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Non-Fiction for Fiction Lovers

I'm probably in the minority of book lovers in that I often prefer non-fiction over novels. I don't know if I have lost my ability to suspend disbelief with age, or if my journalism training has convinced me that there are more than enough wildly entertaining true stories out there - but one way or another, I have become quite the non-fiction fiend.

It's not that I don't still love to lose myself in a good novel every now and then, but there is something about knowing that a story actually happened that makes it all the more exciting.

Of course non-fiction isn't everyone's cup of tea. I'll be the first to admit that it can be dry, even textbook-like at times.

But, if you find an author that has both a story to tell and the ability to write compellingly, then you are in for a real treat. And so, without further ado, I present this list of the some of my favorite non-fiction picks for fiction lovers.

Born Round by Frank Bruni
Memoirs are a great place for fiction devotees to start testing the waters of the non-fiction world because they tend to be less tedious and more character driven. Born Round is a perfect example. Bruni, a former food critic for the New York Times, traces his dysfunctional relationship with food from birth to adulthood.

His claims that he was a baby bulimic and his descriptions of the extreme measures he would take in order to slim down before a date are both hilarious and relatable. It is also refreshing to see food and body image issues discussed from a male perspective.

Click here to buy a copy of this book

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Another memoir, Walls' story is so mesmerizing you'll forget it's not fiction.

Raised by extraordinarily eccentric, nomadic, and at times irresponsible parents, Walls' childhood was a patchwork of short stints in towns and cities all across America, scrounging for food in garbage cans while her artistic yet unstable mother hoarded candy bars, and getting lessons in physics and aerodynamics from her bright but alcoholic father.

This is some of the most compelling storytelling you'll find in this genre as of late.

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Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Told from the perspective of journalist David Relin, Three Cups of Tea recounts the story of Greg Mortenson, an American ER nurse who falls ill while attempting to climb K2, the second highest mountain in the world.

He is nursed back to health by the people of a poor Pakistani village. Struck by the boundless generosity of the people Mortenson vows to return to the village and build a school. The book follows Mortenson's inspiring journey to make his promise a reality.

You'll find yourself so caught up in the ups and downs of the plot you'll be shocked to realize that along the way you've learned a great deal about Pakistan, Afghanistan, and humanitarian work. 

Click here to buy a copy of this book.

Under the Banner of Heaven
by John Krakauer
This book ventures more into research-based non-fiction territory, but remains completely enthralling. 

No stranger to the genre, Krakauer, of Into Thin Air fame, traces the history of Mormonism through the story of Dan and Ron Lafferty who murdered their sister-in-law and niece, saying they received a revelation directly from God instructing them to do so.

A young and rapidly growing, yet little understood faith, Mormonism has a fascinating and surprisingly violent history.

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Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood
by Alexandra Fuller

Alexandra Fuller's account of growing up during the Rhodesian Civil War is spellbinding.

What sets this book apart is Fuller's willingness to put it all out there; she doesn't shy away from exploring her parents' (or her own) imperfections and racist views as she details her vibrant, but unusual upbringing.

Her honesty prevents her from falling into the classic memoir trap of becoming overly sentimental, making this a must-read.

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The Best of Friends: Two Women, Two Continents, and One Enduring Friendship
by Sara James and Ginger Mauney
James and Mauney forged a friendship as teenagers in Virginia that has stood the test of time and distance.  James, a New York based television reporter and Mauney, a wildlife filmmaker based in Namibia, weave their stories together as they write alternating chapters in this very readable tale of the unique bond of female friendship.

Read our review here.

Click here to buy a copy of this book.

Which non-fiction books would you recommend for fiction lovers? Share your recommendations in the comment box below.

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