By Megan B.
I have a confession to make: I've been cheating on my favorite book genre. *GASP* ...I know, I know; how could I? It could have been due to illness, the winter blues (a few months back), or just my need for a pick-me-up. Whatever the reason, motivational nonfiction titles have been my preferred reads this year, instead of fiction. Hate me if you must, but I will not apologize. Instead, I will appeal to you.
If you, like me, have typically shied away from the nonfiction genre, I invite you to reconsider. I promise nonfiction won't be akin to reading a dry instruction manual or a dull encyclopedia entry. On the contrary! With so many topics available in nonfiction, you're bound to have many titles appeal to you. Interested in eating better? There are several books for that! Jonesing for a new hobby? There are several books for that. Want to be inspired by someone else's life experiences? You guessed it. There are several books for that.
Please allow me to recommend a few motivating titles to you:
Featuring photographs of various designs and keepsakes, this charming book is full of inspiration, especially for those who love cozy and meaningful home decor. Written by the HGTV Home Town star, this book shares the stories and ideas behind Napier’s favorite rooms in her home. Also featured in the book are Napier's colleagues and loved ones, who describe their own ways of decorating with heirlooms. (I also recommend the memoir Make Something Good Today by Erin and her husband, Ben, which details their journey from their respective childhoods, their college romance, and the story behind their HGTV home-renovating series set in Laurel, Mississippi.)
Wow! This book is for artists and art fans, alike. Talk about inspiration! Throughout, there are various artworks featured, along with several ideas for creating your own masterpieces. My favorite how-to involved turning a recent dream into artwork by writing down sensory details about what occurred in the dream and then creating a visual story that represents those descriptions—whether it be a collage, painting, or sculpture.
With this autobiography, the actress-turned homesteader regales the reader with how she and her husband (actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan of The Walking Dead fame) enjoy life outside of Hollywood on their farm in New York. It’s a read that beautifully details the ups and downs of life and how to persevere through challenges (and maybe even start your own garden, small business, and animal farm along the way).
If you're still tagging along with me at this point, hopefully my newfound love of nonfiction is contagious (in a good, encouraging way—not like the germy crud that goes around). If you're still unconvinced, though, might I encourage you to at least peruse the nonfiction section at your library, even if it's just for a few minutes? You could be surprised at the titles that grab your attention. No matter what piques your interest, I promise you that your experience with nonfiction will be rewarding.
As for me, don't worry; I have not given up on fiction. I could never fully stray from thrillers and horror or writers like Joe Hill, Riley Sager, and Jennifer McMahon. At this time in my life, though, I am content with wandering the oh-so-glorious nonfiction aisles of the library, looking for more motivating stories and inspiring ideas.
...Do you care to join me?