The Best Non-Fiction Books of 2012

The best non-fiction books of 2012 include some of the greatest works of the year. Many of the non-fiction books listed here were best sellers, not surprisingly. A few might not be as well known, but they wound up landing on many "best of" year-end books lists. If you've read any (or all) of these books listed here, please vote for the ones you liked the most, and vote down any non-fiction reads you just didn't like in 2012. Also, if a favorite isn't listed, feel free to add it.

The most notable works of non-fiction in 2012 covered a variety of different subjects. From the political to the historical, each non-fiction book offers a reader a unique perspective. As always, memoirs are popular non-fiction works year after year. 2012's 'Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail' by Cheryl Strayed is an inspiring and uplifting true story of the author's journey (mental and physical) back from despair.

Other popular non-fiction books in 2012 included Susan Cain's 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking,' (a well-researched look at why introverts are successful and thriving), 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity' by Katherine Boo (the National Book Award winner in 2012), and 'Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1944-1956' by Anne Applebaum (an amazing study on the origins of the cold war).

Which of these great works of non-fiction deserve to be called the best of 2012? That's entirely up to you, so don't forget to vote. Also, if you're a fiction fan, check out this list of the best novels of 2012, too!