Monday, October 28, 2024

Nonfiction November 2024: My Year in Nonfiction

 

We might officially still be a couple days away, but it's time to start celebrating Nonfiction November!  Last year I skipped this blogging and reading event because I barely read any nonfiction.  This year I wanted to make a point to read more nonfiction, since I really do enjoy it, so I made a goal at the beginning of the year to read 6 nonfiction books - I know, it doesn't really sound like that much, but it was a good starting point!  I've read 10 nonfiction books to date this year, with plans to read a few more in November, of course!  The first week of Nonfiction November is hosted by Heather at Based on a True Story and is all about our year in nonfiction - what we've read, what were some of our favorites, etc.

My year in nonfiction has been pretty great, with reads ranging from 3.5 to 5 stars!  Most fall in the 4 star category.  As far as topics, they really run the gamut, from celebrity memoirs to royalty to space to the ancient and natural worlds.  Here are some of my favorites from the year so far:

 


 


 


My goals for Nonfiction November are to see what everyone else is reading, find some more interesting books for my TBR, and to celebrate the genre of nonfiction!  I might not stick solely to reading nonfiction this month, but here are some I definitely want to get to:

  



What are some of your nonfiction highlights from this year?


* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.


37 comments:

  1. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was great. I love Bettany Hughes so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now I want to try more from her! This was my first!

      Delete
  2. Interesting titles! And congrats on already reading 10 nonfiction books this year; you've almost doubled your goal. When we look at this statistic--82% of Americans read 10 or fewer books a year--we can feel like we are voracious readers by comparison. (I hope the statistic isn't true! But it probably is. sigh) Visiting from the Nonfiction November linkup.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband is definitely a non-reader, so that statistic doesn't surprise me!

      Delete
  3. I've liked Erik Larson's other books but haven't gotten to that one yet. I've been looking at The Palace at my library. That definitely on my TBR.
    I love a theme month for pushing us to read more out of our comfort zones!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do, too! I've been saving some anticipated titles for this month!

      Delete
  4. I added The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to my TBR. Thanks. So glad you are participating.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is definitely the kind of nonfiction I gravitate to. Hope you do get to Demon of Unrest--I read it earlier this year and thought it terrific.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. His books are always a hit for me, so I have high hopes! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

      Delete
  6. Heather had Being Henry on her list, too. Since I've had a bit of a theme of celebrity memoirs in 2024, that looks like a good one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so fun. If you have even a passing interest in Henry Winkler, it's worth it.

      Delete
  7. I don't read non fiction but the Sorry I'm Late one looks like a hoot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so much more than I thought it would be! I related to a lot of it.

      Delete
  8. Six is a great place to start and kudos for already passing that goal! I read The New Guys by Meredith Bagby last year and The Six sounds like it would be a great complement to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just looked it up and it sounds awesome! Adding to my TBR, thank you!

      Delete
  9. Yikes! Jessica Pan is a braver woman than me. As a major introvert I would never take on the challenges that she did.

    Remember those View-Master toys? One of my reels had the Seven Wonders of the World on it and I remember being fascinated by them and a tiny bit afraid. I don't know why. LOL

    Was The Six really, REALLY good, or just ok?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, some of Pan's challenges, I was like, um nope. The Seven Wonders fascinate me - these structures were so enormous, I can't even imagine.

      I gave The Six 4 stars - I thought the author's writing style was really readable, she had some great quotes, and I learned a lot about each individual woman, but at times it did feel a little surface level.

      Delete
  10. As an introvery myself, I can't resist Sorry I'm Late. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really related to a lot of what she said, and I did learn some tricks, too, that could help me!

      Delete
  11. The Wave sounds good - will add it to my water-related nonfiction reading (I pretty much read grief memoirs and books about swimming!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was terrifying and fascinating at the same time!

      Delete
  12. Good luck with nonfiction November! I'll be participating, but I'm only reading EMT books, so that's boring. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Aj! Haha, hopefully you can sneak in one non-EMT-related book!

      Delete
  13. I'm glad you're participating in Nonfiction November this year. I'm hoping you get a chance to read The Palace, and I'm adding it to my list. The Tudors are endlessly interesting and I have fond memories of visiting Hampton Court just over a decade ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to go to England one day and visit all these places. The Tudors are a particular interest of mine.

      Delete
  14. I am not a big non-fiction reader, but I agree, you have quite a variety up there. I love the title of the introvert book.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That's wonderful, I always love it when people embrace nonfiction and well done for setting an intention and getting some books read - and enjoying them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Even though I do enjoy it, setting a goal kept it at the top of mind when I was choosing books to read.

      Delete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Good post! I enjoyed Demon Unrest and The Six. Enjoy this month's reading.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Woohoo for NonFiction! I have added your book about introverts, I am never sure where I am on the intro / extroverted spectrum so I am very curious. Enjoy this month!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am definitely an introvert and related a lot to the author.

      Delete
  19. As an introvert, I'm definitely intrigued by Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come :)

    ReplyDelete

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