Fiction and nonfiction books enrich my life in different ways. I like to read nonfiction books as part of my morning routine to get my mind flowing or to motivate myself with new ideas. They introduce me to new ways of living, educate me on past and present issues, and some tell true stories that emotionally move me. Here, I’m sharing eight nonfiction books to read this fall.
1. Deep Work by Cal Newport
Reader and Proofreading 101 student, Priscilla, wrote me and recommended Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. If you’re anything like me, you get easily thrown off course by your smartphone, social media, Netflix, and the internet. Deep Work explores how a deep work ethic produces massive results. The author, Cal Newport, is a professor at Georgetown University, and he gives us a training regimen to develop our mind and habits for complete focus. I’m looking forward to trying it out. Thanks, Priscilla!
2. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Into the Wild is one of those books that you’ll come back to over and over, and each time you’ll feel the true genius of Krakauer’s storytelling talent. In 1992, a young man by the name of Christoper McCandless turned his back on his well-to-do life, family, and society to live in the wilds of Alaska. It’s the heartbreaking true story of idealism and soul searching that ends tragically, and Krakauer does a brilliant job taking us along McCandless’s journey. The book was also adapted into a movie starring Emile Hirsch and directed by Sean Penn in 2007.
3. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Do you ever feel like there’s a lot of pressure to be positive, to be “on track” all the time? Despite all the talk nowadays about the importance of mindset, the truth is we’re all human, and it’s ok not to have it all figured out. Writer, entrepreneur, and blogger Mark Manson’s book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, shares his beliefs on why we should stop trying to be positive 24/7. Life is full of disappointments, and in order to truly feel freer and happier, we need to learn how to live with disappointments so we can turn lemons into lemonade.
4. Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
When it was first released in 2006, Eats, Shoots & Leaves immediately became a sensation amongst word nerds. It’s still a must-read for anyone who works with words. It’s an easy-to-read, hilarious, and bold book about proper punctuation use. Written by writer and former editor Lynne Truss, you’ll discover how commas, semicolons, and other punctuation keeps us from catastrophic misunderstandings.
5. You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero
While you may want to proofread and copyedit because you’re passionate about words, you do need to make money, and the more money the better, right? Jen Sincero’s best-selling You Are a Badass at Making Money uncovers how your attitude affects your relationship with money. You’ll learn how to overcome thought patterns that don’t serve you, and discover how to tap into your ability to make more. If there’s one book you need to read NOW, this is it. Personally, I’ve transformed how I perceive money, and it’s made all the difference in my financial life.
6. The Flame: Poems Notebooks Lyrics Drawings by Leonard Cohen
Sometimes I still can’t believe that Leonard Cohen is gone. Growing up in Canada, reading and discussing your first Leonard Cohen poem in English class was a rite of passage. He was loved all over the world for his poems and music, and The Flame is Cohen’s last work. “This volume contains my father’s final efforts as a poet,” writes Cohen’s son, Adam Cohen, in his foreword. “It was what he was staying alive to do, his sole breathing purpose at the end.”
7. How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Greger
This book ends up on my TBR list every year, but I swear, THIS is the year I’m reading it! How Not To Die is a must-read for everyone conscious about living well. It’s written by internationally-renowned nutrition expert and physician, Michael Greger, who’s also the founder of NutritionFacts.org. Greger discusses how nutrition and lifestyle changes can not only prevent disease, but in some cases reverse the symptoms, as well. We learn what to eat to treat the top 15 causes of death, and what foods we should eat every day. And did I mention that the Dalai Lama also recommends this book?
8. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
Ever wondered how technology is changing our lives? Or what the future has in store for mankind? In his latest thought provoking book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, professor, philosopher, and writer Yuval Noah Harari explores issues like social media’s impact on society, changes in democracy, and what the future of work looks like. While the issues are complex, the writing style is clear and easy to understand.
Edit Republic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If you choose to purchase through the links provided, you will not be charged any extra fees. You can read my disclaimer for more info.
