TWFH’s Top Nonfiction Reads of 2021

Every Texas kid learns the story of Cabeza de Vaca, but the version we learned in school left a lot out.

The explorer's journey was way longer, harder, and weirder than we knew.

And in the end, he became one of the most sympathetic figures in the history of Spanish exploration—a determined, but sadly ignored, advocate for the very Native Americans who held him captive.

“A Land So Strange is absolutely a story worth reading!” — Stacy Clifford

In this great read, James Clear presents a framework for reshaping the way you think about progress and success and provides tools and strategies for transforming unhealthy or unwanted habits.

“I found it really helpful to change small bad habits, effectively.” — Wintress Odom

This thrilling page-turner is the true-life story of a woman, code-named “Sonya,” whose career as a high-ranking Soviet intelligence officer traversed over several decades, during which she was hunted by the Chinese, the Japanese, the Nazis, MI5, MI6, and the FBI.

Yet, she managed to evade them all!

In this engaging memoir, Cary Elwes recounts stories from the incredible time he spent with fellow actors, including Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner, making the movie “The Princess Bride.”

“This book is really, really good. Especially if you love “The Princess Bride.” I actually recommend listening to it—Cary Elwes narrates, and he does a great job impersonating the cast.” — Kathy Rinchiuso 

Written with great humor and very accessible, this is a great book for anyone who is wanting to get into alignment with their life’s purpose.

“We have become so accustomed to looking for validation outside of ourselves, and this book helps steer us back toward recognizing our own worth and giving us permission to live our lives in a way that truly lights us up.” — Carol Kim

This is the riveting autobiography of a woman who spied for the Chinese government, fell in love with an American professor—which she almost got killed for—and defected to the U.S.

Hollywood couldn’t produce a better spy thriller than Daughter of China: A True Story of Love and Betrayal.

This incredible collection of true stories is full of inspiration and hope for navigating the curves and challenges that life throws at us.

“Beautiful and profound meditation on illness, mortality, and the human spirit.” — Carey Miller

In this emotional masterpiece, everyday Russian citizens recount the past 30 years, detailing what life was like during the fall of the Soviet Union and what it’s like to live in the new Russia left in its wake.

“I really enjoyed this one. It's an oral history that reads like poetry.” — Jennifer Iacullo

The Sun Does Shine is the compelling story of a poor black man in Alabama who was wrongfully charged with two counts of capital murder in 1985, and subsequently spent the next 30 years on death row, before he was finally acquitted in 2015.

“Very powerful” — Martha Scott

This gripping read is the firsthand account of how the religious revolution in Iran transformed the country into an extremely conservative Islamic state overnight, dramatically changing the lives of the Iranian women.

“I am half Iranian. My biological father is from Tehran and my family worked for the Shah of Iran. Reading this book made me realize just how lucky I am that I wasn’t raised in Tehran during the overthrow of the Shah. It truly made me count my blessings.“ — Deirdre Paige

Once Upon a Town is a sweet story about how a small town rallied to support the soldiers who travel through it during WWII.

“Heartwarming and in a U.S. that is increasingly divided, it is nice to hear a story of people bonding together for a common cause.” — Barbara Adams

If You Tell is the harrowing true-crime story of three sisters who were held captive and tortured by their sadistic, murderous mother, Michelle “Shelly” Knotek, and the unbreakable bond that held them together and eventually gave them the strength to break free.

The Five tells the fascinating backstories of the women killed by Jack the Ripper.

It also delves into the laws and customs of the Victorian society that made it impossible for these women to be anything but horrifically poor, and how it was that misogynistic society that was partially to blame for their murders.

“Really fascinating stuff. There is also a podcast by the same author called “Bad Women: Jack the Ripper Retold.”  — Kathy Rinchiuso

This powerful biography by David McCullough tells of the adventurous and fascinating life of America’s second president.

“It’s inspiring and humbling to watch John Adams grow as a person, not just a politician. I enjoyed being in his shoes and eating his food, meeting his loved ones, and seeing the world through his eyes. It's also an engaging, easy read--if you're afraid of dry academic prose, this is a great antidote.” — Cecile Brule