Monday, October 28, 2019

Nonfiction November: My Year in Nonfiction


It's time for one of my favorite blogging events of the year - Nonfiction November!  Julie from Julz Reads is hosting the first week, which is a look back at our year of nonfiction.

My goal this year was to read at least 12 nonfiction books - so far I've read 15, and of course I have plenty lined up for this month!  It's been a bit of a mixed bag in terms of enjoyment, but I've had luck with a couple topics - food and the outdoors (and I'll be offering my recommendations on this topic in a couple weeks!).

   

These three books were all quite different but wonderful in their own way!

The book I've been recommending the most is Dead Mountain by Donnie Eichar - this book was terrifying, and fascinating, and just all-around incredible.  I couldn't stop talking about it after I finished it!



I also have to mention one amazing audiobook, Southern Lady Code by Helen Ellis.  Ellis has put together a series of essays of her experiences as a southern woman living in New York City.  While it doesn't always work when an author reads their own book, Ellis is the perfect narrator and she just added so much to her essays.








As always, what I hope to get out of Nonfiction November is more titles to add to my TBR!  There are so many nonfiction books out there that I just don't know about, and I want to make it an even bigger part of my reading. I have a pretty ambitious TBR set for this month - I just picked up seven books from the library this weekend, and I already had a couple on my shelves I wanted to read!  Here are just a few I really want to get to:


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48121079-the-only-plane-in-the-sky https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42283773-the-plaza?ac=1&from_search=true# https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40603383-vincent-and-theo?ac=1&from_search=true
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43908989-most-spectacular-restaurant-in-the-world?ac=1&from_search=true# https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41832751-blood-ivy?ac=1&from_search=true# https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31522805-the-husband-hunters?ac=1&from_search=true

What will you be reading this November?
 
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59 comments:

  1. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzOctober 28, 2019 at 8:16 AM

    I'm waiting on The Only Plane in the Sky to come in for me at the library. Hopefully, it will arrive soon. And I also want to read Vincent and Theo. Thanks for sharing some of your favorite reads of the year and your list of books to read. I'm adding The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World to my TBR list.

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 6:57 PM

      Thanks, Deb! I actually bought a copy of Only Plane because I didn't want to wait for it!

      Delete
  2. Rachel @ Never Enough NovelsOctober 28, 2019 at 8:25 AM

    I love the cover of Relish! I'm pretty sure I've heard of it somewhere before, so it's one I want to get to...

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  3. Christina / Book AddictOctober 28, 2019 at 8:26 AM

    I love to mix it up with non-fiction. You've got some great options! Southern Lady Code sounds like a lot of fun. I really enjoyed Husband Hunters - it was nice to fill my Downton void and listening to it was perfect.

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 6:58 PM

      Thanks, Christina! Southern Lady Code was really funny.

      Delete
  4. Susie | Novel VisitsOctober 28, 2019 at 8:43 AM

    You have me curious about Dead Mountain. I'll need to check that one out for sure. I really enjoyed the audiobook of Southern Lady Code, too. Helen Ellis is a hoot!

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 6:58 PM

      She was hilarious and really made her stories come to life!

      Delete
  5. Julie @ JulzReadsOctober 28, 2019 at 8:58 AM

    Yes, Dead Mountain was AWESOME! Thanks for participating! I can't wait to hear what you think of The Plaza and Blood & Ivy.

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  6. MicheleOctober 28, 2019 at 9:29 AM

    Dead Mountain was really good! Ugh, so many good titles, you've got me downloading stuff from Audible already!

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  7. Aj @ Read All The Things!October 28, 2019 at 9:38 AM

    I’m not participating in any official nonfiction readathons, but I’m super excited to start reading nonfiction today! The first two books in this post are on my TBR list. I own Vincent and Theo, so hopefully I’ll get to that one this month.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 6:59 PM

      I've had that on my TBR since last year, I think, so I want to make that a priority!

      Delete
  8. Bryan G. RobinsonOctober 28, 2019 at 9:44 AM


    I forgot about Blood and Ivy. I had seen that earlier and wanted to read it. Thanks for reminding me to add to my stack as well. My wife has a couple of books by Chrissy Teigen, I believe, and enjoys them. I'll have to see if she has read this one.

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 6:59 PM

      I'm not a big cook, but I enjoyed Chrissy Teigen's cookbook, she had some nice stories to go along with the recipes.

      Delete
  9. crackercrumblifeOctober 28, 2019 at 10:00 AM

    Food and the outdoors are among my favorite topics to read about too. :) Pancakes in Paris is for sure going on my list! I loved Relish. :) Thanks for sharing!!

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  10. Stephanie @ BookfeverOctober 28, 2019 at 10:03 AM

    I feel like I didn't know about Nonfiction November but howwww?! I might just participate! :D

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 7:00 PM

      Haha, yes, this definitely seems like your type of event!

      Delete
  11. StacieOctober 28, 2019 at 12:00 PM

    Southern Lady Code sounds like a fun listen and just the kind of audiobook I like. Thanks for the recommendations!

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 7:00 PM

      You're welcome! It's really short, so not too much of a commitment!

      Delete
  12. Monika @ Lovely BookshelfOctober 28, 2019 at 2:05 PM

    I have to admit, I hated Southern Lady Code. Especially as a queer person, there were parts that made me really uncomfortable. So many of the books you want to get to sound good to me, though. I need Goodreads open in another tab, ha!

