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Last updated on Apr 21, 2021
Nonfiction: 24 Genres and Types of Fact-Based Books
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Martin Cavannagh
Head of Content at Reedsy, Martin has spent over eight years helping writers turn their ambitions into reality. As a voice in the indie publishing space, he has written for a number of outlets and spoken at conferences, including the 2024 Writers Summit at the London Book Fair.
View profile →Many readers think of nonfiction as a genre in itself. But take a look through your local bookstore and you’ll see dozens of sections devoted to fact-based books, while fiction titles are sorted into just a few broadly defined genres like ‘Fantasy/Sci-Fi’ and ‘General Fiction’!
To give nonfiction books the recognition they deserve and help authors choose the right category for their work, here’s a list of the 24 most common genres of nonfiction along with their identifying features.
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Expository nonfiction
Expository nonfiction aims to inform the reader about its subject — providing an explanation for it, be it a historical event, natural phenomenon, fashion trend, or anything else.
1. History
History books are not to be mistaken with textbooks. Rather than cherry-picking details to be memorized about a person, an event, or an era, these nonfiction titles are more like cross-sections in time. They provide readers with as much of the social and political contexts of events as possible with the use of rich primary and secondary sources, so as to better understand their causes and their legacies.
📚 Examples
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
Tapping into geological, agricultural, and biological evidence, Diamond challenges perception of genetic differences and contextualizes the history of human development using various external, environmental conditions.
Leningrad: The Epic Siege of World War II, 1941-1944 by Anna Reid
The Eastern Front of WWII is not as well-discussed as the Western one, though it's just as important. To balance the viewpoints out a little, Anna Reid explores life in Leningrad (now St Petersburg) during one of the longest, costliest, and deadliest military blockades in history.
2. Philosophy
This is where the big questions get asked. While ‘philosophy’ conjures up the image of impenetrable books written by Nietzche and Confucius for the enjoyment of beard-stroking academics, that isn’t the be-all-and-end-all of this genre! Contemporary authors have taken care to make their writings more accessible without sacrificing depth of analysis.
📚 Examples
Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy by Simon Blackburn
An introduction to life’s grandest topics (ethics, freedom, self — all that jazz) as told through the prism of history’s greatest philosophers. Suitable for curious readers who don’t know their Aristotles from their Kants.
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson
The author smuggles in a history of the great philosopher king by presenting it as a self-help guide. By showing his readers how Marcus Aurelius’s beliefs can apply to modern life, Robertson appeals to readers who wouldn’t otherwise pick up a copy of Meditations from the library.
A Grammar of the Multitude by Paolo Virno
See how philosophy has evolved in today’s international world through Paolo Virno's perspective. He advocates for the understanding of people as "multitudes" (courtesy of Dutch Enlightenment thinker, Spinoza). It's recommended that readers go into this book with some previous knowledge on classic philosophical paradigms.
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Book Proposal Template
Craft a professional pitch for your nonfiction book with our handy template.
3. Religion and Spirituality
Books about religion and spirituality can take many forms. Some are theory-based, some are written from personal experience, and some are structured like a self-help book, with the end goal of helping readers find their spiritual home. Oftentimes, each book focuses on a particular belief system — there are even Christian publishers who are solely dedicated to publishing books about their religion.
📚 Examples
Waking the Buddha by Clark Strand
An interesting cross between a historical research and a personal spiritual exploration, this book details the rise and continued influence of the Soka Gakkai, an international Buddhist organization that works towards egalitarianism and social justice.
The Power of Now by Ekchert Tolle
This self-help-style book brings readers closer to spiritual enlightenment by acknowledging how our mind focuses on the past and the future rather than the present. It's the first step on the path toward mindful connection with the joys of the moment.
Expert nonfiction editors, at your
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4. Science
Science books, or “Science & Maths” books — as Amazon would categorize them — can get quite technical. Most of the time, they’re reporting on scientists’ academic research. And so, science books tend to be well-organized and follow academic conventions like referencing and indexing. But while they sound dry, the intriguing questions that they address can always be presented in ways that keep readers coming. In any case, readers can always choose to scan over the complex mathematical proofs, or authors can put all that into the appendix.
