Binge-Worthy Books
Nonfiction Recommendations Based on Your Favorite Pop Culture Moments
By: Rose White
Who says nonfiction has to be all seriousness? We’ve put together a list of nonfiction reads that perfectly align with whatever pop culture moment you're currently living in! Whether you’re riding the emotional rollercoaster of Love is Blind, vibing with Cowboy Carter, or keeping up with the Real Housewives drama (because they always have the tea), there’s a book to match. Plus, with everyone launching a Substack, we’ve got the perfect reads to keep your brain engaged while you indulge in your latest obsession.
If you like Love Is Blind, you'll like So You've Been Publicly Shamed by
Jon Ronson
Both Love Is Blind and So You've Been Publicly Shamed explore what happens when people are placed under intense public scrutiny. In Love Is Blind, participants open themselves up to love — and judgment — in a high-stakes social experiment, while So You've Been Publicly Shamed delves into the real-world consequences of mass public humiliation in the digital age. Both reveal how fragile reputation, perception, and identity can be when exposed to the masses. If you're fascinated by the fallout of public spectacle, you'll devour Ronson's exploration of modern-day shaming.
If you like Euphoria, you'll like Down the Drain by Julia Fox
Both Euphoria and Down the Drain capture the intoxicating highs and devastating lows of a life lived on the edge. If you're drawn to Euphoria’s raw portrayal of self-destruction, addiction, and the search for identity, Julia Fox’s memoir offers a real-life counterpart. Her story is just as chaotic, unfiltered, and visually striking—detailing a world of downtown nightlife, art, sex, and survival. If you love Euphoria for its gritty beauty and emotional depth, Down the Drain is a must-read.
If you like Substack, you'll like Thick: And Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom
Substack thrives on sharp, personal, and thought-provoking commentary—just like Thick. Tressie McMillan Cottom’s essays blend cultural criticism, memoir, and social analysis in a way that feels like the best kind of long-form newsletter: deeply intelligent, incisively funny, and unafraid to challenge dominant narratives. If you love Substack for its mix of personal voice and big ideas, Thick delivers that in book form.
If you like The Real Housewives, you'll like Bad Fat Black Girl: Notes from a Trap Feminist by Sesali Bowen
Both The Real Housewives and Bad Fat Black Girl grapple with the performance of identity, wealth, and power — especially for women navigating public scrutiny. Sesali Bowen’s sharp and hilarious memoir unpacks the cultural intersections of Blackness, feminism, and pop culture, much like how The Real Housewives magnifies the complexities of womanhood and status in America.
If you like Severance, you'll like Work Won’t Love You Back by Sarah Jaffe
Both Severance and Work Won’t Love You Back challenge the myth that work is fulfilling, meaningful, or deserving of our devotion. Severance takes this to an extreme, depicting a world where employees sever their work and personal selves, highlighting the dehumanizing nature of modern labor. Meanwhile, Sarah Jaffe’s Work Won’t Love You Back exposes how capitalism convinces us to pour our passion into jobs that ultimately exploit us. If Severance made you question the role of work in your life, Jaffe’s book will give you the framework to understand why—and how to push back.
If you like Cowboy Carter, you'll like My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music's Black Past, Present, and Future by Alice Randall
Cowboy Carter is Beyoncé’s bold declaration of belonging in a genre that has long erased Black contributions — and My Black Country by Alice Randall unpacks exactly that history. Randall, a pioneering Black country songwriter, traces the roots of country music back to Black artists and stories, challenging the genre’s whitewashed legacy. If Cowboy Carter has you thinking about who gets to claim space in country music, My Black Country offers the historical and cultural context to go even deeper. Together, they’re a reclamation — one in sound, one in story.
Conclusion:
Pop culture isn’t just entertainment—it reflects our biggest questions, anxieties, and obsessions. Whether you're watching reality TV, questioning the nature of work, or diving into music that reclaims history, there's a nonfiction book that adds depth to your favorite cultural moments. These reads aren’t just companions to what you’re watching or listening to—they’re an invitation to think deeper, make connections, and see the world in a new way. So, if you’re hooked on a show, an album, or a cultural trend, why not pick up a book that lets you explore it even further?
