Nine of the best-selling books of all time are nonfiction, and countless readers turn to nonfiction when reading for pleasure today. Yet little has been done to classify nonfiction titles according to reading tastes. This is especially true in the library, where subject arrangements geared to information-seeking and scholarly research ignore the important characteristics and appeal features that readers seek out when reading for pleasure. It's no surprise, then, that in recent years, nonfiction readers' advisory has become one of the hottest topics with readers' advisors. This groundbreaking guide offers readers and professionals who work with them a much-needed road map to the vast and previously uncharted (in terms of RA) terrain of recreational nonfiction. After defining the genre (often also referred to as creative nonfiction, verite, or true stories), and discussing its unique characteristics and appeals, the author classifies and describes more than 500 titles popular with nonfiction readers—everything from true adventure, true crime, and travel narratives to investigative nonfiction, environmental writing, and life stories. Focus is on the best titles published within the last decade, with key classics and benchmark titles also cited. Chapters are subdivided into subgenres and popular themes. For each title you'll find a short list of nonfiction read-alikes.

Investigative writing—from exposés and immersion journalism to political and business reporting—is an American tradition that has come into its own, with authors such as Barbara Ehrenreich, Tracy Kidder, William Langwiesche, and Samantha Power regularly rousing critical acclaim, and claiming spots on best-seller lists. Often controversial, and written by some of our best writers, these are generally titles with high visibility in the media and high appeal to readers. Take a closer look at more than 500 current and classic examples of investigative writing with this guide that describes and organizes titles according to popular subgenres and themes. The author provides descriptive annotations, lists of subjects, fiction and nonfiction read-alikes, and more. An essential guide for readers' advisors and reference librarians, this is also an important resource for libraries that serve journalism programs.