Best Nonfiction 2025 Books. Credit.by karan singh supported by by the new york times books staff here. Our pick of the most acclaimed and anticipated nonfiction released this summer (october 1, 2025 through december 31, 2025).

The 2025 duff cooper prize, recommended by susan brigden if you’re looking for nonfiction with a literary sensibility and a historical bent, the books highlighted by the annual pol roger. We asked around the newsroom to find favorite nonfiction from the first half of 2025.