15 Notable Nonfiction Books Coming Soon in 2025

The visionary tech founder and philanthropist, Bill Gates, shares his journey from a curious child with ambitious parents to a young coder who sparked a global revolution. Explore his formative experiences, deep friendships, and personal losses that shaped his path. Gates reveals the moments that defined his life, offering an insightful portrait of one of the twenty-first century's most influential figures.

Explore the life and legacy of one comedy’s most enigmatic figures. Morrison’s biography unveils the man behind Saturday Night Live, Lorne Michaels, whose genius has shaped American humor for over 50 years. With unprecedented access to Michaels and SNL insiders, Morrison takes readers behind the scenes to reveal the tastemaker, talent scout, and comedy legend who inspired generations of stars. Lorne is a riveting portrait of the visionary who built an institution that redefined comedy and captured the cultural zeitgeist.

When her husband, Tony Horwitz, passed away unexpectedly, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks faced overwhelming grief amid life's relentless demands. Three years later, seeking solace, she retreated to a remote Australian island to reflect on their extraordinary life together—from war zones to Martha's Vineyard—and explore how cultures process loss. With raw emotion and poetic grace, this memoir celebrates a timeless love and offers a deeply moving meditation on rebuilding life after heartbreak

Award-winning author Omar El Akkad delivers a searing critique of the West’s failure to uphold its foundational values of freedom and justice. Drawing from decades of reporting on war, climate change, and systemic oppression, El Akkad confronts the painful reality of privilege and exclusion. Through deeply personal reflections, he grapples with what it means to raise hope amidst disillusionment. Raw and urgent, this nonfiction debut challenges readers to demand a better future and reckon with the moral fractures of our time.

MSNBC's Chris Hayes delivers a powerful examination of the attention economy's grip on our minds, relationships, and society. As technology commodifies human focus, we face a crisis akin to the industrial transformation of labor. Hayes unpacks how tech giants exploit our instincts, eroding the boundaries between public and private life. With striking clarity, he reveals how relentless distractions reshape politics, relationships, and identity—and what we can do to reclaim control. The Sirens' Call offers a roadmap to resist, refocus, and rebuild in a world demanding our constant attention.

Dive into the life, work, and controversies of a cultural icon in Patrick McGilligan’s Woody Allen: A Life. This biography explores Allen’s rise as a prolific filmmaker and comedian, crafting over 50 award-winning films, while also examining his tumultuous personal life, including his relationship with Mia Farrow and the allegations that have reshaped his legacy. McGilligan offers a comprehensive portrait of Allen’s creative genius and complex character, shedding light on his enduring influence and the controversies that continue to spark debate. A must-read for fans and critics alike.

National Book Award winner Imani Perry embarks on a profound exploration of the color blue and its deep connections to Black history and culture. From indigo cloths traded during the transatlantic slave trade to the soul-stirring melancholy of blues music, Perry unravels blue as a symbol of both hope and heartache. Drawing from art, history, and personal reflections, she examines how blue and Blackness intertwine, shaping cultural and emotional landscapes.

Drawing from decades of retreats to a Benedictine hermitage in Big Sur, acclaimed travel writer Pico Iyer explores how stillness and silence reveal life's deepest truths, even amid profound challenges. Through intimate reflections and wisdom from others who’ve embraced solitude, he uncovers how quiet moments foster clarity, joy, and resilience. Blending personal insight with a unique view of monastic life, this luminous memoir offers timeless lessons on living, loving, and finding peace in a noisy world. A profound guide to rediscovering what truly matters.

In Everything Is Tuberculosis, bestselling author and multihyphenate John Green delivers a powerful exploration of humanity’s battle with the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Through the poignant story of a young tuberculosis patient in Sierra Leone, Green examines the deep inequities that make this curable disease a persistent killer. Blending personal connection with the scientific and social history of tuberculosis, Green illuminates how our past choices have shaped this crisis—and how our actions can determine its future.

House of Huawei unveils the untold story of the enigmatic Chinese telecom giant that has reshaped the global technology sector—and ignited international controversy. Washington Post reporter Eva Dou takes readers inside Huawei’s rise under its reclusive founder, Ren Zhengfei, tracing its transformation into a global powerhouse and exploring the company’s complex web of power, surveillance, and influence. This gripping account illuminates Huawei’s pivotal role in modern geopolitics and the fierce battles over technology, sovereignty, and the future of global connectivity.