📚 Examples
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
See the concept of time through the logical and characteristically witty eyes of this world-renowned scientist. It doesn’t make for the breeziest read, but it will give readers a very in-depth understanding of this arbitrary but ever-present concept.
Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Donald Goldsmith
Neil deGrasse Tyson takes readers on a tour of the universe's transformations through the years, introducing concepts of moons’ orbits and expanding stars along they way. All of this is a sturdy stepping stone to the complex realm of cosmology.
5. Popular Science
Is this type of nonfiction just academic science books but repackaged for laypeople? Why yes indeed. Popular science books take complex research and processes and get rid of most of the jargon, so that your average Joe can pick them up and learn something new about our universe. They’re almost like Vox videos, but that you read instead of watch.
Q: What section of a book proposal do agents and publishers prioritize most, and why?
Suggested answer
At the end of the day, selling books is a business, i.e., it needs to make money. Of course, books also need to be well-written, meticulously researched, and creatively compelling, but no matter how brilliant a book might be, if nobody buys it, publisher won't consider it to be a success. All of this why the marketing section of the proposal is often the most important part of the proposal--it's where authors lay out why they think readers will care about their book and buy it. What problem does the book solve? Who are the readers and how will they find the book? What aspects of an author's background, training, connections, audience involvement, etc. will allow them to reach their readers?
Marketing is key. Being able to connect with prospective readers and their communities is key. Fortunately, many books have been written about marketing strategies and about how to write successful proposals, so even if an author has zero marketing experience, it's very possible (and even fun!) to explore marketing and PR tactics.
Lisa is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
What agents and publishers want is to get a feel for this book, your ability to write it, and its ability to sell a lot of copies. All parts of a proposal are important, but the agents and publishers are very interested in concrete evidence that you are going to sell a lot of copies. So, should you have a social media following in the millions, your own podcast, thousands and thousands of employees who will be required to buy a copy, you should mention that in your proposal.
Tom is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Agent and publishers are busy people. They often don't get beyond the first sentence of a submission so it's important to make the opening of your sample chapters as intriguing as possible. The same goes for the query letter - it should be brief, succinct, professional and clearly outline what you've written, why you've written it, how many words it is and whether you've been published elsewhere.
Vanessa is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
In my view, every part of the proposal is important. You need to show you have a clear vision of the content and the expertise to write it. You need to show you know who your audience is and how to reach them. You need to convince an editor that your idea is timely and that there's still room in the niche. Fundamentally, a proposal is a sales document. Of course it needs to express your passion for the subject, but unless it's a vanity project, it's equally if not more important to persuade an editor that the book will sell.
Janet is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
This is a great question, and shows an awareness of market realities that you need if you’re writing genre fiction. The short answer: Read. Read extensively in the genre. And read actively, with a pen in hand. Make notes about the characters you encounter. Why do they work? What makes them so compelling? Usually, they’re going to be active, they’re going to drive the action forward. Creating great characters in genre fiction is about knowing the types of character that typically appear in your genre, but making them sufficiently distinctive that they stand out. Walking that line is where the magic happens. But if you don’t read, if you don’t know the genre inside out, you’re going to end up with characters that just won’t fit. I write middle grade fiction, which offers a wide variety of character types, but there are still rules. Your main characters are most likely children, and because of your audience, you have to tread carefully with adult topics. All genres will have their own rules and guidelines.
John is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Agents and publishers sign brands, not books.
Okay, that might sound strange, but bear with me.
They want to see a clear, established brand that already resonates with an audience. And this is often reflected in an author's platform, or curated audience.
I've developed dozens of nonfiction book proposals (and still do), had several book acquired during my time as a literary agent (nonfiction), and consulted with publishers. Agents and publishers often skip right to the platform section of a proposal.
Why do they care about this the most?
Publishers know they can work with the author, bring in an editor/ghostwriter, and polish almost any manuscript.
But they can rarely create a buying audience out of thin air.
In the olden days, publishers carried all the marketing weight. But today they (mostly) acquire authors who have an established following.
To be fair, these days any author should be able to prove their writing connects with at least a few people.
And regardless of these realities, publishers still do acquire books based on an interesting premise and thoughtful writing.
So if your audience is small, work to grow it, and find other ways to address a publisher's marketing concerns, like obtaining endorsements from well-known influencers, and highlighting your network.
