What Makes a Nonfiction Book a Favorite?
This post may include affiliate links. That means if you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Please see Disclosures for more information. Share: 124 shares Share Tweet Pin Save Flipboard I don’t consider myself an avid reader of nonfiction, so I’m still defining what makes it work for me. That…
This post may include affiliate links. That means if you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Please see Disclosures for more information.
I don’t consider myself an avid reader of nonfiction, so I’m still defining what makes it work for me. That said, I have picked up some excellent nonfiction books, and this week’s Nonfiction November topic on what makes a nonfiction book a favorite has brought me back to those books.
Here’s the prompt for this week (hosted by Doing Dewey):
We’ve talked about how you pick nonfiction books in previous years, but this week I’m excited to talk about what makes a book you’ve read one of your favorites. Is the topic pretty much all that matters? Are there particular ways a story can be told or particular writing styles that you love? Do you look for a light, humorous approach or do you prefer a more serious tone? Let us know what qualities make you add a nonfiction book to your list of favorites.
While the topic can affect my willingness to pick up a book, what I’m really looking for in any book I read—fiction or nonfiction—is a riveting story. I’m planning to pick up Seabiscuit soon because I now that Laura Hillenbrand can tell an incredible story, even though I have zero interest in horse racing. I probably would not have had great enough interest in HeLa cells if it hadn’t been for my curiosity about the backstory of Henrietta Lacks.
Books that tell a personal story and describe, recreate, or reimagine specific events and conversations are those that I can stick with. In short: narrative nonfiction. Some of my favorites: Unbroken, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, Merle’s Door.
Broad overviews written like a history book will not hold my attention. I tried and tried to stick with The Swerve (it won the Pulitzer! And the National Book Award! Ann Patchett loves it!) and I just can’t. The story wasn’t there for me. It was a rare DNF.
As far as whether I go for humor or a serious tone, that usually depends on the medium. If I’m listening to a book, I prefer something light and humorous. David Sedaris is my go-to, and I loved Lauren Graham’s memoir.
If I’m reading a printed book, it tends to be more serious. This month, I read Hunger, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, and Between the World and Me—all books that I consider essential reading, but not humorous or light in the least. I try to pick up books that help me understand and learn about experiences that are unfamiliar to me.
What makes a nonfiction book a favorite for you?
Narrative nonfiction is my favorite. I still remember reading my first book in the genre, Lost in Shangri-La, and being blown away. There are definitely specific topics that will make me pick up a book, but like you, I’ll read on pretty much any topic if the writing is good enough 🙂
I rarely read nonfiction, but I have been delving into it a little more these days. I like non-celebrity memoirs about people/situations I can relate to; having a connection to the topic makes more inclined to indulge in nonfiction. I also really like travel memoirs–even more if they are funny!