Go beyond just the current list of New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers 2023 to discover every bestselling book listed on the NYT Bestseller List in 2023.
Since 1931, The New York Times has been publishing a weekly list of bestselling books. Since then, becoming a New York Times bestseller has become a dream for virtually every writer.
When I first started reading adult books, one of the first places I went for book recommendations was the New York Times Nonfiction Nonfiction Best Sellers. I wanted to know what books were the most widely read, and start with those.
However, scrolling through the list week by week on The New York Times website is rather annoying. I just wanted all the bestselling nonfiction books gathered together in one place.
When I couldn’t find it, I decided to create it.
Here are all the New York Times nonfiction bestsellers from this year. I’ve got the current #1 and this week’s bestselling list, both of which you can find all over the place.
This list also compiles every book that appears on the New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers list in 2023 for Hardcover Nonfiction. Every week I update it so you can get the most accurate view of the year in one place.
Since this is a bit of a sprawling post, feel free to jump to the section that most interests you or take your time scrolling through the complete list of New York Times nonfiction best sellers.
Quick Links
Current #1 New York Times Best Seller
Spare
Prince Harry
(3 Weeks) The second son of King Charles III and his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales, Harry felt the eyes of all the world on him when he had to walk behind his mother’s coffin. In his own words (including narrating the audiobook version), Prince Harry tells about his life as the second child in line for succession and about his marriage that has lead to much drama with the British press and in the royal family.
Current List of New York Times Best Sellers
1.Spare by Prince Harry
The Duke of Sussex details his struggles with the royal family, loss of his mother, service in the British Army and marriage to Meghan Markle.
2.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
The actress and filmmaker describes her eating disorders and difficult relationship with her mother.
3.
Never Give an Inch by Mike Pompeo
The former secretary of state gives his account of his time serving under President Trump, with a focus on an America First approach.
4.
The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
The former first lady shares personal stories and the tools she uses to deal with difficult situations.
5.
The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch
The story of a Nazi plot to kill President Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill.
6.
Straight Shooter by Stephen A. Smith
The ESPN analyst recounts the highs and lows of his life and career.
7.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
The actor, known for playing Chandler Bing on “Friends,” shares stories from his childhood and his struggles with sobriety.
8.
The 1619 Project Created by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Viewing America’s entanglement with slavery and its legacy, in essays adapted and expanded from The New York Times Magazine.
9.
Surrender by Bono
The lead singer of the Irish rock band U2 offers details of his life, career and activism.
10.
The Bill of Obligations by Richard Haass
The president of the Council on Foreign Relations makes his case for what he considers obligations for American citizens.
11.
The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate
The potential ways in which trauma and stress from modern-day living can affect our physical health.
12.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
The daughter of a Korean mother and Jewish-American father, and leader of the indie rock project Japanese Breakfast, describes creating her own identity after losing her mother to cancer.
13.
An Immense World by Ed Yong
The Pulitzer Prize–winning science writer explains the sensory perceptions and ways of communication used by a variety of animals.
14.
And There Was Light by Jon Meacham
The Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer portrays the life of Abraham Lincoln.
15.
Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo
In 1848, Ellen Craft, disguised as a disabled white man, and her husband, William, posing as that man’s slave, achieved freedom only to have to flee again.
See what Upcoming Releases are coming out soon!
Previous #1 New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers
Finding Me
Viola Davis
(26 Weeks) The powerful memoir from actress and producer Viola Davis about finding herself. From her roots in a rundown apartment in Rhode Island to center stage in New York, Davis constantly had to find the courage to forget the judgment of the world and fall in love with herself.
I’m Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdy
(25 Weeks) Both vulnerable and hilarious, Jennette McCurdy’s tell-all memoir sends a poignant message of the dangers of child acting. McCurdy brilliantly embraces her inner child by describing how desperately she wanted to please her mom by acting, even if it lead to an eating disordered and a chaotic relationship with her family that she didn’t full understand until attending therapy after her mother’s death.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
Matthew Perry
(13 Weeks) Known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, Matthew Perry gives a behind-the-scenes look at the hit sitcom. Yet, while his career was hitting a high, Perry struggled through some of his darkest days. In this candid memoir, Perry discusses his lifelong battle with addiction and the persistence, hope, and friends who helped him along the way.
The Light We Carry
Michelle Obama
(11 Weeks) In an uncertain world, former First Lady Michelle Obama teaches strategies to help you find hope and balance. Instead of cliche affirmations, Obama digs deep into the conversation about difficult topics and finds practical wisdom to help readers cope. With insightful stories and usable tools, Obama empowers readers to find connections in an ever-changing world.
