Love, love, love this insight!!! Makes me want to pick up another fiction book soon. 💖 Recently re-read The Kite Runner and Joy Luck Club and they were beautiful.
I see how you feel that way! People will have their opinions like that. And it's interesting because I've actually experienced the opposite quite a bit - people thinking they're better than others because they choose to read fiction especially high fantasy and sci-fi. I think it just depends on the circles you're in.
a lovely look into reading for pleasure versus productivity. as a fellow former non-fiction cult member, this was a delight to read (and feel seen) in the world of fiction.
The nonfiction cults are strong, and as a fiction reader we can often feel lonely. Thank you for the lovely comment, I am really happy this resonated with you 🧡
Most nonfiction books I read can be summarized in a 5 bullet-point list (give or take). I don't *read* nonfiction books anymore, I skim them. But literature, oh boy!, I savor every word and sentence; I enter a brand new world through them. The two are incomparable. To me, even a well-written newspaper article can be better than a nonfiction book.
Totally agree and I feel the same with articles and essays on here on Substack. But when you look through bestseller list there are SOOOO many non-fiction books and I don't really understand why so many people still read (some even exclusively) so many non-fiction and especially self-help books.
I think it's very utility-based reading; people read those books to get some tips or instructions, a very different kind of impact compared to fiction.
An author friend of mine has this quote, "Philosophy is just ideas; art is ideas in motion." This applies here too. As far as "ideas in motion" goes, I'd argue the book with the highest density of substance, emotional depth and life-enrichment per page is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, which is one I would urge you to take your time with and not rush if you get around to it.
Don't care much for booktok though. A lot of the stuff I see on there is just the fiction equivalent of the non-fiction recommended elsewhere in terms of quality.
Thank you for the book rec, will definitely give that a try when I feel ready for it. And I like your take on booktok: "the fiction equivalent of the non-fiction". Depending on which corner of booktok you are in, that definitely applies.
On a serious note, I am loving the topics that you are writing. Feels good to see someone from my generation speaking of such things on the other side of the planet. *Gave you a follow on instagram.
This is a hot take I can get behind! While I do enjoy the rare productivity book (keyword: rare), nearly every one I’ve ever read could have been just as effective as a 1000-word blog post. Science, nature, and history make up most of my nonfiction reading list, and I feel like a much more well-rounded individual when I’m reading those vs. “hack your life” productivity books.
The repetition in these productivity, life-hack books is truly something else. I felt the same with Eckhart Tolle, which is more of a mindset book than anything else, but I listened to the first three chapters and thought: this could have been summed up in one sentence.
I fluctuate between both fiction and nonfiction (much of it is usually related to continued learning in my field of study), but always find myself creatively inspired by fiction.
Thank you for writing this. I’ve always loved and appreciated fiction and it was surprising to me when I first heard slight derision towards fiction from someone at work. I also once heard from someone who doesn’t read much that fiction books simplify life whereas in reality I think good fiction shows complexity of the world, it’s non-fiction books that often present a view of the world that’s simplified to fit into a model that can be practically useful.
I’d also love to see one of these people whose life is completely changed by a book in reality - maybe I’m sheltered but I’ve never met anyone like that, only read it online. In my experience, big changes creep up on us over time in tiny little steps, not from a sudden vision obtained from a book.
Love this comment! I too had that moment where someone "criticized" me for reading fiction books. My reply to that person was: "I was you once, I've grown since." The guy (yes, it was a man) was offended and left. I still laugh about it sometimes. I wonder what happened to him and if he still reads "nonfiction" books.
I find the phrase "this book changed my life" to be a bit much. There a several books that have changed my opinion on things, because the story made me see it from a different perspective. But life-changing? Nah. I agree that this creeps up on us over time.
Absolutely love this. I’ve also noticed that the vast majority of self help stuff only really has a positive impact on people who aren’t neurodivergent. I’ve known a lot of neurodivergent people who have come away from reading self help, tried to implement it, and really struggled, feeling sad and asking what’s wrong with them. Thing is, everyone is different and has their ways that work for them. I’ll be writing a post later this week on how our obsession with morning routines is sabotaging a lot of people’s health and happiness - would love to see what you make of it. 💚
That is a really good point. I did notice that these types of book only work for a certain (small) group of people, but I never considered how all of this must have felt for neurodivergent people. And I am really looking forward to your piece on morning routines. I used to devour these types of YouTube videos during that phase.
