Post #5

For a book to be considered nonfiction, in my opinion at least, the book has to be about 80%-90% true.  Most of the stories or tales in the book would have to be true, and unless the book is amazingly exciting nonfiction stories there has to be some fictional stories or parts as well.  Take for example, the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand; the book is 100% nonfiction and it is very exciting and action packed.  This is 100% nonfiction and one of the only books of its kind out on the market.  But not every nonfiction book is like this, and sometimes those books are boring and not entertaining and could use some spice in the book to make it more appealing. 

I think that half-truths in stories are alright if they are not too far fetched, such as a story like Superman or Spiderman, and should still be considered nonfiction.  I think in Frey’s case, the truth was stretched too far because of the stories he told, some were just crazy and he should be ashamed that he tried putting those in his story.  If a story is a memoir though it should be 95%-100% true because a memoir is a story reflecting on a certain part of someone’s life and or an experience that person has been through.  I personally don’t think Shields is right because in the end, a book is a book and it mostly doesn't affect other people’s lives enough to change their lifestyle or what they do with their life.