Last week, I went over some of my favorite nontraditional holiday reads – the works of Stephen King. Now it’s time to close the book on fiction and talk about the best journalistic nonfiction to read when it’s cold outside and you’re looking for a gripping story that just so happens to be true. Journalistic nonfiction is defined as creative nonfiction that contains well-researched, accurate information. Many of the purveyors of journalistic nonfiction are former or current investigative journalists committed to bringing important stories to light. Here are my picks for the best journalistic nonfiction reads you should pick up this winter.

"The Perfect Storm." Does bad weather get your heart racing? Are you interested in the epic struggle between human and nature? If so, check out Sebastian Junger’s novel about the once-in-a-century storm that struck the north Atlantic in October 1991. Prepare to learn everything you ever wanted to know about military para-rescue jumpers, swordfish fishing, and the creation of meteorological phenomena in this fast-paced novel about five men aboard a fishing boat sailing directly into one of the largest storms on record.

"The Boys in the Boat." This one will be coming to a theater near you soon, but before you catch it onscreen, you should read the book that started it all. Daniel James Brown expertly crafts the story of the nine incredible young men who formed the University of Washington crew team in the 1930s. The book starts at the very beginning, telling the stories of each member of the team before they all come together to form what is still considered one of the greatest rowing crews of all time. Don’t miss out on this one.

"Unbroken." This book spent almost four years on the New York Times bestseller’s list, and as soon as you crack it open, you’ll see why. Laura Hillenbrand’s exhaustively researched novel about an Olympic long-distance runner caught up in the Pacific Front of World War II is at once informative, heart-stopping, and emotionally taut. Skip the movie on this one. Once you read the book, you’ll see that it’s more than enough.

"Seabiscuit." Laura Hillenbrand has two books on this list, because I couldn’t favor one over the other. "Seabiscuit" tells the story of three men, beaten down by life, and the even-more-beaten-down Thoroughbred racehorse that they elevated to superstardom. Set against the backdrop of Prohibition, the Dust Bowl, and the Great Depression, "Seabiscuit" paints a picture of resilience and hope even in the worst of circumstances. Read this book, and cheer for the little horse who continues to captivate audiences to this day.

"Counting Coup." The last spot on this list goes to a personal favorite of mine. Written by Portland resident Larry Colton, "Counting Coup" details a year in the life of Hardin, Montana, a town on the border of the Crow Indian Reservation, and its incredibly skilled basketball team. Come to this book for the stark descriptions of Montana life, and stay for the friendships formed that keep the town – and the author – standing.

Who needs fiction, anyway? You can find all the elements of a great story in the pages of one of these books!