Wow, tiktak was around during the pandemic? Melbourne won the prize of most locked-down city in the world and I still haven’t downloaded the app. I think at this point I will boomer it and watch trends a month later on FB shorts. reels. whatever. But the 'booktok' trends did reach me, especially smut recommendations which is odd but not unwelcome. I'm not sure about entering some dark fey's mind, but I think you went back to fiction after 15 years and landed on a good one!!
It was around back then, kind of glad I downloaded it because it got me back into reading and I also discovered so many new music through that app, but it definitely is a slippery slope. One minute you actually are getting something nice in return, and the next minute you are presented with so much useless stupid things.
I find it fascinating though that booktok reached you without having TikTok. The fact that one app managed to get an entire generation back to reading books is kind of impressive.
I thought Harry Potter was our generation 'back to reading' sign. Or was it 'start reading'? the non-fiction trend must have hit harder than I thought.
I think it is different for everyone. But barely anyone read books outside of university assignments when I was a student. I think Harry Potter was the start, then came the fiction slump, and Booktok made us start again.
Love this insight. As someone who did not read at all since school until my mid to late 20s and had no family or friends that read avidly either in fiction or non-fiction, stepping into reading fiction felt a little lonely for me. I had no one to share it with, but yes it is so rewarding and enjoyable 😊
I am the only one of my friends who reads a lot, and the people from back then - the nonfiction readers - still are very much into nonfiction. So I totally understand the feeling lonely part. I follow a few people on YouTube who post book content and have a similar taste in books, that truly helped with the reader-loneliness.
Nonfiction guides you, whereas fiction helps you explore.
Love, love, love this insight!!! Makes me want to pick up another fiction book soon. 💖 Recently re-read The Kite Runner and Joy Luck Club and they were beautiful.
Thank you 🧡 Glad you enjoyed it.
I love both! I don’t think one is better than the other.
Totally agree. But many people do and that is what the essay is all about. The snobbish opinion many nonfiction readers have about fiction readers.
I see how you feel that way! People will have their opinions like that. And it's interesting because I've actually experienced the opposite quite a bit - people thinking they're better than others because they choose to read fiction especially high fantasy and sci-fi. I think it just depends on the circles you're in.
I too had a time in my life where I only read nonfiction. It wasn't for my enjoyment, but for the fact that I could be "so much greater" than I was.
Those books I read only stressed me out more, kept me in an endless cycle of overthinking, and sometimes made me hate myself.
Fiction books are much better:)
The stress! Completely forgot to write about that part. The way you always feel on edge and stressed out because you should be doing xyz...
Fiction truly is so much better.
a lovely look into reading for pleasure versus productivity. as a fellow former non-fiction cult member, this was a delight to read (and feel seen) in the world of fiction.
The nonfiction cults are strong, and as a fiction reader we can often feel lonely. Thank you for the lovely comment, I am really happy this resonated with you 🧡
Most nonfiction books I read can be summarized in a 5 bullet-point list (give or take). I don't *read* nonfiction books anymore, I skim them. But literature, oh boy!, I savor every word and sentence; I enter a brand new world through them. The two are incomparable. To me, even a well-written newspaper article can be better than a nonfiction book.
Totally agree and I feel the same with articles and essays on here on Substack. But when you look through bestseller list there are SOOOO many non-fiction books and I don't really understand why so many people still read (some even exclusively) so many non-fiction and especially self-help books.
I think it's very utility-based reading; people read those books to get some tips or instructions, a very different kind of impact compared to fiction.
An author friend of mine has this quote, "Philosophy is just ideas; art is ideas in motion." This applies here too. As far as "ideas in motion" goes, I'd argue the book with the highest density of substance, emotional depth and life-enrichment per page is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, which is one I would urge you to take your time with and not rush if you get around to it.
Don't care much for booktok though. A lot of the stuff I see on there is just the fiction equivalent of the non-fiction recommended elsewhere in terms of quality.
Thank you for the book rec, will definitely give that a try when I feel ready for it. And I like your take on booktok: "the fiction equivalent of the non-fiction". Depending on which corner of booktok you are in, that definitely applies.
Loved reading this! Although my first book is a non-fiction memoir.. *crying in a corner
But it is a memoir, still a story that the reader will experience through someone else's eyes. 🧡
On a serious note, I am loving the topics that you are writing. Feels good to see someone from my generation speaking of such things on the other side of the planet. *Gave you a follow on instagram.
