4 Inspiring Nonfiction Books for Readers, Writers, and Talkers
{Nonfiction November Week 2}
When I pick up a nonfiction book, I want it to do more than provide words to read; I want it to change me. I love books that are useful. That teach me something. That prompt me to think wider, to behave better, to love deeper.
Some books do this; some don’t.
For books that do prompt action, it’s often because the author: (1) has something worth saying, and (2) knows how to say it effectively and efficiently (and if we’re lucky, also beautifully).
While I can’t assert that what I say is worth saying (1), I can make better efforts to say it better (2). That’s why I like to read books about reading and writing and just communicating in general. I like learning why people choose the words they do, how they communicate their messages so powerfully, and what keeps them motivated to keep reading, writing, and talking.
For Week 2 of Nonfiction November, I’m sharing four standout books I’ve read this year on reading, writing, and communicating. If you, too, are interested in how to better convey your thoughts and tell your stories, I highly recommend any of these as additions to your own reading list.
1. Writing for Busy Readers
Communicate More Effectively in the Real World
by Todd Rogers
Everybody writes—whether it’s emails, texts, contracts, blogs, etc. This practical book offers straightforward advice on how to improve your writing, making it easier and quicker for others to understand what you’re saying.
Some of their tips for easier-to-read writing are:
- Less is more—use fewer words.
- Use short, common words.
- Write straightforward and shorter sentences. (Did you know? Novels published in 1800 averaged 27 words per sentence, whereas those published in 2000 averaged just 10 words per sentence.)
2. Magic Words
by Jonah Berger
Words matter. Altering just a few words here and there can make all the difference.
For example:
- Use nouns (say, “I’m a runner”) instead of verbs (“I run”) to better motivate yourself.
- Instead of saying you “can’t” eat the extra helping, say I “don’t” eat extra helpings.
- Instead of saying I “should” get up earlier, say I “could” get up earlier.
3. Write a Must-Read
Craft a Book That Changes Lives―Including Your Own
by A.J. Harper
I started writing a nonfiction book last year. But I’ve done nothing with it this year. However, while reading A.J. Harper’s book this spring about how to write a book, I became inspired again. When I do pick up my book later, I’ll definitely follow A.J.’s advice about the writing and editing processes.
4. Supercommunicators
How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection
by Charles Duhigg
If you’re able to talk about difficult topics, if you’re able to discuss opposite viewpoints, or if you’re able to get others to speak up, you might already be a supercommunicator. And for the rest of us, we can improve by reading (and doing) this book.
From Supercommunicators, here are three common conversations we all have:
1. The “What’s this really about?” Conversation
This one is practical. It deals with facts. It is helpful when we need to make a decision and move on.
2. The “How do we feel?” Conversation
When we need to connect on an emotional level, this is the conversation to have. It invites awareness of our emotions, beliefs, and memories.
3. The “Who are we?” Conversation
We tap into a broader, more social mindset with these conversations. These help us acknowledge social differences rather than pretending they don’t exist.
Read more about them here: Which of These 3 Conversations Are You Having? Insights from a Doctor’s Office.
Nonfiction November Week 1: My Must-Read Nonfiction Recommendations: Books that Deepen Connections
It’s Week 2! Link up about your year in nonfiction for Week 2 of Nonfiction November with Frances.
Do you read books about writing and/reading, too? Share your thoughts (and book recommendations!) in the comments.
Read More:
- 3 Reasons You Don’t Read Nonfiction and Why You Should Anyway
Think about why you don’t read nonfiction books. Might you change your mind? - What’s Your Favorite Nonfiction Category?
What categories of nonfiction do you prefer to read? How much does the title influence you? The cover? - Can a Book Make You Do Something?
It’s easy to forget what you just read. Instead, what if you just put it into action? How can a book encourage you to make change?
I have to admit here, Lisa, that I really prefer fiction over non-fiction, but you’ve certainly given us a great list if our goal is to better communicate with others. Thanks!
You’re probably in the majority, Martha. I’d guess most people prefer fiction over nonfiction. So I have to soak up all the nonfiction love every November since it’s harder to find year-round. lol.
I didn’t know that about the average length of sentences reducing. Its very interesting. I wonder if that’s the impact of modernism and post-modernism or the fact that we have all got less time to write or read prosy sentences. Or both maybe.
I’d be curious, too, to know why the shorter sentences have come about. I’m sure our attention span has shortened, but I don’t know if that would be the chicken or the egg. When I read an older book, I can hardly get through the long sentences and paragraphs, which is a shame.
