NonFiction November Week 2: Choosing NonFiction

It is time for NonFiction November Week 2! This week is hosted by Frances from Volatile Ruin. After reading Frances’ post about the privilege of reading, I am struck by how readily available information is to me and how this can change the course of my life. Make sure and head over to read her excellent thoughts.

THE PROMPT

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Week 2 (11/4-11/8) Choosing Nonfiction: What are you looking for when you pick up a nonfiction book? Do you have a particular topic you’re attracted to? Do you have a particular writing style that works best? When you look at a nonfiction book, does the title or cover influence you? If so, share a title or cover which you find striking.

WHAT DO I LOOK FOR IN NONFICTION?

I will pick up NonFiction for numerous reasons.

• To answer a question I don’t understand – I frequently start with Five Books
• To satisfy my curiosity about a subject
• To learn something to completely new
• But mostly, I read NonFiction to be inspired. The world is so much bigger than I will be able to experience. Books take me places I cannot go and introduce me to people I will never meet.

DO I HAVE A PARTICULAR TOPIC I’M ATTRACTED TO?

During the pandemic I searched for inspiration on how to deal with the invisible isolation – that nagging feeling that I was living in a weird Groundhog’s Day. I had started reading about code breakers, female war heroes, and how they had to return to the kitchen after WWII ended. They were not even allowed to talk about what they had done during the War. I was hooked. Since then, I will read anything about female spies, especially code breakers.

I also love books about Habits – making and breaking them. And, I will read almost anything about Cults.

IS THERE A PARTICULAR WRITING STYLE THAT WORKS BEST?

This changes based on the subject matter. I do like historical information provided in chronological order. I also love nonfiction that reads like fiction but, goodness, that is subjective.

DOES THE TITLE OR COVER INFLUENCE ME?

Heck yeah it does! Honestly, a bad cover or title will not stop me from reading, but a beautiful cover or intriguing title will absolutely move it from the shelf to my cart. When I first started reading more NonFiction, the cover art was a big draw for me. The more I read, the more I rely on the title for context about the information. Here are two books that I would not have read, and loved, if not for the title.

This cover is meh but Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in the Jazz Age of New York….I had to read it.

After my cult obsession in 2023, I obviously had to read this one. I didn’t even know it was a memoir which is how I know the title got me. Don’t listen to this audiobook while driving, it is dangerously funny.

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Tell me, please! How do you choose your NonFiction?

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