Mike is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
The truth is, every section of your book proposal matters. Agents and publishers use it to evaluate your book’s potential, your ability to deliver, and how well the project aligns with their goals. Cutting corners in any section can raise doubts and weaken your pitch.
That said, the overview is critical. It’s the first thing agents and publishers read, and it sets the tone for the entire proposal. A strong overview grabs attention, conveys your book's essence, and excites them to keep reading.
Your overview should clearly articulate what your book is about, why it’s needed, and who it’s for. Show how it stands out in the market and why you’re the ideal author to write it. This section is your elevator pitch—your one chance to convince agents and publishers your book is worth their time.
If the overview falls flat, the rest of the proposal may never get read, no matter how polished your other sections are. Make sure your overview is compelling, precise, and irresistible. It’s your first impression—and it could be the last one you get to make.
Sally is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
- The author's past book sales and platform
- Potential endorsers
- A brief and compelling synopsis of the story and a cliffhanger
- What's in it for the audience
- How it differs from other books on the topic
Barbara is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Of course the synopsis is important, but the most important part of a book proposal, particularly in nonfiction, is the why. Why is your book important to the market? What hole is it filling? And most importantly, why is your book salable and marketable in today’s market?
Hope this helps!
Samantha is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
The part of the book proposal agents and publishers care about most is All of It. Be sure to check out each agent's and publisher's Submission Guidelines (you'll find these on their websites) and read their specifications for book proposal submissions. Then, follow their directions precisely. Typically, agents and publishers will ask for some or all of:
- A Table of Contents for Your Proposal
- About Me (a short introduction about you, the author, in a few sentences)
- Introduction to the Book Proposal
- Short Synopsis (check the word count requested)
- Long Synopsis (check the word count requested)
- Outline of your book (check the word count requested. If there isn't one, 250 words should suffice)
- Table of Contents for your book
- Chapter Breakdowns in varying word counts (e.g., 100, 150, 200, 250 words) – write a long one for each chapter and then you can shorten them as needed
- Competitive Titles (compare and contrast 4-5 books, not bestsellers, and current – preferably published in the last 2- 3years). Write approximately 100-150 words about each book, answering the questions, "How is my book like these books?" and "How is my book not like these books?" Keep your five blurbs about the same length. Include publication information for each comp (you'll find this information under See More Details on the book's Amazon listing). (Name two of these comps in your query letter.)
- About the Author – Biography (if there is no word count specified, write 100 – 200 words). Provide your personal and career history, but only as these relate to the topic of your book. What makes you the best person to write this book? Are you a member of any writers' organizations? (If not, I suggest you join one.) Are you a member of any professional organizations? Name them. You can add a few personal details as closing sentences (e.g., name your hobbies and your pets), but keep this section primarily professional.
- Platform: social media numbers and followers - but only if substantial. Otherwise, say you are "building your social media platform." If you don't have a social media platform, start building one. Not all agents and publishers care about your social media numbers, but some care a lot. Remember, you can "borrow" your platform. Ask all your friends and family to help you by committing to posting your book launch material on their socials. Make your borrowed platform a part of your launch strategy.
- Marketplace Rationale: Market Size, Market Plan, Market Strategy, (e.g. list Speaking Engagements, upcoming podcasts, and Your Target Audience). Do your research.
I suggest you work with an editor to make your book proposal shine.
Good luck with your book proposal!
Michael I
Michael is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
📚 Examples
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson isn’t a scientist or an anthropologist, but he’s brought together knowledge from various disciplines to create this digestible, comprehensive exploration of the universe and the human race.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Tyson’s expertise as a science communicator shines through with this armchair-expert version of astrophysics, which he claims can be read on noisy buses and trains without much headache.
6. Politics and Social Sciences
With the ongoing social and political tumult across the world, there has been a rise in both the reading and writing of this kind of book. Some political and social science books are based more on anecdotal evidence, others are on par with academic papers in terms of depth of research. Either way, they usually pick out a specific feature or structure in society to analyze with a critical eye.
📚 Examples
Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson
Discover why some nations are stuck in poverty traps with these economists. Using empirical data, they compellingly demonstrate the importance of inclusive institutions in fostering growth. Their writing continues to inspire development theories and strategies worldwide.
