Nonfiction works by novelists often offer a very unique perspective into the writers’ minds, giving readers a glimpse into their thoughts, research, and views on life beyond the realms of fiction. Here are some of the best nonfiction books written by authors who are predominantly known for their novels:

1.”A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway – Posthumously published in 1964, Hemingway’s memoir of his time in Paris during the 1920s offers insights into his life and the literary community he was a part of.

2.”In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote – This 1966 true crime novel introduced the world to the concept of a nonfiction novel as Capote explored the brutal murder of the Clutter family in Kansas.

3.”The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion – In this intensely personal memoir from 2005, Didion processes the grief following the sudden death of her husband.

4.”The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin – Baldwin’s collection of two essays published in 1963 takes an incisive look at race relations in America.

5.”We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Live” by Joan Didion – This anthology includes essays and journalism Didion wrote over several decades offering insight into politics, culture and personal reflections.

6.”Danubia: A Personal History of Habsburg Europe” by Simon Winder – Novelists can also write brilliant histories, like Winder’s quirky, informal take on central European history that delights with both wit and erudition.

7.”No Name in the Street” by James Baldwin – Another powerful set of reflections from Baldwin which focuses on history, civil rights, and his own experiences throughout much of the 60s.

8.”The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath & Ted Hughes” by Janet Malcolm – A deeply-researched biography that also explores biographical ethics and received great praise for its literary criticism.

9.”Arguably” by Christopher Hitchens – A posthumously released collection of essays where Hitchens shows his range across multiple topics such as literature, politics, religion and more.

10.”Out of Africa” by Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen) – This autobiographical account remains a classic text detailing her life while running a coffee plantation in Kenya.

While these works stray from what their authors are most famous for—novels—they are each brilliant in their way and showcase how talented writers can excel across different forms of writing.