I want to get into reading non-fiction, but I’m not sure where to start?
I’m very well read as far as fiction goes, but I’d like to get some facts mixed in there.
I’ll read about ANYTHING except sports…okay, even sports.
So my question is…any suggestions?
- brynleigh|bloodfest
Tags: Non Fiction, Sports, Sure Start
April 11th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Well read about something you’re interested in whether it’s a time period or just a topic, and there’s plenty of fictional books that are based on real occurences such as the Boleyn books. I can’t remember who the author is right now, but it’s about the lives of King Henry’s wives and then there’s books on King Arthur.
My advice, if you like the medieval period read about books like King Arthur and go into the store or library and look up interesting non-fic books on that topic or whatever other thing you’re interested in. Cancer, the foster system or the judicial system, slavery in the states, the building of the railroad, the pony express. Look it up and there’s sure to be books that were made out of journals out of that sort of thing or even fiction books that explain all that happened with that topic through a fictional character but in a truthful manner.
April 13th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
The Diary of Anne Frank…by Anne Frank
Try Somewhere around the corner by Jackie French. It’s fiction but it’s set in the Great Depression in Australia…it’s SO good and I learnt a lot.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Up From Slavery, by Booker T. Washington
The Long Walk, by Slavomir Rawicz (is actually really good)
David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens (it’s semi-autobiographical)
The Autobiography of Ben Franklin, by (wait for it) Ben Franklin!
can’t really think of anymore, have fun!
Love, Ky
April 19th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell- it was fascinating. I’m not a huge fan of non-fic either but I love reading so when it comes to non-fic, he’s the one I go to.
April 21st, 2009 at 9:44 pm
For a beginner, Greek Mythology is usually a good place to start. You can follow it up with a book about Cleopatra (I read an EXCELLENT one once but can’t remember the title). Read books about famous people, that way, you know their lives will be exciting and you won’t get bored
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:20 am
What are you interested in?
Some people love history so recorded accounts of important events and biographies could be interesting.
There are a lot of interesting books on world religions. Sex is a popular topic too.
Just think about what you like, browse around a bookstore and see what interests you.
April 24th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
INTO THE WILD.
Read this before any other non-fiction. It will change your life. I highly, highly recommend it. I’ve just started the first 20, and it’s the most inspirational piece of literature you will ever come across.
April 25th, 2009 at 4:42 am
Stiff by Mary Roach is a good non-fiction read, though a bit morbid
If you are just starting to read non-fiction, my suggestion is to look into lists on books that are “nonfiction that reads like fiction”
Here are some lists from public libraries that might be helpful to you
Palm Beach County
Denver
Weber
Morton Grove
West Bloomfield
Overbooked Reader Resource
April 25th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Three Cups of Tea is a biography about a man who built schools for girls in Pakistan, it’s really good. Biographies would probably be good to start, because most of them are written in a style similar to fiction.
April 28th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Maybe travel writing - Bill Bryson is very funny and very clever. Also biographies are also written very much like fiction. Something like Alive by Piers Paul Read (I think) or Jon Krakaur (sp?)
Enjoy
May 1st, 2009 at 7:35 am
When I want to get away from fiction for a while, I look for biographies about people I’ve always been interested in but just had a general knowledge about. I also like books that try to explain complicated subjects like science in ways that laymen can understand. Remember that history and true life can be stranger than anything anyone can make up. For biographies I just read John Lennon-The Life. I like anything about the American revolution and the founding fathers. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin were fascinating guys. Right now I’m reading”The Drunkards Walk-How Randomness Rules Our Lives” by Leonard Mlodinow. It makes probability and statistics interesting and can be funny and a history lesson all at the same time. An older book called “The Dancing Wu Li Masters” explains physics in a way that really is interesting. Try picking something that you always wondered about, but just never got around to and do a search. Curiosity leads to enlightenment.