The 2020 lockdowns forced me to swap my long daily walks for long reading sessions, so for the whole year I was many books ahead of my Goodreads Reading Challenge. Here are five of the best nonfiction books I read during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A note on how I choose the books for my lists: If I think about a book long after turning its last page, it’s a great book. If I read it again, it’s a book I love. And if it’s a great book that I love and I think you might like it too, I add it to my list of the best nonfiction books.
This popular science book is fascinating even if you don’t have a special interest in biology, because it’s about you—how you came to be. Most of us think of our life as starting the day we are born, but a lot of astonishing things happen before that. In The Making of You, Vestre focuses on this journey, which started when you were a cell. She tells this story so well that you will likely read the book in one go, even if you already know how it ends.
Read my interview with the author here.
The blurb on the back cover says the book is “written in language so simple an intelligent child could read it”. The best pop science books are, and this one is. The fresh, clear writing makes the book enjoyable and the science it’s based on easy-to-digest information even if you know nothing about developmental biology. I hope The Making of You will be the first of many popular science books by this author.
Recommended for: parents-to-be, anyone with an interest in biology, and everyone else
One of my favorite quotes: “Your brain is your life project. Everything you learn and remember leads to physical changes in the connections between your nerve cells.”
The Ascent of Gravity by Marcus Chown
Packed with jaw-dropping facts and seasoned with anecdotes, The Ascent of Gravity can appeal to anyone, even to those who read only fiction. Some of the physics and astronomy bits can feel heavy at times if you have no previous knowledge of the subject. But even if you get lost in the science at times, you’ll still get an idea about many hot topics like gravitational waves, relativity theory, quantum theory, the big bang, neutron stars, and many more. Essentially a book about the history of gravity from Newton to gravitational waves, it captivates and entertains readers like few other popular science books manage to.
Recommended for: anyone with an interest in physics, astronomy, or nature
One of my favorite quotes: “It is not impossible that an egg will go from broken to intact but it is overwhelmingly improbable.”
Valverde’s Gold: In Search of the Last Great Inca Treasure by Mark Honigsbaum
As a teenager, I was obsessed with South American history and would devour any book on the subject. My interest has since faded, but this book rekindled my passion for the continent. The search for Inca gold in South America is a topic few fans of adventure travel writing can resist. But even more fascinating is the story of the people who have dedicated years of their life to treasure hunting. Valverde’s Gold (or as one Goodreads reviewer points out, maybe it should have been called “Atahualpa’s hidden gold”) is a well-researched, enjoyable piece of nonfiction, though it falls into the trap of repetition at times. This doesn’t dent its appeal too much, though. A real buried-treasure story that makes you dream of expeditions to remote places, Valverde’s Gold is a book to read on rainy, boring days when you’re stuck at home.
Recommended for: adventure lovers, those who appreciate treasure hunting stories, people interested in the Inca empire
One of my favorite quotes: “In order to survive three weeks in the ranges I had to rediscover that sense of childish wonder and awe I had felt on first reading Treasure Island… I had to suspend disbelief just a little longer.”
Common Ground by Rob Cowen
I admire anyone who can see the extraordinary in the ordinary. And Rob Cowen not only can but he can also write an extraordinary book about it. To most of us, the land at the edge of our town is nothing more than the place where we walk our dog or go for a run. But Cowen observes all the details that make the place at the edge of his town special. He takes the time to notice its beauty, wilderness, and the way it changes with the seasons. And he also imagines the stories of the animals that live there and seeks to understand the place’s history. Common Ground is a blend of nature writing, personal introspection, and memoir with a touch of fantasy—hard to classify but wonderful nevertheless.
Recommended for: fans of nature writing, those who appreciate the natural world, readers looking for fresh perspectives
One of my favorite quotes: “Horizons began to widen in early February. They always do. It is something about the lifting light and sky. Days no longer seem so abbreviated, in such a mad rush to reach their conclusion.”
Eden by Tim Smit
More than the story of the Eden Project, this book is about the people who contributed to turning a dream into reality. Smit’s depictions of many people he worked with prove that beyond any great project are great people committed to a common goal. The book is an inspirational story about how this team was able to overcome the difficulties encountered—financial, bureaucratic, technical—and make Eden a reality. It’s about the power of networking, believing in your work, and moving forward against all odds. You’d think a book about a project would be just a dab less boring than a project management textbook. But Eden is surprisingly enjoyable to read. I guess it’s because it wasn’t meant to be an inspirational story but a genuine account of how Eden came to be. I guess it’s that genuine tone that makes it a pleasure to read.
Recommended for: project managers, Eden Project fans, anyone who loves inspirational stories
One of my favorite quotes: “Business plans are normally fantasies created by optimists (you) for the scrutiny of pessimists (banks).”
I hope you find at least one nonfiction book you’ll love in this article. If you don’t, please check my 2019 list or my 2018 list.
Do you need a freelance editor or proofreader for a nonfiction manuscript? Send me a message at editor@languageediting.com.
Related posts:
- The best nonfiction books I read in 2019
- Nonfiction books for your summer reading list
- On writing: Interview with scientist-author Katharina Vestre
Last revised on 21 September 2022
