Give the gift of all gifts: an excuse to turn off the phone and dive into a book.
According to data released last year, U.S. adults are reading fewer books than ever. In 2022, just over half (53 percent) had read literature or books of some kind and only 48.5 percent had read at least one book — down from more than 57 percent in 2017. Indeed, what and how we read has changed dramatically in the last decade. We can put the blame on our devices, surely, but there are many factors including post-covid activities, too many streaming options, and inflation making side hustles as essential as clipping coupons.
But the quality of what’s being written has arguably never been better. Our 2024 reading list features page-turning memoirs from actor and director Griffin Dunne, journalist Sebastian Unger, musician Kathleen Hanna, Whole Foods Market founder John Mackey, and actor Michael Richards, who you surely know better as Kramer from the hit ’90s sitcom, Seinfeld.
The state of our planet has never been more of a focus than it is today, and it’s discussed in depth by several authors on our list. Mackey and Anne Murcott dive into the weird world of foodstuffs while Brea Baker explores the complicated history of Black landowners. Ganni’s co-founder Nicolaj Reffstrup provides a playbook for the fashion industry as Julie Satow takes a look at its history, and Amy Tan will make birdwatchers out of all us while Todd May asks whether or not the human race should ever continue. It’s a reading list that’ll keep you glued to every page.
Best non-fiction books of 2024
Whether you’re buying for yourself or as a gift, pick up one of our top non-fiction picks for 2024.
When Women Ran Fifth Avenue, by Julie Satow
Hailed as “masterful” and “an essential read” by Fiona Davis of the New York Times, Julie Satow, the award-winning author of The Plaza, presents a sparkling depiction of the golden age of American department stores and the three pioneering women who led them. Available June 4th.
The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir, by Griffin Dunne
In his memoir, actor and director Griffin Dunne recounts growing up amidst the larger-than-life characters of Hollywood and Manhattan — from Sean Connery to Janis Joplin, the stories range from the unbelievable to the all-too-real, including the tragic murder of his sister Dominique. Despite the sobering sadness, Dunne finds wicked humor and glimpses of light throughout. (Read an excerpt here.) Available June 11th.
Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership, by Brea Baker
In this must-read testament to Black farmers, Brea Baker explores why less than one percent of rural land in the U.S. is owned by Black people. She delves into the impacts of land theft and violent displacement on racial wealth gaps, arguing that justice begins with the literal roots of the earth. Available June 18th.
The Whole Story: Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism, by John Mackey
John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market for more than 40 years, shares an intimate and provocative account of the rise of this iconic supermarket. He offers insights into the personal and spiritual journey that inspired Whole Foods’ success and its impact on the retail and food industries. Available now.
Should We Go Extinct? by Todd May
In a time of growing pessimism about the future, Todd May addresses the question of whether humanity should go extinct or we should keep having children and perpetuate our rather complicated species. He outlines a powerful framework for understanding our responsibilities as a species and offers hope that we can agree the answer should be “no.” Available August 6th.
The (Not So) Secret Lives of Food Packaging, by Anne Murcott
Anne Murcott unveils the hidden history and significance of food packaging in modern times. It’s a fascinating dive into the evolution of food packaging — from cans and jars to plastic wrap and more, can understanding the massive scale of our food system make us more conscious consumers? This book is part of the “Food in Modern History: Traditions and Innovations” series. Available now.
Entrances and Exits, by Michael Richards
Seinfeld fans, this one’s for you. Michael Richards, the actor who portrayed Kramer, shares his extraordinary life story — from a dark family secret to the performance that changed his career. Richards reflects on his journey as an artist and human being, and the ups and downs that have shaped him. Available June 4th.
