I grew up reading mostly fantasy and sci-fi. In my mind, non-fiction was something old people like that really has no business in modern society, like black-and-white movies, typewriters, and car windows you have to crank.

You will be pleased to know that I have since revised my opinion of all of the above, especially when it comes to non-fiction. My first foray into non-fiction was Shelby Foote’s The Civil War trilogy (what can I say, I’m bad at half-measures), and I was blown away. Who knew real people were interesting too? Nowadays, I can’t get enough, especially when it comes to narrative non-fiction (though I have been known to listen to a lecture or read a memoir).

It is a shame that a lot of people still look at non-fiction as textbooks (a topic for another day). So if you are one of those people who is wary of non-fiction or you’re somebody just looking for good recommendations in that category, here is my introductory list to the world of non-fiction.

Disclaimer: The vast majority of what I consume in non-fiction is history. By far. But just for you I am trying to branch out. Sort of. Maybe. Ok, most of these are a little historical, but just bear with me.

Five Non-Fiction Books for People Who Don’t Read Non-Fiction

You really can’t go wrong with any of his books (Devil in the White City was my first of his), but I would say In the Garden of Beasts is my favorite. It tells the story of William Dodd, ambassador to Germany in 1933 as Hitler has just come to power. Like Larson’s other works, the narrative follows mainly two characters, Dodd and his lively daughter Martha, as they witness the increasing horrors of Nazi Germany. I’m not going to lie, it is downright chilling, both in regards to the Dodds’ firsthand accounts and to the baffling indifference of Dodd’s superiors in the United States. It’s impossible (at least for me) not to draw some parallels to our current state of affairs.

Don’t take my word for it, check it out!

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History is Better than Game of Thrones

The Plantagenets tells the story of the men and to a lesser extent women who ruled England following the death of Henry I, the last of the Norman kings, up to the deposition and murder of Richard II. It’s Game of Thrones with a tighter plot, no dragons, AND an ending. Like Larson, Jones has an excellent style that is extremely readable. He also has an ironic sense of humor that peaks in every now and again. I’ve read a lot of books about medieval England (I can’t stop), and I keep coming back to Dan Jones.

Jones definitely has certain figures he finds more interesting, and consequently devotes more page-time to them. I’m there for it. And the characters! Henry II, who ran an enormous empire but couldn’t escape from the never-ending conflicts at home; his son John, who lost it all and was forced by his barons to grant new rights under the Magna Carta; and Richard II, whose favoritism and god-complex led to his removal from power and set the stage for decades of civil war. And that’s only to name a few! I could go on and on, but I’ll spare you my poor rendition. Go read this book for yourself.

If you like it, I highly recommend its sequel, The Wars of the Roses, or literally anything else by Dan Jones. Seriously, I can’t get enough.

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A Historical Spy Thriller

In this short and very readable book, Rose recounts the saga of the Culper ring, a network of spies during the American Revolution, as well as their British counterparts. As with Jones and Larson, Rose takes fascinating, real people like Abraham Woodhull, Benjamin Tallmadge, and Robert Townsend, and brings them to life. It’s a riveting story far more complex than the more well-known accounts of Benedict Arnold and Nathan Hale (though each of these is also presented). It’s also surprisingly touching for non-fiction as is depicts the strong relationships between the men and women who risked their lives to aid Washington knowing they would never be commended (or even remembered) for it. I don’t want to spoil it (in case you don’t know how it ends), but I found the final chapter particularly moving.

Though I did like (and do recommend) the show TURN, which is partly based on this book, I have to say that to me the history is more interesting. The deeds of the Culper ring and other early spy rings are thrilling enough without the added melodrama and sadistic villains distinguished in the show.

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A Haunting Tragedy in Post-War Russia

Eichar’s book tackles the mysterious disappearance of nine hikers in the Ural mountains in 1959. First of all, I cannot get over this story. I have devoured podcasts, documentaries, you name it, trying to piece together what really happened that fateful night. Eichar’s book is thoroughly researched, well-written, and comprehensive (even if you don’t agree with his conclusions).

His book is really three narratives which play out concurrently. In the first, we follow the hikers on their journey into the wilderness, relying on their diaries and testimonies from witness to piece together their last movements. Second, we find ourselves with friends, families, and investigators as they search first for the hikers and later for answers. Finally, we have the author’s own journey to Russia to speak with survivors and retrace the steps of the hikers.

This book is haunting. Seriously, no horror movie or book has kept me awake at night like this book has. Maybe it’s the vivid pictures of nine young people destined for tragedy, the aftermath of a community rocked to its core, or even the snapshot of life in post-Stalinist Russia. Check it out in print or on audiobook narrated by the author.

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A Hilarious Romp Through Scotland

Let me start off by saying this very important fact:

You don’t need to be an Outlander fan to love this book. Period. Moving on.

I will say that I am a fan of both actors, and I am a lover of all things Scotland, so I might be biased. But this book is fantastic: a light-hearted adventure with a little history and movie/TV trivia thrown in. In short, it is everything I love. Every time Graham talks about The Hobbit, I do a happy dance. And if you’re thinking of just watching Men in Kilts and passing on this book, don’t do it! You will miss out on even more hilarious shenanigans as the two actors drive (sometimes very poorly) across Scotland.

In a rare move for me, I actually recommend the audiobook OVER the print version. The authors’ reading makes you feel like you are in the back of the camper van while they constantly bicker and debate the road ahead. Listen to it and thank me later.

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And there you have it!

Try a little non-fiction and see where it takes you. Excuse me while I go back and re-read all of these. I can’t resist giving you a few more amazing titles, so feel free to check them out below (in no particular order):

• Night by Elie Wiesel
• In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
• Maus by Art Spiegelman
• Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain
• The Norman Conquest by Marc Morris
• A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Loconte
• Alive by Piers Paul Read

Do you have any non-fiction recommendations? Let us know in the comments!