7 of the Best New Nonfiction Releases of June 2026

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.

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