How Do You Convince an Avowed Fiction Reader to Read Nonfiction?

Dear Literary Lady,
I’m trying to convince an avowed fiction reader to try nonfiction, to no avail. What do I do to open his eyes?
–N.G.
Dear N.G.,
Tell me if this sounds familiar to you,
“You should really check out this book about _______.”
“Mehhh, but I’m not really into nonfiction.”
“What do you mean you’re not into nonfiction?”
“I just can’t get into it. It’s dry, it’s a bunch of facts—it’s like reading a history textbook.”
“No, it’s not. It’s really well-written and engaging. And it’s about real things, unlike fiction.”
“Fiction is real!”
“No, it’s not!”
Fiction readers and nonfiction readers have been having the same argument since the dawn of mankind. Possibly even longer. Scientists say some of our cave-dwelling ancestors only liked pictographs of real events, while others only liked pictographs of fictional events.
As someone who reads both fiction and nonfiction, I’d say you first need to find common ground with your fiction-reading friend and bridge the divide. You’ll get nowhere if you each think the other is on the dark side.
The first step is to stop assuming fiction readers only read for entertainment and enjoy stories with no basis in reality. Sometimes, a fiction novel can be more telling of the truth than a factual account. Understand you both read to be enlightened about people, places, and experiences, and that your friend simply chooses another form through which to absorb those lessons.
Second, figure out what kind of stories your friend already connects with, and recommend books along those lines. You’ll be tempted to talk about the nonfiction books you like and why you like them, but remember, this isn’t about you. This is about them, so you need to be intriguing. Talk about nonfiction books that touch on things they’ve experienced, places they’ve been, what they do for work, what they studied in school. The possibilities for connections are endless.
Third, mention things you’ve read offhandedly, without recommending them. Whenever you’re talking about something your friend is interested in, whether it’s airplanes, fashion, or soccer, share a fascinating, little-known fact and say casually that you read it in a book. Random trivia can be a subtle but astonishingly effective method of convincing your friend that if they read nonfiction, their mind will be replete with really cool facts, too.
Lastly, and most importantly, show your friend it’s easier to share the experience of reading nonfiction than it is to share the experience of reading a novel. As much as I love reading fiction, it’s almost impossible to share a story with people who haven’t read the book. Unless you’re in a book club, you can’t sit around talking about the plot of a book. It’s a very weird and very boring thing to do. Reading fiction is one of those “you had to be there” experiences.
Reading nonfiction, on the other hand, is easy to share, and is a less individualistic experience. Show your fiction-reading friend that when they read nonfiction, they can pepper fun facts into everyday conversation, and engage in some great discussions on the subject. Show them that sometimes the rewards of nonfiction reading come after you’ve finished the book, when you can spark the curiosity of others, share what you’ve learned, and also seem super, super smart.
Best of luck!
Literary Lady