Okay, this was AWESOME. I'm very excited for this series. I'm like you: I will read across subjects if it's propulsive narrative nonfiction. Gimme it! Also, I just thought of an idea for an IG Live if you're down. You know the questions on fiction book reviews on StoryGraph? Plot/character-driven, loveable, diverse, etc.? I've wanted questions for nonfiction books as well to help people better choose books for them but I can never settle on what they should be. Would you be open to a discussion about your Nonfiction Taxonomy project, why it's important, how you think about nonfiction, etc., and then workshopping some potential questions for TSG reviews live with the audience?
This is incredibly useful and exactly what I need. I am another "didn't really read nonfiction prior to listening to The Stacks" person and still would like to read a lot more nonfiction and this kind of thing gets me really excited!
I love seeing all of you people come out as reluctant nonfiction folks pre-The Stacks. It means so much to me to know I'm bringing you all over to the dark side!
I was not a nonfic reader at all before The Stacks. I said in an earlier post that I like to listen to people talk about a book to know if I want to read it. Your episode with Radley Balko on his book The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist totally turned my head. As did Empire of Pain. I will rarely read a book on history but if there is even a hint of mess, I want in.
This is INCREDIBLY cool. I’m a high school language arts teacher and I always struggle to encourage kids to read nonfic and I’m realizing a large part of that is because I don’t know how to talk about the fact that there are so many different ways to be a nonfiction book. I’m absolutely going to use this to help me (and them) reframe my thinking! Thank you!!! 🥳
I can see Sara’s fingerprints on this idea, and I love it! I’ve been learning so much from her reading in public series, and I look forward to learning more about what makes you love nonfiction and how to read it better myself. I’m excited about this series!
Thanks. Yes when I asked Sara what topics about nonfiction she shared wanting to know more about what the different genres are, and I couldn't give a simple answer so I decided to give an extremely elaborate one instead.
Oh this is VERY exciting - I can't wait to read more! There isn't enough out there really to help with reading/thinking on non fiction. Even as a reviewer, when I get to a non fiction book I am usually very stumped on how to talk about it! It is something I am trying to work on, so this is perfectly timed. Non-fiction can be such a mammoth - who knows where to start?! (answer: Traci does)/
Yaay! So glad you like this. I think it actually a lot more similar to fiction that we realize. So I am hoping to use this space to draw some of those parallels. Glad you're in for the ride. Also, to be fully transparent. I have no idea where to start. This project feels daunting as hell.
I would LOVE to see you draw those parallels - because I agree with you, and yet, I struggle to see them sometimes. I am so in for the ride. Sometimes the things that feel the most daunting end up being the most rewarding (eventually, after feeling like you're going to be sick from stress 100 times) Wherever you start, it will be great x
I found your taxonomy really interesting. There's a lot of overlap with the issues I grappled with in my doctoral thesis, which aimed to clarify the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction. I don't entirely agree that creative and narrative nonfiction are two different styles. Here's something I wrote: 'Historian Hayden White has identified both history and fiction as forms of literary writing, as distinct from purely utilitarian or communicative works such as instructions and textbooks. In this analysis novels become one type of literature alongside others that include biography, travel, and anthropology. What they have in common is that they all use narrativisation to engage the reader, a subjective process of selecting, sequencing, guessing, and interpreting.' I'd love to continue this discussion!
That’s interesting. I think if you’re combining fiction and nonfiction you’d be thinking differently about style than isolating one from the other. Narrative nonfiction is straightforward more linear (not always) and telling a clear story following rules of arc etc. creative to me can very different. It is more searching and innovative in how it explores issues. Like with all art these distinctions can overlap. Hope that clarifies what I’m getting at with those two definitions.
I'm currently reading *The Gates of Gaza,* by Amir Tibon, which seems to undeniably combine History and Personal Narrative, and perhaps Journalism as well?
It could be all of those things. Like I said in the piece, this is more an art than a science and a lot books play with the conventions of genre and classification.
THANK YOU for this, Traci! As I read, I was already starting to think about how my nonfiction taste maps onto your categories. This is going to be so helpful. Looking forward to the coming installments as well. 🙏🏼
I’m a non-fiction reader for sure. I’m so excited about this Traci! Non-fiction is what I read the most and your podcast has helped me with some of my choices. I don’t have a mnemonic though…🤣but I’m all in for the reading. But dang you read too fast for me girl. I have two jobs so I have to the reading in between life and jobs. Count me all in. 👍🏾
This was fascinating! I’m interested to see if there are other similarities in my non-fiction reading I haven’t noticed before.
Can Goats Smell Spicy Taco Tuesday?
*snort*
This pneumonic is hilarious. Please let me know if you find other connections in your reading!
Okay, this was AWESOME. I'm very excited for this series. I'm like you: I will read across subjects if it's propulsive narrative nonfiction. Gimme it! Also, I just thought of an idea for an IG Live if you're down. You know the questions on fiction book reviews on StoryGraph? Plot/character-driven, loveable, diverse, etc.? I've wanted questions for nonfiction books as well to help people better choose books for them but I can never settle on what they should be. Would you be open to a discussion about your Nonfiction Taxonomy project, why it's important, how you think about nonfiction, etc., and then workshopping some potential questions for TSG reviews live with the audience?
