Nonfiction Books for Fiction Readers
Finding nonfiction that is just as thrilling as fiction can be a challenge for us who tend to stay in the confines of the fiction section in the bookstore. When we dare to browse the nonfiction shelves without a guide, we may find ourselves picking up overly scientific or potentially dense work that, though incredible, perhaps is not the right start on our nonfiction Journey.
Here is a list of books that helped me grow my love of nonfiction:
Travels with Charley in search of America
If you’re a fan of Steinbeck’s writing, this is a romp no matter your degree of interest in nonfiction. In this memoir, he travels around America, from his home in New York all the way to his childhood home in California, and back again. Along with his poodle, he meets devout religious folks, kind and open-minded country folk, curious young artists, and true scum-of-the-Earth bigots. His reflections on what makes us all American, even the bad parts, are incredibly uplifting.
“When I saw him he was not happy, because he loves his country, and he felt a sickness in it. I might say further that he is a completely honest man.”
John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley 128
Hunger by Roxane Gay
I listened to this memoir on audio and sobbed on the train home. Nothing like a good cry in public to make you feel alive. Gay’s brutal honesty is extraordinary. I think this is an excellent novel for anyone interested in social issues. Gay’s experience as a queer, overweight, black woman sheds light on how society treats its most vulnerable citizens. Trigger warning for graphic depictions of sexual assault and violence.
“I am seething with jealousy. I want to be apart of the active world. I want it so very badly. There are so many things I hunger for.”
Roxanne Gay, Hunger 170
The Unwomanly Face of War
This collection of interviews features women from Russia who served in World War 2 against fascist Germany. War novels from this era tend to focus on men’s narratives. This collection sought out women from nurses to foot soldiers, to Lieutenants to get their unique perspective on what it means to not only be a woman in a turbulent time in history but what it means to dare to serve on such dangerous battlefields.
“It seems to me that suffering is a specific kind of knowledge. There is something in human life that is impossible to convey and preserve in any way, especially among us.”
Svetlana Alexievich, The Unwomanly Face of War 211
The Father: Poems
This devastating poetry collection depicts a time in the poet’s life when she was witnessing her father slowly deteriorate in front of her. With his cancer diagnosis, their complicated relationship becomes even more challenging once she must care for her once looming, intimidating father as if he were a helpless infant.
“If I dared to imagine trading, I might have wished to trade places with anyone raised on love, but how can anyone raised on love bear this death?”
Sharon Olds, The Father 25
Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close
Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman run a podcast together and to their audience, they seem to be the closest of friends. But friendship is not linear. They share their ups and downs in their relationship and even recount their time in couples therapy together! This interesting take on how we can nourish our friendships enlightened me to how crucial it is to put in the work to make my friends feel loved and respected. It also delves into issues such as equal pay, workplace sexism, and micro-aggression. This was a fantastic audiobook listen as both authors read their parts.
“Observing ourselves in the mirror of others is how we improve as people. We can see our flaws illuminated in new ways, but we can also notice many good things we didn’t know were there.”
Aminatou Sow, Ann Friedman, Big Friendship
In The Dream House
This unique memoir uses vignettes to depict a complicated and abusive lesbian relationship. It is both heartbreaking and full of hope as you watch the author build the courage to leave her abuser, despite societal shame around a failed relationship, especially that of a failed queer relationship. The poetic language and unique metaphors feel very much like a gorgeous work of fiction, but it is real and wonderfully, painfully visceral.
“This is where the tenacity of love is practiced; its tensile strength, its durability. You are being tested and you are passing the test; sweet girl, sweet self, look how good you are; look how loyal, look how loved.”
Carmen Maria Machado, In the Dream House 67
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating
This is a cozy one. Not only can you learn a lot of interesting facts about the insects that live so close to us, but you can also experience the healing journey of a woman recovering from an unidentifiable virus. As she comes to terms with the new limits of her body, she finds companionship in a little garden snail she keeps on her bedside table.
“Then, exhausted and empty from my audacious adventure, I’d make the slow roll back toward the kingdom of the terrarium and the tiny life it contained.
Elisabeth Tova Bailey, The Soun of a Wild Snail Eating 42”
I hope you’ve found your next nonfiction read on this list!
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