22 Hidden Gems – Fantastic Nonfiction for 2022 That Deserve to be on Your Radar
With almost 4 million books published in the US each year, it’s no wonder plenty of brilliant titles don’t get the attention they deserve. This is why Blinkist has focussed its bookworm powers to curate a collection of 22 hidden gems — nonfiction we think you will love that may have slipped beneath your radar in 2021 (while you were busy trying to stay sane in the global pandemic).
Blinkist’s team of bookworms, writers, and editors work together to extract the key information from a nonfiction book. This includes key takeaways, actionable advice, fascinating case studies, and powerful ideas. All of this information is then presented in bite-sized explainers that can be read or listened to in as little as 15 minutes.
This way, you can access the knowledge found in top nonfiction books, no matter how busy your schedule is.
“Blinkist has helped me read more — period. I love that I can get the key learnings from 10+ books a week, and immediately implement them in my own life.” – Hitha Palepu, entrepreneur and author.
Without further ado, here are the top 10 the hidden gems you can enjoy from Blinkist’s collection. Discover the rest in the Blinkist app!
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
The Comfort Book
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
In the Comfort Book, Matt Haig shares the insights he gained while experiencing years of severe anxiety and depression, as well as his unconventional strategies for developing a sense of self-worth and looking after his mental health. What makes this title such a hidden gem is that in some respects it’s more than just a book.
For many, it’s a beautiful and moving work that served as a genuine source of comfort during the hard times we all live in. One Blinkist user even called it the best book they’ve listened to in our app. Another found it to be uplifting, empowering, and helpful when they were desperately in need of support.
Drunk by Edward Slingerland
Drunk
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Drunk is an inquiry into the reasons why humans started getting drunk. Drunk examines how inebriation helped our ancestors evolve into creative, communal, cultural beings and considers whether or not alcohol is an appropriate tool for the modern age. In the audio version of this explainer, you enjoy an excerpt from a certain famous classical composition. No spoilers though, you will have to listen for yourself!
The Scout Mindset by Julia Galef
The Scout Mindset
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
The Scout Mindset explores two very different ways of thinking: the soldier and the scout. It explains that most of us have a soldier mindset – we cling to our beliefs and often ignore evidence that might prove us wrong. But we can all learn to be scouts, seeking out truth and improving our “map” of the world.
The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul
The Extended Mind
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
The Extended Mind is an exploration of the power of thinking outside the confines of your brain. It shows that the path to greater intelligence is not locked within your skull. Instead, it’s a path through your body, your environment, and your relationships with others.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Atomic Habits provides a practical and proven framework for creating good habits and shedding bad ones. The author draws from scientific research and real-life examples to show how tiny changes in behavior can result in new habits that could last a lifetime.
Daily Rituals by Mason Currey
Daily Rituals
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Daily Rituals is an entertaining and illuminating collection of the daily routines of great minds and artists. Including the work habits of people such as Jane Austen, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Pablo Picasso, it offers insights into the best ways to maximize efficiency and prevent writer’s bloc, as well as tips on how to get by in the creative world.
Shoot for the Moon by James Donovan
Shoot for the Moon
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Shoot for the Moon provides you with a riveting, wide-ranging account of the early space race, culminating with Apollo 11 — the mission that first landed humanity on the moon. Blasting through twelve years of space exploration, these blinks guide you through Apollo 11’s historic mission and the preparatory ones that made it happen.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
A Short History of Nearly Everything
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
While Bill Bryson’s work isn’t exactly a hidden gem, a great many people still (including yours truly) haven’t enjoyed one of his most fascinating works, A Short History of Nearly Everything. Bryson gives an enlightening summary of contemporary scientific thinking relating to all aspects of life, from the creation of the universe to our relationship with the tiniest of bacteria.
On the Move by Oliver Sacks
On the Move
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
On the Move is a poignant memoir that describes how Oliver Sacks became an acclaimed writer and neurologist. Published the year of his death, it provides a reflective account of his turbulent young adulthood, detailing his struggle with addiction and addressing his sexuality for the first time in print.
When Women Ruled the World by Kara Cooney
When Women Ruled the World
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Ancient Egypt is a historical anomaly: the Egyptians called upon women to lead their country more frequently than any other culture. Tracing their rise to power within the authoritarian system of divine kingship, When Women Ruled the World tells the stories of Egypt’s six most influential female leaders — Merneith, Neferusobek, Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, Tawosret, and Cleopatra — and explores what lessons they hold about female leadership for us today.
Bookworms Unite!
The Blinkist library is a bookworm’s paradise. There are over 5,000 across 27 categories to choose from, with over 40 new titles added to the library every month.
“As a productivity coach and one of the lifelong learners, I can’t tell you how happy I was to find Blinkist. If you enjoy nonfiction reading and are short on time, Blinkist will be your new favorite app.” – Karen Trepte, HuffPost.
You can explore the intricacies of your mind with the best psychology books, or read best-selling biographies to discover how you can learn from those you admire.
Learning on the Go
When was the last time you learned something new while waiting for the subway, brushing your hair, or wandering the aisles of a hardware store? It may seem like these moments aren’t compatible with learning, but with Blinkist, you can listen to every explainer pack while on the go.
This means you can learn the habits of productivity gurus while making breakfast or contemplate the mysteries of the cosmos while driving to work. Just make sure you keep your eyes on the road!
Blinkist’s audio doesn’t just cover explainers for nonfiction books, as you can now explore Shortcasts. Shortcasts are condensed versions of podcast episodes that have been crafted around their key ideas. There’s a selection of Shortcasts to enjoy from creators such as Malcolm Gladwell, Dr. Laurie Santos, Natalie Lue, Dr. Rupy Aujla, and Omar Zenhom, with many more Shortcasts on the horizon.
The Blinkist app is available on the iOS and Android stores. So, why not download the app today and discover the rest of our collection of hidden gems.
Originally from the north of England, Robin is an experienced journalist, editor, and writer. He has an incredibly specific knowledge of Russian cinema and wrote two dissertations about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster before HBO made it cool. He has travelled across Ukraine and is currently practicing how to cook the perfect blini.
Start your free trial with Blinkist
A small investment, an incredible growth opportunity: Get access to powerful ideas from top nonfiction books and podcasts.
Start your free trialStart your free trialStart your free trial with Blinkist
What is Blinkist?
Blinkist is an app that transforms key insights from great nonfiction books into quick, easy-to-understand highlights. The reality is – everyone loves reading, but no one has the time. Blinkist fills this learning gap and makes acquiring new knowledge effortless.
Download the Blinkist appDownload the Blinkist app
