Recs if you like The Truffle Underground: A Tale of Mystery, Mayhem, and Manipulation in the Shadowy Market of the World's Most Expensive Fungus...

Niche nonfiction, aka micro-histories!

This list was a winner of the Q2 2026 Community Voting event - if you'd like to participate in the Quest, a link is pinned in the comments.

Do you want to be hot and smart but are tired of trying to find a nonfiction book that appeals to you? Why don't you try finding a fun subject and become the life of the party at your next gathering👀 everyone will stand up and give you a round of applause when you share these cool facts🙂‍↕️

Nonfiction books about food and what it means to us. Cultural connections to food, food justice, sharing food in community, etc.

Nonfiction about strange, outlandish, and/or macabre subjects (books that make you more or less go “wtf?!”)

True stories of frauds, scams, and thievery. Little to no murder here! Inclusion on this list is not necessarily a recommendation.

Niche nonfiction books that dads are still likely to enjoy that either 1) are not military history at all or 2) a niche area of a war that is not military history

Nonfiction true crime books where no blood was spilt.If the ethical issues surrounding true crime give you pause, this list is for you!