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
It started with a blog post which the author wrote to express her frustration toward the domination of white people in discussions about racism. It became a tour-de-force work on the experiences and realities of deep-rooted racial discrimination in society.
7. Essay
A book of essays is a collection of themed pieces of writing written by an author, or multiple authors, who often has some sort of authority on or personal experience with the subject matter. While they sound incredibly serious, they don’t require as much research as the types of nonfiction we’ve mentioned above. They’re often quite introspective and personal, like op-ed pieces or magazine articles. In fact, many essay books are made up of articles that were previously published in newspapers or magazines.
📚 Examples
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
A collection of articles published in Harper’s Magazine, Partisan Review, and The New Leader, in which Baldwin discusses representations of Black people in the media, as well as his experiences as a Black man in Europe.
The Good Immigrant, edited by Nikesh Shukla
21 writers of color come together to talk about their lives in the UK, and how they're sometimes made to question their sense of belonging despite being born and raised there.
8. Self-Help
Out of all the non-fiction genres out there, this is probably the most popular one. The name itself is explanatory: a self-help book provides you with some guidance and actions through which you can solve personal problems. Self-help books can be research-based, or they can be reflective — like an extended blog post. Note, though, that while the latter kind may read somewhat like a memoir in style, if you choose to write a self-help book, you must explicitly advise the reader.
Q: How should authors select comp titles for a book proposal to position their book?
Suggested answer
Comp titles can be hard because most authors don't have the same tools that publishing professionals do when they are evaluating comps (like access to individual titles' sales).
What you should aim for in a proposal is a number of titles, at least 5-7 that are from a variety of different publishers and all have a good sales track without being bestsellers. Again, nothing about this is easy: you as the author should read as many of these books as you can so that you understand the market and where your future book will fit in. It will also help you describe, in the proposal itself, why you've chosen these comps and what makes your books similar but unique in its own right.
Every publisher will want to see at least one comp from their company. You can use things like Amazon reviews or Goodreads to get some sort of baseline as to the popularity of a given book. Amazon's "Customers also bought or read" and "More items to explore" tools can help you find additional titles.
But more than browsing titles and short descriptions, the single best tool you can access is reading widely in the genre you're writing. There simply isn't a better way to know the market than truly knowing the market by reading, reading, and more reading!
Matt is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
For a nonfiction book proposal, I advise authors to aim for around five recent books that have sold reasonably well. Of course, if there's a popular or well-known book in the same category as yours, you'll want to include that, but I also encourage authors to think creatively and consider some less-obvious choices. Remember that ultimately, the goal is to establish that there is an eager audience out there for your book. For example, for a recent "small-space entertaining" guide/cookbook, in addition to several general entertaining guides and cookbooks, we also included a small-space decor book as a comp title to highlight the many small-apartment dwellers out there who are looking for resources on how to use their space.
Christine is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
📚 Examples
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
What makes a person successful? Gladwell argues that it’s hardly just luck — even prodigies aren’t guaranteed recognition. Pulling from various examples and sociological studies, he identifies several factors, beyond genetics, that anyone can optimize to boost their chances.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Sometimes what you need is for someone to give it to you straight. That’s when conversational, hilarious, blog-style books like this become handy. Mark Manson’s self-help book is all about accepting what you’re given and not allowing expectations ruin your happiness.
9. Business and Economics
While this a broad category that may include volumes with a journalistic flavor, business books tend to be guides to entrepreneurship and management. It’s a medium for those who've had experience in the workplace or the market to share their tips and tricks (and also a good tool for authors to bag guest-speaking events). In this sense, this kind of book is like self-help, but specifically for entrepreneurs and business managers.
📚 Examples
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Master the art of financial management through real-life case studies and a four-principle system with which can be applied to any business. It's straightfoward and has enough examples to demonstrate its success.
The Big Short by Michael Lewis
Lewis makes the mess of the financial crisis of 2008 that little bit easier to wrap your head around in this darkly humorous book. He follows the stories of ordinary people who fell victim to the American financial sector, revealing the precariousness of this ever-expanding industry.
10. Health and Wellness
There's no shortage of health and wellness books out there — what do we care about if not a long and healthy life, right? These books cover many different topics, from diets to sleeping habits, from stress management to dealing with anxiety. Most are written by researchers and doctors, who have the technical knowhow to offer sound insight and advice.
