Three Nonfiction Must-Reads for College Students

With all the assigned readings college students have for class, curling up with a nonfiction book is probably not high on the list of fun weekend activities. Most of the reading done in college comes in the form of a thick textbook, lengthy study guide or a complicated research article.  Finding the time to “read for fun” seems like an oxymoron. 

The loss of reading anything other than for education is an unfortunate trend because so many books not assigned for homework contain crucial principles, strategies and advice for college students wrestling with adulthood. At this important and often confusing point in life, reading the seasoned thoughts of those who have gone before is inarguably a valuable use of time.  

Nonfiction, in particular, is a category of literature that can help prepare college students for the real world. These books are any literature based on real people and events. A textbook is one kind of nonfiction book, but nonfiction can also include a cookbook, an autobiography and even this article. While written to be informative, nonfiction can entertain as well.  

Reading nonfiction books can help college students better understand the world around them, the people they sit with in class and also themselves. They provide windows into new perspectives and passions. 

Nonfiction books offer valuable information to students, whether on something they are passionate about, an area they need to grow in or answers to a question they’ve been  mulling over. These three nonfiction books are must-reads for college students:

1.  “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.

Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” has been a staple of the American bookshelf since its publication in 1936. The book offers principles to help make people like you and win them over to your way of thinking. 

According to an article on the book by Forbes, “These principles do not revolve around trends or fads, they are just the building blocks of social intelligence, and how practicing good social skills can improve your life.” 

Making people like you is important, both in a person’s social life and in their career. As tacky as that may sound, Carnegie’s principles are anything but. In the book, he gives sincere advice like acknowledging your own mistakes, remembering people’s names and expressing genuine interest in other people. 

Whether freshmen looking to make new friends or seniors anticipating working in a corporate environment for the first time, readers of this book walk away with a better understanding of how to be likeable and influential. 

2.  “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil Postman.

Although Postman published this short analysis of the influence of television on American society in 1985, his predictions are frighteningly spot-on in 2021. In his book, Postman raises concerns over how society has begun to expect religion, education, government and journalism to be entertaining as a result of electronic media—television, in particular. Social media has since emerged, and today’s readers can see his predictions about society’s addiction to entertainment cemented further.  

As students begin to establish their adult lifestyles, choosing which and how much media to consume, reading Postman’s predictions can create a necessary awareness of the negative impacts of media consumption. Reigning in their desires to be entertained can free students up to think critically and communicate more meaningfully. 

3. “A Grief Observed” by C.S. Lewis. 

Lewis’s “A Grief Observed” differs from his other books because it is a journal of grief. According to the C.S. Lewis official website, he penned the book after his wife, Joy Davidman, passed away. In it, Lewis bravely admits uncertainty over where his wife is and his inability to reconcile his suffering with a good God. His honest thoughts prove that no matter how theologically knowledgeable or firm their faith, Christians grieve death. 

Everyone has experienced the tragedy of losing a loved one. However, loss can be especially acute when faced in college, far from home and loved ones. Lewis’s honest chronicles of his loss offer solidarity in the suffering, fear and uncertainty that inevitably accompany grief.

Farmer is the web and social media manager. Follow her on Twitter at @reneefarmerr.