Here are 16 of the best nonfiction books I read in 2019 and you should too!
How many books did you end up reading in 2019? How many of them were actually the best nonfiction books you had ever read?
I ended up reading 47 books! It was way more than I expected. But only 16 of them made my list of top books for the year. I’d like to share those with you today.
The list below is in no particular order of importance. Each one has a little description of why I thought it is one of the best nonfiction books that I read during the year and each one will have a link to my Instagram post if you’d like to follow or add the book to your collection. The headings to each book that have a link will go to my review on this website.
Let’s get into it!
1. Best Nonfiction Books: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
It’s a must-read for entrepreneurial types. Published in 1937, I didn’t realize how influential this book would be. Considering that it is one of the first personal development books, and even one of the best ever, it is a must-read for anyone interested in developing themselves.
2. Best Nonfiction Books: Stand Out by Dorie Clark
Although not one of the most well-known marketing books, Stand Out helped me to understand how persistence and making the right connections as well as quality work can be the difference between succeeding and failing.
3. The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz
The Four Agreements is an essential approach to living a happy and loving life. The Agreements are extremely easy to remember. That’s one of the best things about the book is the fact that you don’t have to think to remember the lessons. This is a book I’ve internalized and constantly applied in my life. I know that it will improve your life as well if you read it.
4. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear is hands-down the best book on habits that I personally read so far. It is such an essential read because it deals with every single day of our life. Habits make up every part of our life. Think about it, everything that you do every day is a habit. You may do something new, but that doesn’t mean that it will become a habit. And if it does, well, now you have a new habit.
So two of the major things that I’ve learned from this book are that each habit that you have will determine the success or failure you have in the future. The second thing that I learned was several strategies on how to start and keep good habits as well as get rid of bad habits. The strategies have been proven to work for others, and they definitely worked for me.
Please, I beg you, if you have not read this book yet, you need to get it in 2020!
5. Best Nonfiction Books: The Creative Curve by Allen Gannett
For me, this book was unexpected because it was sent to me by the author. Creativity is a subject that has always interested me and is one that if you can learn to master can be very beneficial. The book helps you to understand how you can reach your full creative potential through purposeful practice. Not only that but how you can leverage the people around you to break through doors and get your creative ideas out in front of the world.
6. Best Nonfiction Books: The Go-Giver by Bob Burg
The Go-Giver was such an easy, quick, and effective book told through a story. It teaches you the five laws of stratospheric success which all revolve around showing gratitude first before you can receive anything in turn. You’re not selling to robots, you’re selling to people, so they must be treated as such.
7. Factfulness by Hans Rosling
Factfulness is one I almost didn’t include on this list because I personally already knew the world is becoming a better place. If you didn’t already know the world is becoming better then you must read this book. Another thing I really loved about this book is the personal arguments the author had with world leaders and experts. He also has ingrained a good habit in me. I always question where stats come from, and if I can, I try to verify those facts from multiple sources. If I can’t then either I didn’t search hard enough or the study is unfounded. Read this book to find out more about how you can become more factful.
8. Best Nonfiction Books: Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull
I had had Creativity, Inc. on my shelf for about a year before eventually picking it up for my book club, Book Brewers. I’m very happy I did. This book will help you to understand how Pixar’s management strategies and business model went from being a hardware company back in the ’70s to the animation studio it is today. It’s touching, informative and fluid to read. You get a chance to see a side of Steve Jobs you haven’t seen before from the perspective of Ed Catmull. It’s a must-read for any creative, manager, filmmaker and entrepreneur.
9. Economy of Truth by Vizi Andrei
Economy of Truth was also another surprise read for me this year. It’s a quick and insightful read about Vizi’s perspective of the economy, health, wealth and life in general. The philosophy behind each section, chapter, page, paragraph, sentence, and word were planned out extremely well as everything on each page has meaning. Get this, the author just told me this month that he’ll be publishing updated versions. Keep your eyes peeled.
10. Deep Work by Cal Newport
If you have not read Cal Newport’s book, then you really should no matter what field you’re working in. That last sentence sounds like a line I always use, but I use it only on the best books.
The reason why I say this book is a must-read is because the deep work tips are extremely useful and extremely practical. My productivity went up tenfold at least after applying the takeaways in this book.
So if you want to become more productive, less distracted, and have more time for your own personal hobbies and family then read this book.
11. Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday
I am so happy that I read this book this year. Before reading it, I didn’t even realize how many useful factors being still has to improve your life. Also, Ryan Holiday’s writing style is probably one of the best I’ve ever read before. You still this in your life to your advantage and you will live a very happy and wealthy one.
12. How to Read a Book by Mortimer Alder
This is a holy book for all nonfiction and intellectual readers. Anyone who is, or claims to be a lifelong learner, this book is a must. The tips and tools in this book will help you to become an even better reader than ever before therefore a better person and more productive and intellectual.
13. Lifespan by David Sinclair
Be healthy now and have the chance to live well into your 100s. This book gives you the history of Health, what you can do now to live longer, what’s being developed now to help people live longer and healthier, and what is to come in the future that will help people to live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
14. Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu
My interest in topics this year has expanded quite a bit especially after starting my own nonfiction book club in Surabaya. I’ve found that my interest in politics and poverty has grown a lot because of my interest in trying to solve the problem of poverty in the world. Of course, one of the beginnings of the solutions is to understand how politics works that way I can apply that knowledge in my own business.
So if you’re interested in learning about why nations fail or succeed, and possible solutions to this problem, then reading this book is the right way to go.
15. Best Nonfiction Books: Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
Surprisingly I wasn’t sure if I put this book on my list this year because it took me such a long time to read. But the reason why it took me such a long time was that it continuously made me ask questions and think about the content of the book. It’s an extremely interesting read, and Yuval’s theories and facts are mind-bending, some of which I did not even know about.
If you are a history lover and curious about Humanity’s Origins and the direction that we may be heading in, read this book.
16. Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph by Jan Swafford
I am a lover of classical music. Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph by Jan Swafford was a joy for me to read not only because of all the musical references but because I got a chance to know the man almost as if I were sitting right next to him. The book is not only filled with just musical references and stories about Beethoven’s life, it’s also filled with historical references of Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Revolution along with documented thoughts about these historical events through Beethoven’s eyes.
I’ve made it a goal that in 2020 I will be reading a lot more autobiographies and biographies of people that I look up to and have made a huge impact on today’s society.
Did you enjoy the list and add any of the books to your cart?
I hope you have enjoyed this list of 16 best nonfiction books that I read in 2019. I encourage you to read any or all of them if you can as they will also make a big impact on your life. Keep on reading, keep on growing.
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Leave a Comment
5 comments
FeliciaOut of all the 16 nonfiction books, I think that I want to read The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and Atomic Habits by James Clear. They seem to be very helpful for our lives.?
30 December, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Matt HutsonYes, both of those are life-changers! Atomic Habits has helped me personally to accomplish so much more this year, combine that with Deep Work and you’ve got some very powerful productivity skills.
31 December, 2019 at 10:32 am
Johnny YimI have not read the majority of these. The big one I have constantly seen is the Four Agreements, so this one is on my long list for this year.
10 July, 2021 at 8:00 pm
Michael AnthonyYou have terrible taste.
15 September, 2023 at 11:38 pm
Matt HutsonI’m looking back at this list now and would probably remove some but others like Why Nations Fail, Beethoven, and How to Read a Book are gems that stay. Which ones have you read and dislike?
16 September, 2023 at 12:59 pm
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