Tag: nonfiction

Just writing

Reading and Mood Change

nhpureandsimple

Surprisingly, my reading in February was better than expected.

Perhaps it’s because my reading interests and mood have changed.

This change began not as a challenge, but as a wish to read something different.

I love fiction, with its imagery, prose, and intriguing narratives.

Is there anyone who doesn’t like stories? 

Maybe.

By the way, fiction is still my favourite.

But… sometimes a title of a certain book crosses your path and intrigues you enough to have a look.

This unexpected friend introduces you to another field, another scope of knowledge. 

You start listening while reading. 

You start wandering into a new world.

You start feeling how little you have known, 

and how many interesting topics there are to learn about and from.

They say changing habits and routines is good for your brain.

What do you think?

I agree.

This wasn’t the main reason why I decided to read nonfiction, though.

But I’m glad I did, because I’m both enjoying and learning from this temporary change.

Let’s wait and see which path my reading will follow in March.

That’s all for today,

With reading thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

February, Readings, and Me

nhpureandsimple

Is it already February? 

Yes, it’s the fourth of February.

This month is so impatient.

It’s generous with its sunny days, but stingy with its warmth.

So why am I talking about February?

Because my book-review website, which is already struggling, will apparently struggle even more.

I’m planing no addition to it this month.

It is not easy to review a nonfiction book in a personal, contemplative blog. 

I can do that for research and theoretical studies, but not for a blog that’s meant to protect my peace of mind blog.

So, back to Mr February.

Please slow down, have some mercy on my book-review blog.

The Japanese book is interesting, but it has three big parts which could, actually, count as three books, if only I had the time to read them.

And there’s another problem; I already have my reading plan for the month of Ramadan, which begins on the 17th of this month.

Oh, my poor Japanese book, I think I picked you at the wrong time.

But don’t worry, I’m determined to finish you one day.

And as for you, my book-review blog, have a quiet break.

All sorted out, Mr February.

With busy-month thoughts,

Nahla 

Just writing

Too many books

nhpureandsimple

At the beginning of this year, 2026, I suggested to myself without enforcement, argument, or stubbornness that I would read more nonfiction books.

So far, I’ve been doing well following my own suggestion.

I’ve a long list across various topics. 

It’s good for the brain to switch activities and also books, isn’t it? 

But I haven’t abandoned fiction completely. I read a few pages every day from a story in a different genre: Japanese fiction.

By the way, nonfiction isn’t that boring if you’re interested in the topic.

It may need more time and concentration.

But the good news is that you’re not obliged to read it from cover to cover.

Sometimes a nonfiction book is a collection of different essays, topics, or even categories.

You read the ones most related to your interest, and skip the others.

Well… that’s my strategy.

I reckon nonfiction authors expect this from readers. 

Some of them even mention in their introduction that you, as a reader, may skip the parts you’re not interested in.

So far reading nonfiction sounds good.

But just a tiny problem to consider:

there’s no room for imagination in nonfiction.

And that’s why I always keep a fiction book at hand.

Nonfiction can teach us science, literature, philosophy, history … 

but fiction can teach us all of that in one imaginative story. 

It’s in nonfictions that we learn about history, and in fiction that we see it.

By the way, do you think villains read history?

Perhaps they don’t, otherwise there wouldn’t be so many of them.

With reading thoughts,

Nahla