The Great Debate: Fiction vs Non-Fiction Reading

If you really like fiction books, it can be difficult to break into the non-fiction genre. It seems a little stuffy right? All monotone writing with sentences full of facts you can never remember. That’s not always the case though! There are some well-written non-fiction novels out there that you’ll be able to breeze through in no time because they’re just that good!

For the fiction readers, here are a few reasons you should step into non-fiction (with recommendations!):

1. It can help you expand your horizons by introducing new concepts or providing facts on events you’ve heard about. This can help you to become more knowledgeable and broaden your perspective. I know one thing that has always fascinated me is the inside of different companies. How do they manage their business? What practices to they put into place? Is it ethical to purchase from them? If you’re a business guru or are looking to learn a little bit more about Fortune 500 companies, then you could try The Last American CEO, which takes you through the biggest global business deals in history (basically, a history channel TV series on a page). It’s rated 3.4/5 stars on Goodreads, so not too bad, and you can find it on our shelves for $6.95- a hardcover at that!

2. You can improve your concentration and communication. That’s a 2 in 1 deal! According to Blinklist, your concentration will improve since you need to focus on the words. This article also says that your communication will improve by reading non-fiction since the vocabulary used may be a little more expansive and different than fiction books. You’ll be able to pick up some new words to impress your neighbors, or you can just take that new vocabulary a tuck it away. Overall, though, you’ll definitely be learning something new, which could be a conversation starter or propel you into a whole new hobby. The popular Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert took the reading community by storm (and still does) with her novel and eventual movie starring Julia Roberts. How about Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It? This book contains many different stories of people who were inspired by the novel, and the changing of writers will ensure that you won’t get bored!

3. Non-fiction has plenty of varieties from you to choose from! There’s crafting books, cookbooks, memoirs, autobiographies and biographies, and so much more. Non-fiction has so much to offer in it’s books, so we highly encourage you fiction readers to try it!

And if you’re a non-fiction nerd, then it may be difficult to start reading fiction. Fiction to you may seem a little too in the clouds like there’s nothing you can learn from it and all the characters and the plot have no depth.

For the non-fiction readers, this list might make you consider trying fiction with a couple recommendations for you:

1. You can build up your creativity! Buffer reports that the ambiguity of fiction books is the perfect environment to stir up creativity. Oh You Pretty Things by Shanna Mahin is about a young woman who is trying to navigate her talents and Hollywood while avoiding the truth she’s still running from. No, this book won’t be straightforward, but that’s the beauty of it! Get comfortable with the uncomfortable and improve your creativity!

2. Along with creativity, reading fiction can help you enhance your imagination and your thinking process. Elif Notes says that fiction reading can take you into another world because it opens you up to new possibilities. You can analyze the character’s stories and lives, which can strengthen our minds and open them up to understanding new things. The Owl and Moon Cafe by Jo-Ann Mapson is about a woman who lost her job at the university and desperately wants to keep her gifted daughter in a prestigious institution. This books follows the decisions that the Moon family needs to make while exploring family and love.

3. If you need another reason to read fiction, then just know that it is one of the best ways to relax! It can provide a way to escape and take you to another far off land! Hopefully this is enough to encourage you to pick up a fiction book.