8 of the Best New Nonfiction Books of April 2026
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Here in the American South, April means bright green shoots of grass, flowering trees, and warm spring days. Some of my best memories are of sitting in the park in the afternoon or at an outdoor table and reading until the sun went down. You couldn’t ask for a better spring evening than this.
When it comes to my TBR, it’s filled with new, must-read spring nonfiction releases. But there are so many—where do you start?! You could start with physicist Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, who has a new book about space-time. For fans of poetry, former Poet Laureate Ada Limon has given us a beautiful book of prose that explains why poetry is important to our everyday lives. Or you could read Patrick Radden Keefe’s new book, full of hard truths and secret identities. Or maybe you can see a little something about food justice in our modern political landscape. And, finally, if you’re a fan of biographies, you have to check out this glimpse of the first black female executive of the Barman Brothers Company.
In celebration of true stories, I’ve collected some of the most exciting non-fiction titles hitting shelves in April. You may be new to nonfiction or true stories, but whatever the case, there’s bound to be something on this list that catches your attention.
All publication dates are subject to change
The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie By Chanda Prescod-Weinstein (April 7)
Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein bursts onto the literary scene with her debut, chaotic universe. now she’s back edge of space-timeWhere she argues that physics is for everyone. Physics allows us to see the big picture of the universe. Informed by her background in post-colonial, black feminist thought, Prescod-Weinstein’s new book is a must-read meditation on the universe.
Against Breaking: On the Power of Poetry By Ada Limon (April 7)
Ada Lymon, the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States, has made it her mission to make poetry accessible to all and spread her belief that poetry is essential to our everyday lives. His new book argues that poetry plays an important role in community relationships and better understanding ourselves and each other.
All Access members continue below for the best new nonfiction coming in April.
London Falling: A Mysterious Death and One Family’s Search for the Truth in the Gilded City By Patrick Radden Keefe (April 7)
In 2019, MI6 captured a video of a young man appearing to jump into the River Thames and die by suicide. His parents are devastated. Their son never seemed depressed or suicidal, but as they take a closer look at his life, they begin to realize that they barely knew their son.
Mother Earth is our elder: A northern indigenous path toward sustainable living. By Cattleya (Catherine) Lafferty (April 14)
Cattleya’s indigenous community, the Dene, have been stewarding the land for generations and protecting the earth’s natural resources through their traditional practices. Now, Cattleya shares her knowledge and helps readers better understand the ways we can care for the Earth by living with nature rather than against it.
A Soldier’s Wife: My mother, the wonderful Mrs. Marilyn A. underwood By Blair Underwood (April 14)
In a soldier’s wifeBlair Underwood celebrates her mother’s legacy as a popular fashion designer and entrepreneur. Marilyn Ann Scales Underwood eventually became the first black female executive at the Barman Brothers company, establishing herself as a pioneer in the fashion industry.
Gather: Black Food, Nutrition, and the Art of Solidarity By Ashante M. Reese (April 14)
In her new book, Ashante M. Reese asks the question, what does food justice look like in today’s world? gather Explores Reese’s ideas on how Black communities can achieve food equality and provide a path to a better, brighter future where no one will go hungry.
Small Town Girls: A Writer’s Memoir By Jeanne Anne Phillips (April 21)
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jeanne Anne Phillips turns to nonfiction to tell the story of her Appalachian upbringing. Born in West Virginia, Phillips grew up in a culture that is often misunderstood. Now, in her memoir, she shares the joys and challenges of growing up in these mountains, reflecting on how her connection to this place has influenced her art over the decades.
Physical Weather: Notes on Chronic Disease in the Anthropocene By Lorraine Boissonnault (April 21)
In this lyrical exploration of chronic illness and chronic pain, Lorraine Boissonnault links her condition to the events of the season. At first, this analogy was just a way to help her understand her body. But then it became an appropriate way for him to better understand humanity’s connection with our fragile bodies.
There are so many good books—I don’t know where to start! If you’re looking for even more nonfiction book recommendations, check out 8 of the best new nonfiction books of February 2026 And 8 of the best new nonfiction books of March 2026.