📚 Examples
Lifespan by David Sinclair
Drawing from his knowledge as a geneticist, Sinclair gives readers the scoop on the ever-popular topic of aging. He assures us that for a long, healthy, and happy life, we should enjoy our chocolate and wine (in moderation, of course).
This Is Your Brain on Food by Uma Naidoo
Food provides more than just nutrients for sustenance and growth — what you eat also impacts your mood and mental health. Dr. Uma Naidoo is a psychiatrist, nutritionist, and a professional chef, so you can trust she knows what she’s talking about.
11. Crafts and Hobbies
Once upon a time, before Google became the omniscient engine that held the answer to all our questions, people relied on craft books to teach them how to pick up a new hobby. Origami, crochet, calligraphy, gardening — you name it, there’s a book about it. Nowadays, books like these appeal to the audience not solely because of the skills but also the author. Authors are usually someone with an online presence and authority when it comes to the craft, and their book's tone and interior design usually reflect a bit of their personality.
📚 Examples
By Hand by Nicole Miyuki Santo
Beautifully designed with plenty of samples with which readers could practice their own calligraphy, Santo’s guide is a meditative exercise book. It’s also a great avenue for her followers on Instagram to come closer to her art by practicing it themselves.
Alterknit Stitch by Andrea Rangel
For knitters who have already nailed down the basics and want to experiment with new patterns, this is the book to get. It demonstrates ways to have fun with this cozy hobby by defying the conventions of knitting.
12. Travel Guides
Again, the internet seems to have taken over from books when it comes to helping travelers and tourists discover new places. Still, travel guides are a lot more comprehensive, keeping everything you might need to know about budgeting, languages, places to visit (or avoid), and much more, in one place. Ebooks are the perfect format for these guides — they’re easy for travelers to refer to on the go, and they’re not as costly to update to include the latest information.
📚 Examples
The Lonely Planet series
This collection has been growing since the 1970s, and it now holds plenty of books with various focuses. There are guides solely on helpful phrases in foreign languages, and then there are regional, country-level, and city guides, all made with contributions from locals.
The Time Out series
While also written by locals, these books focus only on cities (mainly in Europe and the US). As with the magazine of the same name, the content of the books is all about local haunts and hidden shops that tourists may not be aware of.
13. Cookbooks
Cookbooks make up another type of nonfiction that’s evermore popular, and not just because we’re cooking more and more at home nowadays. They’re increasingly beautiful, and to write a cookbook is to have a vision in mind about what kind of mouth-watering photos (or illustrations!) it would offer alongside easy-to-follow instructions. They also tend to have cohesive themes, i.e. desserts for vegans, at-home experimental fine-dining, or worldly culinary adventures from your kitchen.
📚 Examples
In Bibi’s Kitchen by Hawa Hassan and Julia Turshen
Grandmothers from eight different Eastern African countries show readers both hearth and heart through the familial stories associated with their food. Beyond the loving taste of traditional homecooked dishes, readers will also get to learn about life in the villages of Africa.
Ottolenghi Simple by Yotam Ottolenghi
Israeli-English chef Yotam Ottolenghi is the owner of several branches of restaurants, bakeries and food shops in London, but you can get a taste of his cuisine with this collection of 130 Middle Eastern recipes that can be made within 30 minutes. Who says simple cooking couldn't be adventurous?
Midnight Chicken: & Other Recipes Worth Living For by Ella Risbridger
A slightly different take on cookbooks, Midnight Chicken is a manifesto for an joyful life, built on homemade food. Her recipes are simple and homely, just like the illustrations of her book, so that anyone can make them even after a long and tiring day.
14. Parenting and Family
Parenting is anything but easy, and since Supernanny is not always on air, a little help from experts and those who've had experience dealing with children is the next best thing. From understanding with the psychology of young minds to finding the best environments and ways to nurture them, parenting books with sound academic backing provide useful insights and advice to help readers become better guardians and caregivers.
📚 Examples
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids by Laura Markham
Based on the latest research on brain development and clinical tests, Markham emphasizes the importance of the emotional connection between parent and child in development. When parents understand their own emotions, they can raise their children with empathy, set healthy boundaries, and communicate with clarity.
