Sandra is the woman behind the topic this round. She asks:
We all know it’s important to read fiction if you want to write fiction, but what about reading non-fiction? How much non-fiction do you read? What kinds of non-fiction books do you read, and why? Has reading non-fiction influenced your fiction writing style?
First, let’s get this out there: with a 5 1/2 year old, I don’t have that much time to pleasure read. Not fiction. Not non-fiction. Not much. When I do have the time (like, I am desperately trying to finish a book for my book club next Sunday and am hoping I am not THAT girl–you know, the one who never finishes the books?), I like to read books on my list–usually YA novels, I’ve been dying to read (like Barry Lyga’s The Game, sequel to I Hunt Killers, or the sequel to Unwind, or Lindsey Leavitt’s The Back of Sean Griswold’s Head that is currently on my Nook). Gosh, that was such a long-winded sentence, I almost forgot my point. Oh yeah, SO when I DO have the time, I try to catch up on books I’ve been meaning to read OR books that will help me with a genre I’m writing. Non-fiction usually falls under the category of pleasure reading unless it’s something I need for book research. And, if it’s pleasure reading, well….refer to the first line of my response. However, if all stars align perfectly and I have the time to pleasure read, I love biographies and memoirs. I love finding out the nitty gritty behind celebs or historical figures I think I know. Natasha: The Biography of Natalie Wood by Suzanne Finstad was a favorite read. The Bad Guys Won by Jeff Pearlman about the 1986 Mets was another winner. I really enjoy sports books, and Jackie Robinson’s autobiography, I Never Had It Made, is high on my list as well.
If I love a book and the purpose is pleasure reading, I try to keep it that way and not let the do’s and don’ts of the book get into my head. When you’re a writer, it’s very hard to read something and not take writing notes, but I try. So, good time books will stay just that, and I’ll not let them do something pesky like influence me. 🙂
How about you? Where do you stand on non-fiction? If you missed Amparo’s post, check it out here. And if you missed ANY of the posts on this chain, start with Kate’s blog and catch up.