Puzzles? Sports? Birdsong? The variety of new nonfiction means there’s something for everyone

From birding to Big Macs: Nonfiction gift books offer something for everyone this holiday season

The holiday shopping season brings with it the perennial challenge of finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. This year, the nonfiction book market offers an impressive array of titles spanning topics from puzzles and photography to cooking and celebrity biographies.

For those who love brain teasers, “Puzzle Mania!” provides an analog escape in an increasingly digital world. Edited by Joel Fagliano, a lead puzzle editor at The New York Times, this hardcover collection features popular games like Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee and Minis. At $38, it offers a stylish solution for puzzle enthusiasts who might appreciate having their favorite mental challenges in a permanent format.

Art lovers can explore contemporary artist Derrick Adams’ first monograph, which showcases 150 works spanning his 25-year career. The $79.95 volume highlights Adams’ multidisciplinary approach to exploring Black American culture through painting, collage, photography, sculpture and performance art. His work celebrates joy, leisure and resilience in everyday experiences, offering both cultural commentary and self-reflection.

Sports enthusiasts might appreciate “Shot Ready” by Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. The $50 book chronicles Curry’s journey from rookie to veteran, combining inspiring words with compelling photography. The basketball icon shares insights applicable beyond the court, making it accessible even to those who aren’t sports fans.

Photography collectors can discover the remarkable work of Frank S. Matsura, a Japanese immigrant who documented life in early 20th century Alaska and Washington state. His portraits of Indigenous people from the Okanogan region, compiled in “Frank S. Matsura: Iconoclast Photographer of the American West,” offer a unique historical perspective on the American West before his death in 1913.

For nature lovers, “Bird Talk” by Becca Rowland takes a novel approach to identifying bird calls. Instead of technical descriptions, Rowland uses memorable, everyday phrases to help readers recognize common calls – like describing the black-capped chickadee’s song as “cheeseburger, cheeseburger!” At $16.99, it’s an accessible entry point for aspiring birders.

The culinary section of the gift guide includes several standouts. “McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches” by Gary He earned two 2025 James Beard awards for its country-by-country exploration of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide. The $49.95 self-published book, with its Big Mac-inspired cover, offers social anthropology through the lens of fast food.

Celebrity chef Samin Nosrat returns with “Good Things,” her long-awaited follow-up to the acclaimed “Salt Fat Acid Heat.” The $45 book reveals Nosrat’s personal struggles with depression and loss, chronicling her journey back to finding joy in cooking. With simple recipes and thoughtful observations, it represents a deeply personal project from one of the food world’s most beloved voices.

Music fans can explore the meteoric rise of Grammy-winning artist Chappell Roan in “Chappell Roan: The Rise of a Midwest Princess.” The $30 book details how the singer, known for her drag-queen aesthetic and vocal prowess, struggled for years before becoming a breakout star in 2024. With contributions from multiple writers, it offers insight into one of music’s most distinctive new voices.

Fashion enthusiasts have several options, including “Jane Birkin: Icon of Style” ($65), which chronicles the French-English actress and singer who inspired the famous Hermès Birkin bag. For those more interested in contemporary style, “The Look” ($50) takes readers behind the scenes of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s fashion and beauty choices, beginning with her earliest style memory—a brown polyester kindergarten dress with a plaid skirt and Peter Pan collar.

Theater buffs will appreciate “History Hiding Around Broadway” by Teale Dvornik, known on social media as The Backstage Blonde. The $25 book offers a theater-by-theater history of New York’s famed Theater District, providing backstage insights and historical context for Broadway’s most iconic venues.

With titles ranging from Snoop Dogg’s cannabis cookbook to Taylor Swift lyrical analysis, this season’s nonfiction offerings ensure there’s something for virtually every interest, making the quest for the perfect holiday gift a little easier for shoppers nationwide.