Best 2025 Review: 13 Non-Fiction NYT Best Sellers 2023

Discover the best new york times best sellers 2023 non fiction; perfect picks for your next enlightening read journey.
Spare coverThe Song of the Cell coverSurrender: 40 Songs, One Story cover

As we look into the ‘new york times best sellers 2023 non fiction’ list, we focus on the ones that resonate with both the curious reader and the passionate bookworm. Our selection includes tales that move us, insights that astound us, and stories that challenge our perception of the world. These books not only topped the charts but also captured our hearts with their compelling narratives and unique viewpoints. We’ve picked titles that offer enlightenment, laughter, and perhaps a tear or two, catering to anyone seeking an unforgettable read.

On this list:

13 Spare by Prince Harry

Spare cover

  • Genre: Memoir
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 416

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In ‘Spare’, Prince Harry bares it all. We laughed; we cried; we even dropped our jaws a few times. The book offers a fresh perspective on royal life.

12 The Song of the Cell by Siddhartha Mukherjee

The Song of the Cell cover

  • Genre: Science
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 496

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Mukherjee dives into the human cell like no one else. We were fascinated by the insights and felt a bit more intelligent after reading.

11 Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono

Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story cover

  • Genre: Memoir
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 576

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Bono, the rock legend himself, shares his life story through 40 songs. We felt like we were backstage with him, getting to know the man behind the sunglasses.

10 Confidence Man by Maggie Haberman

Confidence Man cover

  • Genre: Biography
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 608

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We figured out the puzzle that is Donald Trump. Haberman writes with such clarity and insight, even our political apathy couldn’t resist.

9 Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing cover

  • Genre: Memoir
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 288

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If you’ve binge-watched ‘Friends’, then this one is a must-read. Matthew Perry shares his personal battles and triumphs with a signature dose of humor.

8 I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

  • Genre: Memoir
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 320

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McCurdy’s memoir is a hearty mix of laughter and tears. Her candidness about showbiz life and her mother is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

7 The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

The Light We Carry cover

  • Genre: Memoir, Self-help
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 336

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If you loved her first memoir, this one’s a treat. Her words felt like a warm hug, promising hope and resilience in trying times.

6 And There Was Light by Jon Meacham

And There Was Light cover

  • Genre: Biography
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 720

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With all the grace of a seasoned historian, Meacham paints a vivid picture of Abraham Lincoln’s life. History buffs, this one’s for you!

5 Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Demon Copperhead cover

  • Genre: Fiction, Social Commentary
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 560

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This modern take on a Dickens classic got us hooked. Kingsolver’s writing is both poetic and sharp, creating a world we didn’t want to leave.

4 The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté

The Myth of Normal cover

  • Genre: Non Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 560

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Chosen for its insight into society’s pressures on mental health, similar to other thought-provoking bestsellers.

3 The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff

The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams cover

  • Genre: Biography
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 448

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Schiff’s narrative of Samuel Adams makes history feel alive. Our new favorite revolutionary, he redefined what it meant to stand up for one’s beliefs.

2 What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry

What Happened to You? cover

  • Genre: Psychology, Self-help
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 304

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Oprah and Perry get personal with trauma and resilience. The book reads like a heartfelt conversation, urging us to look at each other with compassion.

1 The Courage to Be Free by Ron DeSantis

The Courage to Be Free cover

  • Genre: Political Memoir
  • Formats: Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 2023
  • Pages: 288

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Why did this one make it to the top spot? Well, DeSantis stirs the political pot with a dash of humor, keeping us on our toes. It’s relevant, insightful, and sometimes surprisingly entertaining. Whether you’re rooting for him or not, the book offers a deep dive into the mind of a politician who’s currently shaking up Florida and beyond. We found ourselves agreeing, disagreeing, and madly flipping pages all at once. The book’s honesty is quite compelling.

Steve Peterson Cartoonified
Steve Peterson

Hi there! I'm Steve Peterson, a passionate reading enthusiast who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good book. My love for literature spans across genres, from thrilling mysteries and gripping fantasy to thought-provoking non-fiction.

I hope my reviews help you find the perfect next book to dive into!