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, By Robin Wall Kimmerer
In The Serviceberry, Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, offers a powerful meditation on reimagining our lives through gratitude, reciprocity, and community, drawing lessons from the natural world. Reflecting on the serviceberry tree, which thrives by sharing its bounty with the ecosystem, Kimmerer contrasts this ethic of reciprocity with an economy built on scarcity and competition. Through Indigenous wisdom and ecological insights, she challenges readers to rethink wealth as the quality of relationships rather than self-sufficiency. Described by Elizabeth Gilbert as “a great teacher,” Kimmerer’s work provides an antidote to the disconnection of modern life, reminding us that mutual flourishing, not hoarding, sustains us. True to her ethos, Kimmerer is donating her book’s advance to land protection and restoration efforts, embodying the principles she so eloquently advocates.
The Ganni Playbook: How to Get Started Creating a Responsible Business, by Nicolaj Reffstrup and Brooke Roberts-Islam
Born out of its increasing commitment to being a leader in responsible fashion, Danish luxury label Ganni is now sharing its secrets in its first playbook. Penned by the label’s co-founder, Nicolaj Reffstrup, and industry expert Brooke Roberts-Islam, the book takes on issues including fashion’s carbon footprint as well as the ethical challenges of growing a business. Available June 27th.
The Backyard Bird Chronicles, by Amy Tan
With bestsellers like The Joy Luck Club and The Kitchen God’s Wife, Amy Tan’s writing has touched hearts for years, and now she invites us to see the world of birding through her perspective. The Backyard Bird Chronicles delves into the allure of our feathered friends and will captivate birdwatchers old and new. Available now.
In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife Alternative, by Sebastian Unger
Bestselling author Sebastian Junger shares his own terrifying quest to understand death and dying in this profoundly personal memoir. Following a near-fatal health crisis, Junger offers a compelling meditation on death and the possibilities of what comes after. In My Time of Dying combines elements of medical drama, a searing autobiography, and a rational exploration of life’s ultimate mystery. Available now.
Rebel Girl: My Life as Feminist Punk, by Kathleen Hanna
If you grew up listening to riot grrrl music, Kathleen Hanna is surely no stranger. The frontwoman of the feminist punk band Bikini Kill and later the electro-pop Le Tigre founded a movement that changed music — and women — forever. She details her troubled childhood, her unlikely rise to fame, and her influence on icons like Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain.
To the Ends of the Earth: How Ancient Conquerors, Explorers, Scientists, and Traders Connected the World, by Raimund J. Schulz
To the Ends of the Earth by Raimund J. Schulz delivers a sweeping, 1,000-year history of ancient exploration, positioning it as a driving force of economic, political, and cultural development. This first full-scale account in over a century spans the Mediterranean Bronze Age to the third century CE, examining journeys from the North Atlantic to China, the Sahara to the Russian steppes. Schulz redefines exploration as more than fleeting heroics, tracing its roots in Bronze Age Egypt and Mesopotamia through to Alexander the Great’s conquests and the global interconnections of the Romans, Persians, Scythians, Indians, and Chinese. By framing ancient expeditions within their broader political and economic contexts, Schulz bridges antiquity and the premodern world, revealing how these voyages laid the groundwork for Early Modern exploration while challenging Greco-Roman isolation in the global narrative.
The Blue Plate: A Food Lover’s Guide to Climate Chaos, by Mark J. Easter
The Blue Plate by ecologist Mark Easter is a thoughtful guide for food lovers seeking to align their plates with planetary health. Each chapter delves into the environmental and social impacts of our favorite foods, from greenhouse gas emissions to the consequences of out-of-season demand. Easter weaves together stories of the soil, farmers, workers, and grocers who bring these foods to our tables, providing insights into sustainable alternatives that embrace low-carbon, in-season choices without requiring a strictly plant-based diet. Through engaging narratives, the book offers a deeper understanding of how food is grown, produced, and transported, inspiring more thoughtful — and delicious — eating habits.
Other noteworthy titles
Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir
By Ina Garten
The Garden Against Time: In Search of a Common Paradise
By Olivia Laing
Spice: The 16th-Century Contest that Shaped the Modern World
By Roger Crowley
Cher: The Memoir, Part One
By Cher
Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering
By Malcolm Gladwell
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