I’ve spent the year reading basically all fiction, and mainly Brandon Sanderson (10 of his books). This has made nonfiction reading so hard for me since I’ve been engrossed in fake worlds. ANY nonfiction recommendations that read like a novel to ease me back into the real world would be so appreciated!!
by jinny9954
25 Comments
There’s a WHOLE LOT between fantasy and non-fiction. No need to shock your system.
I just finished Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann.
* Black Flags the rise of ISIS.
* A Promised Land – Barack Obama
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jenette McCurdy (her autobiography)
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
anything by jon krakaurer, very much reads like fiction even though they’re true stories
Godel Escher Bach by Douglas Hoffsteader
[The Baron](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/48708)
There’s no magic here. At the same time, what is described is completely unrealistic and perfectly logical at the same time.
*In the time of crazy youth, the one bought a barony. It was inexpensive, and at the time there was a lot of wild money going through his hands. Also, the name of the barony created an amusing pun with the surname. Barony Grave Stone with Baron Grave. The one bought a nice piece of paper and thought it was a fun joke. But every action has consequences. And the past will always find a way to bite you in the ass.*
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson, or tbh anything by him!
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
A story of him and a friend hiking the Appalachian Trail but it reads like a buddy comedy while learning a bit about the history of the AT.
Bad Blood! Fascinating and a quick read
Empire of the Summer Moon
Anything by the following authors:
Mary Roach
Bill Bryson
Ben MacIntyre
Erik Larsen
Plus: The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson and Endurance by Alfred Lansing
Unbroken by Lauren hillenbrand
Marriage, A History by Stephanie Coontz
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith (memoir about divorce)
The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer (a musicians deep-dive into vulnerability)
Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer (a very interesting deep dive into memory and the United States Memory Championship)
The Wager. David Grann. It was an incredible adventure! Really unbelievable! Part1 was slow set up but from part 2 on, I couldn’t put it down
Try a memoir of someone you’re interested in
Bomb by Steve Sheinkin traces the development and intrigue around the development of atomic weapons, but reads like a spy novel.
The Code Book by Simon Singh explains the fundamentals of cryptography but uses lots of interesting historical stories to do so.
The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt is presented as something of a narrative as it explores the rediscovery of classical texts that help invigorate the Renaissance.
Non-narrative honorable mentions:
A Short History of Nearly Everything by the aforementioned Bill Bryson
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
Mouthful of Air by Anthony Burgess. Yes, THAT Anthony Burgess. Really great, fun, interesting read about the importance of linguistics to learning and literacy.
Sapiens
Read different fantasy lol. Sanderson is basically junk food for your brain.
For non-fiction, though:
American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin. Given the recent release of the Oppenheimer movie, I’ve been reading his actual biography and he’s a fascinating man.
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann. Another one inspired by a movie adaptation, this book is about the origins of the FBI and how they investigated several murders in the Osage nation in Oklahoma after they discovered oil in their land.
Grant by Ron Chernow. A fantastic biography about a great, misunderstood man, which covers the major beats of the Civil War.
All these read more or less like a novel, especially American Prometheus, given how documented Oppie’s life was.
A lot of people mentioning Jon Krakauer – I’d specifically say start with Into Thin Air
Edit: can’t believe I forgot: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson! Best biography I have ever read.
Think of your favorite band or artist and read their biography. I love AC/DC and Brian Johnson’s memoir
LIFE OF BRIAN was a fantastic read. Just a suggestion x
“Thinking Fast and Slow” by Daniel Khannamen
Endurance, by Alfred Lansing