Does anyone else have trouble reading nonfiction?
Does anyone else have trouble reading nonfiction? With fiction books I feel like I get pulled into the story and I don’t want to put the book down, but non fiction sometimes I have trouble reading more than a couple of pages at a time.
Yes. It’s like pulling teeth. Even on subjects I’m interested in.
Try The Boys in the Boat, Devil in the White City. I think you might like historical fiction as a start.
Depends on the subject, but I do read a lot of non-fiction. Erik Larsen’s n-f books read like novels.
I have an easier time getting into non fiction if I listen to it on audible.
I read “I’m with the band” a non-fiction book by Pamela des barres and I loved it.
I want to read certain non-fiction books, but I never get around to it. I’m considering getting audio from the library to actually read it.
Depends on the topic. No issue if it’s something I’m interested in.
That is mostly what I read! I guess for me there is a thrill not from reading about people and places that are mere fantasy, but people that walked before me and places that have been replaced by what we know today (historical non-fiction is my thing).
I understand though. 🙂 It can be not enough of an escape.
I dont like non-fiction books that read like school textbooks. So, if the book starts sounding like its being narrated by a robot or very text-booky, its getting donated or returned. Memoirs and biographies are some non-fiction books I enjoy. I also like science and technology and books from Noah Yuval Harari such as 21 Lessons for the 21st Century and Sapiens are great. I recently read Ten Types of Human by Dexter Dias is also good.
I’ve been just the opposite lately. I’ve read entire books, then a couple of weeks later see the covers and can not remember ANYTHING about the plot! But when I read non-fiction, I remember most of it. It’s about people who really lived. So it gets into my brain better I guess.
I need stark reality from time to time. I usually have a fiction and a non fiction going simultaneously. I love history, true crime and politics.
I love fiction and I like well-written non-fiction. So when I read nonfiction, I look for the story. Some excellent writers – Doris Kearns Goodwin, Thomas Friedman. Daniel James Brown, Trevor Noah, Laura Hillenbrand, David McCullough, Isabel Wilkerson. I also like Rebecca Solnit, but she writes essays – which are fabulous, but political – so be warned.
I almost exclusively read fiction as books and almost exclusively read non-fiction on the web. So, long fiction, short non-fiction. But yes, audio books are easier to get through, because you don’t have to focus only on the book, you can listen and drive, or clean, or cook, or craft.
I used to steer clear of non-fiction, but I’ve started reading more and more. Often the stories are so compelling that I can’t put them down. (Just Mercy, Boys in the Boat, for example). When they start to feel a bit more like a slog but I still want to read the book, I listen to a lot of it. Just finished Hamilton this way!
When I get stuck I listen on audio books and that helps. I like the Eric Larson books as they are a combination of both. Real events and stories created around those events.
I listen to non fiction on audible… for some reason I like to do non fiction that way!
@Shelley I’m the same way.
I don’t understand how one can not love non fiction.
Cut me loose in a college bookstore and I’ll leave with far more books than a regular bookstore.
I love learning, about almost any topic.
Fiction is ok sometimes.
My husband is a historian and feels the same way! (He’s the DC comics historian/librarian do between the two of us our book collection is… large ?)
I’m the opposite. I tend to have trouble getting into fiction lol.
I almost ONLY read non-fiction. I love History, Biographies, Politics, Travel and True Crime. Life is so short , so don’t waste time reading what you don’t enjoy.
I have very similar tastes in books as you. However I’ve been on a fiction kick in the last month. Even my librarian noticed the change. But I’m yeArning to get back to a good biography or history book. I guess I’m just curious about real vs. fictional people. You can’t beat Louise Penny’s books though.
@Karen what are those books about?Never come across them yet
Googled them. I see that she is a Canadian writer. They have not got to be well known in Rsa where I live yet.
Love her books. Try to read them in order.
Try Educated by Westover. There’s an example of compelling nonfiction narrative.
