Serious nonfiction need not be difficult.

The idea that non-fiction psychology books were intimidatingly difficult to read put me off for years. In essence, it is the assumption that if a book deals with psychology, philosophy, causality, judgement, success or failure, it must be academic in tone, heavily referenced, and something of a labour to get through.

Some books are like that and have their place, but serious ideas can also be expressed plainly.

A book can ask important questions without specialist language. It can be shorter, clearer and more direct without becoming shallow.

The most effective nonfiction is not about showing off the writer's knowledge; it is about helping the reader understand, pause and reflect. That is the kind of nonfiction I am drawn to.

Luck, causality, success, failure, and the unseen factors that influence human outcomes. It asks a straightforward question:

What do we omit when we label someone lucky or unlucky?

The goal was not to make a complex subject sound clever, but to make it easier to think about, giving a clear picture.

Some authors are afraid to do that, thinking they would lose face in the world of serious non-fiction literature. But learning and understanding reasoning should be for all, not a 'closed shop' form of communication.