Fiction, Non-fiction or Both?

Sunbug · Newbie

Fiction, Non-fiction or Both?

Kit Bakke · Newbie

It's my impression that more and more authors are writing books that cross the line between fiction and nonfiction. Both writers and readers seem to like the combination, even if it puts librarians and bookstore owners in a muddle. My own book, MISS ALCOTT'S E-MAIL is one of those fiction/nonfiction books and it's been fun seeing where it's put--some stores put it in Biography, others in Fiction, others in Essays. One librarian called me to ask where I'd recommend it be placed! My publisher invented the term "bio-memoir" to tag the book.

Pat · Member

I think the hybrid book might work well for authors, giving them the potential for twice as much exposure. We have shelved your book in both fiction and biography-memoirs. We try to figure where books will sell best from. I have not been much of a science fiction or fantasy reader but found Kay Kenyon's new series The Entire and the Rose to have enough crossover appeal that I have read the first two books and am now eagerly awaiting the third. We have shelved those books in both Science Fiction and Fiction.
Are you working on another book, Kit?

Pat · Member

I probably read more fiction than non-fiction. I like getting lost in a good story. But I am reading an arc (advanced readers copy) right now of Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People by William L. Iggiagruk Hensely and have been captured by his natural storytelling abilities about the Alaskan natives. I had the pleasure of meeting William a few weeks ago and told him I was reading The Terror by Dan Simmons, which takes place at the Artic Circle, where William had been born and raised. He told me he had read it also and that it was an excellent book, well researched and a compelling story. It's funny how things like that happen; those fun serendipitous coincidences.

LA · Member

I too read more fiction than non-fiction. I like variety in my reading, so I try to mix it up with different types of books. I often have more than one book I'm reading at the same time and I'll switch back and forth between the two or three. Sometimes I'll have both a fiction book and a non-fiction book I'm working on. Also in the summer, I usually have a paperback I can take on backpacking trips--small and lightweight--and one or two other books I'm reading. For instance, earlier this summer I was reading Paul Roberts', The End of Food, Dodie Cross' A Broad Abroad in Thailand, Lonely Planet's Thailand's Islands and Beaches, (I'm thinking of going to Thailand sometime in the future), and R. A. Salvatore's The Ancient all at the same time.

Then there's audio books...

I usually listen to those when I'm doing a project in or around the house. Right now I'm listening to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series while I'm repainting some furniture.

Sunbug · Newbie

LA wrote:
. . .

Then there's audio books...

I usually listen to those when I'm doing a project in or around the house. Right now I'm listening to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series while I'm repainting some furniture.

The Wheel of Time series?! weirdface

I'm guessing it's an abridged version. Either that, or you have a rather large pile of furniture to repaint. Watch out for those fumes. bleh

Theresa · Newbie

I like to read fiction from which I learn something historical. Or I like reading fiction that teaches me about the human condition. Dough is the lastest book I read. I learned about people who hoard, and how it affects everyone else.
But, I am always looking for a good fiction story that just carries me away to another place and time.

LA · Member

Sunbug wrote:

LA wrote:
. . .

Then there's audio books...

I usually listen to those when I'm doing a project in or around the house. Right now I'm listening to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series while I'm repainting some furniture.

The Wheel of Time series?! I'm guessing it's an abridged version. Either that, or you have a rather large pile of furniture to repaint. Watch out for those fumes.

As a matter of fact, I do have a lot of furniture that I am repainting.

I also happen to have a number of the books from the series on audio and I couldn't remember which one I was on.

I had to go check--it's Knife of Dreams.

Pat · Member

Audio books can be great fun. We listened to Freddy and Fredericka by Mark Helprin on our drive home from Mexico. It got us all the way to Salt Lake City! Listening to Freddy and Fredericka (who are the fictional prince and princess of Great Britain) describe their first impressions of America with awe and wonderment was an added bonus for our road trip. It made me stop and think what a beautiful country we live in.

Lisa · Member

I read a lot of both, and I often have both going at the same time; it just depends on how the mood strikes me. I often like the fiction/non-fiction aspect in a book that Kit talked about as well - historical fiction is always great too. It affords the author a bit of latitude and the reader can go to a place in time that they either know or want to learn more about while still enjoying a good imaginative story.