Unequal Childhoods by Annette Lareau
Beyond the home, there's a complex world which parents don’t have control of. Annette Lareau sociologically examines the social and political contexts in which children would be exposed to (if they live in America) and how childrearing can be affected by it.
15. Children’s Nonfiction
Explaining the world to children, even on a limited scale, can be incredibly difficult, as it’s hard to keep their attention. Luckily, a bit of assistance from an illustrator can do wonders. As a result, many children’s nonfiction books are in the style of picture books and chapter books. Topics covered include short historical accounts and biographies, or stories that explain scientific phenomena and how they are studied. For a more detailed breakdown of children’s nonfiction, check out editor Melissa Stewart’s system of classification.
📚 Examples
The Little Leaders series by Vashti Harrison
Read about exceptional men and women of various ethnic backgrounds throughout history, and enjoy their adorable portraits in this series. There’s hardly a better way to help children embrace differences than through nonfiction books about diversity such as this.
There Are Bugs Everywhere by Britta Teckentrup
Open young minds up to the natural world through this colorful elementary guide to the insect world. Answering questions about where insects live or how they find and store food with engaging drawings, it’s a great educational tool for parents and teachers.
16. Educational Guides
Many educational guides as the YA version of nonfiction books. These are targeted at final-year high-schoolers and young college students, with the aim providing them some guidance as they reach that strange age where independence is desperately craved but also a bit scary. Unlike popular YA fiction, this is still definitely a niche, yet, as rising study-with-me YouTubers would show you, there is potential for growth. Other than that, there are also learning guides for older audiences as well.
📚 Examples
The Uni-Verse by Jack Edwards
Sharing his experience in preparing for and being at university, Edwards hopes to ensure readers that they, too, could emerge from univeristy happy and successful. From how to take lecture notes to how to get along with your roommates, this guide is full of helpful advice for anyone who’s feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Beginners by Tom Vanderbilt
Education doesn’t have to be limited to the classroom, as Tom Vanderbilt shows us in this call-to-action for life-long learning. As testament to the value of learning as an adult, he tells the stories behind his journey with five skills: playing chess, singing, surfing, drawing, and juggling.
17. Textbooks
We’ve all had our fair share of poring over these books: each comprehensively puts together information about a specific subject (and sometimes even the subject of teaching itself). The content of textbooks also include questions that stimulate learners, encouraging them to reflect on certain matters. As they are meant to accompany a curriculum, textbooks have to be written with a good overarching grasp of the subject and solid understanding of pedagogy. Given all this work, textbook writers deserve more appreciation than they get!
📚 Examples
Oxford’s Very Short Introduction series by Oxford University Press
This popular series offers a short and concise introduction to just about every topic out there. Breaking big concepts and lesson outcomes into bitesize definitions, they make great overviews or quick refreshers before an exam.
Letting Go of Literary Whiteness by Carlin Borsheim-Black and Sophia Tatiana Sarigianides
This textbook is made not for students but for teachers. Based on experiences and examples from their own classrooms, the authors supply advice, and real-life scenarios in which they apply, on how to be anti-racist in schools.
18. Language Books
Language books can be general guides as to how to learn any language, or they can go into the nitty-gritty of a particular language. Some of them aren’t even about learning to use and communicate in a language; instead, they take a dive into the origins and inner workings of these complex systems. Regardless, because of the complexity of the subject, these nonfiction titles require expert knowledge from the part of the author.
📚 Examples
Through the Language Glass by Guy Deutscher
Linguist Guy Deutscher (a perfect name for the profession) makes the case for the connection between language and culture in this volume, opening up a whole new perspective on language learning beyond the practicalities.
How to Speak Any Language Fluently by Alex Rawlings
This book does what it says on the tin: it gives you the tools to pick up any language you want. Rawling's advice is as fun as it is helpful, so everyone can learn their language of choice with extra enjoyment!
19. Humor
Many of them are memoirs of comedians and talk show hosts, others are written by celebrated essayists and journalists. The celebrity profiles of authors in the genre explains humorous nonfiction's popularity. While form may vary, most of these titles are penned as social commentaries that candidly talk about issues that are often overlooked.
