Get ready for an exciting year of nonfiction and memoir releases in 2025. These books will take you on emotional journeys, from personal stories of survival and growth to powerful reflections on race, justice, and identity. So, grab a comfy chair, a warm drink, and prepare to be entertained, enlightened, and occasionally, a little bit shocked.

The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke (1/7)

In 2023, the YouTube channel 8 Passengers went from a well-known family vlog to influencer culture infamy. The eldest daughter,  Shari Franke reveals the dark reality behind the family’s seemingly perfect facade. Her mother, Ruby Franke, along with her associate, Jodi Hildebrandt, enforced a harsh and abusive parenting style on Franke’s six children, exploiting the family for their online fame and implementing horrific punishment behind closed doors. Shari’s memoir exposes the dangers of influencer culture and the devastating impact of toxic relationships.

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What If YOU Are the Answer?: And 26 Other Questions That Just Might Change Your Life by Rachel Hollis (1/7)

In What If YOU Are the Answer? Rachel Hollis offers transformative questions and personal stories that encourage self-care, self-discovery, and resilience. This book guides readers to reflect on their lives, uncovering the answers they’ve been seeking and building the confidence to embrace their potential. With humor and wisdom, Hollis inspires readers to find clarity, motivation, and the courage to live their best life.

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Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman by Brooke Shields (1/14)

With remarkable candor, Brooke Shields shares her personal journey, challenging societal expectations of aging. She inspires women to embrace their age, pursue their passions, and defy stereotypes. Shields addresses the pressures of fame, the scrutiny of the public eye, and the impact of aging on her self-image. She also challenges ageism and sexism, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable society.

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The Harder I Fight the More I Love You: A Memoir by Neko Case (1/28)

In The Harder I Fight, the More I Love You, Neko Case reflects on her journey from a lonely, unconventional childhood in rural Washington to becoming a celebrated musician. With vivid prose and raw honesty, she shares how isolation, nature, and music shaped her artistry. This memoir is both a personal exploration of resilience and identity and a bold statement on carving out space in a challenging world.

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From These Roots: My Fight with Harvard to Reclaim My Legacy by Tamara Lanier (1/28)

In a compelling account covering over a decade of research, Tamara Lanier details her fight to reclaim her family’s legacy after discovering an 18th-century daguerreotype of “Renty, Congo” at Harvard’s Peabody Museum. Believing the man to be her ancestor, Papa Renty, Lanier embarks on a legal battle against Harvard, questioning who truly owns the artifacts and stories of America’s enslaved past—the institutions that house them or the descendants who endure their legacy.

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Fearless and Free: A Memoir by Josephine Baker (2/4)

Josephine Baker, the iconic dancer and singer, captivated Paris in the 1920s with her dazzling performances and exotic charm. Admired by literary and artistic luminaries, she fearlessly defied societal norms. Later, she became a spy for the French Resistance, earning the Legion of Honor. A civil rights activist, she marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. This memoir, based on conversations with journalist Marcel Sauvage, offers an intimate look into the life of this extraordinary woman.

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Source Code: My Beginnings by Bill Gates (2/4)

Everyone knows the start of Bill Gates’s empire: a young Harvard dropout who revolutionized the tech industry with Microsoft. But Source Code delves deeper, revealing the personal journey behind the public figure. From his childhood and early passions to his transformative impact on the world, Gates offers a candid and inspiring look into his life.

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This Dog Will Change Your Life by Elias Weiss Friedman (6/3)

Over his decades as a Dogist, Elias Weiss Friedman has become a passionate advocate for the profound bond between humans and dogs. Drawing on personal experiences and countless canine encounters, he explores how dogs enrich our lives, teaching us patience, empathy, and unconditional love. His book showcases how dogs can help us become better versions of ourselves.

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