The Non-Fiction Books I Couldn’t Put Down This Year (And Why You Should Read Them)

It’s the last week of the year, the last week of Christmas vacation and the last chance to share my favorite non-fiction books of 2024. (Last week was for my fiction picks.) I read way less non-fiction than fiction so the list is shorter. However, I’m drawn to books that help me understand my own brain and the human brain in general.  So the short list is usually really relevant to what I’m really trying to get at; namely insights that help people do the hard work of decluttering. When you understand what is going on in your brain and body you have fought over half the battle. Information is power! Anyway – here are my Top 4 non-fiction picks.

Tiny Habits – BJ Fogg

I’m a bit obsessed with Habits, so this is #1 on my non-fiction list. If you’ve been reading for a while you already know my passion for Atomic Habits by James Clear. Habits are the secret sauce of productivity. Once you know how to ‘trick’ your brain into adopting them you can completely up-level your ability to complete projects, conquer overwhelm and do Hard Things!  BJ Fogg’s insights and framework are equally as compelling as Clear’s, with a focus on habit design that I find speaks well to folks with any kind of Attention Deficit. I considered myself an expert on habits after reading and practicing Atomic Habits but I learned even more after Tiny Habits. I echo concepts from both Clear and Fogg all the time in my reels and posts, so when you read the book you’ll feel right at home!

Hidden Potential – Adam Grant

Want to get better at something you feel you aren’t naturally good at? This non-fiction book will give you the confidence to tackle Hard Things. It’s ultimately a book about how to bring out human potential via learning (vs. hard work.)  I love Adam Grant – his books are not too ‘sciency’ and are easily digestible even though he’s wicked-smart.

After reading it myself I gifted this book to my educator husband. If you have kids in your life it’s a wonderful blueprint for helping them grow and succeed, regardless of talent (or perceived lack of!)

Break the Cycle – Dr. Mariel Buque

I often find my non-fiction selections from podcasts. The concept of inter-generational trauma literally blew my mind when I first heard about it on We Can Do Hard Things. There are so many ties between inter-generational trauma and the emotional challenges of decluttering! When I read the book, it was like someone turned the light on in a dark room and I could suddenly see everything inside. Those neural pathways that prevent you from letting go of things could literally be carried in your genes, passed on from previous generations.

I loved learning about this topic. It gave me a lot of insight and helped me better support my coaching clients. If you have a hard time emotionally with decluttering (or other Hard Things), you should check this book out!

The New Menopause – Mary Claire Haver

Okay full disclosure, this non-fiction book doesn’t really have a decluttering connection. But as a woman in the menopausal season of life (as many in my community are) it is a MUST READ. I have been a fan of Dr. Mary Claire for some time now and thanks to her I began my own Menopausal Hormone Therapy journey and am feeling so much better!

Dr. Haver breaks down everything about menopause in this book – from symptoms to what is happening in your body and how to navigate your own journey.

If human psychology is my #1 non-fiction genre, then health-span is #2. I believe strongly in doing everything I can to improve the quality of my midlife and beyond so I can fully enjoy everything those seasons have to offer. Navigating menopause is a very important component of that mission. If you are a woman in your 40s or above I highly recommend reading this book – it’s a game-changer!

Next week will mark the return on regularly-scheduled blog content. I’ve got some great topics to cover in the New Year, inspired by many of your requests. In the meantime, I’ve assembled my Favorite Books of 2024 in my Amazon shop – enjoy!