What types of books are you more drawn to? Fiction books where there is a linear story, or books that are more of "how to" or "what is" or about someone's opinion over an issue, or about "true stories"?

For fun, I usually read fiction books (murder mysteries mostly). I use non-fiction ones as reference for projects, papers, etc, but don't usually find much entertainment from them. Except for humorous compilations of anecdotes -- world's stupidest criminals, wacky inventions/patents... stuff like that. Sometimes "real" ghost stories and paranormal things are fun too.

I abhor biographical crap in general. (You know, anything that could turn into a movie "based on a true story." ) Rocket Boys wasn't too bad, but I read it only because it was a class assignment.

Fiction, real stuff is boring. Unless it's a subject I have a vast amount of interest in.

I like text books actually, especially dictionarys.

I'm a huge fantasy-dork, and so my bookshelves are stuffed with all sorts of fantasy - ranging from the mediocre to the great - and I've got some hard-to-genre-define books in there as well, but I can't say I dislike non-fiction, as I've got a truckload of those as well.

I suppose it depends on my mood. If I want to read fiction, I go pick up Terry Pratchett or Neil Gaiman or George RR Martin - if I want to read non-fiction, I go pick up the biography on Kublai Khan, or the one on Tamerlane, since I'm a huge history-nerd as well.

I've got a big love for weird books as well - like the fictional-but-written-as-non-fiction anthropological research book on gnomes that's currently eating shelf-space between my coffee-table book on samurai and my old black top hat. :P

Frostflowers
I've got a big love for weird books as well - like the fictional-but-written-as-non-fiction anthropological research book on gnomes

I think I have that book. o_o I have a book that meets that description anyway.

It's not a book by Dark Quest Games is it usebooks?

I like fiction books, non-fiction books. Usually the non-fiction books provide the basis for the various things I write about. If you're writing a sourcebook for a modern warfare type game, you want to check into the facts of the various vehicles/equipment in a reference book for example.

Though I'm a sucker for fantasy, steampunk and sci-fi these days.

Doctor Shadow
It's not a book by Dark Quest Games is it usebooks?

No. It's an old coffee table book with lots of detailed pictures, belonged to my grandmother. She had a similar one all about different kinds of Fae.

as far as written books goes, i'm not much of a fan of fiction. i can count the novels i really found interesting on two hands.
but i really have a weakness for all kinds of specialized books. may it be art, design, architecture, history or even psychology. knowledge is a great aid for drawing and writing XD !
but i'm also into photobooks (to use for reference and inspiration), its just too bad they're so damn expensive most of the time...

usedbooks

Doctor Shadow
It's not a book by Dark Quest Games is it usebooks?

No. It's an old coffee table book with lots of detailed pictures, belonged to my grandmother. She had a similar one all about different kinds of Fae.

You know I think I might have the one with the Fae in, or at least (again) a similar one!

There's two books about gnomes, as far as I know - I used to read them when I was little, when my grandmother worked as a librarian, and then I ran across one of them in a bookshop the other day and just had to buy it for nostalgia's sake. It's gorgeous.

Never read the one about Fae, though.

alibaba
but i'm also into photobooks (to use for reference and inspiration), its just too bad they're so damn expensive most of the time...

Agreed on non-fiction being good for writing and drawing, and doubly agreed on this one - I know now why there are so many starving artists in the world. Art supplies and art/photography books are just too darned expensive!

*cuddles her National Geographic photo-books*

I read a lot of nonfiction, mostly history/science, and when I do it's usually for research on a subject in my comics.

Nowadays I do the nonfiction research online (including photo research), so I rarely buy research books anymore.

Fiction lover right here. Usually, the only time I read nonfiction is when I have to for, say, school or something. Like Custard, I find most nonfiction stuff boring, unless I'm interested in the subject somewhat.

I don't particularly dislike non-fiction but I have definately read more fiction - namely Terry Pratchett

I love both. :) My shelves range from kid's books to mystery to biographies, reference-types, and middle stuff like true stories and historical fiction. What I look for is an interesting read, whether it's true or not. One of the most fascinating books I've read was about Antarctica. But then I also love stuff like King Solomon's Mines. :)

I like picture-books too, my favorite is one called "City of Darkness" and is a big collection of photos and short stories/interviews about the inhabitants of Hong Kong's Kowloon City before it was torn down. Amazing stuff. (I'd feel better about the price tag if the binding hadn't been so crappy.)

Someone
Nowadays I do the nonfiction research online (including photo research), so I rarely buy research books anymore.

I used to read a lot more nonfiction (especially on real hauntings, the paranormal, and abnormal psychology) before the internet, unless i want to do some crazy indepth research.

phantasmagraph

Someone
Nowadays I do the nonfiction research online (including photo research), so I rarely buy research books anymore.

I used to read a lot more nonfiction (especially on real hauntings, the paranormal, and abnormal psychology) before the internet, unless i want to do some crazy indepth research.

I sort of want to elaborate on this. I think the internet is great for surface-level research and finding unusual or personal perspectives, but when I really like a topic I find that nothing is as rich or deep as a book.