Reading nonfiction is a way of life, whether you realise it or not.

From the New York Times bestseller books you read to the TV shows you stream, these mediums are all filled with nonfiction content. Most of what we read and watch daily is nonfiction.

In this article, we’ll discuss why you need to start reading nonfiction and why it will benefit you in the long run. If you’re someone who generally reads fiction instead of nonfiction works, this article is for you!

What is nonfiction?

Nonfiction is any written content based on facts or whose authorship is attributed. Nonfiction works are not fictional but use creative techniques to present factual information.

Sometimes, the line between nonfiction and fiction is blurred, as some works combine fact and fiction. Different types of nonfiction writing can be categorised into literary nonfiction, creative nonfiction, and journalistic nonfiction. Literary nonfiction is often analytical and evaluative, whereas creative nonfiction blends fact and fiction, and journalistic nonfiction is based on reporting.

The many benefits of reading nonfiction

As you might imagine, reading nonfiction for fun has many benefits, such as helping you learn more about the world around you. What do your daily reading habits say about you? Do you read for knowledge or entertainment?

If you’re at all like the majority of people, you probably read more fiction than nonfiction. That’s okay, of course, but if you want to expand your mind, you may want to start reading more nonfiction.

Here are a handful of the many benefits of reading nonfiction:

1. Reading nonfiction expands your factual knowledge.

Reading nonfiction can benefit you in many ways, such as enhancing your career prospects, increasing cultural literacy, and developing critical thinking skills.

2. Improve your analytical skills.

If you wish to work in the sciences, you should know that analysing data is a big part of what scientists do. Any textbooks, journals, and data you use are considered nonfiction!

3. Improve your critical thinking skills.

Critical thinking is an essential skill for practically any career, as it helps you to make more informed decisions.

4. Improve your writing skills.

Reading nonfiction is an excellent approach to broaden your vocabulary and develop your writing style.

5. Improve your research skills.

Suppose you’re writing a school paper. In that case, nonfictional sources are instrumental as you’ll be able to find interesting facts to include in your work.

Reading nonfiction opens doors to information that traditional schooling frequently lacks

From history to business and religion to psychology, nonfiction illuminates many areas, making you more intelligent and well-rounded. Formal education often lacks the opportunity to explore these areas meaningfully. By reading nonfiction, you can explore any number of exciting subjects that you may otherwise never have learned of.

Start with something that interests you

When you’re first getting started with reading nonfiction, it’s important to choose books that interest you.

By picking the correct books, you’ll be less likely to get bored and give up on the book, which will make the process lot simpler and more pleasurable.

For example, if you’re interested in psychology and the human mind, you might want to consider reading Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory. If you’re interested in history, you might want to read about World War II, or if you’re more interested in religion and philosophy, you might want to read about the history of Buddhism.

Whatever book you choose, make sure it interests you, as this will make the reading process much easier and more enjoyable. And once you’re done reading the book, you’ll have gained new knowledge and insights into an entirely new area of interest.

Try reading biographies and memoirs

Biographies are fascinating, as you’ll learn about famous people’s lives and their opinions on various topics. And memoirs are great for learning more about specific events in history.

These books are perfect for getting started with nonfiction because they’re generally short, which means they’re easy to finish in a short period.

In addition, nonfiction will help you build your reading stamina and make the transition to longer books easier. You’ll likely find these books entertaining and exciting, making them easier to read.

Reading nonfiction is a great way to improve your overall knowledge and skills. If you generally read fiction instead of nonfiction works, it’s time to start branching out.

You can start with any of the suggestions listed above and feel free to explore different subjects.

Want to learn more about reading? Check out our previous blogs below!

• When You Pick Up Books and Never Read Them: What It Means and What to Do
• How the COVID-19 pandemic turned book sales around
• Why reading is great for children