The Next Big Idea Club’s Best Nonfiction of 2025
These 18 books were our curators' finalist picks for the year.
These are the 18 titles that rose to the top in 2025—books that sparked conversation, challenged assumptions, and stayed with our readers long after the final page.
Resolve to learn more in 2026. Join our community of big thinkers and have the best nonfiction sent right to your door.
The Shape of Things Unseen: A New Science of Imagination
By Adam Zeman
From how infants perceive the world to how we can anticipate the thoughts of other people, from the benefits of play to mental disorders, The Shape of Things Unseen dazzles and delights in its insights into the workings of the human mind. View on Amazon
Primal Intelligence: You Are Smarter Than You Know
Examining the minds of visionary thinkers and U.S. Army Special Operators has solved many puzzles about how our brains work. From compiling these case studies, it is clear that there is a path for training your mind to act smart with limited information and outperform computer AI in terms of volatility and uncertainty. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Angus Fletcher, in the Next Big Idea App or view on Amazon.
Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit
By Brené Brown
Brown returns with an urgent call to reimagine the essentials of courageous leadership. In a time when uncertainty runs deep and bluster, hubris, and even cruelty are increasingly framed as acceptable leadership, Brown delivers practical, actionable insights that illuminate the mindsets and skill sets essential to reclaiming focus and driving growth through connection, discipline, and accountability. View on Amazon
Having It All: What Data Tells Us About Women’s Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours
By Corinne Low
You’re not imagining it: Women aren’t getting a good deal at home or at work. Low has the evidence to prove it, and her book gives you the power to change it. View on Amazon
Read on for the rest of the list:
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