12 Best Creative Nonfiction Examples You Won’t Be Able To Put Down

Creative nonfiction is one of my favourite genres in literature because it blends the storytelling elements of fiction with the authenticity of real-life events.

This form of creative writing can include personal stories, historical events, or broader cultural reflections but still has all of the literary techniques and narrative flair that make a good story so captivating. 

Here are 12 standout creative nonfiction examples ranging from a memoir by Maya Angelou to a fantastic piece of nature writing by Helen Macdonald. Enjoy!

1. I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O’Farrell

In this powerful memoir, Maggie O’Farrell recounts seventeen near-death experiences, each chapter exploring a moment when her life hung in the balance. Her brushes at death feel terrifying and haunting, with one review praising it as not having ‘a single false moment’. The essays are as suspenseful as they are reflective, turning ordinary events into life-changing moments and delving deeply into themes of mortality, survival, and resilience. O’Farrell’s memoir makes readers (and myself included) acutely aware of life’s fragility and the preciousness of each day.

2. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Walls’ memoir is a raw and haunting look at her unconventional childhood, marked by poverty, instability, and complicated familial love. Her writing paints a vivid picture of her troubled yet vibrant upbringing, capturing both the pain and the strength it instilled in her. This bestselling memoir has become a staple of creative nonfiction, showing how resilience can emerge from the most challenging circumstances.

3. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Joan Didion’s exploration of grief after the sudden death of her husband is a stunningly honest portrayal of loss, memory, and the process of mourning. Didion’s precise, lyrical prose captures the depths of her emotional journey, making readers feel both the weight of her pain and the complexity of healing. It’s a deeply moving reflection on love and loss that resonates with anyone who’s experienced grief.

4. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald

A Sunday Times Bestseller, H is for Hawk explores Helen Macdonald’s journey of training a goshawk after the sudden death of her father. The book weaves her grief with the intense and unpredictable process of bonding with a wild creature and the healing power of nature. Macdonald’s poetic writing style and profound reflections make it a unique example of creative nonfiction and also make it such a good read that it’s not easy to put her book down! 

5. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

In Wild, Cheryl Strayed recounts her journey hiking the Pacific Crest Trail alone, grappling with grief, loss, and self-discovery along the way. Her brutal honesty and vivid descriptions of the landscape pull readers into her physical and emotional struggles. Wild is a testament to human endurance and the transformative power of challenging oneself, making it a cornerstone of modern memoirs.

6. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

You’ll see this listed on every creative nonfiction list there is, and rightly so. 

Often considered the first “nonfiction novel,” In Cold Blood tells the true story of the 1959 murders of the Clutter family in Kansas. Capote’s meticulous research and immersive narrative style create a hauntingly vivid account of the crime, the investigation, and the killers. Blurring the lines between journalism and literature, Capote’s book is a pioneering work of creative nonfiction that forever changed the genre.

7. Educated by Tara Westover

Tara Westover’s Educated is a riveting memoir about growing up in a strict, survivalist family in rural Idaho, where formal education was discouraged. Through sheer determination, she eventually escapes her family’s constraints to pursue learning, culminating in a Ph.D. from Cambridge University. Westover’s story explores themes of family, identity, and the power of education, and her raw, insightful writing captures the complexities of breaking free from your past.

8. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

In Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer traces the life of Christopher McCandless, a young man who abandoned his possessions to live in the Alaskan wilderness, where he ultimately met a tragic end. Through interviews, research, and personal reflections, Krakauer pieces together McCandless’s motivations and dreams, creating a gripping narrative about freedom, risk, and the limits of idealism. 

9. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Rebecca Skloot’s investigation into the life of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose cancer cells were taken without her consent and used for groundbreaking medical research, is a compelling mix of biography, science, and social commentary. Skloot not only tells Lacks’s story but also raises questions about ethics, race, and consent in medical research, making this book a profound example of creative nonfiction with lasting societal impact. In short, it’s about the story of a woman who changed the medical field forever.

10. The Making of the English Working Class by E.P. Thompson

Thompson explores the lives, struggles, and resilience of the working class in 18th and 19th-century England, giving voice to those often overlooked in traditional histories. Through detailed accounts and passionate storytelling, Thompson not only documents the emergence of working-class consciousness but also invites readers to see history from the ground up. It’s also widely regarded as one of the first major works of creative nonfiction in historical writing!

11. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s groundbreaking memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, chronicles her early years, marked by trauma, resilience, and self-discovery. Through powerful prose and vivid storytelling, Angelou delves into themes of identity, racism, and the strength of the human spirit. Her voice is both lyrical and raw, creating an unforgettable narrative that resonates deeply and has become a classic of creative nonfiction.

12. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

If you want to laugh out loud, this is for you. David Sedaris’s Me Talk Pretty One Day is a hilarious collection of essays recounting his experiences with family, language, and culture shock. Known for his wit and sharp observations, Sedaris turns everyday moments into laugh-out-loud anecdotes, offering readers a humorous perspective on life’s absurdities. His blend of humour and insight make this book a beloved example of creative nonfiction.

Ready To Read Some Of Best Creative Nonfiction Has To Offer? 

Creative nonfiction is where true stories meet storytelling magic, making real-life experiences feel as gripping as any novel.

These books aren’t just informative – they’re moving, thought-provoking, memorable and sometimes hilarious! Whether you pick Maya Angelou’s reflections on identity, E.P. Thompson’s groundbreaking look at working-class history, or Maggie O’Farrell’s brushes with mortality, each of these stories, I’m confident you’ll enjoy them thoroughly. 

Happy reading!