When reading non-fiction, the writing style and the narrative structure can make or break your reading experience. While this is true of all books (fiction and non-fiction), when it comes to non-fiction, you need a certain je ne sais quoi to round out the reading experience – especially if you’re used to reading fiction. Non-fiction, though, can be an amazing way to diversify your reading – whether gaining perspective from someone’s life in a memoir or learning about something new in long form journalism. Sometimes, truth really is better than fiction. Keep reading to find my fail safe non-fiction picks for people who tend to read fiction. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them!
| The Electric Woman: A Memoir in Death-Defying Acts by Tessa Fontaine I’m listing this one first for two reasons. First, it isn’t hyped anywhere (at least I haven’t come across many bookish folks on the internet who have read it) and it totally deserves some hype! Second, I truly believe it is perfect for lovers of fiction because the content is just so fantastical. The Electric Woman follows Tessa who joins America’s last traveling sideshow after her mother suffers a stroke. Tessa breathes fire, charms snakes, and swallows swords alongside a cast of characters that prove reality can be more interesting than fiction. The chapters shift between Tessa sharing her experience working with the sideshow and Tessa sharing her relationship with her mother who recently suffered a stroke. This story is as fantastic as it is poignant. This is a beautiful memoir that is absolutely worth a read. (Note: My only critique is that the book is a little bit long… some sections are repetitive and in my opinion the editor could have used a heavier hand. While I really loved this book, I don’t want someone going into it thinking it is perfect on my recommendation). Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer On the other hand, we have one of the most hyped non-fiction books out there, but it is so well-deserved. Jon Krakauer is one of my favorite journalists to read (his writing helped me to realize my absolute love for long form journalism), so combining his writing talent with this incredible story and content is a recipe for excellence. Into Thin Air tells the story of the 1996 Mount Everest season, which resulted in several climbers being killed due to a freak storm. The interesting thing, though, is that Krakauer is not just reporting on the event – he was there experiencing it. If you like to read thrillers or adventures tories, you’ll absolutely love this. At times, I forgot that I was reading a work of non-fiction. Bonus: This book led me to discover that I am OBSESSED with reading about mountain climbing, and I’ve since read at least 5 more books on the topic (though none met the high standard of Into Thin Air). Bonus: All of Krakauer’s work is incredible. If you’re up for a tough (but compelling) read, check out Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town. If you’re interested in religion and the danger of fundamentalism, Under the Banner of Heaven is a slow, but solid read. I’ve also heard great things about Into the Wild, which is on my list. Educated by Tara Westover Another incredibly popular book (and for good reason) is Educated. This is a memoir and coming of age tale about a woman who grew up in a survivalist and fundamentalist family. Tara tells of growing up without a formal education in a remote area of Idaho. Eventually, she pursues a formal education (with disdain and backlash from her family) and we see how this completely changes the trajectory of her life, though not without the scars and shadows of her upbringing. Trigger warning for physical and verbal abuse as well as gaslighting. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up by John Carreyrou Bad Blood is the last majorly hyped option on this list, which tells the story of of a medical technology start-up called Theranos, and how its founder, Elizabeth Holmes, exaggerated the scope and advancement of the technology. It explores how people got involved and why they stayed, even as they knew that the technology was hardly capable of the things Holmes claimed it was. This book will appeal to people who read fiction because of the almost dystopian lengths that Elizabeth goes through to keep everything under wraps. It reads like a thriller because you’re just waiting for the moment she gets caught and groaning as she gets away with another test or get another investment. I listened to this one on audiobook, which worked really well for me. It was like a long form true crime podcast! From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty From Here to Eternity is a bit of an odd pick, but stick with me – it’s about death and the traditions different cultures have around death. How people bury their dead, how people honor their dead, and how people mourn their dead. Doughty writes about something that could be morose with grace. She never fetishizes traditions that are vastly different than ones that the reader is probably familiar with, and she somehow writes a book about death that feels light. The author definitely has an agenda (she has issues with the current funeral industrial complex), but it doesn’t overshadow the cathartic nature of this book. I think contemporary and fantasy readers will enjoy this read because it is deeply emotional and it exposes fascinating aspects of other societies that we otherwise would never have known. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah I read this book in one sitting. I feel like that’s such a marker of a quality plot and writing style. Trevor Noah sets out to educate about his upbringing in South Africa during apartheid and how he grew up in the post-apartheid world. This book has it all – relationships, laughter, pain, politics. And of course, Trevor Noah is a comedian at heart, so his writing, even when things are dark, has a lightness to it that makes you want to keep reading. There were moments that made me actually laugh out loud and moments that actually made me tear up. This book is entertaining and educational. It’s a book that I feel comfortable and confident recommending to anyone. |
And that’s a wrap, everyone! Those are my top non-fiction books for people who tend to gravitate towards fiction. Write your favorite non-fiction book in the comments below, so we can all add a new non-fiction to our TBR!
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