Non-Fiction that Reads like Fiction

I love a book that immediately hooks me and make me want to read the whole thing in one sitting. I also love learning new information about an obscure subject. Recently, it seems like a lot more non-fiction is written more like a story than a dry textbook, combining my favorite qualities and giving me something fun to talk about.

Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff: Cleopatra is one of the most unknown famous historical figures. She has been the subject of countless books, movies, plays and art but most of her history was written by her enemies. Stacy Schiff attempts to piece together the story of Cleopatra by examining all the historical sources and taking the information with a grain of salt based on the point of view of the writer. Often there are multiple narratives of a single event, with a discussion of why there are differences in the telling. I really enjoyed learning more about Cleopatra and this exciting period in Egyptian and Roman history. I would love to spend some time reading in the library and wandering the streets of Alexandria.

The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore: Two boys are born in Baltimore, one grows up to be a Rhodes Scholar and the other ends up in prison. Wes Moore sees his name in the Baltimore paper in a city-wide search for a man involved in cop-killing. He wonders what was different between his life and the other Wes Moore. He meets Wes Moore and documents his life. It’s an interesting story on growing up in an area where life is a series of hard choices. This is a quick read and a great testament to the role that active parents play in setting their children up for success.

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall: After the author injures himself running, the doctor informs him that his body was not built for running. He sets out to disprove this theory by learning more about a hidden tribe in Mexico that runs ultra-marathons for fun and speaking to scientists from around the world about the mechanics of running. Along the way he meets a number of interesting characters and trains to run an ultra-marathon alongside some of the most elite runners in the world. This book made me want to go out for a run right away.