Discover the Best True Stories to Read This Summer

While summer is often associated with escapist fiction, nonfiction books have the power to move us, inform us, and expand our understanding of the world. If you love books that explore history, personal transformation, social justice, and powerful memoirs, this 2021 Summer Reading Guide Nonfiction Books is for you! This list of nonfiction books features deeply personal memoirs, gripping investigative journalism, and untold histories—books that will provoke thought, spark conversation, and leave a lasting impact.

Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

A moving meditation on love, loss, and mourning.

In the summer of 2020, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie lost her beloved father—not to COVID-19, but to kidney disease. Separated from her family due to the pandemic, she experienced a deep and isolating grief, navigating anger, memory, and the urgency to live fully. A short but emotionally profound book, Notes on Grief is an intimate reflection on the universal experience of loss.

You can get a copy of Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on Amazon.

Nothing Personal by Nancy Jo Sales

A revealing look at modern dating, love, and intimacy in the digital age.

Award-winning journalist Nancy Jo Sales dives into the world of dating apps, blending her own experiences with in-depth reporting to explore how technology has reshaped relationships, romance, and human connection. A mix of cultural criticism and personal memoir, Nothing Personal is raw, funny, and unsettlingly honest.

You can get a copy of Nothing Personal by Nancy Jo Sales on Amazon.

The Lost Boys of Montauk by Amanda M. Fairbanks

A gripping account of a fishing boat’s mysterious disappearance.

On March 22, 1984, the Wind Blown, a commercial fishing boat, vanished in a nor’easter off Montauk, Long Island, leaving behind a haunting mystery. This book reconstructs the lives of the four young men lost at sea, the impact of their disappearance on their loved ones, and the shifting dynamics of Montauk as a playground for the wealthy elite. A riveting blend of history, tragedy, and investigative storytelling.

You can get a copy of The Lost Boys of Montauk by Amanda M. Fairbanks on Amazon.

Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford

A deeply personal memoir of resilience and identity.

Ashley C. Ford grew up with a father in prison and a complicated relationship with her mother. In this poignant memoir, she retraces her 1990s childhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana, exploring how poverty, love, and trauma shaped her sense of self. With lyrical prose and unflinching honesty, Somebody’s Daughter is a powerful story about longing, survival, and the search for unconditional love.

You can get a copy of Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford on Amazon.

Ethel Rosenberg by Anne Sebba

A biography that reexamines one of the most infamous cases in American history.

Ethel Rosenberg was executed in 1953 for espionage-related crimes, alongside her husband Julius. But was she truly guilty? Anne Sebba meticulously reconstructs Ethel’s life, her trial, and the Cold War paranoia that led to her execution, arguing that Ethel was a victim of loyalty rather than an active spy. A fascinating and moving reexamination of a woman history tried to erase.

You can get a copy of Ethel Rosenberg by Anne Sebba on Amazon.

Home Made by Liz Hauck

A heartwarming memoir about food, community, and healing.

Liz Hauck and her father had planned to start a cooking program for teenage boys in state care, but after his sudden passing, she decided to do it alone. For three years, Liz showed up once a week with groceries, cooked with the boys, and created a space for conversation, connection, and healing. A beautifully written, uplifting memoir about the power of food and human connection.

You can get a copy of Home Made by Liz Hauck on Amazon.

Miseducated by Brandon P. Fleming

An inspiring memoir of transformation through education.

Brandon P. Fleming’s life was shaped by an abusive home, drug dealing, and dropping out of college—until he discovered literature and debate, leading him to Harvard and a career in education. By age 27, he became an award-winning educator, using his past to help underprivileged students find their own voices. A riveting and deeply motivational story about the power of learning and second chances.

You can get a copy of Miseducated by Brandon P. Fleming on Amazon.

Leaving Breezy Street by Brenda Myers-Powell & April Reynolds

A raw, unforgettable memoir of survival and redemption.

Brenda Myers-Powell’s childhood was shaped by neglect and abuse, leading her into a life of addiction and prostitution by the time she was 14 years old. But through resilience and determination, she escaped her past, using her experiences to help others break free from similar cycles. Leaving Breezy Street is harrowing yet hopeful, an essential read for those who believe in the power of redemption.

You can get a copy of Leaving Breezy Street by Brenda Myers-Powell & April Reynolds on Amazon.

Which Nonfiction Book Will You Read First?

Have you read any of these books? Which one are you adding to your summer reading list? Let’s chat in the comments!