Be the smartest person at the dinner party: Niche nonfiction books to read
Want to be the most interesting guest at a dinner party? Be the most well-read.
There are many earnest, unpretentious reasons to be a regular reader, from stepping into someone else’s shoes to escaping from the stress of day-to-day life. But admit it, there’s a little part of you that also wants that scholarly reputation.
Why not capture the attention of your peers with a riveting celebrity backstory or share a fun fact from a new wellness book? Lately, I’ve been talking up Sophie Elmhirst’s “A Marriage at Sea” to anyone who will listen, wowing them with the survival story of a shipwrecked couple who spent 118 days at sea.
Whether you’re looking to impress your friends or want to further your quest for knowledge, here are 10 niche nonfiction books that will keep you engaged as you get smarter.
‘Waste Wars’ by Alexander Clapp
Learn the sinister afterlife of your trash in this investigation of the global garbage trade. Clapp spent two years reporting across five continents to uncover the “secret hot potato second life” of trash and its devastating consequences for poor nations. You won’t look at your trash the same once you know about the shipping, selling and smuggling behind the scenes.
‘Everything is Tuberculosis’ by John Green
You’re about to learn more about tuberculosis than you ever thought possible. In his latest nonfiction venture, Green makes the compelling case that much of human history is shaped by this deadly disease, from poetry to poverty and colonialism. With a narrative drive through charismatic tuberculosis patient Henry, “Everything is Tuberculosis” is a fascinating deep dive.
‘You Didn't Hear This From Me’ by Kelsey McKinney
Gossip is far more defined in cultural tradition and currency than you realize. “You Didn’t Hear This From Me,” from the host of the “Normal Gossip” podcast, explores our obsession with gossip and its role as lighthearted banter to social capital and what happens when it gets weaponized.
‘How to Kill a City’ by P.E. Moskowitz
Readers who live in major cities are guaranteed to look at their metropolis differently after reading Moskowitz’s expertly crafted “How to Kill a City.” Not only will you learn about the history behind major changes in cities like New York, New Orleans, Detroit and San Francisco, but you’ll also learn about who the bad actors are in city-wide gentrification and the systemic forces allowing it to happen.
‘What is Queer Food?’ by John Birdsall
This 2025 release from culinary writer Birdsall intertwines queer identity and food culture, showing how the LGBTQ+ community has often used food as a tool for joy and community in the face of persecution. “What is Queer Food?” follows the early days of LGBTQ+ civil rights movements to Cold War-era lesbian potlucks to the appetites of icons like James Baldwin and Truman Capote.
‘Say Nothing’ by Patrick Radden Keefe
Now a Hulu series, Keefe maps the consequences and trials of The Troubles in Ireland through the murder and abduction of Jean McConville. “Say Nothing” chronicles the conflict with empathy, impact and narrative flair, from Irish Republican Army member Dolours Price to peace negotiator Gerry Adams to the McConville children.
'Why We Swim' by Bonnie Tsui
This book is for anyone who's a regular at their local gym pool, played mermaids as a kid is ocean-obsessed. In "Why We Swim," Tsui investigates the human behavior behind the popular sport, from pleasure laps to exercise to swimming in dangerous terrain to test our limits.
‘Before We Were Trans’ by Kit Heyam
A historical analysis of the past, present and future of trans identities, historian Heyam paints both a narrative and educational look at the complex realities of gender expression and identity. From Renaissance Venice to Edo Japan to early America, “Before We Were Trans” teaches eager readers about people defying gender binaries throughout history.
'The Chiffon Trenches' by André Leon Talley
If you've ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in the cutthroat world of editorial fashion, "The Chiffon Trenches" is for you. This memoir from the former "Vogue" creative director will give you an intimate glimpse into fashion figureheads like Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld and Oscar de la Renta while also illuminating the industry's pervasive racism.
‘The Soul of an Octopus’ by Sy Montgomery
I can’t even count how many friends and family members I know who have read this and felt fundamentally changed. “The Soul of an Octopus” is a 2015 deep-dive (literally) as naturalist Montgomery befriends octopuses, learning their unique personalities and cleverness. Along for the ride, you’ll learn about how these intelligent creatures problem-solve and connect.
Clare Mulroy is Paste BN’s Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you’re reading at cmulroy@usatoday.com.