Podcast Summary: Ep 475: Help for a Fiction Lover Who Wants to Read More Nonfiction
Release Date: April 29, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 475 of What Should I Read Next?, host Anne Bogel engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jill Jacklin, an avid reader and retired social worker from New Jersey. Jill seeks Anne’s expertise to overcome her struggle of incorporating more nonfiction into her predominantly fiction-centric reading life. This episode delves deep into Jill’s reading habits, preferences, and the psychological barriers preventing her from embracing nonfiction.
Guest Introduction
Jill Jacklin introduces herself as a mid-50s resident of New Jersey, a retired social worker, and an avid reader. She highlights her active involvement in her local book club since 2007 and her engagement with Anne’s podcast since 2019. Jill emphasizes her love for a wide range of genres, particularly fiction, while expressing her desire to delve more into nonfiction despite having numerous untouched nonfiction titles on her bookshelf.
“I'm an avid library user. I also have my collection of books at home. And I may read a book from home, read a library book, and I go back and forth to try to bring down that TBR.”
— Jill Jacklin [07:15]
Jill’s Reading Life
Jill recounts her lifelong passion for reading, starting from childhood with classics like Charlotte's Web. She maintains a disciplined reading routine, alternating between library books and her personal collection. Jill describes herself as a “completist,” striving to read extensively across various genres, though she consciously avoids horror and dystopian fiction.
“There's a few genres I don't read at all. I'm not a horror reader. I know that you're not either. And I tend not to be a dystopian reader. But other than that, I am open to reading anything as long as it's well written.”
— Jill Jacklin [08:34]
The Nonfiction Dilemma
Jill articulates her main concern: despite owning several nonfiction books that intrigue her, she finds herself reluctant to pick them up. She distinguishes between memoirs, which she seamlessly integrates into her fiction shelves, and purely informational nonfiction titles that remain untouched. Jill experiences a form of paralysis when faced with her nonfiction collection, fearing that these books might not provide the engaging narrative she enjoys in fiction.
“Do you know, it's like, are they going to read like a history book? Is it just going to be facts? Am I going to be annoyed?”
— Jill Jacklin [22:09]
Exploring Preferences and Barriers
Anne and Jill dissect the nature of Jill's preferences, noting that even within nonfiction, Jill gravitates towards titles that blend information with storytelling. Anne suggests that recognizing the narrative elements within nonfiction books might help Jill overcome her hesitation.
“It may be interesting, it may be well written, but when I sit down in my reading time... I want to be reading a story, like fiction or memoir or something that has a compelling personal story element.”
— Jill Jacklin [37:38]
Jill elaborates on her need for characters she can root for and her fascination with the psychology behind characters’ decisions. This preference extends to her nonfiction choices, where she appreciates books that weave personal stories with factual information.
Strategies to Incorporate Nonfiction
Anne proposes two approaches to help Jill integrate nonfiction into her reading routine:
- Finding the Right Books: Selecting nonfiction that aligns closely with Jill’s fiction preferences.
- Creating a Comfortable Reading Space: Adjusting habits and mindset to peacefully coexist with nonfiction in her reading life.
Jill expresses a preference for the latter, wanting to adjust her reading habits without overhauling her entire collection.
“I have this theory of my reading life. If I'm ever in a slump, I'll just grab a book and just start reading, and it'll either break me out of it, I won't like that book. I will like that book and then move on.”
— Jill Jacklin [42:08]
Recommended Nonfiction Titles
Anne recommends several nonfiction books that incorporate strong narrative elements, making them potentially more appealing to Jill:
- Michelle Obama’s The Light We Carry
- Adam Grant’s Think Again
- Chip and Dan Heath’s Switch
These titles are celebrated for their storytelling prowess, blending factual information with engaging narratives that mirror the qualities Jill appreciates in her fiction reads.
Implementing New Habits
Jill outlines her plan to gradually incorporate nonfiction into her reading schedule by dedicating specific times during the day to these books, rather than viewing them as obligatory rather than enjoyable reads. This strategy aims to reduce the feeling of overwhelm and make the process more approachable.
“My plan is to take one of them out, probably one of the three you just mentioned that are on my shelf, and start it a little bit throughout the day and see how that feels.”
— Jill Jacklin [46:26]
Conclusion
The episode concludes with Jill feeling more settled and optimistic about her new challenge to read more nonfiction. Anne encourages listeners to share their own strategies for balancing different genres, fostering a community of supportive readers.
“I like that shift. I like that.”
— Jill Jacklin [45:17]
Notable Quotes
-
“Lots of people talked about. I have to have somebody that I'm rooting for.”
— Jill Jacklin [29:19] -
“I'm a sucker for a good narrative drive. Like, I want to know what happens next, next.”
— Jill Jacklin [41:21] -
“This was my first time discussing it, and so it's helpful to discuss it and see how that feels.”
— Jill Jacklin [42:08]
Final Thoughts
Anne Bogel adeptly addresses Jill’s reading challenges by exploring both her preferences and the structural habits that hinder her from embracing nonfiction. The conversation highlights the importance of finding nonfiction that resonates on a personal level, blending information with narrative to create an engaging reading experience. This episode serves as a valuable resource for readers facing similar dilemmas, offering practical strategies and thoughtful recommendations to enrich their literary journeys.