Before I started to take my writing seriously my non-fiction shelf was a sad little thing. Why hold on to them when I could get them from the library or find the information online? Well, before I took my writing seriously I didn’t need to refer back to books once whatever project was done and out the door.
For the sake of my sanity, because I doubt I could put this list in true order of preference, I’ve tried to categorize it.
Here’s my Top 10 non-fiction keepers:
- The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
- Tarot for Writers
- Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need
- The Celts
- A Brief History of the Druids
- Seven Arrows
- 365 Unplugged Family Fun Activities
- Scrapbook Page Maps: Sketches For Creative Layouts
- The Artist’s Way
- Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book
But a funny thing happened on the way to making a Top 10 List…I have way more than 10 favorite non-fiction books 
Nov 15, 2011 @ 05:46:02
The Artists Way is my favorite! Changed my life! Have not read Save the Cat but I must – too many writers swear by it. Another goodie? Writing Down the Bones and Bird by Bird. My all time top hits. LOVE this post – thanks!
Nov 15, 2011 @ 06:11:57
I’m still trying to get through all her steps but I love the Artist’s Way. When I’m blocked I’ll do one or two of her exercises, love it.
I’ve heard a ton of great things about Bird by Bird but when I looked at picking it up it didn’t speak to me. I’ll have to give it another look. Definitely will check out Writing Down the Bones, I haven’t heard of that one before.
Thanks for stopping by Jennifer!
Nov 15, 2011 @ 06:46:15
I’ll have to add the Artist’s Way to my list of books to check out. Oh, and I also rec’ Bird by Bird. I wish I still had my copy of that. I had to read it in college and, like the dumb 21 year old I was, I sold it back to the bookstore with my other text books. Hmm. That knowledge is worth more to me today than the $2 I got back that day, I’m sure. Hindsight. *sigh*
I LOVE Save the Cat. I also rec. Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell and Story Engineering by Larry Brooks.
As for cookbooks–The Joy of Cooking is a staple in my house.
Nov 15, 2011 @ 06:56:19
I’m still working my way through Plot & Structure. Larry Brooks is on my keeper shelf too but I wanted to have more than just writing books on this list, LOL. Joy of Cooking was my mother’s cookbook staple for years, and I’ve copied a few recipes from it. But the BH&G has been my staple, the first book finally fell apart and I was gifted with a brand spanking new one last year
(Crazy enough, some of my favorite recipes were changed or missing all together in the newer book so I still have pages ripped from the older one!)
Thanks for stopping by Erin!
Nov 15, 2011 @ 07:47:16
oh, fun! i am a huge fan of non-fiction. here are a few favorites:
-Cleopatra, A Life
-Pink Brain, Blue Brain (neuro book on gender and brain development)
-In Defense of Food
-On Writing
-Mountains Beyond Mountains
highly recommend them all!!!
Nov 15, 2011 @ 08:26:27
I’ve read On Writing but it didn’t make it to the keeper shelf…sometimes I wonder about that when I see all the authors out there raving about it.
Those others look interesting, will definitely have to check them out
Thanks for stopping by Gina!
Nov 15, 2011 @ 08:08:42
I was surprised to discover that I had more nonfiction than fiction on my keeper shelves. I suppose it’s because I rarely reread fiction, so once I’m done, they’re gone. I do keep a few signed titles from author-friends.
One of my oldest and most prized books is Carla Emery’s, The Encyclopedia of Country Living.
Nov 15, 2011 @ 08:30:13
I used to re-read a lot more than I do now Maria and my fiction shelves are definitely thinning because of the shift. I also suspect my non-fiction is going to continue to grow
That Encyclopedia sounds interesting and I bet you’re putting it to good use. Thanks for stopping by Maria!
Nov 15, 2011 @ 14:27:53
I’m not a non-fiction kind of gal. I’ve read a few, and of course I have my writing books. I’m just so obsessed with fiction I don’t have time for reality.
Nov 15, 2011 @ 15:10:35
LOL, Ciara. I don’t often re-read non-fiction cover to cover but I do like having them to refer back to.
Thanks for stopping by
Nov 15, 2011 @ 17:06:47
That’s a great list. I guess I’d add Stephen King’s On Writing and Strunk and White’s book. And the Oxford English Dictionary
Nov 15, 2011 @ 17:29:04
Like I told Gina, On Writing was read but didn’t make it to the keeper shelf. Strunk and White definitely a must have
Thanks for stopping by Deniz!