I love this genre! I read Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green earlier this year and I think it could qualify as a hyper-fixation read. I remember telling my mom I was reading this one and then launched into a whole list of “fun” facts about tuberculosis. She looked at me like I was crazy.
YES! I should have put that on here, too. My husband was also like, "PLEASE stop with the tuberculosis facts" 😂 Thank goodness for Substack where we can find similarly obsessed readers.
I didn't know there was a name for this, but I have also quietly become obsessed with this genre. I would add Mary Roach to the list of authors who have published immensely readable titles that fit this category. I'm currently enjoying her book Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers.
I just made this name up 🙈 But it seemed fitting and it’s what I’ve been calling them in my head while I read them! Thank you for the recommendation. A history of cadavers sounds PERFECT!
I read Salt several years ago when I was studying for a Masters in Theology. Did a paper on Jesus’ quote “You are the salt of the earth”. Wanted to reference the importance in ancient society and how rare snd difficult it was to mine. Need to dig out that paper to see what I write!
This is a great idea! Books like this are always about so much more than the thing in the title.
In this vein, years ago I read a book called “The Pencil” (by Henry Petroski). It deep dived into the (unexpectedly) fascinating historical, technological, and manufacturing trends that led to the creation of the humble wooden pencil ✏️ .
Loved Entangled- It was the Deep Read at UCSC this year. Another recent (for me) favorite was Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter.
These look really good, thank you, Carol! I remember hearing a bit about Eager a month or so ago, but it dropped off of my radar. Thanks for resurfacing it!
This is such a fun and nerdy list (which is a massive compliment)! Definitely will be adding some to my TBR. My latest favorite hyper fixation book is At Home by Bill Bryson. Another is The Dress Diary of Mrs. Ann Sykes. Both are so in-depth and so interesting!
What a great list! Definitely adding Salt to my holds list! I’d maybe add the book Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller to this list, I think it fits :)
I’m not sure if it’s a perfect fit, but Susan Orlean’s The Orchid Thief is the ultimate hyper-fixation read for me. Also loved The Library Book by her as well. They seem to be more about books about collecting than the things themselves though.
Oooh my god I love this kind of non fiction. My all time favourite is the Wave by Susan Casey. Runner ups are Parasite Rex by Carl Zimmer, Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall, and Fossil Men by Kermit Pattison. Simon Garfield writes well in this genre too (loved Just My Type about fonts and On the Map about…maps).
I love this genre! I read Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green earlier this year and I think it could qualify as a hyper-fixation read. I remember telling my mom I was reading this one and then launched into a whole list of “fun” facts about tuberculosis. She looked at me like I was crazy.
YES! I should have put that on here, too. My husband was also like, "PLEASE stop with the tuberculosis facts" 😂 Thank goodness for Substack where we can find similarly obsessed readers.
I love that one!!
Read that one on Audiobook. John Green is a terrific narrator
Agree! This is one for audio for sure!
I second Mary Roach as one of the best in this genre. Stiff was amazing. Would love to see a Part 2 from you on this
I’ve never been one to back down from such a fun challenge! I don’t know how Mary Roach has never popped up on my radar. I need to fix that ASAP!
I didn't know there was a name for this, but I have also quietly become obsessed with this genre. I would add Mary Roach to the list of authors who have published immensely readable titles that fit this category. I'm currently enjoying her book Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers.
I just made this name up 🙈 But it seemed fitting and it’s what I’ve been calling them in my head while I read them! Thank you for the recommendation. A history of cadavers sounds PERFECT!
I read Salt several years ago when I was studying for a Masters in Theology. Did a paper on Jesus’ quote “You are the salt of the earth”. Wanted to reference the importance in ancient society and how rare snd difficult it was to mine. Need to dig out that paper to see what I write!
It was surprising to me too to see it resurface! That sounds like a really interesting thesis. You’ll definitely have to dig that up!
This is a great idea! Books like this are always about so much more than the thing in the title.
In this vein, years ago I read a book called “The Pencil” (by Henry Petroski). It deep dived into the (unexpectedly) fascinating historical, technological, and manufacturing trends that led to the creation of the humble wooden pencil ✏️ .
This sounds really good. Another for the TBR...
If your TBR pile is like mine you probably need a ladder to get to the top. But a few “hyperfixation” titles would make fine additions.
That sounds excellent!!
Loved Entangled- It was the Deep Read at UCSC this year. Another recent (for me) favorite was Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter.
These look really good, thank you, Carol! I remember hearing a bit about Eager a month or so ago, but it dropped off of my radar. Thanks for resurfacing it!
Seconding this. Eager is so good! 🦫
This is such a fun and nerdy list (which is a massive compliment)! Definitely will be adding some to my TBR. My latest favorite hyper fixation book is At Home by Bill Bryson. Another is The Dress Diary of Mrs. Ann Sykes. Both are so in-depth and so interesting!
Haha thank you! Oooh yes Bill Bryson needs to be on the next list for sure! I hadn’t heard of The Dress Diary. It looks so good!
What a great list! Definitely adding Salt to my holds list! I’d maybe add the book Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller to this list, I think it fits :)
Thank you, Jamie! That is such a good suggestion. I loved that book!
At this point, I've saved so many of your brilliant lists I should just make the extra effort of going back to your page.
Thank you always for giving me more to read ❤️
♥️ Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it :)
I read and loved Cod! Thanks for this list!!!
Of course! As soon as I get through Silk, I’m on to Cod 😂
I’m not sure if it’s a perfect fit, but Susan Orlean’s The Orchid Thief is the ultimate hyper-fixation read for me. Also loved The Library Book by her as well. They seem to be more about books about collecting than the things themselves though.
You’d probably like this Decoder podcast that tries to unpack the popularity of books about things: https://slate.com/podcasts/decoder-ring/2025/03/how-books-about-things-that-changed-the-world-became-a-publishing-trope
Oooh my god I love this kind of non fiction. My all time favourite is the Wave by Susan Casey. Runner ups are Parasite Rex by Carl Zimmer, Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall, and Fossil Men by Kermit Pattison. Simon Garfield writes well in this genre too (loved Just My Type about fonts and On the Map about…maps).
Omg these look so good! I’ve only read Prisoners of Geography (loved) so now I have a lot more to read!!
Thanks for this. Never heard of Salt but adding to the list. Always looking to read more non-fiction.
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker is also v.interesting and universal in appeal.
Ooh that sounds really good!!! I love reading nonfiction. It’s so fascinating to fall down all the rabbit holes
Fantastic. Butter everyday.
Indeed!!!
The Devil's Element by Dan Egan (its about phosphorus but really about the health of the Great Lakes)
Oranges by John Mcphee; The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Thank you! These are both new to me ☺️