📚 Examples
Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
A witty exploration of the legacies of presidential assassinations in America, which notes how they’ve been used for political and commercial purposes that ridiculously undermine their historical importance. It’s history and politics, but with a healthy dose of sharp humor.
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
Bill Gates says it’s “funny as hell”, and that’s all the advertising it needs. Taking the unconventional form of meme-worthy comic strips accompanied by texts to provide context, Brosh’s memoir is a candid reflection on both hilarious and bleak moments she's been through.
20. Arts Books
The arts section is a fun mix — to name a few, there are photography collections, art catalogues, books on theory and critique, and volumes that teach artistic endeavors. With nuggets of wisdom from industry experts and often great attention paid to design details these books really are like pieces of artwork themselves.
📚 Examples
The World of Art series by Thames & Hudson
This collection offers a variety of art styles and their hallmark pieces from across time and space. You could pick any one of them and feast your eyes on not only the art itself, but the wonderful interior design — courtesy of Adam Hay.
Women Artists by Flavia Frigeri
In a now seminal feminist art history text written in the 70s, Linda Nochlin raised a provocative question: “Why have there been no great women artists?” Well, this addition to the Art Essentials series answers the question by showcasing 50 women artists throughout history, proving that the problem lies not in the lack of female artists, but in the failure to give them the recognition they deserve.
Narrative nonfiction
While narrative nonfiction books are still factual, they're written in the style of a story. As such a book's chapters have a flow — a story structure, if you will — rather than being systematically organized by topic.
21. Memoirs and autobiographies
Memoirs and autobiographies are books about the writer’s life. The former covers a shorter time period, focusing on a particularly noteworthy moment, such as experience in a certain industry, or an unconventional childhood. It’s thus often written by younger authors. The latter follows a longer timeline, going through a whole life, like a personal history. As such, while anyone, with or without a public presence, can put together a memoir, autobiographies are always penned by well-known figures. Autobiographies are also often used by politicians and activists to share their journey and views.
Q: What research methods help autobiography writers verify memories and fill gaps?
Suggested answer
Autobiographies/memoirs are a joy to research because you can get all of your information straight from the horse's mouth, so long as the horse is reliable. Also, you have to know the right questions to ask, and dig deeply for unvarnished and truthful answers.
Memoirs are about your world view, your personal impressions, your unique take on life, and what you have learned from your experience. There are no right or wrong answers in memoir, just your truth, as you have lived it and come to understand it. But that's the tricky part. What is your truth? What do you passionately want to say to the world, that will be there long after you are gone? What do you want future generations to understand about your brief sojourn on this planet?
When I am s working with authors on a memoir, I am always encouraging them to think differently, deeply, and comprehensively about the lessons of their experience. To stretch their imaginations, their visions of themselves, and to understand, perhaps in a new and fresh way, what their story has meant.
I've shared a few of the questions that I ask my clients to get them thinking in fresh and innovative ways about their own story, and I thought they might be helpful to share with all of you.
7 Questions to ask yourself When Researching Your Memoir
- What's the big idea? If you had to boil it down to an elevator pitch, what is your essential message to the world? Is there a theme? An overarching lesson? A motif? A distinct quality they all have in common?
- Teaching Moments: What were the milestone moments in your life that taught you an influential lesson that shaped your course? Do they have something in common? Do they all point to a common thread or theme?
- Cultural Context: What was happening in the larger world and in culture at the time your story is occurring? How does this intersect or impact your narrative?
- Mentors and Guides: Who were the people that influenced your path for better or worse? What words of their wisdom or words of criticism stuck with you and why?
- Radical Transparency: What are some of the things you would go back and do differently if you could? Do you have any regrets?
- Self Acknowledgement: What are some of the things you would not change if you had a chance to do it over again? Did you celebrate those victories in the moment, or only later once you understood their impact?
- Moral of the Story: What are the universal and aspirational lessons of your experience, the moral of the your story that applies to everyone, and can be helpful to your reader going forward?
Happy Writing!
Bev is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
I would say location-based research is one of the most important. While we might remember general impressions about an area we lived in or visited, it's easy to forget names of places or their exact locations. Sometimes these places change names, or vanish altogether, and those are always interesting details to know.
