If you want to write an incredible, touching, meaningful, impactful, entertaining book, then learn from the pros. Read great books and pay attention to how they structure their content, speak to you, and engage your attention. I guarantee your writing will improve from reading excellent examples. And behold! Here are five examples for you.
They are five of the 42 books I read in 2022. This is actually a slump year for me—I usually clock in at over 50. I’m not surprised at the “low” number, though, as I spent the first three months of 2022 re-reading old favorites. I was tired, my health wasn’t great, and I just wanted comfort reads. Have you been there?
I rediscovered my reading mojo in March with a book by Michael Shur, the comedy genius behind The Office, Parks & Recreation, and The Good Place. (Details below—it’s number four.)
After being rebooted by laughter, I went on to read some truly fantastic books, and today I’m sharing my top five non-fiction reads of 2022. Some of them were released long before this year, but they were new to me—and perhaps to you. I hope they’ll inspire your reading for 2023.
But in addition to just wanting to share great discoveries, I chose these books because they can teach us how to write our own compelling non-fiction books.
And that’s why you’re here, right? So use these books to inform your own writing.
1. This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay
This is a really smart example of entertaining people to get a point across. Kay spends nine chapters making us literally laugh out loud with his anecdotes from his days as junior doctor, then hits us in the last chapter with the point of his book (which I won’t spoil for you).
But, from a writing craft perspective, here’s where it gets interesting: when Kay slams home his point, we are fully willing to agree with him. We accept what he says as gospel because he has so thoroughly won us over by then. We’re on his side! We are one hundred percent ready to take on board anything he has to share.
When you win over your reader, they want to agree with you. Perhaps they won’t buy into what you’re saying, but they are certainly willing. They’re open. They’re receptive. And that’s powerful.
2. This Is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch: The Joy Of Loving Something–Anything–Like Your Life Depends On It by Tabitha Carvan
If you want to write about your own experience, but you don’t want to make it all “me, me, me,” read this book. It’s an incredible example of an author taking us through their personal experience but in a way that helps the reader make sense of their own world.
It also teaches us how to take a mundane, everyday experience and turn it into a fascinating, universal conversation.
Plus, Carvan is hilarious. Her book is truly funny—particularly for mothers who can relate to trying to find themselves outside of parenthood, or to people who worry they are… overly passionate?… about their interests.
(I don’t love Harry Potter too much. I do NOT love Harry Potter too much.)
(#GryffindorForLife)
3. Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House by Alyssa Mastromonaco
Talk about knowing your audience and unashamedly speaking to them, and them alone.
Alyssa Mastromonaco was the deputy chief of staff to President Barack Obama, and she opens her book with a story about trying—and failing—to track down a tampon in the White House. She then goes on to say she hopes to inspire young women to pursue careers in politics.
That is story matched to audience.
Because writing about bleeding through your underwear at a state dinner will make most men immediately slam the book shut. But Mastromonaco isn’t writing for them. She’s connecting with the girl who’s scavenged the bottom of her purse and realized, with dread, that she’s out of tampons.
If you’re worried about turning people off, or about how to connect with the right readers, check this book out for a dose of hard-hitting (and hilarious) confidence.
4. How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question by Michael Schur
“Ethics” sounds super-serious and super-boring. But this book (all about ethics) is light and full of laughter. Literal laughter. My husband kept telling me to “keep it down, over there!”
Schur is the dude behind The Office, Parks and Recreation, and The Good Place. So, as you might expect, he cloaks this profound topic in so many jokes you barely notice you’re getting a brain (and soul) workout.
It’s a fascinating example of introducing an intricate topic to newbies without overwhelming them or talking like they’re idiots.
5. Unbound: A Woman's Guide To Power by Kasia Urbaniak
Some topics are tricky. I find the hardest are when you have to educate your reader about their problem before you can help them fix it. Most non-fiction books require this to some degree, but it’s tough when your readers need a lot of teaching.
This book does this very well. It walks readers through why they freeze up when they want to speak out, and then what to do about it. It educates, instructs, and inspires in equal measure.
Plus, it’s just a great read for all women. Powerful and fascinating. Go read!
Which books have you enjoyed this year? Which have taught or inspired you? Email me and let me know. I’d love your recommendation!
Thanks,
Liz “Let’s Read” Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing
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