Radio’s Greatest of All Time
Rush Limbaugh
(8 Weeks) At the height of its popularity, The Rush Limbaugh Show aired on almost a thousand radio stations across the United States. A year after the conservative talk radio host’s death, Limbaugh’s widow and his brother have collected the best of the best of his on-air moments with special commentary added in.
Heavyweights
(10+ Weeks on the NYT Bestseller List)
And There Was Light
Jon Meacham
(15 Weeks) Biographer Jon Meacham takes a very human look at American President Abraham Lincoln. Coming to the presidency as the country was completely polarized, Lincoln used calculation and political drive to succeed. Meacham also portrays Lincoln’s moral antislavery commitment which grew as he was in office and eventually changed the nation.
The Song of the Cell
Siddhartha Mukherjee
(13 Weeks) In the 1600s, an English polymath and a Dutch merchant looked into one of the first microscopes and made a startingly discovery. Human beings are made of tiny self-contained, self-replicating units which they called “cells”. Mukherjee explains the discovery of cells and how they completely changed the sciences, and how that knowledge continues to shape research today.
An Immense World
Ed Yong
(14 Weeks) Science writer Ed Yong pushes you to expand your view beyond the limitation of your six senses to see the world as other creatures see it. From beetles that react to fire and turtles that track the Earth’s magnetic field, Yong describes tales in nature of an immense world teeming with more than you ever imagined.
Surrender
Bono
(13 Weeks) A stunning new memoir from Bono, the leader singer of the band U2. Bono describes his early days growing up in Ireland, the unexpected rise of U2, and his twenty years of activism. With each chapter named after a U2 song, Surrender discusses the family, friends, and faith that have influenced his life.
The Myth of Normal
Gabor Maté
(13 Weeks) Although Western cultures pride themselves on their health care systems, mental health and general health are often in decline. Gabor Maté, a well-known physician, explains that there is no true “normal.” Instead, Western medicine should be treating the whole person, taking into consideration stress and trauma while doing so.
What If? 2
Randall Munroe
(12 Weeks) After answering your absurd science questions in What If?, Randall Munroe returns with another round of even stranger questions. What if you build a billion story building? Or made a lava lamp out of lava? Randall Munroe, the creator of the comic xkcd, answers all the not-so-important questions in life, using humor and a whole lot of science.
The Revolutionary
Stacy Schiff
(12 Weeks) Stacy Shiff’s biography covers the life of Samuel Adams, one of the greatest leaders of the American Revolution. The mastermind of the Boston Tea Party, Adams became the most-wanted man in America whose planned arrest for treason prompted Paul Revere’s ride. Shiff recounts off Adams went from an aimless son of a wealthy family to a powerful revolutionary.
The Philosophy of Modern Song
Bob Dylan
(10 Weeks) In a collection of over sixty essays, revered singer-songwriter Bob Dylan shares his thoughts on modern music. Analyzing songs from various artists, Dylan mediates on music and life. Included in the book are curated photographs and a series of riffs for each chapter.
Starry Messenger
Neil deGrasse Tyson
(10 Weeks) Acclaimed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson sets his sights closer to home in his newest book. In Starry Messenger, he takes the lessons he has learned from the cosmos and applies them to life here on Earth – discussing politics, religion, war, race, truth and beauty.
Fan Favorites
(5+ Weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List)
Killing the Legends by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
Amazon | Goodreads
(9 Weeks) The conservative commentator’s Killing series profiles Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Muhammad Ali.
Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino
Amazon | Goodreads
(9 Weeks) The filmmaker shares his love of cinema with special attention given to key American films of the 1970s.
So Help Me God by Mike Pence
Amazon | Goodreads
(6 Weeks) The former vice president gives an account of his career, including his time in the Oval Office and during the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Honorable Mention
(2-4 Weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List)
A Book of Days by Patti SmithMore than 365 images and reflections by the National Book Award–winning author and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
Myth America Edited by Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. ZelizerA collection of essays by historians who separate fact from fiction as they detail our nation’s past.
The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh MenschThe story of a Nazi plot to kill President Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill.
Straight Shooter by Stephen A. SmithThe ESPN analyst recounts the highs and lows of his life and career.
Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon WooIn 1848, Ellen Craft, disguised as a disabled white man, and her husband, William, posing as that man’s slave, achieved freedom only to have to flee again.
