It’s Nonfiction November (#NonFicNov) and what a month it’ll be. There’s a lot going on around the web, but I wanted to do a brief nonfiction 101 with you all.
What is it, why is it popular, what counts as nonfiction, and is it really all that boring? Let’s take a quick look!
What is Nonfiction?
The very obvious answer to this is nonfiction is a genre of literature, film, and television that focuses on the real side of our favorite things.
Be it information about our favorite scientist, learning more behind the writings of 1984, or watching the creation behind a great film, nonfiction simply shows us what, how, who, why, and when.
A lot of people instantly associate nonfiction with those moments in school – you know what I mean. When your teachers said, “Turn to page 394” and you read about countless things.
Maybe not werewolves, unless your school was witchin’, but you still read nonfiction every day and weren’t too keen on the moment you had to open those books.
Unless you were like me, and then you were the only one in class super excited.
Why is it Such a Popular “Genre?”
Nonfiction has always been a relatively popular reading and viewing choice, but it has started to grow in popularity in recent years. More celebrities began sharing memoirs, and there are still always the fascinating historical biographies, as well as awesome documentaries.
In fact, we now have even easier access to documentaries due to the awesomeness of Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. Netflix even has a great little subcategory that helps you find some of the top documentaries on the platform.
Regardless of what it is someone is learning everyone loves to learn. They might not all like to learn the same thing, which is why nonfiction is so vast.
What are the Various Nonfiction Subgenres?
Our next stop in nonfiction 101 is the various subgenres of nonfiction. There are many different ones out there, making it easy to find something you might like. Some include:
• Biography
• Memoir
• Diaries and Journals
• History
• Essays
• True Crime
• Letters
• Religious (this by far has the largest amount of subgenres)
• Philosophy
In a way, nonfiction subgenres can easily match up with fiction. They are just facets of our lives; sometimes we write untrue, fun, escapist stories and other times we write about the real accounts of a situation.
And this isn’t even all of the various genres within nonfiction. The possibilities are seemingly endless!
What Counts as a Good Nonfiction Read or Watch?
WHAT YOU WANT TO READ OR WATCH. I’m not kidding. There isn’t any litmus test out there for a “good” nonfiction book or documentary.
We all like different things, and nonfiction has such a wide selection that we can all find something we like. If you come across something you don’t, don’t give up on the entirety of nonfiction.
Play around a bit and get to know the genre better with its various subgenres and sub-subgenres. You never know what you’ll come across and you might even just find your new favorite book or film.
I will give you some great nonfiction starting points to help you get started in the genre if you’re a beginner, so never fear. Most of my selections will be books, but let me just say Netflix has an AWESOME selection of documentaries.
Isn’t All Nonfiction Boring?
Psssh! No! Sure, there are some nonfiction reads or watches out there that could put anyone to sleep, but not all nonfiction should be judged accordingly. Nonfiction is absolutely fascinating.
I, for one, love to see how things are made or learn about ancient histories and how they impacted the world. I love reading about old royal families, flappers, socialists, nihilists, heroes, and dictators. Really, I just love learning all there is to learn.
I’ve only encountered a few nonfiction books that couldn’t grab my attention, but it wasn’t anything to do with the book. I think it is mighty important to realize that, just because you can’t get into a book, doesn’t mean it isn’t a) good b) an indicator of all other books.
I’ve read a lot of nonfiction that had me sitting on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as quick as I could read, and not getting up for hours at a time.
A Few Great Starting Points
When it comes to nonfiction, just where should you start? I am going to give you a few great ideas in a variety of subgenres, helping you find something you might just love!
Read:
Click HERE for more info.
Click HERE for more info and read my review HERE.
Click HERE for more info and read my review HERE.
Click HERE for more info.
Click HERE for more info.
Watch:
Click HERE for more info.
Click HERE for more info.
Click HERE for more info.
And check out Margaux’s Netflix documentary selections!
Where are YOU going to start with your nonfiction journey?
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