Lisa notes

The theme for week 4 of Nonfiction November is “Stranger than Fiction.” Link up with Christopher at Plucked from the Stacks.

Here are 3 nonfiction books I’ve read this year that almost don’t seem real.

1. Leaving the Witness
Exiting a Religion and Finding a Life
by Amber Scorah

Amber Scorah was living her life as a faithful 3rd generation Jehovah’s Witness. But little by little, she began to see cracks in her religion. And she wanted out, even though she was now an undercover preacher in China. This is her story.

“Was I a good person? The righteous war of black versus white, right over wrong, good against bad, had given meaning to my life. It was comfortable to know that everyone was wrong and you were right.

“I had known who I was by which side I was on. But there are not only two sides, there are thousands of dimensions to things.

“Living in uncertainty is humbling and terrifying. Uncertainty is pain.”

2. The Biggest Bluff
How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win
by Maria Konnikova

Is it possible for a journalist to to learn how to play poker and become a professional tournament winner in a year? This book is about far more than just the game of poker though. Konnikova also learned lessons about how chance works in life.

“Here was the cruel truth: we humans too often think ourselves in firm control when we are really playing by the rules of chance.”

“More often than that, it’s not the best hand that wins. It’s the best player.”

“Thus my first real poker lesson isn’t about winning. It’s about losing.”

3. How God Works
The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion
by David DeSteno

This isn’t actually about how God works per se, but about how religion works. DeSteno shares fascinating research about religious rituals among many belief systems from around the world.

“Uncertainty in the realms of morality and fate—the realms that religions dominate for many people—is taxing not only because it requires the brain to simulate so many options, but also because of the emotional consequences involved. And it’s here that belief comes into play.

“With belief—that God will intervene, that a ritual will heal, that a choice never to lie or cheat ensures the best outcomes—comes certainty.

“And with certainty comes a kind of inner peace.”

[more thoughts here on How God Works]

Have you read a nonfiction book that seemed almost too strange to be true? Share in the comments.

READ MORE:

• Three of the Best Books on Writing I’ve Read This Year (Week 3)
• Why Fiction and Nonfiction Books Are More Alike Than You Think (Week 2)
• 7 New Books to Make You a Better Person (Week 1)

If you’re a writer of blogs or books or even social media posts, you may also be a reader of writing books.

Here are three favorite books on writing I’ve read this year.

This is Week 3 of Nonfiction November. The topic is Be/Ask/Become the Expert, linking up with Veronica at The Thousand Book Project.

1. Charitable Writing
Cultivating Virtue Through Our Words
by Richard Hughes Gibson

This book isn’t necessarily about HOW to write, but about WHY you write.

It presents writing as a spiritual discipline for you and as a blessing for those you write for.

2. Murder Your Darlings
And Other Gentle Writing Advice from Aristotle to Zinsser
by Roy Peter Clark

This is a vast collection from the best of 50 of the best books on writing. Not only does this book contain great writing advice, but you’ll end up with even more books about writing to add to your to-read list.

3. Storyworthy
Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling
by Matthew Dicks

Technically this isn’t a writing book at all. Rather it’s a book about oral storytelling. But isn’t writing also about telling stories? This is a fabulous and motivating book not only about sharing your life stories, but also about collecting and keeping track of them in the first place.

Do you read books about writing too? Share in the comments.

READ MORE ABOUT READING:

• 3 Reasons You Don’t Read Nonfiction and Why You Should Anyway
• Do You Feel Guilty When You Read?
• 7 New Books to Make You a Better Person

sharing at these linkups