This Week's Topic
Non Non-Fiction Reader
I was recently reading a Non-Fiction November post which had me reflecting on my own non-fiction reading. Well, it's pretty much non-existent, and I was wondering why. As a kid, I used to sit and read through our encyclopedias because I wanted to know EVERYTHING, but now, I seems to have lost my lust for it. Is it because we have so much information available all the time? Maybe, but I can think of two major reasons I don't run for non-fiction.
- I am all read out. My undergraduate and graduate majors required a LOT of reading, and it was never the light kind. I had to read science texts and journals and data analyses until I couldn't see straight. Then while working in IT, I had to read a ton of articles to and programming books to keep up with the changing technology. After that, I was always reading education journal, texts, and student work for my teaching job.
- I read for entertainment. After I left teaching, I finally had free time and could pleasure read again. I was reading for entertainment. I don't go to movies or watch television, so this I don't really want to read something "informative" or "educational"; I just want to shut out the world for a bit. I did used to read more weighty books, but as the world got uglier, I sought more escape. I especially stay away from books that include politics as I feel like I am constantly bombarded with that. I don't need it in my pleasure reading.
- I know a lot of people are not big non-fiction readers but enjoy memoires. Well, I do not buy into celebrity culture. I have never been a fangirl. I have my famous story of standing right next to a famous someone and not recognizing them. *shrugs* Good for them that they can make a lot of money doing whatever they do, but that doesn't make me want to read a book about them.
Do you read non-fiction? Why or why not?
Now it's your turn!
Do you read non-fiction books?
Let us know in the comments!
Let us know in the comments!
I do read some non fiction. It's not my favorite, I definitely prefer to read for pleasure and just to have fun with an interesting story, that's why I like fantasy so much. But sometimes I'm interested in a specific topic I want to learn more and I pick some books, or I also like to read books about personal grown sometimes. It's great when you can choose what to read instead of being an obligation.
ReplyDeleteFantasy is definitely the ultimate escape. I think reading more on a topic of interest is a great way to spend your time. I think I HAD to do that so much, and that's where my aversion was born.
DeleteHaha, thanks for the shout-out! Obviously I do enjoy nonfiction, but it definitely doesn't take up the majority of my reading. I was a history major in college and surprisingly, all the reading I had to do for that did not turn me off to reading nonfiction (although I didn't for quite awhile). I still love to read about historical events, people, and places, or just random things that sound interesting to me. I get why people don't read more nonfiction, though. It can be heavy and dense and even dry.
ReplyDeleteIf it interests you, you should read it. My sister and father adore historical books with my sister also enjoying historical fiction. That window into the past can help inform the future.
DeleteI read a lot of critical essays, so I do read a fair bit of non-fiction... but not in a way that can count toward my reading goal! I don't really read non-fiction books unless an essay collection is truly speaking to me. And I'm the same as you with memoirs. I don't care much for celebrities, and so I don't really think about their memoirs when I'm considering what to read next.
ReplyDeleteI am all for reading what excites you. If critical essay make you happy, read them. I just don't find myself gravitating much towards non-fiction (I do read the news - I can take it in small doses)
DeleteI think you've earned the right to avoid non-fiction! 😉 I can't even fathom having to read the kind of material you've read for years. *hats off*
ReplyDeleteWhile I tend to read dark books, I read for escapism as well, if different from yours. I like my books to have substance, but in a fictional context. I've only read a handful of non-fiction books in my life, about Queen/Freddie Mercury and Billy Joel (yep, I AM a fangirl 😅). The rest...I can't see myself reading them anytime soon.
I would definitely consider what you read an escape from the every day (unless you have found a portal somewhere). There are a LOT of authors who weave real issues in their books, and if that's what you like, I am happy it's out there for you.
DeleteI really don't read a lot of non fiction at all.
ReplyDeleteI know there are people who enjoy it, but it always seems like work to me.
DeleteI can't remember the last non-fiction book I've read. Yes, as this world has gotten uglier, I need the escape! I hardly watch TV or see movies either, so this is my entertainment. Yep, ditto on celebrity memoirs! For the most part a celebrity got lucky with an opportunity, and made a ton of money doing whatever they do, not because they were extra special. I don't really care to read about their life.
ReplyDeleteYou can't see me, but your comment has brought me so much glee. I always feel alone in my disinterest in celebrity culture (except for my dad, he's with me).
DeleteI can see your point because I've only read EMT books since August. I'm exhausted and sick of reading confusing medical stuff. I miss fiction and happiness!
ReplyDeleteThat stuff has to be hard, and you have to remember so much! You're doing great!
DeleteI tend to go through phases with non-fiction. For a long time after college, I avoided it completely—I was definitely burned out! Lately, though, I've gotten into true crime, which has made it easier to dive back in. Finding a non-fiction genre that lines up with my usual fiction interests has really helped spark my interest again.
ReplyDeleteI can see the switch from crime fiction to true crime being pretty smooth. I definitely burned out in my youth.
DeleteI do read some nonfiction and a lot of memoirs, though I tend to choose ones that are food and travel related rather than celebrities. Fiction is still my go-to though.
ReplyDeleteI read articles that are food and travel related but never whole books. I could be down with that, maybe.
DeleteThat's teh same for me! And yet I used to read so many non fiction stories while younger. I think responsibility, news and drama have us jaded and we now crave evasion and not the brutal reality.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, I was interested in everything! I read tons of non-fiction. It's amazing how the world now exhausts me.
DeleteI like nonfiction but it tends to be on the lighter side. It is mostly memoirs and narrative nonfiction.
ReplyDeleteI read a lot of programming and science books, not heavy, but maybe kind of dry. Glad to hear you enjoy non-fiction.
DeleteI am not a huge nonfiction reader either, but I have read several that I enjoy. The memoirs I've read were entertaining or shined a light on a topic of interest. I can also say that I do not care about celebrity culture - at all. But, I also like to read nonfiction on topics that I enjoy - like birding. But, again, it's because I find it entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI could definitely understand you wanting to read birding books because it's a hobby you love so much. I find I do better with articles about topics I enjoy versus whole books.
DeleteLike you, I read purely for entertainment so my non-fic reading is almost nil. There are some very rare exceptions (I think the last was one by Hillary Clinton). I'm not particularly interested memoirs (overall, I feel like: who cares? lol). Give me some escapism.
ReplyDeleteI have found that people who dabble in non-fiction tend to read memoirs. I guess those worlds can seem sort of fictional. LOL. I feel like a lot of people write books where they throw other people under the bus so that they can make a buck. I get that it's hard to talk about your life without implicating others, but a lot of those people are blindsided or not around to defend themselves. That bothers me.
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