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I’m a little embarrassed by the number of non-fiction books I’ve read since the beginning of the year.
It honestly feels like this year has been all about thrillers and historical romance for me – more than anything else. But I definitely plan to change that in the coming months.
When I think about my reading patterns, I’ve noticed that I tend to read more non-fiction towards the end of the year.
Maybe it’s because I get more reflective and contemplative about everything that’s happened throughout the year. Who knows?
Anyway, if you want to keep up with the new non-fiction books coming out in August 2025, you should totally check out this post.
I’ve been putting together lists like this for every month so far this year, and I fully plan to keep it up in the months to come.
These are definitely the ones you’ll want to have on your radar.
And if you’re like me and need a little guidance on how to reach your reading goals, here’s a post where I share what’s worked for me in the past and the strategies I plan to try in the future.
Anonymous Male: A Life Among Spies by Christopher Whitcomb – August 19th
This memoir sounds like a real-life thriller, and I honestly can’t wait to start reading it.
Christopher Whitcomb, once the world’s most famous FBI agent, left everything behind – family, friends, even himself – to live undercover in secret places like Somalia and Timor-Leste.
He built private armies, escaped coups, and faced death in wild ocean waves.
But this book isn’t just about adventure – it’s about losing yourself and slowly finding your way home. It’s a rare peek into the life of someone trained to lie to survive.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how he finally made peace with such a dangerous, lonely life.
Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization by Tim Queeney – August 12th
I didn’t think a book about rope could sound this fascinating, but I’m surprisingly looking forward to this one.
Tim Queeney takes us on a fun journey through history, showing how rope made everything possible – from sailing Magellan’s ships to building pyramids and cathedrals.
Without rope, big dreams might have stayed dreams. Queeney also shares his own scary sea adventures and shows us how something as simple as rope can save lives.
And he even talks about space elevators in the future – how cool is that? I’m excited to read this and learn how such a small thing has shaped the entire world.
A Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam Toews – August 26th
This book feels like it’s going to touch my heart deeply. I’m really looking forward to reading Miriam Toews tell her real, personal story for the first time.
She gently reflects on grief, family, and why she writes at all – something every creative person wonders about.
This memoir isn’t loud or dramatic; it feels quiet, thoughtful, and full of truth.
Toews opens up about her sister’s suicide and the secret sadness she’s carried for years.
I think it’ll make readers pause and think about their own inner stories.
It’s probably going to be hard and beautiful at the same time and I want to sit with those feelings.
Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Morris – August 19th
I’ve loved Octavia Butler’s stories for so long, so I’m truly excited for this beautiful biography.
Susana Morris tells the story of Butler’s life – how she grew up, dreamed big, and kept writing even when the world said no to her.
This book connects Butler’s words to real history: civil rights, women’s rights, and more.
I’m really curious to see how her personal struggles shaped her incredible imagination.
I think this biography will feel like sitting with Butler herself, hearing what made her brave and determined.
Hotshot: A Life on Fire by River Selby – August 12th
What a life story this is going to be!
River Selby’s memoir tells how they went from being lost and struggling to fighting wildfires in dangerous forests.
I’m looking forward to reading how they found courage and strength while working in a tough, male-dominated job.
Selby shares the scary, exhausting, and amazing parts of being a firefighter, and how it changed their whole view of the world.
I also love that this book talks about fire itself – what it means for the earth and the mistakes humans have made with it.
It feels honest and brave, and I know this one will stay in my mind for a long time.
Black Moses: A Saga of Ambition and the Fight for a Black State by Caleb Gayle – August 12th
Caleb Gayle tells the true history of Edward McCabe, a man who dreamed of building a Black-led state in America.
He wanted freedom, land, and safety for his people, but greed and racism stood in his way.
I’m so curious to learn more about McCabe’s brave fight and the people who believed in his dream.
This book feels like finding a hidden part of history, and I think it’ll make me wonder about what could have been.
