14 Can't-Put-it-Down Nonfiction Books Coming Out in 2024

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Now that it's January, everyone's out here wanting to get on their "new year, new me" grind, but I'm much more of a "new year, slightly more well informed me" kind of gal (we gotta keep things realistic, right?!). And IMHO, the best way to do that is by swapping out your usual romance, mystery, and fantasy books for something that's a little more, well, real. I'm talking about non-fiction books, y'all!

This year's crop of non-fiction books is offering up a buffet of brainy delights that is not only going to have you well informed, but thoroughly entertained. From dissecting how TikTok algorithms are dictating culture to learning the art of slow productivity (spoiler alert: we're not built to deal with overflowing inboxes and high demands at all times), these books are so gripping they'll totally make you abandon your Netflix queue. If you're more of a memoir fan, there are a few from well-known names slated to come out in 2024, like RuPaul, Rebel Wilson, and even the brother of Princess Diana.

So grab your comfiest blanket and get ready to have your eyes glued to these book pages (or e-reader pages, if that's your thing) 'cause these are the non-fiction books coming out in 2024 that you won't want to put down.

"Making It in America," by Rachel Slade

When so many of the things that we buy are now made overseas, the question of whether manufacturing in America can ever make a comeback is a big one. A couple in Maine is attempting a seemingly impossible feat: making an all American-sourced hoodie. They're desperate to prove ethical manufacturing is possible, and their journey takes you from New York City's garment district all the way to a family-run zipper company in LA. It's an enlightening look at the history of manufacturing in America and how we got to where we are today.

"Filterworld," by Kyle Chayka

The cool thing about places like TikTok and Netflix is that whether you're in Paris, Texas or Paris, France, you can be fed the same videos. The algorithms that push what we watch, listen to, and even purchase have grown tighter, creating what's called "Filterworld." This book dives into how algorithms aren't just influencing culture, but producing it, and makes you question how much free will you possess in the online world.

Release date: January 16, 2024

"Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here," by Jonathan Blitzer

Whether you're starting from scratch with wanting to learn about what's happening at the southern border or are already informed but want to learn more, this book is an insightful, yet heartbreaking, look at the humanitarian crisis that's unfolding. Told through the lives of migrants who are risking it all to have a better life, New Yorker writer Jonathan Blitzer delves into the decades of poor policy and corruption that have landed us where we are today.

Release date: January 30, 2024

"Private Equity," by Carrie Sun

Have you ever wondered what you'd sacrifice to get to the top? For Carrie Sun, she found out after landing a job at a prestigious hedge fund and letting herself be washed over by the firm's toxic culture. A luxurious world is opened up to her, and it's great, but in a life with no balance, she soon finds her health is fading. It's an enthralling memoir about self-discovery, and a look at the dark side of extreme wealth and today's work culture.

Release date: February 13, 2024

"Normal Women," by Philippa Gregory

You might know Philippa Gregory from her historical fiction books like The Other Boleyn Girl, but her latest account is 100 percent real and 100 percent fascinating. It covers 900 years of women in British history, giving you new perspectives to things you're already familiar with (like how Darwin thought women were evolving to become more inferior to men??) and introducing you to perhaps entirely new things you'd never heard of (like how female peasants in 1381 led a revolt over a tax on women). It's an amazing read that'll have you yelling "Yay, women!!" after every story.

Release date: February 27, 2024

"The House of Hidden Meanings," by RuPaul

We all know RuPaul as the iconic host of Drag Race, but his new memoir will give you an intimate look into his life, from growing up poor and queer in San Diego to discovering his love of performing. You'll get to read about finding love with his husband Georges LeBar and his journey into sobriety. It's a celebration of chosen family and embracing your differences that'll have you feeling all the self-love feels.

Release date: March 5, 2024

"Slow Productivity," by Cal Newport

There's so much focus on productivity these days, but what we're really doing is just focusing on volume and busyness. You know, hustle culture. But it wasn't always this way, and in his book, Cal Newport dives into how great minds of the past worked, producing quality over quantity, and provides a step-by-step way to shift your work mindset to a much more sustainable one.

Release date: March 5, 2024

"A Very Private School," by Charles Spencer

From the younger brother of Princess Diana, the book provides an amazing view into the world of a child sent away at the tender age of eight to a boarding school. That alone can be traumatic enough, but when there's a culture of cruelty in the schooling system, it makes it unimaginably worse.

Release date: March 12, 2024

"You Get What You Pay For: Essays," by Morgan Parker

In a collection of riveting and deeply personal essays, Morgan Parker delves into the challenges (and beauty) of being a Black woman throughout American history. From not being included in general beauty standards to the slave trade to the public's perception of Serena Williams, this book is filled with poignant insights into the portrait of a Black American woman.

Release date: March 12, 2024

"Rebel Rising," by Rebel Wilson

We all know Rebel Wilson as the hilarious star of movies like Pitch Perfect and Isn't It Romantic, but now she's letting us in behind the curtain to see a more personal side (and yes, there are some very funny stories too). She takes you from being a handler at a dog show in Australia to moving to Hollywood to finding love—oh! And she promises there's at least one story about Brad Pitt, so that alone is worth it!

Release date: April 2, 2024

"Sociopath," by Patric Gagne

The term "sociopath" can get thrown around quite a bit (and usually in the wrong context), so hearing from someone about their own sociopathy and what it's actually like is completely fascinating. Patric Gagne knew she was different from a young age, not experiencing things like fear and empathy like the other kids. But it wasn't until college, after having become a home invader who was occasionally violent, that she was diagnosed. She was told there was nothing that could be done for her, and her future felt pretty grim...until she found love. If she can love, she can't be a monster, and she's on a mission to prove it.

Release date: April 2, 2024

"The French Ingredient," by Jane Bertch

An American opening a cooking school in Paris seems like something that wouldn't go over too well with the Parisians, but Jane Bertch, wanting to create a friendly place for foreigners to learn to make a few French dishes, did it anyway. It wasn't an easy journey, and she faced some turned-up noses from locals, but she was determined to help others whip up the perfect meringue and bake the tastiest baguettes.

Release date: April 9, 2024

"The Swans of Harlem," by Karen Valby

During the civil rights movement, Lydia Abarca became the prima ballerina with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Her successes (of which there were many, including being the first Black ballerina on the cover of Dance magazine and being cast in a Bob Fosse Broadway show) were found with her closest friends, fellow ballerinas Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton, and Marcia Sells. This book tells the story of these pioneering women, how they performed for the likes of the Queen of England and Stevie Wonder, and provides a snapshot of the history of Black ballet.

Release date: April 30, 2024

"When Women Ran Fifth Avenue," by Julie Satow

In the 20th century, the American department store represented a place where women, whether a shopper or a shop worker, could flock to to find a little independence. This book tells the inspiring and dramatic stories of three women (Hortense Odlum of Bonwit Teller, Dorothy Shaver of Lord & Taylor, and Geraldine Stutz of Henri Bendel's) who helped transform these stores into the glamorous meccas that they ultimately became. Their accomplishments (like Dorothy becoming the first businesswoman to earn a salary over $1.5 million) will give you girl boss inspiration for days.

Release date: June 4, 2024

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