Don’t miss the best new biographies and memoirs from the past month, hand-picked by our editors! We’ve rounded up this month’s biggest and buzziest biographies and memoirs — including a fascinating look at the life of an 18th-century naturalist, an exploration of the relationship between the Kennedy and Windsor families, and more!

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	An astronaut illuminates the past, present, and future of space exploration WHY IT’S READWORTHY: A former commander of the International Space Station and one of the first Asian American astronauts in history relates the realities of NASA training, the likelihood of a trip to Mars, and more “[Chiao’s] insights, passion, awe, and gratitude combine for a memorable read” (Booklist) Bill Nye calls it “a crisp history of how World War II shaped space travel, and ultimately, [Chiao’s] career, which includes a few close calls” Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers A ‘thrilling biography-cum-adventure story’ (Hampton Sides) WHY IT’S READWORTHY: “George Forster is one of the most fascinating figures you have probably never heard of” (The New York Times Book Review) Immerse yourself in the life of an 18th-century naturalist who traveled the seas and wrote passionately against white supremacy and slavery From his beginnings as a 10-year-old botanist to his adventures among the islands of the South Pacific, Forster became an early leading voice in favor of universal human rights Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers ‘An epic maritime adventure’ (Publishers Weekly) about the first transatlantic telegraph cable WHY IT’S READWORTHY: In the 19th century, Cyrus Field set out to lay a 2,000-mile cable across the Atlantic Ocean — facing corporate sabotage and ferocious storms along the way This tale of one entrepreneur’s wild vision is “full of drama and excitement” (The Wall Street Journal) “A lively and electrifying account of the little-remembered ‘miracle’ that connected continents” (Kirkus Reviews) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers Priceless ancient treasures disappeared from Cambodia — and one man was behind it all WHY IT’S READWORTHY: “Reads like a thriller… The story romps along with dogged lawyers and a ludicrous, devious antagonist” (The Economist) Douglas Latchford became notorious as “Dynamite Doug” for his methods of extracting statues from sacred temples during his heists. Learn how he trafficked them to top-tier collectors in this gripping work of nonfiction “Propulsive and devastating, it traces a story of greed and violence that opens, finally, onto redemption, rendered with exceptional clarity and insight” (Pulitzer Prize–winning author Katie Engelhart) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers Undiagnosed schizophrenia and a spate of misinformation led to dangerous conspiracy theories WHY IT’S READWORTHY: “Extraordinary… An exceptional exploration of mental illness and friendship in the wreckage of American decline” (Publishers Weekly starred review) After Michael Dodd suffered a frightening episode of dissociation and was taken to a psychiatric hospital, he reached out to his friend, author Chris Lockhart, for help Together, the two men worked to untangle the web of mental illness, trauma, and political division that pushed Michael toward violence Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers Witness Vladimir Putin’s rise in this real-life thriller WHY IT’S READWORTHY: When Jamison Firestone established Russia’s first independent foreign law firm, he gained a front-row seat to a nation’s transformation — and the ascent of an infamous leader “Written with all the pace and energy of a John Grisham novel… An incredible true story” (New York Times bestselling author Bill Browder) Eye-popping stories of police corruption, Mafia attacks, commando raids, and more Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers A cross-country road trip for fans of John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley WHY IT’S READWORTHY: Highly anticipated by the Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, Kirkus Reviews, and more When writer Lauren Hough set out with her husky mix, Woody, to travel the US, she met people from all walks of life — and greeted them with empathy and curiosity “A keenly observed story about America and the complexity of her people… You will be changed by this remarkable book, and for the better” (Roxane Gay) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers A juicy look at how two storied families have mirrored each other over the years WHY IT’S READWORTHY: “Hallemann’s deeply researched and engaging debut book intertwines the histories of the iconic Kennedy and Windsor dynasties and captivates with its literary quality” (Library Journal starred review) With compelling new details about each family’s scandals, deaths, social calendars, and more, this guilty pleasure breaks new ground “A meticulous feat of research and reporting that’s also incredibly entertaining to read” (New York Times bestselling author Kate Storey) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon Other formats and retailers Hear from the first Native American to serve in a presidential cabinet WHY IT’S READWORTHY: Deb Haaland, the US Secretary of the Interior under President Biden and now a 2026 gubernatorial nominee for New Mexico, recounts her political career In this eye-opening memoir, Haaland describes growing up a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, working in her grandfather’s cornfield, and serving as a member of Congress “A convincing and down-to-earth account of a remarkably varied life” (Kirkus Reviews) Learn more...