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By Meghan Leigh
Confession Time
I have a confession: I don’t like reading non-fiction. Give me a fantasy, mystery, or thriller any day. But reality? Ugh.
I’m not entirely sure why that’s the case. Years ago, I realized while I love *reading* fiction, I really only love *listening* to nonfiction. I’ll play Ted Talks, podcasts, and news stories all day long. But once it’s printed on paper and sorted into chapters? I’m out.
I would love to be the gal who gets elbows deep in a biography. The gal who dissects historical events via novel. The gal who finds connection to amazing scientific discoveries or philosophical theories in a great dissertation. But alas, that is beyond my scope…
Or is it?
But Wait … A Shocking Epiphany
I came into this blog post well prepared to wax poetic about my failures when it comes to non-fiction. I poked around online, doing searches for “why do I hate reading non-fiction” and “non-fiction meh.” As I scrolled through gobs of recommendations for non-fiction books that may interest the skeptic, I noticed something strange: not only had I already read many of the suggested titles, but I had also really enjoyed them.
So have I been lying to myself? Apparently, I may enjoy reading non-fiction after all? This was a slightly shocking epiphany (but, a welcome one, at that.)
Non-Fiction Books for the Non-Non-Fiction Reader
With that, here is my personal list of five non-fiction books that may satisfy another supposed non-non-fiction reader:
David Sedaris: Me Talk Pretty One Day
I’ve read several David Sedaris novels, and even attended a couple live book readings. He’s funny, quirky, and strange in all the best ways. Bonus points for being one of Amy Sedaris’s siblings. It’s tough to pin down my favorite David story, but if you can find the audio clip of his Billie Holiday impression (and the story that goes along with it,) you’ve struck gold. You can purchase the book here.
Matthew Desmond: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
Matthew Desmond follows several landlords and a slew of tenants through their trials and tribulations in the poorer neighborhoods in Milwaukee. This book is a fascinating study in the choices people make in the face of extreme adversity. It is eye-opening and I cannot recommend it enough. You can find the Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover and Paperback options for the book here from the Pulitzer Prize winning author.
AJ Jacobs: The Year of Living Biblically
I grew up going to a fairly standard, Midwestern Christian church. I’ve always been fascinated by the more outrageous portions of the Bible and the fact so many people claim to follow a book they haven’t actually read. AJ Jacobs commits to not only reading the Bible, but trying to follow the letter of the law for an entire year. It’s both funny and touching. If you’d like to read it here, you can purchase access here.
Malcolm Gladwell: Outliers
There’s just something about Malcolm Gladwell’s style of writing and his ability to lay out a clear picture of human interactions, politics, and society. He makes abstract ideas more tangible. And he lights fires that need to be lit. I’ve read a few of his titles, but this would be the one I’d recommend first. Get a copy here.
Bill Bryson: A Walk in the Woods
Bill Bryson has a way with words. It’s not just a walk in the woods – it’s a mid-life crisis that leads him to the Appalachian trail. He meets and writes about his fellow hikers, injuries, soggy meals, and wildlife — all while contemplating his literal and figurative path through his middling years. It’s a very poignant and humorous read. Want to read it for yourself? You can get it here.
A Pleasant Surprise
It’s still hard to say if I’d pick a non-fiction book over fiction, given the choice. But I’m pleasantly surprised to find out I’m a bit more well-rounded than previously assumed. Do you have any non-fiction books that have made you laugh or have had an impact on your life? I’d love to add more titles to my future arsenal. Let’s get our non-fiction on!
