Ep. 208 brings the third installment of our "Best of…" series. Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop joined Sarah for the Best of Narrative Nonfiction, sharing her ALL-TIME TOP books in this genre. Plus, she brings a few popular nonfiction reads that didn't work for her.⁠ This episode is chock-full of fantastic book recommendations to get you ready for Nonfiction November or just your next nonfiction pick.

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).

CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.

Highlights

• How Elizabeth got started with narrative nonfiction.
• How the pull of "real stories" has her returning to this category again and again.
• Her favorite sub-genres and what doesn't work for her.
• Elizabeth picks a book from her list that would be a good starter book for those new to the genre.

All books mentioned in this episode are linked through Fabled Bookshop or Libro.FM. If you decide to purchase, we'd love for you to use our Fabled links in the show notes — if your budget allows.  As a bonus, use promo code SARAH at checkout on Fabled's website for 10% off your order! Prefer audio? You can find the titles on Libro.fm and select Fabled as the store you'd like to support. You can also find a list of Elizabeth's books from this episode on both Fabled's website.

Elizabeth's Favorite Narrative Nonfiction Sub-Genres [9:53 ]

NATURAL DISASTER STORIES

• In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides (2014) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [10:42 ]
• The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin (2004) | Fabled | Libro.FM [11:13 ]
• The Vortex by Scott Carney and Jason Miklian (2022) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [11:29 ]
• The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown (2009) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [12:18 ]
• What Stands in a Storm by Kim Cross (2015) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [13:11 ]
• Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson (1999) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [13:33 ]

LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS

• One Summer by Bill Bryson (2013) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [14:24 ]
• Pappyland by Wright Thompson (2020) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [15:05 ]
• The Facemaker by Lindsey Fitzharris (2022) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [15:43 ]

POP SCIENCE

• Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (2019) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [16:54 ]
• The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger (2024) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [17:50 ]
• Replaceable You by Mary Roach (2025) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [18:35 ]

HISTORY TOLD IN INTERESTING WAYS

• Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe (2018) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [19:03 ]
• The Great Halifax Explosion by John U. Bacon (2017) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [20:21 ]
• The Big Rich by Bryan Burrough (2009) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [21:17 ]
• In Harm's Way by Doug Stanton (2001) | Fabled  [21:43 ]
• Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (2010) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [22:11 ]

ORDINARY PEOPLE MEMOIRS

• Red Notice by Bill Browder (2015) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [22:32 ]
• Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin (1988) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [23:06 ]

GOTCHA / PEOPLE BEHAVING BADLY

• Bad Blood by John Carreyrou (2018) | Fabled | Libro.FM  [24:22 ]
• Bad City by Paul Pringle (2022) | <a href="https://fabledbooksho