top of page
Tune in to the podcast on Spotify!
Nonfiction
"If uncovering the truth is the greatest challenge of nonfiction writing, it is also the greatest reward."
- Candice Millard
Nonfiction books offer readers a window into real events, people, and ideas, grounding their narratives in fact and lived experience. They span a wide range of genres—biography, history, science, self-help, journalism—each aiming to inform, explain, or illuminate some aspect of the world. By combining research, analysis, and clear storytelling, nonfiction can deepen understanding, challenge assumptions, and provide practical knowledge that helps readers navigate their lives. Whether driven by curiosity or a desire for personal growth, readers turn to nonfiction for insights that expand their awareness of how the world works and why it matters.
My podcast interview with author Kevin Faulkner (who also happens to be my son!)
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Review: Dopamine Nation - Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke
Dopamine Nation is a timely and thought-provoking exploration of addiction, pleasure, and the modern struggle to maintain balance in an overstimulated world. Written by psychiatrist Anna Lembke, the book blends clinical insight, patient stories, and neuroscience to explain how the brain’s reward system shapes behavior—and how easily it can be thrown off balance.
Review: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Blink is a compelling exploration of how humans make decisions in the first few seconds of encountering something new. Written by Malcolm Gladwell, the book examines the power—and sometimes the danger—of rapid cognition, or what Gladwell calls “thin-slicing”: the brain’s ability to make quick judgments based on very limited information.
Review: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius -Explorations in Stoic philosophy.
Meditations is a collection of personal reflections written by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a ruler who used philosophy not for public teaching, but for private self-discipline and moral grounding. Written as a series of personal notes rather than a structured treatise, the work stands as one of the most influential texts in Stoic philosophy.
Review: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl -life lessons learned in a Nazi concentration camp.
Man’s Search for Meaning is a profound and deeply human exploration of suffering, purpose, and the inner forces that allow people to endure extreme hardship. Written by psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, the book combines memoir and psychological theory, drawing from Frankl’s experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps and his development of logotherapy.
Review: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
The Let Them Theory is a straightforward, motivational self-help book centered on the idea of releasing control over other people’s choices, opinions, and behavior. Written by Mel Robbins, the book builds on her signature style of simple, repeatable mental tools designed to reduce stress and increase personal agency.
Review: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - life lessons learned from terminal cancer
The Last Lecture is a reflective and emotionally resonant memoir built around the idea of what someone would say if given the chance to distill their life’s most important lessons into a final talk. Written by Randy Pausch after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, the book blends life philosophy, personal storytelling, and practical advice into a message centered on how to live with purpose, integrity, and joy even in the face of mortality.
Review: The Four Agreements - A Toltec Wisdom Book by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Four Agreements is a compact but influential self-help and spiritual guide that draws on Toltec wisdom to propose a simple code of conduct for reducing suffering and living with greater emotional freedom. Written by Don Miguel Ruiz, the book is structured around four core principles meant to challenge deeply ingrained beliefs that often shape human behavior, relationships, and self-perception.
Review: Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
This book is less about geography and more about perspective. Steinbeck travels through a wide range of American regions—from New England to the Pacific Northwest to the Deep South—observing landscapes, conversations, and cultural attitudes along the way. Each stop becomes an opportunity to reflect on how rapidly the country is changing and how distance can reshape one’s understanding of home.
Review: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a deeply structured and principle-centered approach to personal and professional effectiveness that has shaped modern thinking about productivity, leadership, and character development for decades. Written by Stephen R. Covey, the book goes far beyond time management or motivational advice, instead offering a complete framework for living and working with integrity, intention, and long-term clarity.
Review: As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
As a Man Thinketh is a short but influential philosophical work that explores the relationship between thought, character, and life circumstances. Written by thinker James Allen, the book presents a simple but powerful idea: a person’s inner thoughts shape their outer reality.
Review: The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
The Hiding Place is a deeply moving memoir that tells the true story of courage, faith, and moral conviction during one of history’s darkest periods. Written by Corrie ten Boom, the book recounts her family’s efforts to shelter Jewish people in Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II and the devastating consequences that followed.
