A Non-Fiction Nightly Routine

Years ago I read a lot of non-fiction, much of it historical in nature. But then I got involved in book blogging and got caught up in all the hype surrounding popular fiction. I stopped reading non-fiction but always really missed it. So I’ve made a goal to resurrect my non-fiction reading habits this year. Here’s how I’m doing it…

One thing I know is that non-fiction can be quite heavy to digest. The type of non-fiction that I like to read are historical or scientific in nature. These books are full of details, dates, research, data, charts, maps, and so on. Personally, I cannot read a book like that from cover to cover without a fast-paced or light-hearted fiction book in between to break it up. Problem is, once I start a really good fiction book, it’s hard to put that down to take in more heavy reading and then my non-fiction habit falls to the wayside again.

So I’ve set a tiny parameter for myself and I’m so pleased with how it’s working out. I do the bulk of my reading time in the evenings just before bed. I’ve found that I can usually count on at least 45 minutes of reading time each night. I keep my non-fiction book on my nightstand, as well as my earbuds (for audiobooks) or physical fiction book. I commit to picking up my non-fiction book and reading it for 20 minutes every night before I allow myself to read more of my fiction book. If I’ve picked my books right, they compliment each other well and make reading both something very enjoyable.

If I get any reading time during the day I only read fiction. My brain can’t really handle heavy non-fiction during the day. Only picking up my non-fiction book for 20 minutes each night means that it takes me about a month to get through each one. I’m okay with that because I’ll have read 10-12 non-fiction books by the end of the year. That’s 10-12 more non-fiction books than I read last year!


So tell me, do you read much non-fiction? 

(Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash)

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// Comments //

  1. Heather

    Feb 16

    I love reading non-fiction as well. I am similar in that I have to take some non-fiction in chunks. Like The Sixth Extinction…this one is a toughy for me. It’s all about how we’re killing the planet and specifically how and where we’re doing it and what it means for the future (do we have one?). I’m only halfway through since I get too depressed. But it’s my goal to finish it by summer. Good luck with your nightly non-fiction reading!

    • The Sixth Extinction is the one I just finished too. It was very sobering. I had to take breaks from it.

  2. Jinjer

    Feb 15

    I like your system! And I do read non-fiction. I like memoirs, diaries, letters, etc.

    • @Jinjer I’ve read memoirs before but I should definitely try a collection of letters or a diary.