Ever wondered about the excesses of 13th-century British monarchs? Or how religious cults get started? Or what it’s like to be clinically diagnosed as a sociopath?
 
You can get these answers, and more, from today’s collection of facts, figures, phenomena, and nonfiction books.
 
We’ve collected below the most popular recent nonfiction on Goodreads over the past five years—the books that pop up most often on members’ digital shelves. We’ve also sorted the collection into three general categories: History & Biography, Memoir, and General Nonfiction.
 
For British monarchs and associated beheadings, try David Mitchell’s very fun, very weird Unruly. Amanda Montell’s Cultish digs into the history and psychology of fanaticism. And for the sociopath question, check out Patric Gagne’s utterly unique (and cleverly titled) Sociopath.
 
You’ll also find books from acclaimed historians and nonfiction specialists including Erik Larson, Malcolm Gladwell, Isabel Wilkerson, and Ta-Nehisi Coates.
 
Click on the book cover images for more information about each title. If you spot any interesting leads, use the Want to Read button to add the book to your digital shelf.

 

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