Monday, November 18, 2019

Nonfiction November 2019: Nonfiction Favorites


It's Week 4 of Nonfiction November - this week is hosted by Leann from Shelf Aware and it's all about our nonfiction favorites!  What makes a book one of your favorites - the subject matter, the writing style, the tone? 

For me, I generally like reading about people, places, and history.  Some of my recent favorite nonfiction books have been about women, particularly women that history has kind of ignored or we just don't really know about.

 

As a former historian with a focus on architectural history, I'm also drawn to books about iconic buildings.  I love nonfiction books that are able to bring a place to life through its stories.


I generally enjoy narrative nonfiction as opposed to more technical or academic writing.  It's not dry, it has more of a story-telling feel and reads like a fiction book.  I like to be entertained when I'm reading!  Erik Larson's books are perfect examples of narrative nonfiction.


Even in school I was never really interested in science; however, if the tone is light and the author is able to make the subject matter understandable, I can get on board!


What are some of your favorite nonfiction books?
 

34 comments:

  1. I don't really read much non-fiction these days, but I still enjoy science books. It was a my first love. NDTs book has been on my list, since I used to teach astronomy/physics/chem.

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    1. You'll probably understand more of it than I did, although it may also seem a little basic for you!

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  2. I bet The Residence is super interesting. I might see if my library has that one.

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  3. I really need to pick up more non-fic. Love seeing your list and a few I might enjoy, too. I mostly gravitate toward travelogues, biographies, and historical events.

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  4. I also lean much more towards history, but I'm more interested in people / events than architecture. Killers of the Flower Moon was both fascinating and depressing for me, as was Radium Girls.

    I listened to The Man Who Caught the Storm, about Tim Samaras (the tornado chaser) which was definitely out of my normal selection of books, but it was really good!

    Educated is one that will stick with me for a while though. I finished it this summer and couldn't stop thinking about it for a while.

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    1. I feel like I'm the only one who hasn't read Educated yet!

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  5. I have a copy of The Radium Girls, so I’ll read it this month if I can finish the 3 nonfiction books I’m currently reading. If I can’t finish those, it’ll have to wait until next year. My December reading schedule is a bit full.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  6. I have a copy of The Devil in the White City, my son had to have it for school. He said it was really good. I need to read it too.

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    1. It was my first introduction to Erik Larson!

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  7. Every Erik Larson book I have read so far has been a winner. I also loved The Radium Girls and Wonder Women!

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  8. The Radium Girls is one I've been wanting to read for a while now. I don't read much nonfiction but I tend to enjoy biographies and history.

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    1. It's a fascinating story, although difficult to read at times.

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  9. I like how you described how the right kind of book about iconic buildings can bring a place to life -- I never thought of it before like that.

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  10. Ohhh! So many good ones here. I am especially interested in Princesses Behaving Badly. The Residence also sounds interesting!

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  11. Erik Larson is a great author. His book In the Garden of Beasts is partially informing the current book I'm writing, as the political antagonist is inspired by Hitler in the 1930s.

    I like historical nonfiction too.

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  12. "Even in school I was never really interested in science; however, if the tone is light and the author is able to make the subject matter understandable, I can get on board!" This could be me! Lol. I will have to try his book. :)

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  13. I think both The Radium Girls and The residence look super interesting. I don't read nearly as much non fiction as I'd like to these days, but there seems to be a ton of really good stuff out there.

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    1. There really is! It's just a matter of finding them!

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  14. I've been interested in some of them, but I almost never pick up anything from this genre D: I'm not sure why. I really need to give it a try more.

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  15. I've been wanting to read The Last Castle for the longest time. Thanks for reminding me!

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  16. I'm with you on all of these things that make a favorite! Books on forgotten women in history, or other bits of forgotten history, are my cup of tea. And while I've not read many (any?) books on interesting buildings, they seems fascinating and I'd love to read all of the books on your list! And narrative nonfiction and science writing are also the best :)

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    1. It seems like we have a lot in common! I'd definitely recommend trying books on iconic locations.

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