Texas Topaz Nonfiction List for Adults

Here are some recommendations for adults from the 2025 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List! The purpose of the Texas Topaz Reading List is to provide children, teens, and adults with recommended nonfiction titles that stimulate reading for pleasure and personal learning. Visit txla.org/topaz for the full list and lists from previous years.


Updated January 8, 2025
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Twelve trees : the deep roots of our future
Lewis, Daniel
Paper Book
*Chosen by Waterstones as one of their best Nature Writing Books of 2024, and by The Economist as one of their best books of 2024* 'A heartwarming guide to these fascinating giants of nature . . . A book that is full of surprises . . . Highly empathetic and informative'...
A man of two faces : a memoir, a history, a memorial
Nguyen, Viet Thanh
Paper Book
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2024 'A triumphant memoir' Cathy Park Hong, author of MINOR FEELINGS, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize The highly original, blistering, and unconventional memoir by the Pulitzer Prize...
Birdgirl : looking to the skies in search of a better future
Craig, Mya-Rose
Paper Book
Discover a powerful, evocative and urgent new young voice in nature writing *WINNER OF THE SOMERSET MAUGHAM AWARD 2023* 'Birdwatching has never felt like a hobby, or a pastime I can pick up and put down, but a thread running through the pattern of my life.'...
Making it so : a memoir
Stewart, Patrick
Paper Book
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER   'He writes as well as he acts, with insight, truth and passion' - Sir Ian McKellen 'Highly entertaining... You don't need to be a fan of Stewart the man of stage and screen to be as beguiled...
The Wager : a tale of shipwreck, mutiny and murder
Grann, David
Paper Book
THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER  *LONGLISTED FOR THE 2023 BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION* 'The beauty of The Wager unfurls like a great sail... one of the finest nonfiction books I've ever read' Guardian  ...
Rogues : true stories of grifters, killers, rebels and crooks
Keefe, Patrick Radden
Paper Book
From the prize-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Say Nothing and Empire of Pain, twelve enthralling stories of skulduggery and intrigue by one of the most decorated journalists of our time.Patrick Radden Keefe's work has been recognised by prizes ranging from the National Magazine Award...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.