Marisa is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Reading autobiographies of people in similar fields or with similar stories. But in general any autobiography can be helpful to read as research. It's important to know the plethora of ways you can approach writing about your own life. As far as personal research, once you set out to write your story, it could be helpful to spend a lot of time gathering important materials. It will be different for every book but things that come to mind are old family photos, journals and letters, family trees, and things like this to add color to your story and give you new ideas.
Josh is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
📚 Examples
Gone: A Girl, a Violin, a Life Unstrung by Min Kym
Prodigal violinist Min Kym was the youngest pupil at the Purcell School of Music, though her life wasn't a bed of roses. While struggling with the theft of a 17th-century Stradivarius in her possession (which made national headlines in the UK in 2010), she came to realize with incredible clarity that she had lost much more on the journey to meet the expectations of her teachers, her parents, and the world. And all of it was beautifully recorded in this memoir.
A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa
Masaji Ishikawa's life in Japan is just like any ordinary person’s life, but to have gotten there, he’d undergone the challenges of escaping the totalitarian state of North Korea. His experience with this totalitarian state and his subsequent escape makes for a memoir readers can't put down.
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
The man at the heart of one of the biggest, most publicised international movement against racial discrimination and for political freedom shares his journey from being an activist to his 27 years in prison in this autobiography.
22. Biographies
Take note, biographies are different from autobiographies in a very crucial way, even though both are basically life stories. While autobiographies are written by authors about themselves, biographies are written by an author about somebody else. If the subject is alive, their consent should be acquired for ethical purposes (though this isn’t always done). A biography could also be penned long after its subject’s death, presented as a history book that’s focused solely on the life and circumstances of one person. Many of these have gone on to inspire award-winning movies and musicals.
📚 Examples
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
Ron Chernow is truly the master of biographies, and any of his titles would be a great example of his brilliance as a writer and researcher. This Pulitzer Prize winner on America’s founding father is recommended for its nuanced portrait of a legendary figure. Chernow took four years to research and an additional two to complete the manuscript — it was no easy project!
A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar
Perhaps more famous for its movie adaptation starring Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, Sylvia Nasar’s biography provides a window into the turbulent life of schizophrenic mathematician and economist John Nash. While it challenged ethical practices by not consulting with Nash even though he was alive, the book was still very well-received.
23. Travel Literature
Some call them travelogues, others call them travel memoirs — either way, travel literature books straddle the line between informing on the many cultures of the world and self-reflection. Books that fall into this genre are usually quite poetic and insightful (unlike practical travel guides). They’re all about personal journeys that are meditative and eye-opening, and can be about a specific place or a series of places.
📚 Examples
Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bike by Dervla Murphy
In 1963, Dervla Murphy kept a daily diary of her trek “across frozen Europe and through Persia and Afghanistan, over the Himalayas to Pakistan and into India.” After the trip, she published the diary and invited readers to join her on this remarkable feat, whether from their couch or as they start their own journey.
Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
Focusing on the place and not the journey, Bill Bryson documents his “farewell tour” of the UK as he prepared to return to America after almost two decades of living across the pond. Mixing cultural insights with a healthy dose of humor, he wraps his travel notes in social commentary to both satirize and praise the idiosyncrasies of the British.
24. Journalism
Follow investigative journalists as they uncover ugly truths. Other than doing justice by in-depth and sometimes even dangerous investigations, this type of nonfiction also enthralls readers with the twists and turns of real events and details of actual underground operations, conspiracies, and court dramas, to name a few.
📚 Examples
All the President’s Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
Journalists Woodward and Bernstein's reports in The Washington Post won them a Pulitzer Prize and led to President Nixon’s impeachment. In this book, they recollect the process behind their famous exposé on Watergate.
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow
On his trail to investigate Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual assaults, Farrow discovered a systematic mechanism which favors offenders with big pockets and silences the voice of victims. His book is thus an exposé on the journalism industry itself.
Voilà! Those are 24 of the most popular types of nonfiction along with some typical exmaples. And keep in mind that as more and more titles get released, the genres will expand beyond this list. It goes to show how expansive this side of the publishing world can be. If you’re writing, publishing, or marketing a nonfiction book, hopefully this list has clarified the purpose, styles, and formats of each genre so that you can find the perfect fit for your own work.
