The Best Non-Fiction Books To Read On Your Weekend Getaway
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Whether you're camping at a forested state park, cozying away at a cabin in the mountains, or renting an Airbnb in the city, a weekend getaway — especially if it's a destination decided by your zodiac – is always an enjoyable change of scenery. It's a time to participate in more touristy outings and also catch up on the leisure activities you might not have time for during the week.
Whether you're a regular reader or not, a weekend getaway is a great time to crack open a new book. Reading is an easy form of entertainment, great for long car rides or afternoons inside, and it can also help you wind down in the evenings when your body is getting ready to sleep in a new environment (per Market Project).
While the YA fiction genre continues to be one of the most popular in publishing, adult nonfiction is also selling strong, with memoirs and self-help books being the most notable subgenres (per Toner Buzz). There are many nonfiction books to choose from for your weekend away, and the following list is some of the best.
Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapeshifters of the Feminine Persuasion by Tori Telfer
The educational aspect of the nonfiction genre can be a turn-off for some readers, but many humorous and fun titles within the category are perfect for a weekend away. For instance, if you're a fan of true crime documentaries or con artist stories, you'll probably enjoy "Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapeshifters of the Feminine Persuasion" by Tori Telfer.
Published in 2021, this book is described as both compelling and darkly comedic (via Amazon). While some of the mentioned women exploit heavier tragedies, the title is overall light in tone, according to Goodreads.
Laughing All the Way to the Mosque: The Misadventures of a Muslim Woman by Zarqa Nawaz
If you're looking for something fun to read, memoirs can also be a solid choice for your vacation weekend. Zarqa Nawaz's "Laughing all the Way to the Mosque: The Misadventures of a Muslim Woman" is an example of a memoir that explores serious social and political issues while maintaining a truly humorous tone.
If you're unfamiliar, Nawaz is most known for creating the highly-acclaimed Canadian sitcom "Little Mosque on the Prairie," but she also has an extensive background in journalism (via Zarqa Nawaz). As noted by Publisher's Weekly, the memoir combines the author's lighthearted wit with real-life events, providing an entertaining experience for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
The Wonder Trail: True Stories From Los Angeles to the End of the World by Steve Hely
If you're doing a lot of traveling during your weekend away, you might be looking for reading on the subject. "The Wonder Trail: True Stories From Los Angeles to the End of the World" by Steve Hely combines travelogues with humor, making it a fun read perfect for a short trip.
Published in 2016, the book follows Hely's adventures through Central and South America, providing both pieces of history and comedic anecdotes (via Amazon). Featured on their list of recommended summer beach reads, Vulture mentions how this book's short, witty segments lend themselves particularly well to weekends away.
Travelling While Black: Essays Inspired by a Life on the Move by Nanjala Nyabola
A different approach to the travel nonfiction genre is Nanjala Nyabola's "Traveling While Black: Essays Inspired by a Life on the Move." Mentioned as one of the best nonfiction travel books on Bookshop, this striking collection of essays explores how culture, race, and colonial legacies impact non-white visitors and migrants through the lens of Nyabola's world travels (via Amazon).
While more serious in tone than the previously mentioned books, Goodreads reviewers describe the collection as insightful and life-changing while still heartwarming and funny. If you're looking for a more thoughtful travel read, this is definitely a title to consider.
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century edited by Alice Wong
If lighthearted and humorous aren't requirements for your weekend reading, then there are still some amazing titles for you to pick up. "Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century" is a collection of essays edited by the disability rights activist Alice Wong (via Amazon).
The included authors represent a wide variety of visible and invisible disabilities, providing first-person insight into the complex lives of disabled individuals and the community's contributions to society, per Good Housekeeping. With a 4.52 out of 5 stars rating on Goodreads, "Disability Visibility" is sure to provide you with an insightful reading experience.
Making Love with the Land by Joshua Whitehead
Joshua Whitehead's 2022 release "Making Love with the Land" is a nonfiction book that explores Indigenous identity, queerness, body, and nature through a combination of genres, according to Penguin Random House. In doing so, the author has created a form of storytelling he refers to as "biostory" (via Goodreads).
Whitehead is an Oji-nêhiyaw member of Peguis First Nation, located in Canada, and has previously published poetry and fiction, including the 2018 novel "Johnny Appleseed" (via Joshua Whitehead). Described as both heart-wrenching and intellectual, this book is definitely a heavier read for your weekend getaway, but it's also beautiful and worthwhile.
Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
Rounding out our list of weekend getaway reads is "Crying in H Mart: A Memoir," a 2021 title from Michelle Zauner — the lead musician and singer of the indie pop band Japanese Breakfast (via Amazon). Adapted from the "New York Times" article of the same name, this book explores topics of family, food, and identity and centers around Zauner's relationship with and loss of her mother.
Goodreads reviewers describe this memoir as raw, emotional, and intimate. This memoir is worth checking out if you're looking for something deep and moving for your weekend away.