As librarians, we are well aware of how libraries treat non-fiction materials, and that is in a way that is very different from fiction materials. In reading an article by Dr. Catherine Ross, Reading Nonfiction for Pleasure: What Motivates Readers? in Nonfiction Readers’ Advisory ed. by Robert Burgin, I began looking at nonfiction in a whole new light. Dr. Catherine Ross found that many readers read both fiction and nonfiction for pleasure, and of course, some said that they never read nonfiction. Reading to inform oneself is a compelling feature of reading, fiction often offers escapism, and nonfiction offers information. Ross’s second finding was taht an interest in a particular subject can trump the distinction between fiction and nonfiction. A great readers’ advisor would help pair popular fictional genres with nonfiction genres that offer the same appeal, or answer questions or offer details about the information included in the fictional material. Ross uncovered that people are seeking “truth” in their lives (108) and aren’t interested in the fact that someone else has contrived the misinformation in fiction.
As librarians we should also recognize that sometimes nonfiction materials appeal to those people who don’t have long stretches of time to devote to fiction materials or novels, and are interested in leisure reading in short stints. Some complaints I have heard from the non-readers in class is that it takes them too long to read a book. Nonfiction materials may just be the solution, and offer readers a book which can be opened to almost any page, and set back down to be reopened (not necessarily on the same page). Nonfiction also doesn’t require the element of imagination to be used while reading. Fiction, on the other hand, requires that one enter the reading world and get to know the setting and characters.
It is also important to realize that “some readers feel they ’should’ read nonfiction to increase their knowledge” (110).
“Readers distinguish between two types of reading: reading for pleasure and reading to take something away” (111).
“The stance taken by the reader is not determined by the text” (112)
“Readers read nonfiction to follow up on their interests in and engagement with the world” (113).
“For some readers, a passion for a single topic is the impetus for reading” (114)
“Sometimes readers don’t want to do something they just want to read about it” (114)
“Part of the joy of reading is serendipitous discovery” (115)
“Readers read biographies in areas related to their interests or their own lives.” (116)
“Story is a key element in the appeal of many nonfiction books.” (118)
Implications for the Readers’ Advisory Transaction:
- Nonfiction represents a substantial share of the pleasure reading of avid readers.
1. Do the ra interview
2. Set up displays which aren’t going to overwhelm your reader – and about something they might know about (e.g. survival stories, successful people, etc.)
3. Start thinking about nonfiction books in terms of appeal factors (plot or storyline). Use reviews
4. Become aware of the nonfiction genres in the same way you know about fiction genres
5. Be aware of the nonfiction counterparts of popular genres of fiction (e.g. war, old west, true crime, horror/occult, westerns, etc.).
