Here are our picks for best adult non-fiction books of 2015. We published a list of our favorite adult fiction books earlier this week; you can read it here. On Monday, we’ll publish our picks for the best young adult, children’s, and picture books of 2015.
Did we include your favorite book? Did we overlook it? Join the conversation on Facebook and tell us which were your favorite books of 2015.
BEST NON-FICTION BOOKS OF 2015
The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson — This is a perfect blend of scholarly theory (feminist/queer) and dreamy memoir. Love, family, motherhood. — recommended by Rachel in Langhorne
Bettyville by George Hodgman — The author leaves New York City and returns to his small home town in Missouri to care for his aging mother. This memoir is funny and heartbreaking at the same time. — recommended by Ceil in Doylestown
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert — I have been using this very popular book in writing workshops as a source of inspirational quotes about creativity. Great for all creative types (or wanna-be creatives). — recommended by Pat in Levittown
Dead Wake by Erik Larson — Larson is a great storyteller. The history of the Lusitania is often overshadowed by the Titanic disaster but is no less tragic. Well-paced, moving and full of interesting real-life characters, this should appeal to non-fiction fans, particularly those interested in World War I era or nautical history. — recommended by Mary Beth at Morrisville and Emily in Quakertown
The Fairy Tale Girl by Susan Branch — Because the author encourages my delusions (she keeps saying that anyone can be an artist! I choose to believe her.) — recommended by Karen in Doylestown
A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914–1918 by Joseph Loconte — This book is about how the faith of these two authors was affected by their experiences in World War I. — recommended by Mary Catherine in Doylestown
I Was a Child by Eric Bruce Kaplan — In this memoir, Kaplan does a good job of conveying the sense of surrealism that we all feel in contemplating our upbringing (notably in his use of the second person). — recommended by Rachel in Langhorne
Listen to Your Mother: What She Said Then, What We’re Saying Now by Ann Imig — This memoir made me cry. — recommended by Rachel in Langhorne
Mystery Writers Cookbook edited by Kate White — Because I asked Connie Archer for one of her soup recipes that she didn’t include in a book and she put it here (with an anonymous nod to moi!) — recommended by Karen in Doylestown
Neurotribes: Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silverman — This is a thoroughly researched and unbiased history of the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of autism. Even if you’ve read all the other books out there, there is new information here. It is detailed but readable. I expect it will become a classic. — recommended by Jean in Doylestown
On the Move: A Life by Oliver Sacks — “The story of a brilliantly unconventional physician and writer—and of the man who has illuminated the many ways that the brain makes us human.” — recommended by Neil in Perkasie
The Organic Artist by Nick Neddo — Because I have delusions of being artistic, in the wild, on a moor … —recommended by Karen in Doylestown
Our Kids by Robert Putnam — The author of Bowling Alone talks about how fewer Americans have the chance for upward mobility. — recommended by Ceil in Doylestown
The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly: A Physician’s First Year by Matt McCarthy — Real, captivating read, especially if the reader is interested in medicine (and I guess as the culture that created ER and Scrubs and General Hospital we all are). — recommended by Rachel in Langhorne
The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower — A really fascinating look at the jobs and lives of White House staff (maids, ushers, florists, etc.) going back as far as the Kennedys. It’s about people, not politics, and should appeal to most non-fiction readers as well as fans of Downtown Abbey. —recommended by Emily in Quakertown
The Soup Club Cookbook: Feed Your Friends, Feed Your Family, Feed Yourself by Courtney Allison et al — Full of simple recipes for every season of the year. Many use surprising ingredients, such as Chestnut Soup, Melon & Mint, not to mention Feeling Better Soup. Even if you never make a soup, you’ll enjoy the photos. — recommended by Dianne at Langhorne
Stuffocation: Why We’ve had Enough of Stuff and Need Experience More than Ever by James Wallman — Wallman, a trend forecaster, sees us moving away from materialism toward experientialism, in other words from having to doing. Not just another get-rid-of-the-clutter-in-your-home book. — recommended by Jan in Levittown
Summer Cocktails: Margaritas, Mint Juleps, Punches, Party Snacks, and More by Maria del Mar Sacasa — Great drink and snack recipes in a beautiful format. This is great book for gift giving in my opinion, even if the season isn’t necessarily right for this time of year. — recommended by Jen in Langhorne
Uniquely Human: a Different Way of Seeing Autism by Barry M. Prizant — This is an enlightening and encouraging book for parents, teachers, and caregivers of autistic children. The author looks past autism as a list of deficits and focuses on recognizing the purposes of autistic behavior. The author affirms the autistic person as rational and purposeful. This is a wonderfully encouraging book. — recommended by Jean in Doylestown
