It's Week 3 of Nonfiction November! This week, hosted by Veronica at The Thousand Book Project, is Be/Ask/Become the Expert. This year I'm going to attempt to be the expert. I was a history major in college and worked as a historian for a few years after. The firm I worked at did a lot of architectural history and I always loved learning about different buildings and why they were important or special. Even though I no longer work in the field, I still enjoy reading about iconic buildings, so today I've put together a list of some of my favorite nonfiction books about famous buildings.
What are some of your favorite books about iconic buildings?
* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Super blog
ReplyDeletePlease read my post
ReplyDeleteThe Residence sounds like it would be an interesting read. I've also been wanting to find some nonfiction books about the iconic NYC buildings Fiona Davis features in her novels.
ReplyDeleteAhh, those would make such great pairings with her books!
DeleteI don't think I've ever read a book about a certain building before but I can see how these books can be really fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy it!
DeleteWhat an excellent choice!! I've never really thought about it before, but this is a topic I'm interested in, too. Loved The Residence and just finished The Last Castle, which was very good. The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World and The Plaza are both on my wish list.
ReplyDeleteThanks, JoAnn! Hope you enjoy the ones on your TBR!
DeleteI had no idea you were a historian, but that really explains your love of historical fiction
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes, I guess it does!
DeleteIt was about the family as much as the building, but Secret Life of the Savoy and the D'Oyly Carte Family by Olivia Williams was excellent
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary!
DeleteI've always enjoyed history and in fact I've often wished I'd studied it more!
ReplyDeleteIt's a subject I've loved since I was a kid!
DeleteWhat a neat and unusual topic. Now I have to think if I've read any books about buildings. The most recent is certainly The Library Book by Susan Orlean, about the Los Angeles Public Library. It actually made me want to visit Los Angeles, a thing I've never wanted to do, just to go to the library.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lory! I haven't read The Library Book yet but heard good things!
DeleteI am not sure that I have read an adult book that featured an iconic building! I do remember enjoying The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankeweiler and the New York Public Library setting. This is such a cool post idea and I really love visiting and learning about the history of old buildings.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I've always loved touring old houses and buildings and learning their history.
DeleteThis is an excellent idea for a list. The only books I've read about buildings are Eiffel's Tower (Young People) by Jill Jonnes (if you would consider the Eiffel Tower a building); Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture (again, is this a building?); and a children's book, Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi (and once again, not exactly just about a building).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb! Those all sound like great reads. They may not be entire buildings, but these structures are definitely iconic! And I've always loved the Eiffel Tower.
DeleteOther than browsing through a coffee table book or three on the subject of architecture I don’t think I’ve ever read anything specific about a building, though I have toured some historical homes - not that our history is particularly old. Thanks for sharing your recommendations
ReplyDeleteI love touring historic homes!
DeleteOh, that's so great that you studied history! I don't read much non-fiction, but I can see that this would be a great topic to read about.
ReplyDeleteIt's one I've always enjoyed!
DeleteLove this topic! I read The Residence a while back and loved it. And The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World has been on my TBR pile for ages.
ReplyDeleteThe Residence was such a great read!
DeleteOoh, very nice! For the life of me, I can't think of any similar I would have read
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emma!
Delete