So I've been an avid book reader all my life. When other kids were playing football in recess, I was cozied up in the library reading books. I was in love with reading to the point where my parents would stop taking me to the bookstore because I would finish all the books we bought in a day or two. But the thing was that this love, and maybe even…addiction, only extended to reading fiction. I've always loved the escapism it offers, the beautiful world building, the adventure and the joy, and for some reason I could never love non fiction the same way. But now I want to read non fiction more seriously.
This isn't a new thought. I've always felt an intellectual joy when I thought of reading non-fiction books and I have read a lot. It's mostly been autobiographies but the problem is that I have never really finished one.
Now I know what you will say. Don't read non-fiction just to feel intellectually superior. You're right! I find that to be a tremendously stupid reason to read and that's why it's not the reason I want to read non fiction. I want to be able to read it because I want to understand things and I want to understand them well. Whether it's to simply have that knowledge or to simply not lose out on something I truly believe to be priceless, my mind is made up that I want to read non fiction seriously.
The only problem is how do I do so? Take it slow? I have done that and it doesn't help me much. Read what I like? Again, for some reason it simply doesn't give my brain that constant dopamine hit fiction does. Read real life fiction or non fiction stories? That sounds like a great idea but for me the reason why I want to read non fiction is simple; to gain knowledge and to understand better.
So that's why I am here begging you guys to give me the best possible tips on how I can read non fiction regularly and consistently just like I do with fiction. Whether you went through something similar to me or you always loved reading non fiction, I would love your advice.
by TheOneWhoKeepsTrying
2 Comments
I totally get it! I love non-fiction because I love learning, but have a hard time reading it physically. It doesn’t hold my attention enough and I have this weird anxiety about it taking away from time I could be reading my more “fun” fiction books. My solution has been to listen to non-fiction on audio and it’s been a game changer. I listen during work, while I drive, while doing chores, etc. I use the Libby and Hoopla apps through my local library, but obviously ymmv depending on where you live and/or how robust your library catalog is.
Read any of Jon Krakauers stuff. Or try some autobiographies? Trevor Noah’s book ‘Born a Crime’, was the most moving book I read last year.