The Most Thought-Provoking Narrative Nonfiction Books of the Decade

1. "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates - This book is a letter to the author's son about the reality of being a Black man in America. Coates explores the systemic racism and violence that Black people face, and the ways in which these issues are rooted in America's history. The book is a powerful and thought-provoking read that raises important questions about race, power, and justice in America.

2. "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" by Michelle Alexander - This book examines the ways in which the criminal justice system disproportionately affects people of color, particularly Black men, and how mass incarceration functions as a new form of racial control. Alexander provides a thought-provoking analysis of the racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and the book has been widely praised for its powerful and well-researched argument.

3. "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End" by Atul Gawande - This book explores the ways in which the medical system approaches end-of-life care, and how it often fails to address the needs and desires of the patient. Gawande's writing is both compassionate and insightful, and the book raises important questions about the role of medicine in our lives and the way we think about death and aging.

4. "The Overstory" by Richard Powers - This novel tells the interconnected stories of several characters whose lives are touched by trees, and how their lives are impacted by the natural world. The book raises important questions about the relationship between humans and nature, and the ways in which we value and protect the environment.

5. "The End of Alchemy: Money, Banking, and the Future of the Global Economy" by Mervyn King - This book examines the fundamental flaws in the current monetary system and explains the causes of the financial crisis of 2008. The book provides a thought-provoking analysis of the monetary system and the role of central banks in the global economy, and raises important questions about the future of the monetary system and financial stability.

These books are widely considered to be some of the most thought-provoking narrative nonfiction books of the decade, and are considered to be must-read for anyone looking for books that challenge their perspectives and make them think more deeply about important issues.