Yes! I think my disinterest in non-fiction is from being forced to read biographies and whatnot in school. I could probably get into non-fiction history regarding WWII or true crime, but otherwise meh. I love learning about everything, but my comprehension for textbook like books is very poor.
Yes, I have a much deeper love of fiction. I prefer my nonfiction in smaller bites, and have to force myself to read topics I “should” explore but don’t have a natural thirst for. And the quality of the writing makes a huge difference for me. In book club my heart always sinks a bit when a member picks a nonfiction title for their turn. That said, I have occasionally been pleasantly surprised upon reading some of their selections.
I feel your pain!! Although biographies are great!
James Herriot were great, I like some biographies but I’m not a non-fiction reader normally. My 15 year old has always loved non-fiction. So while I’m re-reading Mary Poppins or Pippi Longstocking to bring back my youth or Patterson, Evanovich, Beaton, etc…, she’s devouring knowledge like crazy. Lol
Yes!! 100% agree
I’ve fond you have to be interested in the material being talked about
I like reading biographies like Steve Jobs by Isaacson and the Wright Brothers. Fascinating and they read like fiction. If they don’t hold your attention, try the audiobook form. I love audiobooks! The library has most of the best sellers in audio.
I almost exclusively read non fiction nowadays ?
Non fiction especially autobiographies are my favorite.
I think appreciation for nonfiction increases as one ages.
@Karen I agree!
In my experience, nonfiction can pull you in just as much, if the topic is interesting enough to you and the thoughts that are laid out are unique and new. 🙂 Are you trying to read nonfiction for school/work or do you have a topic that genuinely interests you?
I am currently reading The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman and Feeling Good by David Burns for book clubs and am struggling to get through them. They both are interesting but are not keeping my attention for long. I finished my MBA in June so I may have residual effects from reading from that program lol. I didn’t read anything fiction for a year and maybe I am just craving fiction.
I read them slowly. Some nonfictions are good. I mostly read fictions
im the exact opposite
Depends on the book. I’m reading orange is the new black and it’s written like a fiction book so I’m. Enjoying it
Nonfiction books….the bane of my existence. I hate them, yet every course in college for three years now assign at least one. I have 7 books now this semester, and I can’t bring myself to read them. Instead, I read science fiction and m/m romance. ?
Thank you for this post! I thought I was the only one!
I am the exact opposite! I have trouble with fiction ? I don’t read it very often! I love to learn so I am always reading about things I want to know more about or understand better!
Depends on the book. A well written biography or memoir can read like a novel.
It does happen with me two, but after reading lots of fiction , i read non fiction as a break and then back to fiction world
Yup! Reading one now for a book club and I’m just lingering.
It is according to the book…every once in awhile a non will flow well especially memoirs or biographies…”The Boys in the Boat” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” are two I thoroughly enjoyed. If they get too technical, then I have a problem!
I much prefer fiction in most cases
For some reason i can read 2 equally long fiction to 1 as long non-fiction
I’ve read almost strictly fiction my whole life, (and that’s a long time!), but then the last few years, I have begun to realize there is a lot to learn and I am missing it. American History, my state and area’s history, world history, amazing people that have lived, amazing stories about our planet. There is so much to know, and it is important that we know it! I’ve passed on most of my fiction to others, with the exception of a few fave authors.
I am the same way! I have found a select few nonfiction books that keep my attention like fiction…but not many!
I consume both in equal measure.
Often I do not like to be drawn into the drama of fiction and find factual non fiction easier to read. It has to be presented in an interesting fashion, however. One example of non fiction I enjoyed is History of the World in 6 Glasses.
@Anita I liked that one too
I like to read fiction and listen to non-fiction.
Try reading memoirs. Educated by Tara Westover was amazing, as is The Glass Castle. Also, there are some great young adult nonfiction writers that I have learned so much from as an adult reader! James Swanson has some great ones: Chasing Lincoln’s Killer and Chasing King’s Killer. Also Steve Sheinkin: Bomb, Most Dangerous, and The Notorious Benedict Arnold.
