If you’re looking to dive into some compelling, thought-provoking nonfiction this season, you’re in the right place. Curated by Storizen, this list of the Best Nonfiction Books to Read in July 2025 offers something for every curious mind—from gripping historical investigations and bold environmental exposés to powerful personal memoirs and transformative self-help. Whether you’re eager to explore the psychology of adolescence, the secrets behind Cold War literature drops, or how to communicate memorably in today’s noise-filled world, these standout titles promise to enlighten, challenge, and inspire your reading journey this month.
1. The Can-Do Mindset: How to Cultivate Resilience, Follow Your Heart, and Fight for Your Passions by Candace Parker
Candace Parker—one of the most iconic and accomplished figures in women’s basketball—opens up in her powerful debut book The Can-Do Mindset, sharing the personal philosophy that shaped her legendary journey. With three WNBA championships, two Olympic golds, and a lifetime of accolades, Candace’s story goes far beyond the court. From embracing her role as a trailblazer for women and LGBTQ+ representation in sports to raising three children and becoming a cultural force, she’s lived her life with fearless authenticity and deep purpose. In this book, she transforms her childhood nickname “Can-Do” into a motivational framework—centered around Community, Authenticity, Negativity, Dash, and Opportunity—to empower others to chase greatness on their own terms. Filled with hard-won wisdom and deeply human stories, The Can-Do Mindset is both a window into Candace’s extraordinary life and a guide for anyone ready to live boldly and intentionally. As John Legend, Mike Jackson, and Ty Stiklorius of Get Lifted Books put it, this book is a powerful playbook for resilience, purpose, and personal power.
2. The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland by Don Hahn
Celebrating 70 magical years of the park that started it all, this stunning illustrated history of Disneyland offers fans an unprecedented deep dive into Walt Disney’s original dreamland. As the only park Walt personally walked through and reimagined until his passing, Disneyland holds a unique place in both his legacy and in the hearts of millions. This breathtaking coffee table book, packed with over 750 rare and never-before-seen images, concept art, and documents—many pulled from the legendary Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library and private collections—takes readers on a nostalgic journey through the five original lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. It even unveils glimpses of “lost lands” like Holidayland and Liberty Street—ambitious concepts that never came to life but still reflect Walt’s boundless imagination. Perfect for lifelong Disney devotees, design lovers, and curious armchair travelers, this book captures the wonder, creativity, and sheer ambition behind the creation of the Happiest Place on Earth.
3. The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War With Forbidden Literature by Charlie English
Gripping, vivid, and stranger than fiction, The CIA Book Club uncovers the astonishing true story of how ten million banned books crossed the Iron Curtain and helped tip the scales of the Cold War—not with weapons, but with words. In a world divided by the Iron Curtain’s 4,300-mile wall of wire, mines, and watchtowers, a covert CIA operation led by George Minden set out to fight for freedom of thought. From a discreet Manhattan office, this clandestine “book club” infiltrated titles by Orwell, Arendt, Solzhenitsyn, and Christie into the Soviet bloc—books that would be secretly passed from reader to reader, igniting quiet revolutions in kitchens, dorms, and underground gatherings. Charlie English weaves a spellbinding narrative of smuggling missions by yacht, balloon drops, and underground presses—shining light on unsung heroes like Miroslaw Chojecki, who risked everything to defy Stalin’s censorship. Blending spycraft with cultural resistance, this is a powerful testament to the liberating force of literature and the belief that ideas—no matter how quietly shared—can change the course of history.
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4. The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology: Learn the Tricks to Protect Yourself from Abuse and Covertly Influence Anyone by Lena Sisco
The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology by Lena Sisco is a powerful, no-nonsense guide to spotting manipulation, reclaiming your boundaries, and protecting your peace of mind. Whether you’re dealing with a toxic partner, a shady coworker, or recovering from emotional abuse, this book helps you cut through the confusion and see people clearly. Drawing from her background as a military interrogator and intelligence officer, Sisco reveals how to decode deception, read body language, and recognize the psychological tactics used by narcissists, gaslighters, and manipulators. With 13 practical power moves, she gives you the tools to not only defend yourself but to walk through life with sharper instincts and stronger confidence. Perfect for anyone navigating new relationships, managing a team, or healing from past betrayals, this book is your blueprint for staying grounded, self-aware, and one step ahead of emotional predators.
