New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction Bestsellers
September 20, 2026 

This Is Me: A Reckoning by Hayden Panettiere
1. This Is Me
by Hayden Panettiere

The late actress describes how she contended with fame and handled difficulties in her life.
American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn's Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump by Kai Bird
2. American Scoundrel
by Kai Bird with Susan Goldmark

A co-author of American Prometheus chronicles the life and work of the lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn.
Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump by Maggie Haberman
3. Regime Change
by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan

Two White House correspondents for The New York Times delve into the first year of President Trump's second term.
Going Further: The Incomparable Clarence Thomas by Ted Cruz
4. Going Further
by Ted Cruz

The Republican senator from Texas profiles the Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas.
Let Us Do Good by Frank Siller
5. Let Us Do Good
by Frank Siller

The chief executive of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation describes how the actions his deceased brother took on 9/11 inspired the creation of his nonprofit.
The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living by Dara Horn
6. The Final Solution to the Jewish Question
by Dara Horn

The National Jewish Book Award winner looks at some of the causes of antisemitism throughout history.
Star of the Show: My Life on Stage by Dolly Parton
7. Star of the Show
by Dolly Parton with Tom Roland

Stories and photographs documenting the late country music icon’s career onstage.
Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden
8. Strangers
by Belle Burden

Burden retraces her marriage of 20 years in search of clues to help shape her understanding about its demise and to find a way forward.
10. London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe
9. London Falling
by Patrick Radden Keefe

The author of Say Nothing details the efforts by the parents of a 19-year-old Londoner to uncover the truth about his mysterious death and secret life.
The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy by Gil Durán
10. The Nerd Reich
by Gil Durán

An independent journalist portrays a new political order that would supplant elected governments with corporate rule.
11. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
11. The Anxious Generation
by Jonathan Haidt

A co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind looks at the mental health impacts that a phone-based life has on children.
Biological War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen
12. Biological War
by Annie Jacobsen

The author of Nuclear War describes potential outcomes of biological warfare, including mass death and societal breakdown.
12. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
13. When Breath Becomes Air
by Paul Kalanithi

A memoir by a physician who received a diagnosis of Stage IV lung cancer at the age of 36.
14. The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer
14. The Serviceberry
by Robin Wall Kimmerer

The author of Braiding Sweetgrass illuminates how the gift economy in the natural world works and draws lessons for our economy; with illustrations by John Burgoyne.
A Life in Lyrics: The Official Creative Legacy of Freddie Mercury by Freddie Mercury
15. A Life in Lyrics
by Freddie Mercury

Stories, notes and photographs that give insights into the deceased musician’s process of creating lyrics.
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A version of this list appears in the September 20, 2026 issue of The New York Times Book Review. Rankings reflect sales for the week ending September 5, 2026.