12 Non-Fiction Books to Read in 2021 (Part 1 )

Technology connects us, pushes the world forward, and gives us easy avenues to infinite knowledge. Unfortunately, we’re all so used to doctors, psychologists, and TV personalities pushing the downfalls of technology that we forget to see what it can do for us.

We have the digital Library of Alexandria at our fingertips. What’s stopping us from consuming it all, dunking ourselves in it, submerging ourselves beneath the surface, and never coming up for air?

It’s the excuse we cite for pretty much everything, using the infamous line, “I just don’t have the time for it.” It seems that not only have we all forgotten to stop and smell the roses, but we’ve also forgotten that there were roses there to begin with.

2020 taught us all that time is not only valuable but much more abundant than most of us knew. It forced the entire world to slow down and take stock. Whether you walked the streets in protest of racial injustice, breathed the smoke of wildfires, lamented your country’s politics, or feared for a loved one’s health, we all had something that woke us up.

Thanks to audiobooks, online libraries, e-books, and e-commerce bookstores, we can all reconnect with the magic of words on a page. We can engage with new perspectives, walk into the fog of an unknown topic, dip our toes into the pool of collective human knowledge. Whether you agree with the things you read or not, dashing yourself against the rocks of other opinions can only serve to better inform your own.

Technology has granted us the gift of time, even in today’s lightspeed world. Let’s dedicate this year to using it. One book a month, I’m officially throwing down the gauntlet. So, in no particular order, here are the first six books to reserve a spot for.

Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK by Mark Manson

Recently, self-help bookshelves have been filling up with books featuring provocative titles such as this one. However, Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is the one that started it all, and it remains a fascinating read.

Mark Manson takes an exciting approach to living life in the twenty-first century, using “not giving a f*ck” as a catch-all term for the many self-prioritizing principles that turned his life around.

This book is an insightful look into a mindset that grants one freedom from internal and external judgment, embodying “feel the fear and do it anyway.”

You Are the Universe by Deepak Chopra & Menas Kafatos

Scientific topics like Einstein’s General Relativity theory, the Big Bang theory, and quantum mechanics feel somewhat untouchable for laymen like us. However, Chopra and Kafatos use their combined intellect to make these topics not only approachable but relevant to everyday people.

Explore the mysteries of the so-called ‘human universe,’ wading through theory after theory in an attempt to find our inherent connection to the cosmos—an incredibly worthwhile read.

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment by Amir Levine & Rachel S.F. Heller

Relationship science—yes, that’s a thing—is dedicated to helping people find and sustain healthy love, both romantic and otherwise. ‘Attached’ follows Levine and Heller, a neuroscientist and a psychologist, as they explain the bounds of attachment theory.

While attachment theory has been presented to mainstream media before, this book takes it to a whole new level. This book is an accessible guide for everyday people who’re just looking to understand themselves a little more.

Discover how your attachment style influences your relationships and how you can take steps toward a healthier connection with your loved ones.

The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer by Dan Buettner

Blue zones; the five places in the world with the highest percentage of centenarians. In this book exploring these regions, Dan Buettner dives deep into how lifestyle, community, diet, and more can influence our lifespan (and quality).

Human lifespans have been steadily ticking up, but it’s not just about how long you live; it’s about how well you live long. 102-year-old Sardinians who hike six miles a day are currently anomalies, but they don’t have to be, at least according to this book.

Whether you want to live a long life or simply want to improve your life right now, the Blue Zones is for you. Take lessons from all over the world and condense them into your existence. For the love of a good and happy life, read this book.

Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez

Financial Independence, Retire Early (or FIRE) is a nine-step program that fast-tracks people to ridding themselves of debt and transforming their relationship with money.

This 2018 update of the classic finance bible takes a whole new look at finance, adapting it to the millennial reality. From investing in mutual funds to maintaining a side hustle, Vicki Robin takes us through it all.

Honestly, no matter what stage of life you’re in, you can benefit from the lessons in this book. Robin’s money mindset sees it as a resource, not the lifeblood of existence, but she also treats it with the respect a finite resource deserves.

This approachable guide on eliminating debt and building savings is, in a word, essential (especially in the year of our lord 2021).

The Little Book of Common-Sense Investing by John C. Bogle

Speaking of money, ‘The Little Book of Common-Sense Investing’ demystifies a topic usually reserved for white-collar hotshots. Investing is not just for people with mansions and a frankly unnecessary number of cars.

Investing is for everyone. Whether you’re using it as a tool to build your retirement fund or you have loftier goals, understanding how to invest is at your fingertips here.

Thanks to John C. Bogle’s no-nonsense, approachable, and easy-to-understand explanations about investing, you’ll have your own diversified portfolio in no time.

Whether you’re just curious about mutual funds or ready to jump into investing headfirst, this book is a must-read.

Keep an eye out for Part 2, where we’ll break down six more essential reads for this year!

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