Pinned this post that I saw at SSPS#335. My shares this time are #77 through 81. Enjoy this moment and see you soon. Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health.
Thanks, Nancy. Hope you’re having a good weekend!
I used to read predominantly non-fiction but fiction has taken over my reading time in the last few years. (My bookclubs have been key to this change). Still, I love a balance between the two and am grateful for your suggestions.
It’s interesting how our book preferences can change over time. There are certain genres in the nonfiction world that I no longer like to read. While nonfiction is my fave, I still love having one novel going too! Gotta keep our fiction. 🙂
I’m in the middle of Write a Must-Read right now. Two of my favorite books on writing are Write Better: A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and Spirituality by Andrew T. Le Peau and Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making by Andrew Peterson (Andrew’s book made me teary in some parts of it).
I remember enjoying Write Better also, but I’ve never heard of Adorning the Dark – I love the subtitle with it. Thanks for sharing about that one. I hope to one day get back to writing more on my book, but for now I’m just reading about writing. 🙂
I liked Charles Duhigg’s book on habits. I didn’t realize he wrote one on communication. That sounds excellent.
You know, now that you mention it, I’ve had The Power of Habit on my to-read list forever, but I’m not sure I’ve read it yet. I’ll have to look into that! Thanks, Joy. 🙂
Thanks for linking up! :] I usually prefer fiction but you always find such great nonfiction books to read! I’m looking forward to checking out Writing for Busy Readers and Magic Words! I heard about Supercommunicators recently too have that on my TBR list too!
There are so many great fiction and nonfiction books out there that it’s really hard to narrow down what to read. 🙂 At least with nonfiction I feel like I know what I’m getting into by reading the titles. lol.
These sound wonderful!
I truly loved each one! 🙂
Love your list of writing books. They genuinely sound helpful. I read more about reading than writing, but I recently enjoyed ‘Writing in the New Nation’ by Larzer Ziff. It’s right at 200 pages and explores the relationship between people and writing (through diaries, travel stories, novels, etc.) during the birth of the United States. I also just finished ‘Novelist as a Vocation’ by Haruki Murakami. It was as conversational and enjoyable as his books.
Thanks for the recommendation of Writing in the New Nation. It sounds so intriguing! I also enjoy reading about reading too. 🙂
Your approach to reading for life change is inspiring to me. And I think I am finally onto the practice of writing for online skimmers—but I don’t necessarily like it.
Yes, I hear you, Michele – It seems a little sad to me too to have to write for skimmers, but since I’m often a skimmer myself, I appreciate when others write for me. ha. I remember when I once loved to write long, complex sentences. 😉
I appreciate your book recommendations, Lisa! I purchased the Supercommunicators audiobook. And I hope you finish your nonfiction book in 2025.
I hope you enjoy Supercommunicators, Lisa. I find Duhigg to be an engaging author and easy to read and understand. Well, I guess if he’s writing about supercommunicating, perhaps he needs to be good at it? ha. Thanks for the writing encouragement; we will see. 🙂
I’m always on the look out for good books about writing.
Me, too, Deb. I’m a word person in general, so it’s interesting to hear how other people think about putting words together.
I’m participating in Nonfiction November too-but I’m just going to share my reads at the end of the month. Nice selection of books about writing.
I’ll look forward to what books you’ll share about at the end of the month, Wendy. I love Nonfiction November to get more ideas for great nonfiction books. I don’t see as many reviews for nonfiction as I do for fiction books.
Magic Words is so enlightening, although it makes it seem so simple to be more convincing. An excellent book.
I agree that it sounds so simple. 🙂 Maybe it’s the remembering to use these words that is the hard part! lol. At least for me. I loved this book.
Write a Must-Read: BINGO! Thanks for all these recommendations, but especially for that one.
I have never heard of Nonfiction November or had forgotten about it. I’ve added these books to my book recommendations list. I am working on a nonfiction book – a cookbook. It also involves an element of memoir writing because it includes family stories and observations from having grown up in an immigrant community.
It confuses me when people get upset and want to ban books, but they don’t seem to be concerned about violence.
I’m going to look into that supercommunicators book! Thank you for sharing it at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #63.
I love your picks! I have had Charles Duhigg’s new book on my TBR forever – I loved his Power of Habits, thanks for the reminder. I am intrigued by your nonfiction books – what a cool thing to do!