June for me means quiet mornings before heading to the bookstore to work at my day job. I love to sit at the cafe next door, watch the morning commuters grab their coffee, and listen to my latest audiobook.
When it comes to my TBR for June, it’s full of must-read spring nonfiction releases. But there are so many—where do you even begin?! You could start with a memoir about relearning how to recapture your sense of self after a traumatic brain injury. Or you could jump into a story of a shipwreck in Micronesia in the early 1800s. You could read Zinzi Clemmons’s new essay collection that delves into the very notion of what it means to be free. Or maybe you could check out Sarah Wilson’s new book about moving forward when the entire world is on fire. If you’re a political memoir fan, you could pick up the new memoir from Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve in the presidential cabinet.
In celebration of true stories, I’ve collected some of the most exciting nonfiction titles hitting shelves in June. You might be new to nonfiction or a true stories pro, but whatever the case, there’s sure to be something on this list that catches your eye.
All publication dates are subject to change.
The Wreck of the Mentor: A True Story of Death, Despair, and Deliverance in the Age of Sail by Eric Jay Dolin
Lovers of dad books rejoice! Here is the historical nautical book of the summer. When the Whaleship Mentor wrecked in 1832, the survivors had all but lost hope when they found themselves stranded in Micronesia. What follows is a tale of capture and a naval rescue mission determined to find the lost sailors of the ship.
A Way Home: A Memoir of Losing Yourself, and the Beauty of Returning by Cinelle Barnes (June 9th)
In 2023, Cinelle Barnes is writing a memoir about returning to the Philippines when she suffers a traumatic brain injury. Her memories became malleable, hard to pin down and recall. As she recovers, she works through her memories of her childhood in the Philippines to her present living in South Carolina with her husband and daughter. Barnes’s story is of resilience in the face of so much loss, but also one of new joy as she embraces all the gifts and support she is given during her recovery.
All access members continue below for more of the best nonfiction out in June.
Freedom: Essays by Zinzi Clemmons (June 9th)
In this blend of memoir, cultural commentary, and reporting, Zinzi Clemmons examines the very idea of “freedom.” Born to a white South African mother and Trinidadian American father, Clemmons’s childhood was spent in frequent trips to Johannesburg. From her place in the in-between, Clemmons explores the inequality in both countries and uses her unique perspective to analyze the stories we tell ourselves about what it truly means to be free.
A Voice Like Mine by Deb Haaland (June 9th)
Deb Haaland was the first Native American to serve in a presidential cabinet. Before that, she was one of the first Native American women to be elected to Congress. A member of the Pueblo of Laguna, Haaland grew up with a life impacted by alcoholism, poverty, and single parenthood. But she grew to believe her voice mattered, and now in 2026, she’s running for governor in New Mexico.
What I made for Dinner by Krys Malcolm Belc (June 9th)
When the pandemic hits, Krys Malcolm Belc finds himself bunkered down at home with his kids. During this chaotic time, cooking videos on YouTube become his solace. Through his experience, he’s confronted with his role in his family as a trans man and examines what his future holds.
I Eat the Stars: How to Live Fully and Beautifully in a Collapsing World by Sarah Wilson (June 16th)
Sarah Wilson became a bestselling author with her book First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety. Now she’s back with I Eat the Stars: How to Live Fully and Beautifully in a Collapsing World. Wilson wants you to know that you aren’t the only one struggling to live in a world seemingly on fire. Everyone is fighting to keep hope during these troubled times. In her new book, Wilson gives advice on how we can move forward and keep hope, against all of the odds against us.
The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness by Hannah Murray (June 23rd)
Hannah Murray is an actress known for her breakout role in Skins and her recurring character on Game of Thrones. But behind the glitz and glam of Hollywood, Murray found herself under the charismatic control of a spiritual leader who led her down the path of surrendering her sense of self—and her finances. In 2017, she was forcibly admitted to a psychiatric ward. From there, Murray takes back control of her life in the wake of her new bipolar diagnosis.
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 April 2026 and 7 of the Best New Nonfiction Releases of May 2026.
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