Best Non-Fiction Books For Holiday Gifts

It's time to start thinking about what holiday gifts to give your loved ones. If you always wait until the last minute and end up scrambling to find the perfect gift, we're here to help! We're ahead of the game this holiday season and have a great list of books that would make perfect gifts for anyone on your list. Our recommendations for the best non-fiction books this holiday season include some well-known books. We've included Michelle Obama's powerful advice in "The Light We Carry" by Michelle Obama and "Spare" by Prince Harry, but we have hidden treasures you may not have heard of.

Whether you're looking for a holiday gift for a history buff or a homebody, we've covered you with our list of the best books to give as gifts this holiday season. And the best part is, these are all non-fiction books, so they should be well-read and not just collecting dust on a shelf somewhere. Let's get started!

"The Light We Carry" by Michelle Obama is a book filled with stories of hope and resilience. But Mrs. Obama is candid and vulnerable as she writes about her marriage, motherhood, and career. Readers will be surprised by some of the former first lady's takes, like when she recounts the scariest moment in her life. On "Good Morning America," Obama encouraged readers to take action, even if it's a baby step. "What I am telling people now is to focus on your small power. Control the thing that is within your grasp, the thing that you can do," explained the former first lady.

"The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters" by Joanna Gaines is a great read for the homebody on your list, even those who don't know about the "Fixer Upper" star. "The Stories We Tell" is a perfect holiday gift that will make someone want to cozy up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa. Joanna Gaines' memoir shows her in a different light, and the lifestyle guru shares some of her personal stories along the way.

Any royal watcher on your holiday list will love "Spare" by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. The clever title of Prince Harry's memoir set The Firm into a royal panic, likely with good reason. The second son of Princess Diana will tell his story for the first time, and we are here for it! Penguin Random House releases "Spare" on January 10, 2023, but you can pre-order a copy for a perfect holiday gift.

"I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy is a funny and heartbreaking book for any celebrity memoir fans on your list. "I'm Glad My Mom Died" is an honest, raw, and funny account of growing up in Hollywood, and McCurdy doesn't sugarcoat it. This book isn't just for celebrity memoir lovers. Anyone who grew up with family secrets will enjoy following McCurdy's story about her hellish childhood and how she came out on the other side.

"I'm Wearing Tunics Now: On Growing Older, Better, and a Hell of a Lot Louder" by Wendy Aarons is a hilarious holiday gift as Shondaland raves about Aarons' "hysterical viral pieces for 'McSweeney's' and 'The New Yorker's 'Daily Shouts.'" The Austin-based author published two books in 2022, but "I'm Wearing Tunics" is a must-read for anyone over 50. Get this book for those on your list of a "certain age," and they will thank you for it!

If your gift recipient is a fan of "The Great British Baking Show," they will love this book! "Bake" by Paul Hollywood, the judge of the iconic British show, is heaven. Foodies and fans would love to get "Bake" as a holiday gift. It's packed with delicious recipes and drool-worthy photos. A Good Reads reviewer put it best, "Beautiful book with great pictures of yummy baked goods + Paul Hollywood — what's not to like?" We couldn't agree more!

A Pulitzer Prize-winning author tells the fascinating story of Abraham Lincoln in the book "And There Was Light" by Jon Meacham. The powerful story of how Abraham Lincoln met the moments of the Civil War and slavery is a wonderful holiday gift for any history buff on your list. On Meacham's website, the New York Times best-selling author writes, "A president who governed a divided country has much to teach us in a twenty-first-century moment of polarization and political crisis." The Washington Post calls Meacham's biography of Lincoln "a guiding light for our times."

"The Crown in Vogue" by Robin Muir and Josephine Ross is a beautiful book for coffee table book lovers, and royal family fans will adore it. The book features never seen photos of the British royal family. Vogue reported the spectacular book contains photos from the archives of British Vogue, hidden away in the fashion magazine's West End offices. From iconic photos of the Queen Mother to Princess Diana's chicest looks, this book is full of stunning photos and fascinating stories that your gift recipient will treasure for years.