i don't read fiction, novels, or historic novels so i can't really say much for or against them. However i will make some book recomendations.

Basically i read anything by Bill Bryson...they can be tough reads but its so informative and humorous its worth it. Specific ones i would heavily recommend to anyone would be:

A short history of nearly everything

A walk in the woods

In a sunburned country

and African Diary