I used to read a ton of non-fiction. I even had a "system" for years where I always had 1 fiction and 1 non-fiction book in progress at a time.
Then at some point two or three years ago I bounced off of multiple non-fiction books in a row and asked what am I even doing here?
In many, many genres of non-fiction the author is struggling against the economic reality that all they need to say can be said in an Atlantic sized article... But that doesn't pay nearly as well as a book and is far less prestigious.
But above and beyond that I look back at many of the non-fiction books that Goodreads tells me I've read and I struggle to tell you even a single thing about it.
I read Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia, 1600–1947 and apparently gave it 4 stars but couldn't tell you a single even factoid from it.
And I think a lot of non-fiction lovers do it out of misplaced sense that it is "good for them" ... Even though they will literally never watch a documentary.
So nowadays I'm on Team 100% Fiction. A non-fiction book has to be extremely relevant to my actual life for me to give it a shot nowadays.
This is so interesting to me! I love that you shared you story and I agree that a lot of people feel this pressure to read non-fiction because it is "good" for them, or that it is accomplishing something. I feel like everything I have learned about life I have learned from reading fiction. Plus I LOVE reading fiction. Four stars seems worth a read? Perhaps? Not sure I've given Prussia much thought in my life, but maybe it's a good read? Welcome to team fiction -- should we make shirts? lol
It is sort of an open question why books alone seem to command that double standard. Those same people almost certainly have no problems playing non-educational video games or watching Marvel movies. Maybe some lingering books are a school thing?
You've summed up exactly how I feel about non fiction books too, I just want to get to the end and not do the work! I used to read loads of self help non fiction before kids, but have barely read any since. I loved that series with the Brown Sisters from Talia Hibbert, she had loads of romance books, all of them good, I think I've read the majority!
I wonder if it’s kids that has broken my non-fiction brain?! I worked with kids before I had mine so it might be hard to know. I am for sure going to read more by Talia Hibbert, I very much enjoyed.
I used to read a ton of non-fiction. I even had a "system" for years where I always had 1 fiction and 1 non-fiction book in progress at a time.
Then at some point two or three years ago I bounced off of multiple non-fiction books in a row and asked what am I even doing here?
In many, many genres of non-fiction the author is struggling against the economic reality that all they need to say can be said in an Atlantic sized article... But that doesn't pay nearly as well as a book and is far less prestigious.
But above and beyond that I look back at many of the non-fiction books that Goodreads tells me I've read and I struggle to tell you even a single thing about it.
I read Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia, 1600–1947 and apparently gave it 4 stars but couldn't tell you a single even factoid from it.
And I think a lot of non-fiction lovers do it out of misplaced sense that it is "good for them" ... Even though they will literally never watch a documentary.
So nowadays I'm on Team 100% Fiction. A non-fiction book has to be extremely relevant to my actual life for me to give it a shot nowadays.
This is so interesting to me! I love that you shared you story and I agree that a lot of people feel this pressure to read non-fiction because it is "good" for them, or that it is accomplishing something. I feel like everything I have learned about life I have learned from reading fiction. Plus I LOVE reading fiction. Four stars seems worth a read? Perhaps? Not sure I've given Prussia much thought in my life, but maybe it's a good read? Welcome to team fiction -- should we make shirts? lol
It is sort of an open question why books alone seem to command that double standard. Those same people almost certainly have no problems playing non-educational video games or watching Marvel movies. Maybe some lingering books are a school thing?
You've summed up exactly how I feel about non fiction books too, I just want to get to the end and not do the work! I used to read loads of self help non fiction before kids, but have barely read any since. I loved that series with the Brown Sisters from Talia Hibbert, she had loads of romance books, all of them good, I think I've read the majority!
I wonder if it’s kids that has broken my non-fiction brain?! I worked with kids before I had mine so it might be hard to know. I am for sure going to read more by Talia Hibbert, I very much enjoyed.