Review: Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
Girl, Wash Your Face is a motivational self-help memoir that blends personal storytelling with encouragement aimed at helping readers challenge self-doubt and negative thinking. Written by Rachel Hollis, the book became a major bestseller in the late 2010s, widely discussed for its upbeat tone, relatable anecdotes, and strong emphasis on personal responsibility and self-improvement.
Review: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
Hidden Figures is a compelling and inspiring work of nonfiction that brings long-overdue recognition to the Black women mathematicians who played a crucial role in the success of the U.S. space program. Written by Margot Lee Shetterly, the book blends historical research with narrative storytelling to illuminate the contributions of the women known as “human computers” at NASA during the mid-20th century.
Review: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits is a highly practical self-improvement book that focuses on how small, consistent changes can compound into remarkable long-term results. Written by James Clear, the book has become one of the most influential modern guides on habit formation, productivity, and behavior change.
Review: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking is a thoughtful and research-informed exploration of introversion and how personality shapes the way people think, work, and interact with the world. Written by Susan Cain, the book challenges the long-standing cultural bias that often favors extroversion as the ideal personality type, offering a compelling argument for the value of quieter, more reflective individuals.
Review: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Into Thin Air is a gripping and harrowing nonfiction account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, written by journalist and climber Jon Krakauer. Blending personal memoir with investigative reporting, the book recounts one of the deadliest climbing seasons in Everest’s history, offering a detailed and deeply human look at ambition, risk, and survival at extreme altitude.
Review: Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Freedom by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
At the center of the book is the idea that money is not just currency, but “life energy.” The authors encourage readers to calculate how many hours of work are required to earn money and then evaluate whether purchases are truly worth the time spent earning them. This reframing shifts financial decisions from abstract numbers to something more personal and tangible—your limited time on earth.
Review: The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
The Richest Man in Babylon is a classic personal finance book that uses simple parables set in ancient Babylon to teach timeless lessons about money, wealth-building, and financial discipline. Written by George S. Clason, the book remains widely read because of its straightforward storytelling style and its clear, memorable principles for managing personal finances.
Review: The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
You gotta love a business "strategy" that's mostly just about being a decent human. The Go-Giver is a short, parable-style business fable that challenges conventional ideas about success, achievement, and value. Written by Bob Burg and John David Mann, the book uses a simple narrative structure to deliver a message that feels both philosophical and practical: true success comes from giving more than you receive.
Review: A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
A Walk in the Woods is a witty, observant, and often laugh-out-loud account of one man’s attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Written by travel writer Bill Bryson, the book blends personal memoir, travelogue, and environmental commentary into an entertaining narrative about ambition, nature, and the unpredictable realities of long-distance hiking.
Review: The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele
The Yamas & Niyamas is a reflective and accessible guide to the ethical foundations of yoga, offering a grounded interpretation of ancient wisdom for modern life. Written by Deborah Adele, the book explores the first two limbs of the eightfold path of yoga, presenting them not as rigid rules, but as practical principles for living with greater awareness, integrity, and compassion. Rarely has a book had as profound a personal impact on me as this one did.
Review: Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand
Seabiscuit: An American Legend is a richly detailed and emotionally engaging nonfiction narrative that brings to life one of the most unexpected champions in American sports history. Written by Laura Hillenbrand, the book goes far beyond horse racing to tell a story about perseverance, resilience, and the search for hope during one of the most difficult periods in American history.
Review: Taste - My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
Taste: My Life Through Food is a warm, richly textured memoir that blends personal history with a lifelong love of cooking and eating. Written by actor and food enthusiast Stanley Tucci, the book uses food as a lens to explore family, identity, memory, and resilience, resulting in a memoir that feels both intimate and deeply human.
Review: Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Kitchen Confidential is a raw, energetic, and unapologetically candid memoir that pulls back the curtain on professional kitchens and the chaotic world behind restaurant dining. Written by chef and travel storyteller Anthony Bourdain, the book became famous for its unfiltered look at the culinary industry and its mix of humor, grit, and brutal honesty.
Review: On the Hippie Trail by Rick Steves
As an adventure traveler myself, this speaks to me on a personal level, of following passion and living the dream. On the Hippie Trail is a vivid and reflective travel memoir that follows an overland journey from Istanbul to Kathmandu along the famous “hippie trail” of the 1970s. Written by travel writer Rick Steves, the book combines travel narrative, cultural observation, and personal reflection to show how a formative journey through Asia shaped his worldview and influence
Review: Light Her Fire by Ellen Kreidman
Light Her Fire by Ellen Kreidman is a relationship guide focused on rekindling emotional connection, attraction, and long-term passion in romantic partnerships. Written in a direct, advice-driven style, the book aims to help readers—primarily men in heterosexual relationships—better understand how to keep emotional and romantic energy alive after the initial excitement of a relationship fades.
Review: Marley & Me by John Grogan
Marley & Me is a heartfelt and humorous memoir that chronicles the chaotic but deeply meaningful life shared between a family and their exuberant Labrador retriever. Written by journalist John Grogan, the book blends personal storytelling with reflections on family, love, and the unpredictable joy that pets bring into everyday life.
Review: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk leaves readers with a clear and enduring message: communication is not just about getting children to behave—it is about building a relationship in which children feel understood, respected, and capable of working with others to solve problems over time.
Review: Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
Under the Tuscan Sun is a warm, sensory-rich memoir that celebrates the pleasures of slowing down, renovating a crumbling home, and building a life rooted in place. Written by poet and travel writer Frances Mayes, the book follows her experience purchasing and restoring an old villa in the Tuscan countryside, blending travel writing, memoir, and reflections on food, landscape, and belonging.
Review: Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
A recurring theme in Out of Africa is the idea of belonging and displacement. Dinesen writes with deep affection for the land, yet there is also a sense of impermanence and separation. She often reflects on the tension between her European identity and her life in Africa, as well as the inevitability of change and departure. This emotional undercurrent gives the memoir a quiet melancholy that runs beneath its beauty.
Review: What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles
What Color Is Your Parachute? is one of the most enduring and widely respected career-development books, offering practical guidance for job seekers and people in transition. Written by Richard N. Bolles, the book has been updated many times over the years, but its core message remains focused on helping readers discover meaningful work through self-knowledge and intentional job searching.
Review: Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
One of the most compelling aspects of Gift from the Sea is its emphasis on simplicity. Lindbergh suggests that in order to live a meaningful life, we must learn to let go of excess—whether it’s physical clutter, emotional burdens, or the constant pressure to do and be everything at once. Her insights feel especially relevant in today’s fast-paced world, where busyness is often mistaken for fulfillment. She gently reminds readers that stillness and solitude are not luxuries, b
Review: The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
At the core of Elrod’s method is the “SAVERS” routine: Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing (journaling). Each element is designed to cultivate mental clarity, focus, and intentionality before the demands of the day begin. The idea is that by dedicating even a small amount of time each morning to these practices, you can create momentum that carries through the rest of your life.
Review: The Untethered Soul by Michael A Singer
The Untethered Soul is an introspective and spiritually focused book that explores the nature of consciousness, the mind, and what it truly means to be free. Written by Michael A. Singer, the book invites readers to step back from their thoughts and emotions and begin observing them from a place of awareness rather than identification.
Review: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is more than just a guide to organizing your home—it’s a philosophy of living with intention. Written by Marie Kondo, the book introduces the now-famous KonMari Method, a structured yet deeply personal approach to decluttering that has resonated with millions around the world.
Review: The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman
The 5 Love Languages has become a cornerstone in relationship self-help, offering a clear and memorable framework for understanding how people express and experience love. Written by Gary Chapman, the book is grounded in years of counseling experience and aims to bridge the gap between intention and emotional connection in relationships.
Review: Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Wild is a raw, introspective memoir that follows Cheryl Strayed’s solo journey hiking more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. Written by Cheryl Strayed, the book is as much about emotional survival as it is about physical endurance, tracing a path through grief, self-destruction, and ultimately, healing.
Review: Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner by Dean Karnazes
Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes is an energetic, often astonishing memoir that explores the limits of human endurance—both physical and mental. More than just a story about running extreme distances, the book is a reflection on resilience, self-discovery, and what drives someone to push far beyond conventional boundaries.