Two of my favorites memoirs, also, and I’d like to add a third…Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. The audiobook is AMAZING!
I like fiction better too. I did enjoy Educated though.
It depends on how interested I am in the non-fiction topic. Also, some non-fiction writers are great story-tellers, too.
Eric Larson’s The Devil in White City, Isaac’s Storm and In the Garden of the Beasts are good. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote almost reads like a novel. 1776 by David McCullough is very readable, as is Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff.
Sometimes I have a fiction and a non-fiction going at the same time so I can switch back and forth depending on my mood. I mostly read fiction, though. Read what you like, but I would encourage you try some non-fiction every once in a while.
Read Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Historical non-fiction that reads like a novel.
Some nonfiction authors craft their material into a really gripping narrative. Like Nathaniel Philbrick, Simon Winchester. Erik Larson, as mentioned above. Other times you might have to rely on your interest in the material to pull you along. I just added a book called Families Divided in Civil War America to my to-read list. It focuses on families in the border states. It’s a bit niche I guess, and I’m not excited to pay $25 for a used copy…
Try The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or In Cold Blood. Both are non fiction but read like fiction.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was a great read, so was In Cold Blood.
Anything by Bill Bryson or Malcolm Gladwell
Yup. Me too
I live to read both but, just like there is fiction that doesn’t keep my interest, there is also such non-fiction. Still, don’t make the mistake of thinking you don’t learn from fiction– fiction from other countries and historical fiction teaches you a lot. You can widen your horizons just by reading varied fiction.
Try River of Doubt. It’s about Teddy Roosevelt’s trip down the Amazon. A thrilling ride. I loved it.
Loved, loved it. Her later book. Destiny of the Republic is even better!
I like to read non-fiction, mainly about people who have committed crimes, like Captive, The Road to Jonestown, The Family and Member of the Family. I like to read about the perpetrator and victim/ survivors and why they did it. Generally when I am reading these books I have to find out everything about the person or the crime – thank goodness for youtube. I also loved the Henrietta Lacks and In Cold Blood book mentioned above. I am not sure whether you listen to Podcasts, but I think Truman Capotes’ writing of In Cold Blood led the way for series like The Teacher’s Pet and Serial. I found them difficult to put down. I also really enjoyed the books ‘How to live like a Tudor’ and ‘How to live like a Victorian’ by Ruth Goodman who walks the reader through a day in the life of the people who lived in this time. My sister @Haidee really loves books about women who have made a mark on history.
I read a lot of non-fiction and it took me awhile to find the types of non-fiction that interest me. The thing I learned the hard way is that 1. there’s are a LOT of poorly written non-fiction (even on topics you like) and 2. everyone has their own interests, so what I find to be amazing non-fiction might not be what you like. I’d recommend finding topics that interest you and then look at the reviews of books in that category. I look for reviews that talk about writing style (is it clear, concise, etc) and does the author have a point. So much non-fiction is really dry and dense, and it’s almost like what is this point of this book. To get started, browse best seller lists for non-fiction, see what captures your attention, and give those books a shot. (Usually if it makes the best seller list, it’s probably pretty decently written.) If it doesn’t feel like something you want to read, don’t worry about it, just try something else. Non-fiction is a lot like fiction, in that you just need to find the narratives/topics/styles that interest you.
I just finished the memoir Lab Girl by Hope Jahren and found it fascinating.
The Boys in the Boat: 1936 Olympics, USA crewing team from Washington. I know, I know–who wants to read a book about crewing? But this is so much more: college during the Depression, East v. West, the art of crewing and scull building, wonderful read!
@Vicki, the Boys in the Boat is phenomenal!
Now reading No Ordinary Time: FDR and Eleanor in WW II by Doris Kearns Goodwin which I recommend.. She is a great researcher and writer
Same! I sometimes get nonfiction on cd from the library so I’ll get chunks at a time every time I’m in the car. Then I can read my fiction books at home
Try In the Garden of Beasts or any book by Eric Larsen
Or Bill Bryson!!