I find non-fiction to be too much work. The non-fiction I’ve had to read is written in a boring style, and it just doesn’t keep my interest. A lot of non-fiction writers don’t feel like they have to tell a story. It’s just the facts, ma’am.
I think that people who prefer non-fiction enjoy the facts more. They may even feel that it is a waste of time reading anything that isn’t about facts; that doesn’t teach them about the real world (or so they believe).
I like stories. In fact, I about can’t keep up any interest in anything I’m reading unless there is a story to it. I like reading the New Yorker because they do tell stories in their non-fiction. So, too, does The Sun. Fiction, of course, is usually about stories and plot. Some fiction is about style and language, and I don’t really enjoy those kinds of fiction. I need my plot!
I also tend to learn a lot of facts about the world through fiction. Perhaps that’s because I read science fiction the most. However there are many facts about relationships that one can learn from fiction in other genres, as well. Understanding relationships and human interaction have always been important to me. I think fiction is the best place to learn about that, although I do read some social science. Generally I prefer to get my social science from talks, rather than reading. I can interact with people and ask questions—something you can’t do with written information.
I have no idea if I represent the thoughts of anyone else who prefers fiction to non-fiction. I’m sure others are different. So really, I’m speaking for myself, and, unfortunately, I can’t answer the question. I hope that an explanation of one person’s thinking is useful.