The 30 Best Nonfiction Books of the Last 3 Decades

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S. Zainab considers herself someone who writes profoundly, although the thought of being described as bleeding ink makes her lightheaded. She specializes in crafting fantasy and horror stories and is presently holding onto a manuscript while navigating through obscurity. Connect with her on Twitter: @sainabwilliams. View all articles by S. Zainab Williams

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If You Prefer Nonfiction
In a recent post, I discussed the L.A. Times compilation of the 30 top fiction books of the past three decades. Today, we’re delving into their corresponding list of the best nonfiction reads. Despite my usual preference for fiction, I realized that I’ve read a substantial number of these nonfiction works. These books on the list were widely acclaimed and garnered numerous awards upon release, retaining their significance over time. For instance, David Sedaris, renowned for his satirical writing, captivated audiences with “Me Talk Pretty One Day” (#30 on the list). Another notable mention is Jesmyn Ward, an esteemed author in both fiction and nonfiction, whose poignant memoir “Men We Reaped” secured the 13th spot. Topping the list is Isabel Wilkerson, surpassing Joan Didion, with “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration,” a compelling historical account that I’m eager to delve into.

The Ingenious Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Scheme
I’ve always pondered how many individuals might have exploited Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT! initiative, which incentivized childhood literacy with personal pizzas. To my surprise, someone has come forward confessing to manipulating this wholesome program. The audacity of admitting to scamming a program cherished for its purity and nostalgia among Millennials seemed improbable until I stumbled upon Kim Kelly’s narrative on Food & Wine. Despite any initial offense, consider this excerpt from the story:

“First stop was the county library to load up on books, since the Bookmobile only came to my village once a week and they rarely restocked the selection. After a few hours in the stacks, we’d seal the deal with a personal pan pizza for me and a salad for her. It was magical. As much as we loved the grift, it also meant that we spent a lot of quality time together and that my reading level was stratospheric for a little girl from an underprivileged nowheresville without a library or a post office.

Grift away, kids. Grift away.”

Challenge the Algorithm! Broaden Your TikTok Feed
While BookTok has captivated the literary world, it’s crucial to acknowledge the significant issues inherent in social media and its algorithm-driven content. Algorithms are not flawless entities devoid of human biases or manipulations. If you’ve read “Careless People” or are active online, you’ll understand the fallacy of such claims. A quick browse through BookTok reveals a dominance of white creators promoting white authors, reflecting the broader publishing landscape. To counteract this trend, diversify your TikTok feed to incorporate inclusive voices and narratives. By doing so, you can disrupt the cycle and bring about a more varied representation of content on your platform.

American Library Association Takes Legal Action Against Trump
The American Library Association has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, including Trump himself, contesting the alleged illegal and unconstitutional actions against the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Learn more about how libraries are leveraging the legal system to advocate for funding.

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