I love when history surprises me, and this one promises to do exactly that.
Glitz, Glam, and a Damn Good Time: How Mamie Fish, Queen of the Gilded Age, Partied Her Way to Power by Jennifer Wright – August 5th
This book tells the story of Mamie Fish, the queen of fabulous parties during America’s Gilded Age.
She didn’t have political power like men, but she made her mark through unforgettable gatherings full of elephants, pranks, and fancy dressed-up dogs.
It’s wild and so entertaining. But it’s not just about the glitz. Mamie shaped history with her wit and charm when women had very little power.
I think this will be a joyful yet thoughtful read about how a clever woman turned parties into influence.
Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stoner – August 12th
I have a soft spot for honest celebrity memoirs, and I’m so curious about this one.
Alyson Stoner bravely shares their real life beyond the Hollywood smiles – growing up in the spotlight with all its chaos, pressures, and painful moments.
From family struggles to finding their true identity, Alyson opens up about everything they’ve faced, like eating disorders and faith questions.
It sounds deeply moving and inspiring, especially for anyone figuring out life in a tough world.
I think this book will be heartfelt, raw, and full of lessons on healing and self-worth. I admire Alyson’s courage and can’t wait to read this real and comforting story.
Blessings and Disasters by Alexis Okeowo – August 5th
Alexis Okeowo writes about growing up in Alabama as the child of Nigerian immigrants while uncovering the state’s hidden past – its joys, struggles, and surprises.
Alabama isn’t just old history or civil rights marches; it’s a place full of real, complicated people today.
I think this book will open my eyes and teach me about a state that shaped so much of America.
I love books that make you think and feel both pride and sadness for a place, and this feels like one of those rare, thoughtful reads I’ll treasure.
Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History by Moudhy Al-Rashid – August 12th
I absolutely love learning about ancient times, so this one makes me excited.
It’s about Mesopotamia – the very first place where people built cities, wrote things down, and told stories that still shape us today.
Moudhy Al-Rashid gently takes us into their world by exploring old bricks, tablets, and even ancient school lessons (turns out students stressed about tests even back then).
It feels like a quiet walk through history with surprises on every page. I think this book will show me that the people from thousands of years ago weren’t so different after all.
I’m really looking forward to this peaceful and fascinating read.
Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs – August 19th
I’ve always admired James Baldwin, so I’m so looking forward to this beautiful new biography.
Rather than focusing on only his famous books or speeches, we see his friendships, romances, and the people who shaped his life and art.
From painters to actors, these relationships helped Baldwin write about love, freedom, and truth in a world that didn’t always welcome him.
I think this will be a tender, rich book that shows the softer side of a man known for his fierce words.
I can’t wait to read about the private Baldwin and discover how love gave him the strength to change the world.
The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze That Captured Turn-of-the-Century America by David Baron – August 26th
Back in the early 1900s, many people truly believed there were real Martians on Mars.
Scientists, writers, and even Tesla thought they were receiving signals from aliens.
David Baron tells the wild, true story of how this space craze swept America, complete with Broadway shows, heated debates, and wild dreams of life on the red planet.
I love strange history like this that makes you smile and wonder how people thought such things.
I think this book will be such an entertaining, surprising escape, so I can’t wait to enjoy this delightful adventure.
Destroy This House: A Memoir by Amanda Uhle – August 26th
I can’t wait to read this touching and funny memoir.
Amanda Uhle shares her unbelievable childhood with a hoarder mother and a scheming father.
Growing up, she was both a child and a caretaker, living in ten different homes across five states as her parents swung between wealth and poverty. Her father even became a preacher after they lost everything.
Now, Amanda looks back on these wild years with warmth, sadness, and laughter.
I love books that show the messy love between parents and children, and this one promises honesty, chaos, and heart. It reminds me of The Glass Castle, so I know it’ll be unforgettable.
Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty by Kaila Yu – August 19th
This one feels so important, and I’m really looking forward to learning from Kaila Yu’s honest voice.
In this deeply personal book, Kaila opens up about what it was like growing up as an Asian girl in a world that made her feel invisible or only seen in the wrong ways.
As a former pinup model and singer, she shares how she shaped herself to fit a narrow idea of beauty.
But this memoir is also about healing and finding real self-love.
I think this book will challenge me in the best way and make me think differently about beauty, culture, and how we all see ourselves.
Clodia of Rome: Champion of the Republic by Douglas Boin – August 12th
I’m honestly so curious about this one because I love hidden stories from history, especially about bold women.
Douglas Boin brings Clodia, a real woman from ancient Rome, to life in this exciting new book.
Clodia was clever, powerful, and brave in a time when women weren’t supposed to be either.
But when she got caught in a messy murder trial, everything changed.
This story shows how women like Clodia shaped history, even when men tried to erase them. I
’m looking forward to diving into ancient Rome and seeing the ways her world isn’t so different from ours today.
Backstage: Stories of a Writing Life by Donna Leon – August 26th
Donna Leon, who writes the famous Guido Brunetti mysteries, shares the real stories behind her books and her life.
She talks about her love for Venice, opera, and classic writers like Dickens.
I love that she even shares little things – like meeting a diamond dealer or a women’s rights activist to make her stories real.
Her life has been full of travel, teaching, and funny surprises, and I just know this book will feel like sitting with a wise, kind friend.
I’m excited to learn about how her mind works and where her great ideas come from.
The Quiet Ear: An Investigation of Missing Sound: A Memoir by Raymond Antrobus – August 28th
This one really speaks to my heart. I’m looking forward to it because it feels so thoughtful and different.
Raymond Antrobus, a poet, shares his life growing up deaf in a world that misunderstood him.
He talks about the sounds he never knew existed – bird songs, whistles, alarms – and how teachers thought he wasn’t listening.
But his story is also about joy, culture, and finding belonging in the Deaf community.
I think this book will gently open my eyes to what life is like when you move between worlds – hearing and Deaf, Black and white, lost and found.
It promises to be kind, powerful, and unforgettable. I’m really excited for this one.
This Happened to Me: A Memoir by Kate Price – August 5th
I feel like this book is going to break my heart but also fill it with hope.
Kate Price tells the story of surviving an awful childhood full of secrets, sadness, and deep pain, but also of fighting back and healing.
With the help of a famous trauma doctor, she uncovered the hidden memories that haunted her, and then spent years searching for the truth.
I admire her bravery so much. This book feels like a journey from darkness into light, and I think it’ll stay with me for a long time.
It’s hard but beautiful to see how someone can rise and help others after so much.
The Undiscovered Country: Triumph, Tragedy, and the Shaping of the American West by Paul Andrew Hutton – August 5th
I’ve always been fascinated by the real stories behind history, so I’m very excited about this book.
Paul Andrew Hutton tells the truth about the American West and beyond cowboys and heroes.
He writes about brave people, sad mistakes, and forgotten voices.
Famous names like Daniel Boone and Sitting Bull appear, but this book also reveals the land’s beauty and the terrible damage done to it.
I think this will be such an eye-opening read because it shows both the wonder and the cost of building a nation.
Like I said, these books are truly one of a kind. They all sound so amazing!
And, okay, I might be a little biased because August is my birthday month, but still, I’m seriously looking forward to getting my hands on at least a couple of these books because they sound just too good to miss.
Let me know which ones you’re planning to check out – I’d love to hear what’s going on your TBR!
And if you want to explore even more new books coming out in August, here are some other posts you might want to check out:
- 20+ Science-Fiction & Fantasy Books Coming Out in August 2025
- 20+ Romantic Fantasy New Book Releases of August 2025
- Top 20+ New Non-Fiction Books Coming Out in August 2025
- 20+ Romance Books Set to Be Released in August 2025
