I'm going to give it another shot! Have a great nonfiction November!

[@abookolive]

E-books definitely take some getting used to, but I promise you they're just like the real book once you get the hang of it! E-books are the reason I'm reading as much as I am right now.

[@labeba]

Thanks alot for all those recommendations 🥰

[@abookolive]

My pleasure 😊

[@mrlately]

Just discovered your channel and Im obsessed. ❤

[@queenbee7819]

Just found this video. Thank you, will pick up those not already read. My fav nonfiction bks read this yr are: River of Doubt by Candice Millard & Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell.

[@ABlurbFromTheSerb]

I think I have most of these books, some of them I bought after seeing your videos. Being Mortal is on my Nonfiction November TBR and I’m mentally preparing for it.

[@gloriathompson423]

I love, love love this channel

[@abookolive]

Thanks Gloria 😊

[@kathyk1148]

I loved "The Soul of an Octopus". I read it for a book discussion group at our local library, so glad I did. "H is for Hawk" is on my book shelf. I need to actually pick that up and read it.

[@GuiltyFeat]

Fabulous list, thanks. I'm a big fan of Lab Girl. If I can make one recommendation for you it would be "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman. The guys on the Culture Gabfest podcast pitched it to me as something very special... and they were right. Cheers.

[@abookolive]

That book sounds FANTASTIC! Thanks so much for the recommendation!

[@PagesWithPippaS]

Omg a book about Octopusessss made the list....I am so fascinated by them....This is a musttt readdd for me now OMG.

[@abookolive]

You will LOVE IT! It's so beautiful 😭

[@LiteraryStoner]

I have got to pick up "Quiet" as a fellow introvert! I loved Soul of an Octopus! Which I did pick up because of you mentioning it, I love animals. :) I picked up H is for Hawk on audio but haven't listened to it yet, I need to do that!

[@Aunt-Rachel]

Quiet is so good - pick it up sooner rather than later! :)

[@angelaluz405]

The Poisoner's Handbook is now on my wish list!

[@antonnovo695]

Thank you for holding the books up )

[@Dreamhunter333]

Can we have a top 100 non fiction? Por favor! 😀

[@abookolive]

Oh, gosh! That would be an impossible video to make, but it's a wonderful idea!

[@abuyusuf3084]

like the way you choose books. Hope i will pick " Lab Girl"

[@vilstef6988]

Sy Montgomery's book about birds is also highly readable.

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

I think I need to buy a few of these books for my own collection. In particular, quiet, and maybe you should talk to someone. I used to be on stage when I was younger and mistaken for an extrovert when actually I'm an introvert. I also suffered from a agoraphobia for many years and couldn't leave my house. I think most readers have an introverted side and at 70 I'm learning to celebrate myself. I haven't had a wonderful experience with therapy but the book about maybe you should talk Etc. Sounds like a memoir I would really appreciate. 84 Charing Cross Road is the favorite but I want to reread it. By the way I love birds. In Hawaii there is a bird who lives outside my house and serenades us what the most beautiful chirping. It feels like a gift. Much Aloha.

[@geetab9898]

I just finished 84 Charing Cross Road. It was so lovely. Now I want a book seller penpal!

[@abookolive]

Same!! Wouldn't that be amazing?!

[@rustyunquebecoiserrant.8049]

I picked up "Poisoners Handbook" its my next read.

[@abookolive]

I hope you enjoy it!!

[@Parker307]

The Poisoner's Handbook is so good. It was weird talking excitedly to people about a book with that title though.

[@butterflymagicwithhottea9291]

Just found your channel and liking this video. Thank you

[@abookolive]

Thanks for watching!

[@erikapatterson484]

Hello! Fellow H is for Hawk lover here! Have you checked out Helen McDonald's newest book Vesper Flights? I have picked up and loved most of the nonfiction books in your videos and I would love to know your thoughts before I buy. Thanks! Happy Nonfiction November! 😉

[@francescathomas3502]

You know that comment you made when you said you had one go to title for the inevitable response to "whats your favourite non fiction book?" Well 84 Charing Cross Road (84 CCR) is MY go to response!!! It's been at the top of my list since 1988 when I first saw the movie. Sure I actually prefer Helene's other book Q's Legacy as the best of all her books, but I still use 84 CCR as my go to answerto this questions, mostly because it is far more well known.

[@jakilevi3027]

Hi Olive, in one of your videos you recommended a book about birdsong!! Now i don't remember whatvit was called and also which video you recommended it in!? Could you please tell me? Thanks.your videis are wonderful.

[@abookolive]

Was it one of these: imgur.com/gallery/6bc1jba (Those are the majority of my bird books.)

[@deborajohnson5717]

84 Charring Cross Road is so charming! I really don’t like memoir. Maybe I just haven’t found the right one! Being Mortal is one of my all time favorite non fiction books! I really enjoyed The Soul of an Octopus too! I enjoyed The Poisoners Handbook also! I have another book by the author-something about a pig? I also read Maybe you Should Talk to a Therapist. I enjoyed it!This is my favorite read a thon. Thank you for your hard work!

[@abookolive]

Thank you so much!

[@jorgemedina8083]

What did you think of Vesper Flights?

[@carolineharnish5633]

Have you read," My Family & other Animals" by Gerald Durrell, or, " The Hacienda, by Lisa St. Aubin de Teran?

[@abookolive]

I have not!

[@onion6foot]

I think "The Good, Good Pig" was even better than "Soul of an Octopus", but loved them both. "How Animals Grieve" by Barbara King will always stay with me.

[@ttirella5608]

Thx

[@stacey__withanE]

Annnnd, the NF November TBR pile goes from 10 to 15 books....(which btw, 4 of which were already Olive recs lol)

[@abookolive]

Aww, that's lovely to hear, thank you! I hope you were able to enjoy some of them during NFN 😃

[@lauragrey8729]

there is a NEW book out called THE WOMAN, by Andersen. It has the potential to be in your list. The writing is soooo beautiful.

[@erinfox2671]

Can you recommend your favorite nonfiction books by persons of color?

[@MsErika1226]

Hello :) Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is extremely heartbreaking but also so inspiring. I will never get over this book. Also really enjoyed The light of the world by Elizabeth Alexander. Very beautiful and heartbreaking as well. I don’t know if you listen to audible but they had a series that was amazing. One from Smoky Robinson that I couldn’t get enough of and Yo Yo Ma was so sweet.

[@blbartlett2]

Note on Robert Massie... his main focus was Russia, but recently I was reading a series of books about WW1 and he wrote an amazing treatment of the runup to that war called "Dreadnought." I think the title takes away from the content a bit... in my view, Dreadnought is right there with "Guns of August" and the early portions of "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" as the best books about the causes of war. Highly recommended for war history buffs!

[@abookolive]

I'll read Dreadnought one day - in the near future, hopefully!

[@ashrafzaman7997]

How beautiful you are !

[@DearReaders_thisisJess]

Just ordered The Poisoner’s Handbook, so, thank you Olive?! 🤔 Haha 😂

[@abookolive]

bahahahaha! You're very welcome 😜