Monday, November 4, 2024

Nonfiction November 2024: Choosing Nonfiction

 

It's week two of Nonfiction November!  This week is hosted by Frances at Volatile Rune and is all about how we choose our nonfiction reading - "What are you looking for when you pick up a nonfiction book? Do you have a particular topic you’re attracted to? Do you have a particular writing style that works best? When you look at a nonfiction book, does the title or cover influence you?"

When I think about different genres or areas of nonfiction, I can kind of pinpoint things that don't super interest me - business, self-help (to a degree), religion, health/wellness.  So on the surface, I think most of my nonfiction reading veers towards history.  I was a history major in college (and worked as a historian for many years), so it's always been a subject that interested me.  I love learning about people, events and even buildings/structures, both big and small.  But history is such a vast subject - are there areas I'm more drawn to?  I took a look through my last few years of nonfiction reading to see if there were any patterns that stood out.

  

  


  

These are just a few of the books I've read and enjoyed, and there is definitely a focus on survival stories or people who have faced great challenges.  Royalty is also a big draw for me, as well as famous buildings.

Other subjects I enjoy are space and politics (which is really surprising, since I am not a political person at all!).  Although, my political reading tends to lean more on the personal side.  Kate Andersen Brower is a particular favorite author of mine in this area.

  

I don't follow many nonfiction authors, but Erik Larson has become an auto-buy favorite after reading my first book of his many years ago.  His narrative nonfiction style has brought so many areas of history to life for me.

 

 

What kinds of nonfiction are you drawn to?

Friday, November 1, 2024

Month in Review: October 2024

 

October was a busy month for us!  We went to Family Day at Tom's work - it was so crowded, but we all had a fun time.  Tom and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary (and 21 years together!).  We spent a Saturday with some of my family, going to a brewery (and yes, all the kids came, too - they have a great outdoor area!) and then back to one of my brother's houses for pizza and s'mores.  Henry continued with his music classes - it's so fun to hear him sing the songs he's learning when we're at home!  My stepmom hosted her annual Halloween party for the grandkids - she packs so much fun into one afternoon!  Lots of crafts, snacks, and costumes!  For Halloween this year, Henry is being Spiderman, but the Miles Morales/Spin version from Spidey & His Amazing Friends, one of his favorite shows.

The Books






The Posts and Reviews



How are you doing?


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