Week 4: (Nov. 20 to 24) – Katie @ Doing Dewey: Nonfiction Favorites: 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.
Learn Something New with a Memorable Hook
Obviously we love nonfiction that teaches us about something that we didn’t know before. Books that open up a whole new world are great favorites.
Moby-Duck did that well. It introduced the effects of pollution in the Pacific Ocean and taught me a lot about plastic by following the stories of the bath toys that were spilled in the ocean. Since then I’ve read other books like Junk Raft to learn even more.Â
Seriously, look at that little ducky face. How could you not read his book?Â
Come for the cute little duck and stay for the learning.
Narrative is the Way to Go
I have an ongoing discussion with my husband about this. He thinks books are frivolous if they aren’t very, very serious with lots of citations and footnotes. He used to try to get snobby on me about fiction and even narrative nonfiction. He even tried to dismiss a book because he enjoyed reading it so it wasn’t serious. I reminded him of all he learned in the book. He had to admit that it was an impressive amount. So why shouldn’t you enjoy learning. Why should it have to be a slog to be considered serious?Â
The way I see it is that good writers can make any subject interesting. Boring books aren’t because of super serious subjects. That’s just boring writers.Â
I still read nonfiction books that aren’t narrative but I’m less and less tolerant of them if they seem to take themselves too seriously.
Be Funny
There is humor even in very serious subjects. I’ll remember your book more if you point out the lighter or ridiculous parts of the story.
Oh, my gosh, The Blood of Patriots sounds like a riot; I need to put this on my list! I agree 100% that the author makes the subject interesting, in nearly all cases; the writing has really pulled me in to some topics I never thought I’d have explored.
“Good writers can make any subject interesting” – Yes! This!
I do love a book that has a done of footnotes and citations to back it up but if the writer isn’t making the subject interesting, I can still be bored to tears.
Yes to all of those! Bossypants and Yes Please were great memoirs for me. And yes to Sarah Vowell!
Informative and narrative and funny — agreed! I really like Sarah Vowell’s books, because she hits all three of those targets.