Oh my gosh, thank you so much. This made my day 🧡🥹
This is a hot take I can get behind! While I do enjoy the rare productivity book (keyword: rare), nearly every one I’ve ever read could have been just as effective as a 1000-word blog post. Science, nature, and history make up most of my nonfiction reading list, and I feel like a much more well-rounded individual when I’m reading those vs. “hack your life” productivity books.
The repetition in these productivity, life-hack books is truly something else. I felt the same with Eckhart Tolle, which is more of a mindset book than anything else, but I listened to the first three chapters and thought: this could have been summed up in one sentence.
Glad you enjoyed the essay 🧡
I fluctuate between both fiction and nonfiction (much of it is usually related to continued learning in my field of study), but always find myself creatively inspired by fiction.
The inspiration that fiction gives people is unparalleled in my opinion. Never felt like that reading nonfiction. Glad you enjoyed it 🧡
i just have to say... agreed. 100%. and "nonfiction supremacy"... so real. thank you. :)
Glad you enjoyed it 🧡
Thank you for writing this. I’ve always loved and appreciated fiction and it was surprising to me when I first heard slight derision towards fiction from someone at work. I also once heard from someone who doesn’t read much that fiction books simplify life whereas in reality I think good fiction shows complexity of the world, it’s non-fiction books that often present a view of the world that’s simplified to fit into a model that can be practically useful.
I’d also love to see one of these people whose life is completely changed by a book in reality - maybe I’m sheltered but I’ve never met anyone like that, only read it online. In my experience, big changes creep up on us over time in tiny little steps, not from a sudden vision obtained from a book.
Love this comment! I too had that moment where someone "criticized" me for reading fiction books. My reply to that person was: "I was you once, I've grown since." The guy (yes, it was a man) was offended and left. I still laugh about it sometimes. I wonder what happened to him and if he still reads "nonfiction" books.
I find the phrase "this book changed my life" to be a bit much. There a several books that have changed my opinion on things, because the story made me see it from a different perspective. But life-changing? Nah. I agree that this creeps up on us over time.
I was just about to buy my first self-help book. Thank you for talking me out of it.
There is nothing wrong with self help books, but I believe that reading only those will not give you the results you are looking for. 🧡
Absolutely love this. I’ve also noticed that the vast majority of self help stuff only really has a positive impact on people who aren’t neurodivergent. I’ve known a lot of neurodivergent people who have come away from reading self help, tried to implement it, and really struggled, feeling sad and asking what’s wrong with them. Thing is, everyone is different and has their ways that work for them. I’ll be writing a post later this week on how our obsession with morning routines is sabotaging a lot of people’s health and happiness - would love to see what you make of it. 💚
That is a really good point. I did notice that these types of book only work for a certain (small) group of people, but I never considered how all of this must have felt for neurodivergent people. And I am really looking forward to your piece on morning routines. I used to devour these types of YouTube videos during that phase.
Wow, tiktak was around during the pandemic? Melbourne won the prize of most locked-down city in the world and I still haven’t downloaded the app. I think at this point I will boomer it and watch trends a month later on FB shorts. reels. whatever. But the 'booktok' trends did reach me, especially smut recommendations which is odd but not unwelcome. I'm not sure about entering some dark fey's mind, but I think you went back to fiction after 15 years and landed on a good one!!
It was around back then, kind of glad I downloaded it because it got me back into reading and I also discovered so many new music through that app, but it definitely is a slippery slope. One minute you actually are getting something nice in return, and the next minute you are presented with so much useless stupid things.
I find it fascinating though that booktok reached you without having TikTok. The fact that one app managed to get an entire generation back to reading books is kind of impressive.
I thought Harry Potter was our generation 'back to reading' sign. Or was it 'start reading'? the non-fiction trend must have hit harder than I thought.
I think it is different for everyone. But barely anyone read books outside of university assignments when I was a student. I think Harry Potter was the start, then came the fiction slump, and Booktok made us start again.
Love this insight. As someone who did not read at all since school until my mid to late 20s and had no family or friends that read avidly either in fiction or non-fiction, stepping into reading fiction felt a little lonely for me. I had no one to share it with, but yes it is so rewarding and enjoyable 😊
I am the only one of my friends who reads a lot, and the people from back then - the nonfiction readers - still are very much into nonfiction. So I totally understand the feeling lonely part. I follow a few people on YouTube who post book content and have a similar taste in books, that truly helped with the reader-loneliness.
I think being on substack helps with that too :)
It sure does! Love this place. 🧡