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 was only 8 years old. I didn’t know the gift I was about to receive would last a lifetime.

On Wednesday, November 25, 1970, along with a hand-cranked Frosty Sno-Man Sno-Cone Machine, a dress, and a necklace, I also received a cloth-bound Five Year Diary, secured by a lock and key.

My first diary entry:

“Today is Wednesday. It is my Birthday too,”

. . . followed by a list of things I received.

I have no memory of that day. But I remember lots of other days spent writing in my diary. Sporadically the first few years. Short. Simple. Many of the entries were nothing more than:

“Today is Monday. I take piano lessons on Monday. Nothing specil (sic) has happened today.”

But by my high school years, the entries got longer and more passionate. The tiny lines weren’t enough to hold my questions and thoughts about boys and church and school (and again, boys), so I often wrote or typed on my own paper using our trusty manual typewriter, and stuck the pages in the back of the diary.

The 5-year diary extended into 8 years. The final entry I wrote was on Friday, August 25, 1978, when I was 15 years old.

“I broke up with my boyfriend at school but we got back together. I’m glad. We had our first football game.”

I didn’t know it then, but this exercise of putting thoughts into words would prove useful throughout my entire life.

Even now, when I feel overwhelmed, confused, or sad, I write it all down to make life clear again.

I still have the diary today, although the lock is busted and the key has been missing for decades. I treasure my first diary—the misspelled words, the faint penciled print, the memories of times long since forgotten—and the younger, tender, naive me that wrote in it.

But what I treasure just as much is the writing habit it taught me.

The joy of writing has truly been a life-enhancing gift.

Did you keep a diary as a child? Do you enjoy writing now? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Read More:

• Do You Tell Everything? 3 Questions to Ask Yourself First
  Some words are meant to go public. But some are not. How do you decide which?
• 5 Tips for Better Journaling
  When we journal, we slow life down to better grasp it. Here are 5 tips on how to journal better and easier.
• A Journal Page of Pride
  Learning humility isn’t for wimps. Be brave and human enough to do it.