Hell yes, let’s do it!!!
Amaaaazing!! I'll drop you an email at some point!!
This is incredibly useful and exactly what I need. I am another "didn't really read nonfiction prior to listening to The Stacks" person and still would like to read a lot more nonfiction and this kind of thing gets me really excited!
I love seeing all of you people come out as reluctant nonfiction folks pre-The Stacks. It means so much to me to know I'm bringing you all over to the dark side!
I was not a nonfic reader at all before The Stacks. I said in an earlier post that I like to listen to people talk about a book to know if I want to read it. Your episode with Radley Balko on his book The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist totally turned my head. As did Empire of Pain. I will rarely read a book on history but if there is even a hint of mess, I want in.
This should be a great enlightening series.
Ok let me add an entire installment on mess just for you (me too bc I also love mess).
I mean, don't program specifically for me but for those of us that ARE the dramaaaaaa.
This is INCREDIBLY cool. I’m a high school language arts teacher and I always struggle to encourage kids to read nonfic and I’m realizing a large part of that is because I don’t know how to talk about the fact that there are so many different ways to be a nonfiction book. I’m absolutely going to use this to help me (and them) reframe my thinking! Thank you!!! 🥳
Oooh I love that this is feeling useful to you. I do think we think of nonfiction very one dimensionally and it’s so not!
I can see Sara’s fingerprints on this idea, and I love it! I’ve been learning so much from her reading in public series, and I look forward to learning more about what makes you love nonfiction and how to read it better myself. I’m excited about this series!
Thanks. Yes when I asked Sara what topics about nonfiction she shared wanting to know more about what the different genres are, and I couldn't give a simple answer so I decided to give an extremely elaborate one instead.
Count me in! Nonfiction needs more love, and I’m all for showing everyone how awesome it is. Can’t wait to nerd out with you over this series!
Thank you. Glad you’re excited about it too!
Oh this is VERY exciting - I can't wait to read more! There isn't enough out there really to help with reading/thinking on non fiction. Even as a reviewer, when I get to a non fiction book I am usually very stumped on how to talk about it! It is something I am trying to work on, so this is perfectly timed. Non-fiction can be such a mammoth - who knows where to start?! (answer: Traci does)/
Yaay! So glad you like this. I think it actually a lot more similar to fiction that we realize. So I am hoping to use this space to draw some of those parallels. Glad you're in for the ride. Also, to be fully transparent. I have no idea where to start. This project feels daunting as hell.
I would LOVE to see you draw those parallels - because I agree with you, and yet, I struggle to see them sometimes. I am so in for the ride. Sometimes the things that feel the most daunting end up being the most rewarding (eventually, after feeling like you're going to be sick from stress 100 times) Wherever you start, it will be great x
The sick with stress part lol. Spot on.
I found your taxonomy really interesting. There's a lot of overlap with the issues I grappled with in my doctoral thesis, which aimed to clarify the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction. I don't entirely agree that creative and narrative nonfiction are two different styles. Here's something I wrote: 'Historian Hayden White has identified both history and fiction as forms of literary writing, as distinct from purely utilitarian or communicative works such as instructions and textbooks. In this analysis novels become one type of literature alongside others that include biography, travel, and anthropology. What they have in common is that they all use narrativisation to engage the reader, a subjective process of selecting, sequencing, guessing, and interpreting.' I'd love to continue this discussion!
That’s interesting. I think if you’re combining fiction and nonfiction you’d be thinking differently about style than isolating one from the other. Narrative nonfiction is straightforward more linear (not always) and telling a clear story following rules of arc etc. creative to me can very different. It is more searching and innovative in how it explores issues. Like with all art these distinctions can overlap. Hope that clarifies what I’m getting at with those two definitions.
This is schooling me in the best way!
Love to hear that!
I'm currently reading *The Gates of Gaza,* by Amir Tibon, which seems to undeniably combine History and Personal Narrative, and perhaps Journalism as well?
It could be all of those things. Like I said in the piece, this is more an art than a science and a lot books play with the conventions of genre and classification.
THANK YOU for this, Traci! As I read, I was already starting to think about how my nonfiction taste maps onto your categories. This is going to be so helpful. Looking forward to the coming installments as well. 🙏🏼
So glad you liked it. It has been fun to sort of play around with it and watch people talk through books using the system.
This is brilliant, Traci! Cannot wait for future installments of this series.
Thank you!
I’m a non-fiction reader for sure. I’m so excited about this Traci! Non-fiction is what I read the most and your podcast has helped me with some of my choices. I don’t have a mnemonic though…🤣but I’m all in for the reading. But dang you read too fast for me girl. I have two jobs so I have to the reading in between life and jobs. Count me all in. 👍🏾
I love a fellow nonfiction lover.
I'll be using this as a resource for myself as well as my book clubs. So helpful-- thank you!!
Love that. Thank you.
Heck yes. Love this! 📚🤓
Thank you!