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Special Topics: Narrative Nonfiction

The topic for my paper is exploring narrative nonfiction and how to use the readers advisory techniques we've been learning to suggest these books to our patrons. I chose this topic because I don't read a lot of nonfiction (but the nonfiction I have read reads like a novel) and I wanted to learn more about the topic. Here is an excerpt from my paper:

"Conducting a readers advisory interview for narrative nonfiction is similar as for fiction. The only real differences we must keep in mind are the importance of the subject and type of book as well as the unique appeals for narrative nonfiction. Included in this paper are lists of websites for both popular and award winning nonfiction. The list of RUSA’s sure bets for each genre of narrative nonfiction is also included. Peruse these resources to get a quick primer on narrative nonfiction and the popular books in each category.

The last (and perhaps most advantageous) workhorse in the world of narrative nonfiction readers advisory is of course Novelist. Novelist now includes lists of recommended reading for nonfiction as well as the ability to narrow results to nonfiction only on the “advanced search” page. Results can be narrowed to specific subjects and appeals or you can browse by Dewey number. For the readers advisory librarian who is just starting out with narrative nonfiction Novelist is probably the greatest resource.

At the end of the day readers advisory for narrative nonfiction shares more similarities with readers advisory for fiction than you would initially think. Bridging the “Dewey divide” as Wyatt calls it can be intimidating at first, but by starting small and keeping a log of your own reading or even just skimming some of the “sure bets” from RUSA it is possible to start your journey into the world of narrative nonfiction."

Here are the annotated resources for narrative nonfiction that I included in my paper:

https://bookriot.com/2017/10/26/narrative-nonfiction-books/
Megalist of popular narrative nonfiction books- one sentence summaries

https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-categories
Pulitzer prize winners in different categories of nonfiction

http://www.bookcritics.org/awards/
Award winners and finalists in nonfiction

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/features/now-read-this/
Features popular and noteworthy books- both fiction and nonfiction

https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2018/nonfiction
Most popular nonfiction books of 2018. Includes summaries and hot titles

https://bookriot.com/2019/02/28/nonfiction-books-for-fiction-lovers/
List of nonfiction books that read like fiction- includes summaries

http://www.ala.org/rusa/sections/codes/section/codescomm/codesreadadv/codesreadadv.
Two documents that are useful on this page: “narrative nonfiction genre appeal factors” and “sure bet narrative nonfiction genre writers”. Includes definitions of various genres and why people like them along with suggested books in each category

Wyatt, Neal. The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Nonfiction
Covers more than just narrative nonfiction but has useful techniques for readers advisory as well as useful genre categories

Novelist
Can search by subject, appeal terms, and nonfiction. Priceless for beginning readers advisory librarians

Amazon.com
“Customers also bought” feature very useful for finding similar books. Reviews and summaries of books included

Goodreads.com
“Listopia” feature has user created lists on different subjects for fiction and nonfiction. Reviews and summaries included 

Comments

  1. Rebecca March 2, 2019 at 7:13 AM

    Hi,
    I also chose nonfiction as my topic, but my focus was on nonfiction graphic novels. Narrative nonfiction is a favorite of mine. I remember reading in one of my classes that readers are just looking for a good story, whether that is fiction or nonfiction. I agree that narrative nonfiction can (and should?) read like a story. It's interesting that we were both curious about nonfiction readers' advisory. There seems to be a lot of potential for improving readers' advisory in that area. Thank you for finding those resources for us. I know they will be useful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caitlyn TobinMarch 4, 2019 at 12:27 PM

      Ooh I'll have to check out your summary on your blog, nonfiction graphic novels sound great! The closest I've read to that category is Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh and I really enjoyed it. I'm interested to see if there are more categories to graphic novel nonfiction besides autobiography/biography

      Delete
  2. JasonMarch 3, 2019 at 8:59 AM

    Hello! Overall nonfiction at my library does not circulate well. The exception is narrative non-fiction. True-crime, military histories, biographies, and autobiographies all do well. It would seem story telling is popular whether the story is real or not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caitlyn TobinMarch 4, 2019 at 12:27 PM

      The same is true for us! With the exception of diet/cookbooks of course. Those go like hotcakes depending on what the new trend is (keto today, but who knows what it'll be next year)

      Delete

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