Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?

#1

Post by elayabharath » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 4:58 AM UTC

I'm a dev who's been living off a steady diet of non-fiction for years — think self-help at 17, then into pop science and psychology. It's been awesome, but I've got this nagging feeling that my brain's become a bit too linear? Plus, I'm starting to think my English could use some flair beyond the facts and figures.

I've heard fiction is great for stretching your brain and buffing up your language skills. I would like some of that, but every time I open a novel, I end up zoning out and reaching for something with a bit more facts and data.

So I'm curious—any of you been in these shoes? - How'd you flip the switch and start getting lost in a good story? - Are there fiction books that you would recommend starting on? - Or maybe some of you have some hacks or mindset tricks that made fiction click for you in the initial days?

Would love to hear your thoughts or advice!

Re: Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?

#2

Post by greenyoda » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 5:03 AM UTC

> every time I open a novel, I end up zoning out

Maybe you could start by reading short stories rather than novels. Given the constraints of this literary form, they need to get to the point much more quickly than novels do. If you find an author whose short stories you like, then maybe try reading one of their novels.

Re: Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?

#3

Post by its-summertime » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 5:09 AM UTC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_science_fiction sounds like what you might want, though I don't know anything about books.

Re: Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?

#4

Post by Quinzel » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 5:17 AM UTC

I can’t be bothered with fiction but in english, but I’ve been learning German and I find it easier to stay focused while reading fiction in German so that’s how I have made the switch - but I literally have had to switch language to be able to enjoy fiction. Not helpful if you’re trying to expand your English vocab!

Re: Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?

#5

Post by justanotherjoe » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 5:30 AM UTC

maybe you are not reading something engaging enough?

You are hard to please and that can be a good thing. I have a friend who is hard to please and i always come to him for recommendations. Cause that means if he likes it, then it must be really good.

I would suggest anything that is dark and gritty. Violent, even. Those are the ones that is the easiest to focus on.

Re: Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?

#6

Post by progfolio » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 5:32 AM UTC

I usually go left to right, top to bottom.

Re: Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?

#7

Post by cratermoon » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 5:36 AM UTC

Are you reading by opening up to page 1 and reading through to the end? Don't do that. I know, I know, spoilers, but unless you're reading mysteries, it's not a big deal. The best fiction isn't just the ending. Everyone knows Captain Ahab dies at the end of Moby Dick, but that doesn't spoil anything.

So, read the first chapter. Read the beginning and end of the rest of the chapters – a few paragraphs, a page, something. Read the last chapter.

Analyze the story: make a list of characters and their relationships to each other. If there are people related to each other, make a family tree. Consider the locations: map them out, especially if they reference real world locations. Get a feel for how the story moves through the world. Tolkien's books are famous for including the family trees of his characters, timelines, and world maps. Do that.

Try reading a novel that's been made into a good film. Follow along reading and comparing the film adaptation to the novel. Something like C. S. Forester's book The African Queen and the 1951 film directed by John Huston.

Pick a novel that riffs on subjects you're already into. Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar involves psychology as a major plot element, as do One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Requiem for a Dream. All three have been adapted into excellent films.

Re: Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?

#8

Post by nathants » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 5:57 AM UTC

lookup fiction, fantasy, and scifi book awards. go backwards chronologically and read all the nominees. so many interesting ideas out there. glhf!

Re: Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?

#9

Post by vlod » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 7:04 AM UTC

Maybe some fiction with facts? You might like "Andy Weir" (sci-fi)

- Project Hail Mary

- Artemis

- The Martian

Maybe watch the movie "The Martian" first if you don't want to commit. As always, the books are better.

Also "I Robot" by Asimov is short stories. (Not like the movie)

Re: Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?

#10

Post by wrp » Mon, Nov 06, 2023, 7:43 AM UTC

I know some tech people who are capable of absorbing difficult material, but who never read for pleasure (and that means especially fiction). I think dyslexia may play a part in it.

If reading is really a chore for you, try looking for movies with more literate scripts. Many good writers have written for film, and in most genres.

If reading itself is not the problem and you are just easily bored, don't try to start with "serious" literature, but look for anything that grabs your attention. Not all of these are to my taste, but they have been broadly popular: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1979), The Da Vinci Code (2003), The Big Sleep (1939), The Color out of Space (1927) (short), The Hunt for Red October (1984), Hondo (1953), Get Shorty (1990).