5. JFK: Public, Private, Secret by J. Randy Taraborrelli
In JFK: Public, Private, Secret, bestselling Kennedy historian J. Randy Taraborrelli offers an intimate and revealing portrait of John F. Kennedy that peels back the layers history books often gloss over. This deeply researched biography goes beyond the iconic speeches and polished public image to expose the intricate web of personal relationships—particularly with Jackie Kennedy—that shaped JFK’s most pivotal decisions. Taraborrelli explores not just the political legend but the deeply flawed, emotionally driven man behind the myth, from his early romances and rumored affairs—including the real story behind Marilyn Monroe—to the emotional toll of losing a child, his secret struggles with drug use, and the surprising tenderness in his marriage. With exclusive interviews, never-before-heard accounts, and fresh insights into everything from his entanglements with the Mafia to his near-breakdown during the Cuban Missile Crisis, this is JFK like you’ve never seen him: charismatic, conflicted, and profoundly human.
6. Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience by Bill McGowan and Juliana Silva
Speak, Memorably by Bill McGowan is a powerful antidote to the lifeless jargon and buzzword-laden communication that dominates today’s business world. Drawing on over two decades of experience coaching everyone from CEOs to White House staffers, McGowan argues that sounding “on message” has come at the cost of sounding human—and memorable. In this sharp, engaging guide, he helps professionals of all levels break free from robotic rhetoric and discover how to communicate with clarity, conviction, and personality. Packed with practical strategies, real-world examples, and McGowan’s signature wit, Speak, Memorably teaches you how to craft messages that stick, inspire, and set you apart in any room—whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team, or sharing your company’s story. It’s not just about being heard—it’s about being remembered.
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7. We Are Eating the Earth: The Race To Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate by Michael Grunwald
In We Are Eating the Earth, bestselling author Michael Grunwald dives deep into one of the most urgent and overlooked front lines of the climate crisis: our broken food system. With gripping storytelling and sharp investigative insight, Grunwald exposes how our current methods of feeding the planet—clearing land at an unsustainable pace and pumping out a third of global carbon emissions—are quietly driving us toward environmental disaster. But this isn’t just a story of doom. Centering around the passionate and persistent food-and-land expert Tim Searchinger, Grunwald highlights the battle between misguided “green” solutions and genuinely transformative innovations—like pongamia trees, gene-edited livestock, and biotech pesticides that disrupt pests at the molecular level. Along the way, he confronts the lobbying, politics, and flawed science that have made real progress so elusive. Part exposé, part roadmap, We Are Eating the Earth is a wake-up call and a hopeful blueprint for how we can still feed a growing world—without devouring the planet in the process.
8. How We Grow Up: Understanding Adolescence by Matt Richtel
In How We Grow Up: Understanding Adolescence, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Matt Richtel delivers a profound and eye-opening exploration of what it truly means to come of age in today’s world. Expanding on his acclaimed New York Times series, Richtel dives deep into the biology, psychology, and social dynamics of adolescence, revealing how this pivotal stage—once governed primarily by hormonal shifts—has been radically reshaped by the modern environment. With puberty arriving earlier and the adolescent brain bombarded by relentless digital stimuli, today’s teens face a neurological mismatch that’s fueling a dramatic rise in anxiety, depression, and identity struggles. Through cutting-edge science and gripping personal stories, Richtel illuminates how the brain’s evolutionarily programmed need for risk-taking, peer connection, and self-discovery now unfolds under unprecedented pressure. How We Grow Up is not just a diagnosis of a generation in crisis—it’s a hopeful, deeply human guide to helping adolescents, parents, and educators navigate this complex, transformative chapter of life with empathy, insight, and purpose.
9. A Year with the Seals: Unlocking the Secrets of the Sea’s Most Charismatic and Controversial Creatures by Alix Morris
In A Year with the Seals, environmental journalist Alix Morris takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through four seasons spent in the company of one of nature’s most captivating creatures. With a blend of scientific curiosity and lyrical storytelling, Morris explores the remarkable comeback of seals from the brink of extinction—uncovering their intelligence, social bonds, and role in delicate marine ecosystems. But their return isn’t without controversy. As she navigates coastal communities, Morris introduces us to the diverse voices in the seal debate: fishermen, Indigenous communities, biologists, conservationists, and beachgoers all grappling with the ripple effects of this environmental success story. Through vivid observations and thoughtful reporting, A Year with the Seals becomes more than a study of one species—it’s a powerful reflection on what it means to restore balance in the natural world, and how even our best conservation efforts can spark new and unexpected challenges. A must-read for fans of Jennifer Ackerman and Ed Yong, this is nature writing at its most urgent, nuanced, and alive.
From inspiring resilience on the basketball court to unlocking the mysteries of seal behavior, these nine titles showcase the wide, fascinating range of today’s best nonfiction writing. Each book on our Best Nonfiction Books to Read in July 2025 list not only offers fresh perspectives and rich storytelling but also invites deeper reflection on the world around us. Whether you’re a fan of biography, science, politics, or personal growth, this month’s selections—curated by Storizen—are sure to leave a lasting impact. Happy reading!
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