The final month of the year signifies not just an ending, but a threshold t0 new beginnings. It’s a period of time when we are tacitly invited to burrow ourselves in retrospection—assessing how far we’ve come and where we might still want to grow.
One thing is for certain: you are not alone in your reflections. This year, a slate of non-fiction stories has made its way to the shelves, conveying profound narratives of self-discovery, identity and personal development through diverse lenses, inspiring your resolutions for the year to come.
Enter your fashionably assertive era with stylist to the stars Law Roach, who released his first book— a part self-help, part manifesto—where he unveils the secrets to your favourite looks on celebrities like Zendaya and Anya Taylor-Joy. By the end of the read, you’ll be emboldened to develop your own unique sense of style.
Inspirational memoirs are also part of the mix. Penned by the esteemed Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to be appointed to the US Supreme Court, one of the best memoirs of the year brings you through uncertainties she had overcame to reach her current position as one of the most influential figures in America’s legal system.
Meanwhile, the visionary Ta-Nehisi Coates unpacks the power of storytelling in conflict zones as he traverses through Africa, Columbia and Palestine in his must-read three-part book, The Message.
Below, Vogue Singapore has curated a shortlist of the best non-fiction titles designed to enrich your mind and motivate your next venture.
1 / 9
Beautiful Chaos: On Motherhood, Finding Yourself and Overwhelming Love by Jessica Urlichs
Filled with raw and poignant poems about the transformative journey of becoming a mother, this collection from Jessica Urlichs explores the messiness of motherhood. Brutal yet heart-warming, this cathartic read embraces mothers everywhere.
2 / 9
How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence from the World’s Only Image Architect by Law Roach
Meet the mastermind behind the iconic looks of celebrities, from Zendaya at the Met Gala to Anya Taylor-Joy at the Golden Globes. Award-winning celebrity stylist, Law Roach, shares his inspirational journey to success and the secret to cultivating the core essence of eminent style: confidence.
3 / 9
Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson
As the first Black woman to be appointed to the US Supreme Court, Ketanji Onyika (which translates to ‘lovely one’) shares her extraordinary life story in this must-read memoir. Tracing her family’s ancestral roots upon separation and her journey to America’s highest court, Jackson showcases her ambition, strength and grace in this candid and emotional tale that is bound to inspire generations.
4 / 9
Never Not Working: Why the Always-On Culture Is Bad for Business—and How to Fix It by Malissa Clark
Hustle culture has manifested an unhealthy collective belief that prolonged hours in the office and a constant grind will harbour great returns. In Never Not Working, Malissa Clark debunks this misconception and guides readers on how to liberate themselves from this unbalanced mindset while pursuing their goals.
5 / 9
One Day I’ll Grow Up and Be a Beautiful Woman: A Mother’s Story by Abi Maxwell
In this candid and emotional memoir, Abi Maxwell recounts her journey from childhood to adulthood—from her impoverished upbringing to the complexities of motherhood as she raises a transgender girl in the same town. Interlacing both experiences, she confronts the unsettling reality of life in rural America as lawmakers threaten to endanger her daughter’s life.
6 / 9
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell
Critical and necessary, writer and podcaster Amanda Montell’s The Age of Magical Overthinking serves as an intervention to some of the cognitive biases that run rampant in our brains today. Weaving personal anecdotes with razor-sharp observations, Montell does a deep dive into our obsession with topics such as manifestation and celebrity-worship in a series of humorous yet biting chapters.
7 / 9
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Known for producing famous tunes for artists like Adele, Kesha and Lady Gaga, nine-time Grammy-award winner Rick Rubin is an everlasting legend in the music world. In this encyclopaedic read, he ruminates on the origins of creativity, illuminating a path for other artists to tread in their creative pursuits.
8 / 9
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Embark on a voyage with visionary writer Ta-Nehisi Coates in this three-part book which sees him travelling to Africa, Columbia and Palestine to capture contradicting tales born from unreliable narrators. Reporting on the reality at hand with great courage and razor-sharp clarity, The Message proves why disentanglement from the destructive myths can mould our world today.
9 / 9
The Missing Thread: A Women’s History of the Ancient World by Daisy Dunn
In this feminist retelling of classical myths and history, Daisy Dunn spotlights three millennia of undermined women who have made a profound impact throughout history, spotlighting their untold stories in this thoroughly researched read.
