Why You Should Read Nonfiction Books | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Power of Real-Life Stories: Embrace Nonfiction

The genre that doesn't get enough credit.

10.6k
Books stacked and pages flipping on open top book
StableDiffusion
  • Nonfiction is often seen as boring and uninteresting
  • Reading nonfiction can provide valuable perspective and prepare us for life
  • Nonfiction can be creative, fluid, and beautiful when written well
  • Being creative in nonfiction does not mean making up facts or lying
  • Understanding our past and present through nonfiction can help us shape the future

Why is there such a negative connotation surrounding nonfiction? Why are our initial reactions that the subjects are dry, not interesting? Why should we read them?

Spaceships on a space planet cave with a riversci fi fantasy spaceships on a space planet cave with a river. StableDiffusion

The most popular genres in the library are fiction, sci-fi or fantasy. Don’t get me wrong, those books are fun to read, but the pleasure you get out of reading them is fleeting. They will not prepare you for life. After all, isn't that why we read, to gain perspective?

Not all nonfiction is boring. In fact, if written well, it can be described as creative, fluid and beautiful. There is so much more to nonfiction than people realize. The word creative has been criticized when used to describe nonfiction texts, because people believe that being creative means that you have to pretend or exaggerate or make up facts. This is completely incorrect. It is possible to be honest and straightforward and brilliant and creative at the same time.

Creative doesn’t mean inventing what didn’t happen, reporting and describing what wasn’t there. It doesn’t mean that the writer has a license to lie. The basic rule is clear. This is the promise that the writer makes to the reader. The reality can be as complicated as fantasy. Fiction has to come from somewhere; it is just an exaggeration of the truth: “You can’t make this stuff up!”

Hand holding black cards with white writing saying creativity does not need limitsperson holding black and white quote-printed card Photo by No Revisions on Unsplash

When we begin to realize that there is just as much creativity that goes into writing nonfiction as there is in fiction, we can truly appreciate it. Take memoirs for instance. It takes dedication and skill to compress one's life into a few hundred pages. It requires craft and patience, while being completely truthful. Many authors are afraid of confessing their pain and the secrets, because their story is not necessarily what the audience wants to hear. But today's generation needs to hear about its past and learn from it.

celebrities politicians and athletes all together in animated black and white drawingcelebrities politicians and athletes all together in animated drawing StableDiffusion

Today, the memoir phenomena continues to rage in full force. Celebrities, politicians, athletes are making their private lives public. Both victims and heroes are sharing their truth. And readers love these books, yet rarely classify them as nonfiction. The literature of reality is helping to connect the nation and the world in a meaningful and intimate way.

The truth is not boring. Our history is not boring. Our future is not boring. How do people expect to change the world unless they know where we came from, what has already been done and what is still left to do? In order to deal with reality, we need to be experts in all things real.

Different non fiction books all in a pile spread on the floor white and blue printer paper Photo by Shiromani Kant on Unsplash

Let's join the nonfiction revolution.

Report this Content
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

70093
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

3782
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

7863
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments