Truth is often stranger than fiction. With so many unbelievable real-life stories, some of the best books are based on actual events. Nonfiction is my preferred genre (no shade to fiction, though)—maybe because I can truly sink into the story knowing it actually happened. Or maybe because I can wax poetic on everything from astrophysics to Alexander Hamilton later during a conversation having learned more about it. Whatever the case, the genre is vast...in a good way. From the increasingly popular celeb memoir (Spare) to self-improvement (Girl, Wash Your Face) to daring tales of strength and survival (Unbroken), there’s a book to help you laugh, learn, make your bed, lean in, stop trying to be positive all the time and a whole lot more.

If the last nonfiction book you tried was a textbook from high school, read on for some approachable books to try in this colorful genre that’s quickly rising in the ranks of popularity. For non-readers, nonfiction can act as a gateway to reading. Everyone’s interested in something—politics, science, history, gardening, travel, religion, animals, cooking, space, just about anything under the sun (or moon)—and finding a book about a beloved subject could be the key to sparking a love of reading.

Here are the nonfiction books that most interested you, Libby app readers. This mix of ebook and audiobook nonfiction for adults and YA had the most all-time digital checkouts at public libraries around the world. Heavy on audiobooks, listening is apparently an increasingly preferred way to learn.

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*Title availability may vary by region.