I appreciate fiction, but I almost always read nonfiction. It’s probably because I typically choose the books on topics I’m interested in, and I want to learn about them. But I also love the way a great nonfiction writer can weave a narrative so strong that it’s just as much literature as it is journalism.
Some of my favorite examples of nonfiction that do this well: Soul Full of Coal Dust, Toms River, Desert Solitaire (Abbey can be problematic, though, so be warned), The Pine Barrens, This Land, and on and on.
I guess I’m kinda stuck in the environment/nature section these days!
I’m almost always reading at least one of both, but usually two nonfiction and one fiction. Basically: have two topics for learning to avoid monotony; and have a fiction around for pure diversion.
Currently I’m working on:
Fiction:
Nonfiction:
EDIT: Oh yeah, I’m also listening to Wool by Hugh Howey (first book in the series the show Silo is based on)