If I have to pick a favorite, I'd have to pick non-fiction. To know that I am reading truth touches my heart and soul. I empathize so deeply with the characters, and just knowing that their difficulties, pain, joys, and triumphs were based in fact makes me want to turn each page even more. Even a humorous anecdote takes on new meaning when you know it's being related from a true incident.

That said, I'll read nothing but non-fiction for quite sometime and then, I'll pick up a good book of fiction and wham... I'll remember why it's nice to escape once in awhile! I suppose I just take my books in spells. Like I said, what I read always depends on whatever mood hits me and lately, I think escape has been right up my alley so I've been running with a string of fiction. I'll have to see where my mood strikes next!

As for Audio Books, my husband and I both love them. He catches up on the classics with Audio Books (from A Tale of Two Cities to The Iliad) and I llisten to a little bit of everything, using them just to avoid having to listen to the the news on the radio every day on my commute! I found myself picking out books to listen to that I might not have picked out to read so it has definitely broadened my horizens!

-- Edited by Lisa at 11:42, 2008-10-06

Brendacooper · Member

Actually, I was in the store yesterday looking for some gifts, and I decided to find a book for myself. I have a pile of "to-read" fiction at home that's up to my waist, stacked sideways. Not a good idea to buy more.
I read more fiction than non-fiction, but I also buy more fiction than non-fiction. I read non-fiction when I want to learn something, or to research a story or a novel, or in magazines. I read Nature and Discover and a few other sciency mags.
So I went for something that's maybe a little of both and bought a book of poetry. My family often reads each other poetry out loud on long car trips, so now we'll have another good choice. smile

Pat · Member

Hey Brenda,
Looking forward to seeing you in the store today. What a day!

Lisa · Member

Brendacooper wrote:

So I went for something that's maybe a little of both and bought a book of poetry. My family often reads each other poetry out loud on long car trips, so now we'll have another good choice.

Hi Brenda, I hope your book signing went well this weekend!

I lingered in the poetry section a bit myself last week and noticed that Billy Collins has a new book of poetry. It took a bit of self-control to put it back on the shelf, but I don't know how long that will last - my book-lust tends to win over my self-control.

I thought a bit more about this question of Fiction vs. Non-Fiction and then I looked around the house evaluating my current reading material (I tend to keep books around the house for easy access and the occasional mood shift). I knew I was partial to non-fiction, but I guess I hadn't realized just how much until someone asked the question - currently I'm in the midst of one memoir, two books on writing, one science book (Stiff by Mary Roach - fascinating book!), one nature book, one book of history, and one book of fiction (Ann Pancake's book that I mentioned earlier, and it's actually based on interviews and real events).

Just for the heck of it, my husband had me take a "personality test" the other day, something that he took while on the job. Through a series of questions it reveals insight about your personality and it's actually quite interesting. Turns out, I'm a "realist" (no big surprise there), but maybe that's why I'm drawn to reading about the real and tangible rather than automatically stepping off into fiction? Hmmmm....

Brendacooper · Member

Thanks for asking about the signing. It was fun to meet new people, and the staff were great. There are still some signed copies left, and the series starts with a paperback, The Silver Ship and the Sea.

It was beautiful weather this weekend, which made it both wonderful and tough. I think more people would have wandered through the store if it had been raining, but some dropped by the table, and I had some wonderful hikes and must needed sun and R & R - so I wouldn't have traded the sun away. I met tons of kids reading the Stephanie Myers series, which I'm also reading (I'm on Eclipse, although I'm taking a break to read a friend's mss).

The poetry book I bought is one about with northwest poets, and it has some of my favorites (Dorianne Laux, Tess Gallagher) and some new ones. I'm looking forward to it, although I have no idea when I'll have time for it.

caribqueen · Newbie

According to what the non-fiction is about. I love to read books with much dialogue, so I'm a fan of fiction.

Anyone ever read books by Caribbean wirters? Such as Jamaica Kincaid? Here's a book by a new Caribbean author.

http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~58492.aspx

sarah_9 · Newbie

Hello,

I just love reading book, be it fiction or non fiction, currently i`m reading a work of Jim Clemmer, it is related to managerial skills and leadership, it is rendered in very interesting way and i`m planning to read some more work by him.

Regards,
sarah_9

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