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 7:01 PM

      Haha, yes!

      I can totally see where you're coming from on Southern Lady Code - I think in her efforts to be funny, she can be a little insensitive at times.

      Delete
  13. Emma at Words And Peace / France Book ToursOctober 28, 2019 at 4:50 PM

    Ah yes, Pancakes in Paris was very good!

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  14. Jennifer Tar Heel ReaderOctober 28, 2019 at 6:44 PM

    I love your plans for November, Angela! I’d love to read all of those!

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  15. The Candid CoverOctober 28, 2019 at 7:03 PM

    What a great idea for a challenge! I am really curious about Vincent and Theo. I hope that you enjoy all of these. :)

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  16. Samantha@WLABBOctober 28, 2019 at 7:06 PM

    I didn't realize Vincent and Theo was non-fiction. I thought it was more of a fictionalize account. Look at that. Good luck with your non-fiction pursuits

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 7:03 PM

      Thanks, Sam! I think it's a biography based on their letters to each other.

      Delete
  17. Allison | Mind JoggleOctober 28, 2019 at 11:27 PM

    The Only Plane in the Sky is on my list for this month, if my hold comes in. I've heard it's amazing.

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  18. shelleyrae @ book'd outOctober 28, 2019 at 11:35 PM

    The premise of Dead Mountain is intriguing, and The Husband Hunters appeals to me. I’m looking forward to seeing what you think about the titles you will be reading.

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  19. DoingDeweyOctober 29, 2019 at 12:42 AM

    Dead Mountain and Southern Lady Code both sound fantastic! They're on my to-read list :) I really enjoyed Blood and Ivy, so I'm excited to hear what you think about it if you get to it.

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  20. Tanya @ Girl Plus BooksOctober 29, 2019 at 6:30 AM

    I like that your non-fiction reads are so eclectic and varied. I keep meaning to pick up Chrissy Teigan's book but just haven't got to it yet.

    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 7:04 PM

      Thanks, Tanya!

      I haven't tried any of her recipes yet, but did copy a few for future reference!

      Delete
  21. GregOctober 29, 2019 at 6:52 PM

    I haven't read much, if any, nonfiction this year, sadly. I used to read a lot more. Since blogging I seem to have become all fiction all the time. Pancakes in Paris sounds pretty good (I think I'm hungry lol).

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 7:04 PM

      Haha, I think you would enjoy Pancakes in Paris!

      Delete
  22. Suzanne @ The Bookish LibraOctober 29, 2019 at 10:24 PM

    I'm so impressed that you've already read 15 nonfiction titles this year. I've only read one this year and really need to do better.

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 7:05 PM

      Thanks, Suzanne! I read a lot more towards the beginning of the year and then kind of stopped and was saving them all for this month!

      Delete
  23. heatherOctober 30, 2019 at 10:29 AM

    When you write about your food books you can link up to Foodies Read for a chance to win a gift card. This will be the link starting on November 1. https://www.spiritblog.net/november-2019-foodies-read

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  24. Reading with JadeOctober 30, 2019 at 10:40 AM

    I was impressed with Dead Mountain when I read it also. Look forward to your outdoor book recommendations.

    Happy reading this November!

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  25. Jaymi the OC BookGirl October 30, 2019 at 12:06 PM

    The Only Plane in The Sky is on a lot of lists... I need to add that one for sure!

    https://orangecountyreaders.com/non-fiction-november-my-year-in-nonfiction-nonficnov-nonfictionnovember-orangecountyreads/

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  26. JoAnnOctober 30, 2019 at 3:27 PM

    Your review convinced me to add Dead Mountain to my list a few months ago... sounds so interesting! The Only Plane in the Sky is on my November tbr list,too. I recently gave The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World as a gift. With any luck, I'll be able to read it after my friend finishes ;-)

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    1. AngelaNovember 1, 2019 at 7:06 PM

      Aww, that's great to hear, thank you, JoAnn!

      I have high hopes for The Most Spectacular Restaurant!

      Delete
  27. VerushkaOctober 31, 2019 at 4:54 AM

    Pancakes in Paris! I need to give that one a go -- I mean Paris!!

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  28. Jinjer-The Intrepid AngelenoOctober 31, 2019 at 8:47 AM

    Dead Mountain sounds great!

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  29. Kate @ booksaremyfavouriteandbestNovember 2, 2019 at 4:00 AM

    I've had Vincent & Theo on my TBR list for a while. Must get to it! Blood & Ivy looks good.

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  30. RennieNovember 26, 2019 at 4:51 AM

    I absolutely loved Pancakes in Paris and earlier this year it was a little dream come to true to visit one of his diners in Paris. It was exactly as charming and fun as you'd imagine from the book.

    I also loved Dead Mountain, such a fascinating and confounding story. I also thought Blood & Ivy was fantastic, did you get to it yet? And I want to read The Only Plane in the Sky too.

    Looks like you've had a great year in nonfiction!

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    1. AngelaNovember 27, 2019 at 9:09 AM

      If I ever get to Paris one day, I'd love to go to his diner! That's so cool that you've been there!

      I haven't gotten to Blood & Ivy, but I have high hopes!

      Delete

I'm so glad you stopped by, and I would love to hear your thoughts! Comments are always greatly appreciated!

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