The best non-fiction books of 2025

Key Concepts:

• Non-fiction books of 2025
• Memoir
• Medical diagnosis
• Biography
• Computer science
• Large language models (LLMs)
• China's One-Child Policy
• International adoption
• Intelligence agencies (KGB)
• Deep cover spies

Favorite Non-Fiction Books of 2025

This summary outlines five notable non-fiction books recommended for 2025, covering a range of genres and subjects.

1. Mother Mary Comes to Me

• Author: Aaron Darty Roy (Booker Prizewinning author)
• Genre: Memoir
• Key Points: Explores the author's complex relationship with her mother, characterized as a "dreamer, warrior, teacher, and a terror." The memoir delves into the multifaceted nature of this maternal figure.

2. In the Age of Diagnosis

• Author: A neurologist
• Genre: Medical Inquiry
• Key Points: Critically examines the medical field's intense focus on diagnosis. The author questions whether this "dogged pursuit of diagnosis" truly benefits patients.
• Argument: Many "normal conditions" are being pathologized as "unusual."
• Evidence/Observation: Early screenings lead to treatments for ailments that might naturally resolve.
• Author's Statement: "we are not getting sicker, but we are attributing more to sickness." This highlights a shift in perception rather than an increase in actual illness.
• Perspective: Presents an "even-handed" view on the topic.

3. The Thinking Machine

• Author: Steven Wit
• Genre: Biography
• Subject: Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia
• Key Points: Provides a biography of Jensen Huang and the history of Nvidia.
• Technical Insight: Offers an understanding of the computer science principles that underpin the development of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT.

4. Daughters of the Bamboo Grove

• Basis: Extensive reporting in China and America.
• Key Points: Uncovers the unintended consequences of China's One-Child Policy, specifically its role in the widespread seizure of children for international adoption.
• Case Study: Focuses on the abduction of a twin girl, her subsequent adoption in America, and a poignant reunion with her sister 17 years later.

5. The Illegals

• Genre: Intelligence Analysis
• Significance: Described as one of the "most compelling and insightful books on intelligence of the past decade."
• Author: Shan Walker
• Key Points: Vividly details the KGB's methods for training "deep cover spies."
• Observation: Highlights the psychological toll and the instances where these spies "cracked under the pressure."

Conclusion:

The selection of these five non-fiction books for 2025 offers readers a diverse and thought-provoking collection. From intimate personal narratives and critical examinations of societal trends to technological insights and historical investigations, these books promise to engage and inform. The common thread is a deep dive into complex subjects, supported by rigorous research, personal experience, and insightful analysis.