I have decided to participate in Nonfiction November! Here is a link to the announcement if you want to join.
Leann is the host for this week and here is the prompt:
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.
Last year I shared by favourite nonfiction titles of 2018 and I think that may give you a good idea of the kind of nonfiction that I love! That said, I feel as though my taste has evolved even more in the last year and I am drawn to all types of nonfiction.
The topic is indeed important and is what makes me initially drawn to a book, but I think the tone and writing style are what ultimately make a nonfiction book a favourite. A great example of this is I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O’Farrell. I was immediately intrigued by the idea of reading the author’s seventeen brushes with death, but it was the way she told her story that made it memorable for me. She is an incredibly talented writer and I instantly became invested in her story.
I tend to be drawn to memoirs. It is always interesting to learn about someone’s life who is completely different than your own. It is also incredible when you find someone whose story you can relate to. I actually wrote a post about why memoirs matter that explains why memoirs mean so much to me.
I also appreciate narrative nonfiction, where the way it is written almost feels like fiction. Here are some great examples of this:
What makes you fall in love with a nonfiction book?