Review: The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar
The Heart of Yoga is a timeless and deeply thoughtful guide that explores yoga not just as a physical practice, but as a complete system for living with greater awareness, balance, and purpose. Written by T. K. V. Desikachar, the book reflects the teachings of his father, the renowned yogi Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, and offers a more traditional, holistic perspective on yoga than many modern interpretations.
Review: The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker
What makes this book especially effective is its room-by-room approach. Rather than presenting minimalism as a vague philosophy, Becker gives readers a clear, step-by-step path to follow. Each chapter focuses on a different area of the home—kitchen, bedroom, living room, even storage spaces like garages—guiding you through the process of evaluating what you own and why you keep it. This methodical structure helps eliminate the paralysis that often comes with decluttering, off
Review: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is a nonfiction account that tells the story of building schools in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, focusing on Mortenson’s efforts to promote education—especially for girls—in underserved mountain communities.
Review: The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking
The Little Book of Hygge offers a gentle, immersive look into one of Denmark’s most cherished cultural concepts—one that has quietly captured global attention for its simple yet meaningful approach to happiness. Written by Meik Wiking, the book goes beyond defining hygge and instead invites readers to experience it, understand it, and ultimately incorporate it into their own daily lives.
Hygge, as Wiking explains, doesn’t translate neatly into English. It’s less a word and m
Review: The Holistic Home - Feng Shui for Mind, Body, Spirit, Space by Laura Benko
In terms of practical application, the book strikes a nice balance. While it leans heavily into mindset and emotional awareness, it still offers tangible suggestions. Readers will find ideas for decluttering with intention, creating calming rituals within their homes, and designing spaces that support their goals and values. The emphasis is less on perfection and more on alignment—encouraging you to create a home that genuinely feels good to live in.
Review: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is a reflective memoir that follows a year-long journey of self-discovery across Italy, India, and Indonesia. Written after a painful divorce and a period of emotional crisis, the book traces Gilbert’s attempt to rebuild her sense of identity by seeking pleasure, spiritual discipline, and balance in different parts of the world. The author reminds me of my self on my own personal path, and I appreciated her insights.
Review: All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
One of the most striking qualities of the book is its tone. Herriot writes with gentle humor and compassion, capturing both the absurdity and beauty of everyday veterinary work. The stories range from comical mishaps with difficult livestock to poignant moments involving sick or dying animals, and this balance between lightness and seriousness gives the book its enduring charm. Nothing feels forced or exaggerated; instead, the humor arises naturally from real situations and h
Review: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is one of those rare books that feels less like something you read and more like something you experience. First published in the early 1990s, it has quietly become a classic in the world of creativity and self-discovery, guiding millions of readers back to a more authentic, expressive version of themselves.
Review: "You Are Not a Rock" by, Mark Freeman
Rocks do not have feelings. But, humans definitely do, and that’s ok. That’s the basic premise for this intriguing book about mental health. Mark Freeman is not a licensed therapist. It's important to understand that when evaluating the advice he proposes. He’s more of a mental fitness coach, giving practical tips on how to navigate a healthy path based on his personal experience. He candidly shares the negative effects that OCD and anxiety had on his own daily life and relat
Review: "Millionaire Success Habits" By Dean Graziosi
The truest thing I gathered from the book was the reminder that happiness is the ultimate creator of success, rather than the other way around. I loved that in a book about increasing wealth he took the time to speak at length about focusing on creating happiness first and foremost.
Review: "To Hell With the Hustle" by, Jefferson Bethke
It seems like everyone (including yours truly) has a side hustle (or two?) these days, doesn’t it? Multitasking has become the way of the world in an ever increasingly frantic charge to get ahead. Competition is fierce out there, and enough just never seems to equal enough. Is this fast paced, driven lifestyle sustainable? Or even desirable? Jefferson Bethke says no.
Review: "What Struggle Brings" by, Kevin Faulkner
This book is special to me personally, because it was written by someone I love dearly - my son Kevin. I walked much of this journey with him. From the painful life experiences that led to "The Dark" section, all the way through to the joy of "The Light." I've seen him grow as an artist and as a man along the way, and it's been so exciting to see this book come to fruition.
bottom of page