Pair Your Nonfiction and Fiction Books
While I do love a meaty nonfiction book, I also love a great novel. Often it’s the fiction stories that grab our hearts to make us care about the nonfiction information.
So on this Week 2 of Nonfiction November we are pairing nonfiction books with fiction books. Find more pairings here with Rennie at What’s Nonfiction.
4 Pairs of Nonfiction and Fiction Books
Here are four combinations I recommend from books I’ve read this year.
1. NONFICTION
A. Stories I Only Tell My Friends
An Autobiography
by Rob Lowe
Even though I’ve been a fan of Rob Lowe through the years, I picked up this autobiography with low expectations. I was delightfully surprised. He tells interesting stories with a lot of humility.
FICTION
B. A Tale for the Time Being
by Ruth Ozeki
Nao, a 16-year-old in Tokyo, writes a journal of her life. Then sends it anonymously into the world. It’s discovered by Ruth, a novelist on a remote island, who then wonders if she should take action on it.
2. NONFICTION
A. The Wisdom of Your Body
Finding Healing, Wholeness, and Connection Through Embodied Living
by Hillary L. McBride
Even though I know better, I still fight feelings of shame about my body’s imperfections. This book helped me make more peace with my body instead.
FICTION
B. All That Fills Us
by Autumn Lytle
Mel Ellis has an eating disorder. To recover, she decides on the spur of the moment to hike across America. My ordered mind had quite a few problems with the logistics of this premise. But it opened my eyes to the complexities of eating disorders.
3. NONFICTION
A. Cultish
The Language of Fanaticism
by Amanda Montell
This fascinating book focuses on how words can heavily influence people for good or for bad, and in this case, for bad.
FICTION
B. Sins of the Tribe
by Mark A. Salter
The fictional Bastille University has a powerhouse football team. And its fans are cultish in their devotion. But what happens to the tribe when they lose their long-time coach?
4. NONFICTION
A. Shaking the Gates of Hell
A Search for Family and Truth in the Wake of the Civil Rights Revolution
by John Archibald
John Archibald’s father Robert Archibald was a Methodist preacher. When John looks back at his childhood, he has questions about his father’s and the church’s response to the civil rights revolution happening all around them. Beautifully written.
FICTION
B. The Last House on the Street
by Diane Chamberlain
Kayla Carter’s new house is attracting unwanted attention. When she looks back into the history of the neighborhood, she finds secrets of racism and violence. A riveting story told in dual time periods.
What nonfiction book would you pair with a fiction book? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Read More:
- Why Fiction and Nonfiction Books Are More Alike Than You Think
- Fiction and Nonfiction Books that Go Together
- When You Doubt Your Memories
- Be Creative to Know God More
What a neat idea; pairing fiction books with non-fiction books. I wonder if we do that more often we’ll see a pattern of how our non-fiction readings may well have the same theme as our fiction readings. After all, fiction is characters wrestling out their questions in life while non-fiction books address those problems directly! I heard about Rob Lowe’s book quite some time ago, and you’ve reminded me about it here. I’ll be putting on my library list!
What a unique concept, Lisa! One can definitely mirror the other.
Blessings!
I tend to think this way about books but I’ve never applied it to my blog. But I will now, I already have some pairings in mind for the books I’ve reviewed. Thanks so much.
A total coincidence – but I’m leading a bible study, “Aging with Grace,” and halfway through that reading, started reading, “The Dean’s Watch” by Elizabeth Goudge. Both are such encouraging books on flourishing as we age – and the evolution of the soul towards God – regardless of the age. I have been delighted and encouraged!
Great idea as a way to mix things up a bit. I love it
Interesting pairings, I do want to read Cultish. Thanks for sharing
I paired Cultish as well 🙂
I read the Rob Lowe autobiography a few years ago and absolutely loved it (particularly the chapter on The Outsiders and the Tom Cruise insights).
Great pairings! I mean to read Ozeki’s one day!
https://wordsandpeace.com/2022/11/09/nonfiction-november-2022-book-pairings/
These are excellent pairings. I especially like how you paired Ozeki’s book with Rob Lowe’s autobiography.
I really want to read Cultish and I love your idea of pairing it with a book about sports fans. That feels appropriate!
So many wonderful pairings! I feel like a rockstar when I manage one.